The Kartarpur Corridor will connect the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, just 4 kilometres from the IB.

ISLAMABAD: Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting the Kartarpur Sahib will need a passport to use the Kartarpur Corridor, which will be inaugurated this week, the Pakistan Army has said, according to a media report on Thursday, days after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Indian devotees would only need a valid ID to visit the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.

The comments by Pakistan Army spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor came a day after India asked Pakistan to clarify whether passport will be required by the Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur.

The Kartarpur Corridor, which provides a visa-free access to Indian Sikhs to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, will be inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Imran Khan to mark Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary.

Maj Gen Ghafoor on Wednesday said that Indian Sikh pilgrims would require a passport to use Kartarpur Corridor, Dawn News quoted Hum News channel as saying.

“As we have a security link, the entry would be a legal one under a permit on a passport-based identity. There will be no compromise on security or sovereignty,” Ghafoor said.

On Wednesday, India asked Pakistan to clarify whether passport will be required to visit the Kartarpur Sahib.

On November 1, Prime Minister Khan, while announcing the completion of Kartarpur Corridor on Twitter, said he had waived two requirements relating to passport and registering 10 days in advance for Sikhs coming for the pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India.

He said that Sikh pilgrims from India would only need a valid ID and not a passport to travel to Kartarpur.

The service fee of USD 20 dollars for those coming for the inaugural ceremony and on the 550th birth anniversary of the Sikh Guru on November 12 was also abolished.

The year 2019 marks the 550th birth anniversary year of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, whose birthplace is Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

The corridor has been established to commemorate his birth anniversary.

The Kartarpur Corridor will connect the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, just 4 kilometres from the International Border, located at Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province.

Notwithstanding a chill in bilateral ties over Kashmir, Pakistan and India after tough negotiations signed a landmark agreement last week to operationalise the historic Kartarpur Corridor to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.

The two countries decided that 5,000 pilgrims can visit the shrine daily.

India and Pakistan have also decided that the corridor will be operational through the year and seven days a week and that pilgrims, except kids and elderly persons, will have a choice to visit it as individuals or in groups.

Forex traders said, the decline in the domestic unit was largely in tandem with other Asian currencies after reports of delay in US-China trade deal.

MUMBAI: The rupee opened on a weak note and declined by 14 paise to 71.11 against the US dollar in opening trade on Thursday after reports that the US-China trade deal signing could be delayed to December weighed on investor community.

Forex traders said, the decline in the domestic unit was largely in tandem with other Asian currencies after reports of delay in US-China trade deal.

However, sustained foreign fund inflows, positive opening in domestic equities and easing crude oil prices supported the local unit.

The rupee opened weak at 71.10 at the interbank forex market and then fell further to 71.11, down 14 paise over its last close.

The rupee had settled at 70.97 against the US dollar on Wednesday.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, eased 0.08 per cent to USD 61.69 per barrel.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net buyers in the capital markets, putting in Rs 1,011.49 crore on Wednesday, as per provisional data.

On the domestic market front, benchmark indices Sensex was trading 129.09 points higher at 40,598.87 and Nifty was up 34.55 points at 12,000.60.

The dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against a basket of six currencies, rose by 0.04 per cent to 97.99.

The 10-year government bond yield was at 6.49 per cent in morning trade.

With just two days left for the outgoing Assembly to expire, allies BJP and Shiv Sena have little time left for government formation. 

MUMBAI: A steering committee to run the new Maharashtra government with Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray possibly at its helm, could be the face-saver for the party as it prepares to formally do business with the BJP again, sources said.

With just two days left for the outgoing Assembly to expire, they have little time left for government formation. 

“Now our formula is in place. Sena’s resentment will be put to an end. The people of Maharashtra have voted for the Mahayuti (grand alliance). Hence, we shall form the government. Me and state BJP president Chandrakant Patil will meet Governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari tomorrow to discuss the next steps,” finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told this newspaper without divulging any details. 

Earlier in the day, six Shiv Sena ministers attended a meeting of guardian ministers called by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which was seen as a positive sign from the grumpy ally.

Also, two of the Sena ministers had a short discussion with Fadnavis on government formation. One of the proposals was on the formation of a steering panel headed by Uddhav Thackeray to placate the ally, sources said.

Sena leaders then gave Uddhav a full briefing. The final call on the peace formula and government formation will be taken at a meeting of the party’s MLAs on Thursday.

For the record, Sena MP Sanjay Raut parroted the line on getting no offer from the BJP, but sources said that the mood within Shiv Sena is inclined towards accepting the proposals and forming the government.

Raut categorically said that Thackeray hasn’t received any proposal from the BJP over government formation. He also said that his party is okay with the BJP’s move to meet governor Koshyari.

“We met the Governor. Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athawale also met him. And if BJP leaders are meeting the Governor (to stake claim to form the government), then they should form the government as they are the single largest party,” Raut said.

“We have been saying that the BJP being the single largest party, should form the government,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader, who was with the Shiv Sena and the NCP earlier, said that even if BJP fails to take Sena on board immediately, a government can be formed by Friday evening and thereby about a month’s time can be bought to further negotiations with the Shiv Sena.

Union minister and RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athawale, however, said that the Sena is left with no other options but to form government with the BJP.

Even as overall domestic passenger vehicle sales remain affected due to the prolonged slowdown, there is no dearth in demand for some of the newly launched vehicles.

Even as overall domestic passenger vehicle sales remain affected due to the prolonged slowdown, there is no dearth in demand for some of the newly launched vehicles.

According to data released by carmakers, month-on-month sales of vehicles such as Kia Seltos SUV and MG Hector SUV saw significant rise in the festive month of October, while Maruti Suzuki’s small car S-presso helped the carmaker to post growth in monthly sales figures for the firm time this fiscal.

Korean manufacturer Kia Motors in October registered a month-on-month growth of 65.72 per cent and sold a whopping 12,800 models of Seltos. The carmaker is now the fifth largest brand in India in terms of sales volumes.

“Seltos has skyrocketed to the ranks of being one of the most demanded product in the segment with over 60,000 bookings till now. We are elated with such a strong response and this shows that our first product has not only addressed the unmet needs of the Indian customers but has also set a new benchmark in the Indian automobile industry,” said Manohar Bhat, VP and Head – Sales and Marketing, Kia Motors India.

While the slowdown has forced major manufactures to cut down their production days, new players, on the contrary, are ramping up their production to reduce the waiting period. “We have already commenced a second shift at our Anantapur facility to cater to the rising demand and ensure timely and seamless delivery of the Seltos to our valued customers,” Bhat said.

Similarly, MG Motor, which re-opened bookings for Hector on September 29, is starting second shift operations this month. The carmaker recently announced recording retail sales of 3,536 units of Hector in October. Its total booking by the end of last month had crossed 38,000 units.

Rakesh Sidana, Director – Sales, MG Motor India, said, “As we gradually ramp up our production, we aim to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction through timely vehicle deliveries.”

Experts have attributed aggressive pricing, connected features and buyers’ preference for SUVs over other vehicles for the ever-rising demand for newly launched utility vehicles. Maruti Suzuki’s new entry level segment car S-Presso, which by design looks like a mini SUV, has accumulated more than 20,000 bookings, averaging about 750-800 units per day.

The two launches, coupled with heavy festive buying helped Maruti’s overall volumes to go up by 5 per cent year on year (growth after six consecutive months of double-digit decline) to 153,435 units in October 2019. Its entry and compact hatchback car segment volumes increased by 6 per cent year on year led by launch of new S-Presso in October 2019.

The other vehicle which is immune to the slowdown is Hyundai Venue, which recently outperformed Maruti Suzuki’s Vitara Brezza to become India’s largest selling subcompact SUV. The carmaker had last month informed that booking for Venue has crossed the 75,000 units mark in a just 5 months.

Booking Numbers
Kia Seltos: 60,000
MG Hector: 38,000
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso: 20,000

The bank had registered a net loss of Rs 487.26 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

NEW DELHI: Shares of Indian Overseas Bank on Tuesday plummeted over 14 per cent after the company reported widening of its net loss for the second quarter ended September 30.

The company’s stock dropped 13.18 per cent to Rs 10.40 on the BSE. On the NSE, it plunged 14.16 per cent to Rs 10.30. The state-owned lender on Monday reported widening of its net loss to Rs 2,253.64 crore for the second quarter ended September 30.

The bank had registered a net loss of Rs 487.26 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. In the first quarter of the current financial year, it had posted a net loss of Rs 342 crore.

Total income during the second quarter of 2019-20 also fell to Rs 5,024 crore from Rs 5,348.35 crore in the corresponding period of 2018-19, the bank said in a regulatory filing.

The bank’s asset quality remains elevated with the gross non-performing assets standing at 20 per cent (Rs 28,673.95 crore) of gross advances during the quarter, compared with 24.73 per cent (Rs 37,109.96 crore) in the year-ago same period.

Amid reports of the Shiv Sena making friendly overtures to the NCP, Raut said Sharad Pawar will not be the next chief minister of the state.

MUMBAI: Amid the deadlock over government formation in Maharashtra, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday reiterated that the state’s next chief minister will be from his party.

He said the politics of Maharashtra was changing and his party would win in its fight for justice.

“The decision on Maharashtra will be taken in Maharashtra, the chief minister will be from the Shiv Sena,” Raut told reporters here.

Amid reports of the Shiv Sena making friendly overtures to the NCP, Raut said Sharad Pawar will not be the next chief minister of the state.ADVERTISING

“The politics of Maharashtra is changing. In our fight for justice, we will win,” the Rajya Sabha member said.

The BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in a bitter tussle over the issue of chief minister’s post, resulting in a stalemate in government formation despite results of the Assembly polls on October 24 giving the saffron alliance a combined seat strength of 161, way past the 145 majority mark in the 288-member House.

In the polls, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena-56, NCP-54 and Congress-44.

The apex court told lawyers representing various authorities that it is not satisfied with the legal argument on various methods to curb the rising air pollution.

NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented direction, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra, on Monday sought presence of senior technical experts to suggest ways to immediately tackle the menace of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR region.

The apex court told lawyers representing various authorities that it is not satisfied with the legal argument on various methods to curb the rising air pollution. It said experts, especially from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), should be present to assist it on the issue and suggest immediate remedy.

Additional Solicitor General A Nadkarni, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that fires caused by stubble burning have been extinguished, and that the next step is to begin patrolling to ensure no more fires take place.

The court said it is looking for concrete reforms and asked the authorities concerned to mobilize the presence of experts within 30 minutes. This direction left the authorities scrambling to get the appropriate expert before the court.

Professor Mukesh Khare, IIT Delhi, who appeared before the court, said: “We need to immediately curb four major factors associated with air pollution: stubble burning, spraying water to suppress dust, stop burning of waste (waste management), and addressing dust from unpaved roads”.

The court inquired from Khare if he has come across any immediate strategy to control air pollution, especially from other parts of the world. Khare replied the Chinese usually spray water to suppress dust by adjusting pressure on the nozzle, which does not allow lifting up in the air.

Nadkarni recommended chemicals sprays to suppress dust. The apex court passed order on concerns raised by Khare, and asked him if it is suffice for the moment. Khare expressed his satisfaction on the directions of the top court. Khare disapproved of cloud seeding technology as Delhi-NCR is a large region.

The joint secretary MoEF, while replying on methods to extinguish stubble burning, suggested that cooperation from Gram Pradhans can address the issue. “Informers will be given awards if they report instances of fire,” said the officer.

Justice Mishra expressing dissatisfaction said: “This cannot be left to informers…how do you make people liable? How do you visualize cloud seeding will help?” The officer replied, “The meteorological department is the department concerned.”

The officer said satellite imagery establishes that stubble burning fires are not improving in Punjab. He also suggested action against dust should be prioritized. Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) chairman Bhure Lal, also present during the hearing, insisted chief secretaries of respective states should be held accountable.

“Crop residue can be utilized for electricity”, he told the court.

Sunita Narain, one of the members of EPCA, informed the court Haryana has succeeded in controlling stubble burning this year.

Describing the sand shortage in the State as a temporary phenomenon, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said it will end soon once the floods in the rivers recede

VIJAYAWADA: Describing the sand shortage in the State as a temporary phenomenon, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said it will end soon once the floods in the rivers recede. 

Taking stock of the situation during a review meeting with the Roads and Buildings officials on Monday, the Chief Minister lambasted the TDP for encouraging sand mafia while it was in power and making it an issue now. 

“The gates of Prakasam Barrage have been lifted for days and floodwater is flowing even now. It is good for farmers and crops. Sand will be available as per demand soon,”  he said.
The previous government had allowed sand mafia to mine sand indiscriminately using heavy machinery, Jagan said.  

During the TDP regime, the free sand policy was only for namesake as the sand mafia ruled the roost in the State, he said.  
“We are now allowing only manual mining which makes a lot of difference. We have evolved the new sand policy, which is transparent and corruption-free, to benefit the poor people in the State,” the Chief Minister said. Due to floods for the last 90 days, only 61 out of the total 265 sand reaches in the State are operational.  It has become difficult for trucks and tractors to transport sand from flooded areas. A transportation charge of `4.9 per km will be collected and the supply of sand will be increased after the floods in the rivers recede, the CM added.

Interest subsidy for M-Sand units
The State government has decided to provide subsidy on interest at the rate of 3 per cent per annum (Pavala Vaddi scheme) on facility upgradation costs (ranging from `50 lakh to `1.5 crore) for the existing stone crusher units into M-Sand units within a period of six months, which involves an outlay of `186.5 crore for five years at the rate of `37.3 crore per year. A GO in this regard was issued on Monday.
While the demand for river sand keeps increasing every year, its supply is declining. As a result, use of manufactured sand has to be promoted in a big way, which was done in various States like Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

M-Sand is produced by crushing rocks, quarry stone or larger aggregate pieces into sand-sized particles. Rocks or quarry stones are blasted and subjected to a series of crushing cycles to reduce the particles to the size of 150 microns. The sand is then sieved and washed to remove fine particles and impurities and tested for various quality aspects before it is deemed fit as a construction aggregate. To promote the use of M-Sand as a supplement to the river sand, a proposal for converting the existing stone crusher units into M-Sand units has been mooted. An M-Sand unit for the purpose of availing the incentive is defined as a crushing unit that produces at least 50% of its total production as M-Sand.

On Monday night, Pakistani Ranger opened fire from across the border in Manyari-Chorgali area in Hiranagar sector, the official said.

JAMMU: Pakistani Rangers on Tuesday targeted forward posts along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir with small arms firing, a defence official said.

The Indian Army effectively retaliated.

“At about 0740 hours, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms along LoC in Kirni sector in Poonch district”, he said.

The firing stopped around 8 am.

On Monday night, Pakistani Ranger opened fire from across the border in Manyari-Chorgali area in Hiranagar sector, the official said.

The Border Security Force (BSF) guarding the border retaliated.

64-year-old Kuldeep Kaur Vig, who worked as a coach at Guru Teg Bahadur High School in GTB Nagar, had his salary account with PMC Bank.

MUMBAI: A 64-year-old depositor of the scam-hit Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank died due to a heart attack in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, her family said on Friday.

Kuldeep Kaur Vig (64) is the seventh PMC Bank depositor to have died after the alleged Rs 4,355 crore scam at the bank came to light and the RBI imposed restrictions on withdrawal of funds.

Kaur, resident of sector 10 in Kharghar locality of Navi Mumbai, died at a hospital on Tuesday night.

She was worried about her money stuck with the bank and feeling quite stressed after watching news about depositors’ protest on TV, her husband Varinder Singh Vig (74) said.She was rushed to a hospital but declared dead during treatment, he said.

Vig, who worked as a coach at Guru Teg Bahadur High School in GTB Nagar, also had his own salary account with PMC Bank.

“We have our accounts in PMC bank for more than 15 years. Some of our Fixed Deposits were renewed recently, and a month after that this scam came out,” he said.

“We don’t have the money to renew our health insurance. The insurance firm had called asking for renewal. I asked them if they would accept a cheque of PMC Bank,” he said.

“Seven depositors have died so far. How many more deaths the bank needs?” asked a bitter Vig.

The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police has arrested five persons — three top officials of the bank and two promoters of realty group HDIL — in the scam.

Bank officials are alleged to have colluded with the promoters of HDIL in hiding its huge loan defaults.

Among the deaths of depositors reported after the scam came to light in September and fund withdrawal was capped at Rs 40,000 (hiked from the initial Rs 1,000), one was suicide.