FREE PRESS - VOL. 12 NO. 175 | BHOPAL | TUESDAY | DECEMBER 6, 2022 | PAGES 16 WWW.FREEPRESSJOURNAL.IN Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; `3 QUALITY AT VALUE RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 WEATHER 26.20c. 13.60c EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE FOR 24X7 UPDATES NATION Sunrise : 06.51 Sunset : 05.41 SPECIALIST PLAYERS AND SPLIT COACHING MAKE LOT OF SENSE FOR BIGGER INTERNATIONAL TEAMS Pg-15 58.80% TURNOUT IN SECOND PHASE After Mahakal Lok setup, number of tourists & liquor sale increase in Ujjain FIGURES SHOW MORE PEOPLE TOOK TO DRINKING IN STATE BHARTI'S CAMPAIGNS TO BAN SALE OF WINE FAIL NITENDRA SHARMA Bhopal News Brief Gyanvapi case: Next hearing on Jan 23 VARANASI: A Varanasi court on Monday fixed January 23, 2023 as the next date of hearing in a Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri case pertaining to the Hindu side's demand for a survey of two underground places (tahkhanas) on the mosque premises. SC to organise first 'hackathon' NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will organise its first 'hackathon' event to identify innovative ideas and explore practical propositions for refining and bringing in efficiency in the existing process from 'filing to listing' of judicial matters. A statement from the top court said a notification would be published very soon. Lapierre dies aged 91 LONDON: Dominique Lapierre, the bestselling French author well-known in India for his ode to the city of Kolkata titled ‘The City of Joy', has died aged 91, his wife has said. Lapierre founded a humanitarian association with his wife entitled the City of Joy Foundation rescuing children suffering from leprosy from the slums of Kolkata. Dating back to 1981, it was supported by the royalties from his many literary successes. Pak embassy attack: Foreign hand likely ISLAMABAD :The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Monday confirmed that the terrorist behind the attack on the Pakistani Embassy in Afghanistan last week had been arrested, media reported. He said that the arrested suspect belongs to IS - which had claimed responsibility of the attack. Mujahid said that during the investigation, they learned that the planning of the attack was jointly carried out by IS and another militant group. Covid was man-made virus: Scientist who worked at Wuhan lab NEW DELHI In what appears to be an astonishing revelation, a US-based scientist, who worked at a controversial research lab in China's Wuhan, has said that COVID-19 was a "man-made virus" that leaked from the . facility COVID was leaked from Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), a state-run and funded research facility, two years ago, the New York Post reported, quoting US-based researcher Andrew Huff's statement in the British newspaper The Sun. In his latest book, "The Truth About Wuhan," epidemiologist Huff claims that the pandemic was caused by the US government's funding of coronaviruses in China. Excerpts of Huff's book have been out in the UK-based tabloid The Sun. According to the New York Post report, Huff is the former vice president of the EcoHealth Alliance, a non-profit organisation based in New York that studies infectious diseases. CONTD. ON P8 that holy city in November this year in comparison to the same period last year. In comparison to the last year, the consumption of country-made liquor in Ujjain has shot up by 42%, of foreignmade liquor by 94%, and of beer by 77%. Therefore, former chief minister Uma Bharti's campaigns against ban on sale of liquor have fizzled out. Despite Bharti's appeal and in spite of state government's drug de-addiction drives, the people of Madhya Pradesh are consuming liquor more than they used to do. The state govt launched a drug de-addiction campaign on Oct 2 when CM Chouhan and Uma Bharti were present on the state. Both of them administered oath to the people of the state to shun liquor and drugs. Nevertheless, the statistics of drinkers received in November indicated that the appeals of Chouhan and those Uma have barely had any impact on the people. Instead of declining, the number of drinkers has shot up. In November this year, the consumption of country-made liquor was 21.5%, of foreignmade liquor 33.1 %, and that of beer was 12.4%, which is higher than the figures pertaining to November last year. In November last year, 1.3 crore proof litres of country-made liquor were consumed. Nevertheless, 1.25 crore proof litres of country-made liquor were consumed in November this year. , Similarly the consumption of foreign-made liquor increased from 50 lakh proof litres to 66 lakh proof litres. In the same way, the consumption of beer has gone up from 87 lakh bulk litres to 97 lakh bulk litres this year. As Uma Bharati was in meditation, she did not give any reaction. BJP poised to sweep Gujarat, edge in HP After the construction of Mahakaal Lok in Ujjain, the number of tourists as well as the sale of liquor has increased in AGENCIES New Delhi POLL OF EXIT POLLS Exit polls on Monday predicted a big majority for the BJP in Gujarat while most of them gave an edge to it in Himachal Pradesh, indicating re-election of the ruling party in both states. However, two exit polls showed a dead heat between the BJP and the Congress in Himachal Pradesh where results could go ei. ther way The counting of votes in both states will take place on December 8. Elections for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly took place on November 12, while polling in Gujarat happened in two phases on December 1 and 5. Most exit polls predicted a big mandate for the BJP in Gujarat in the range of 117148 seats in the 182-member assembly, while the Congress was predicted to bag seats in the range of 30-51 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party was projected to bag any- thing between three and 13 seats. The majority mark in Gujarat is 92. In Himachal Pradesh, the exit polls projected a range of 24-40 seats for the BJP and 26-40 seats for the Congress. The AAP was projected to bag seats in the range of 0-3. The majority mark is 35 seats. According to the News XJan Ki Baat exit poll on Gujarat elections, the BJP was likely to get 117-140 seats, Congress-NCP 34-51, AAP 613 and others 1-2. Republic TV P-MARQ predicted 128-148 seats for the , BJP 30-42 for the Congress, NCP AAP 2-10 and others 03. TV9 Gujarati forecast that the BJP would get 125-130 seats, Congress-NCP 40-50, AAP 3-5 and others 3-7. For Himachal Pradesh, Aaj Tak-Axis My India predicted a close contest between the Congress and the BJP. It said the BJP would get 24-34 seats and the Congress 30-40 seats. India TV predicted that the BJP would bag 35-40 seats, Congress 26-31 and AAP zero. CONTD. ON P8 JAISHANKAR TO GERMAN FM 'India can't hold talks with Pak till it continues supporting terrorism' NEW DELHI: India cannot have talks with Pakistan till it continues supporting cross-border terrorism, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday in presence of his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and noted that Berlin has an understanding of it. Addressing a joint media after holding briefing wide-ranging talks with Baerbock here, Jaishankar said there were fairly extensive discussions both on Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Regarding Pakistan, I spent some time with the minister outlining the nature of our ties and the challenge of cross-border terrorism, and essentially India and Germany ink mobility pact, discuss key global challenges inked a mobility partnership on ndia on key global and held comprehensive Ipact and Germany the Mondaydiscussionsthe situation in Ukraine conflict, challenges including Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Jaishankar said the mobility pact will make it easier for people to study, do research and work in each other's country and is a strong signal for a more contemporary bilateral partnership. Jaishankar also strongly defended India's import of crude oil from Russia and noted that it is largely driven by market forces. the fact that we engage Pakistan bilaterally on whatever outstanding issues. The main challenge today is the fact that we cannot have talks while there is terrorism," Jaishankar said. He said there was an understanding from the German side in this regard. Bommai assures action against those behind Join CFI graffiti BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday termed "Join CFI (Campus Front of India)" graffiti found in different locations at Shiralakoppa in Shivamogga district as a "desperate act," after a ban on the organisation, and has assured prompt action against those behind it. Such writings on the walls were . noticed in different locations of the town recently "Police have already taken action, these kinds of writing on the walls is a desperate act. After banning all these organisations, they have become desperate and want to create confu, sion in society which I condemn," Bommai said in response to a question. Speaking to reporters here, he said the government would take prompt action against them. Police no, ticed the graffiti recently and based on the information suo motu case was filed under the Karnataka Open Places (Pre. vention of Disfigurement) Act and for disturbing harmony PFI, eight front organisations, including Campus Front of India, were banned for five years by the Union government in September. During a joint press conference with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Germany in October, Baerbock had talked about a possible role by the UN to resolve the Kashmir issue, evoking a sharp reaction from New Delhi. CONTD. ON P8 paid Rs 49,04,988 for a few hours’ performance. In all, Rs 6,37,94,809 were spent on cultural programmes that coincided with the dedica. tion ceremony Likewise, Rs 8,47,94,809 were spent for the over-all event. If transportation and food arrangements are included in expenditures Rs whopping a then 11,87,33,509 was spent on the dedication event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated Shri "The consumption of country-made liquor has increased in Rajgarh, Guna, Katni and Ashoknagar. "The consumption of foreignmade liquor has gone up in Satna Vidisha, Ujjain, Shajapur, Dhar, Jhabua, Burhanpur, Bhind, Ashoknagar and Alirajpur. "On the other hand, the number of people drinking beer has increased in Agar Malwa, Ashoknagar, Bhind, Guna, Gwalior, Katni, Morena, Narsinghpur, Khandwa, Khargon, Sagar, Shajapur, Shivpuri, Singrauli and Ujjain. Forced religious conversion against Constitution: SC Clear win for AAP in MCD NEW DELHI: Three exit polls on Monday predicted a clear win for the Aam Aadmi Party in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls and an end to the BJP's 15. year rule at the civic body The results for the MCD polls will be declared after counting of votes on December 7. Over 50 per cent of the total 1.45 crore eligible votes were polled in the elections . for the total 250 MCD wards on Sunday The Aaj Tak-Axis My India survey showed the AAP was going to bag 149-171 municipal wards, while the BJP will win 69-91 wards. The survey gave 3-7 wards to the Congress and 5-9 to others. The AAP is predicted to win 146-156 wards in the Times Now-ETG survey which gave 84-94 wards to the BJP and, 6-10 to the Congress and up to four to others. The News X exit poll gave the Aam Aadmi Party 150-175 wards and the BJP 70-92, while the Congress may win 4-7 municipal wards. The BJP that has been ruling the civic bodies since 2007 had won 181 of the total 270 municipal wards in the 2017 civic body polls, trouncing the AAP and the Congress. The AAP won 48 wards and the Congress 30. Earlier this year, the three municipal corporations in Delhi were unified by the Centre into MCD having 250 wards. The total number of wards was 272 under the three corporations. Both the AAP and the BJP have field. ed 250 candidates, while the Congress has 247 in the fray The number of independents is 382. Among other political parties, the BSP contested the poll on 132 wards, the NCP on 26, the Janata Dal (United) on 22, and the AIMIM 15. Lalu's kidney transplant successful:Tejashwi PATNA: RJD president Lalu Prasad on Monday underwent a successful kidney transplant surgery in Singapore, his son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav said. Yadav, who has been by his ailing father's side for the past few days, expressed delight that both Prasad and Rohini Acharya, his elder sister who has donated one of her kidneys to the 74-year-old, were fine after . the surgery "After a successful kidney transplant operation, Papa has been shifted from the operation theatre to the ICU. Donor elder sister Rohini Acharya and our national president are fine. Gratitudes to all those who prayed for them and wished them well," he tweeted, sharing a video of his father at the hospital. CONTD. ON P8 NEW DELHI: Reaffirming that forced religious conversion is a "serious issue", the Supreme Court said on Monday it is against the Constitution. The court was hearing a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking direction to the Centre and states to take stringent steps to control fraudulent religious conversion by "intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits". The Centre told the court it is collecting information from states on religious conversion through such means. Appearing before a bench of Justices M R Shah and C T Ravikumar, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought time to furnish detailed information on the issue. "We are gathering information from the states. Give us a week's time," Mehta said. OUR STAFF REPORTER City.bhopal@fpj.co.in Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said soon 50,000 teachers will be recruited in the Education Department and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Department. They will be given reremuneration spectable and other facilities also. In next 3 years, CM Rise Schools will beat other schools, the CM added. The CM attended the closing day ceremony of 'Anugoonj' organized by the School Education Department here at Government Subhash Excellent School, on Monday . Chouhan said that new education system has been implemented in the state. We will create a new history in the field of education. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh was at THREE LIONS BEAT SENEGAL 3-0, ENTER QF 17th position in the country in the field of education, now it has come at 5th position. Children of government schools in the state are performing excellently in every field. The day will come when people will take children out of private schools and send them to government schools. The CM said that apart from providing laptops to the students who have English footballer Harry Kane celebrates after scoring a goal during the match between England and Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2022, at Al Bayt Stadium, in Al Khor on Monday. Harry Kane is one goal short of equalling Wayne Rooney (53) as England’s all-time record scorer. the first phase of Mahakaleshwar Temple Ex- pansion and Beautification Project. A public meeting was also arranged on the Kartik Mela Ground during procultural which grammes were held. A whopping Rs 6,37,94,809 were spent on the dedication day, including Rs 5,88,89,821 on cultural presentations and technical arrangements at ‘Shri Mahakal Lok’ premises and Rs 49,04,988 on programme of . Kailash Kher and party CONTD. ON P8 scored more than 75 percent marks in class 12th in the state, the government is also paying the fees for higher education of such students on admission to various professional courses. CM told the parents that they should not only ask their children to study but , also motivate them in the field of sports and arts according to their interest. CONTD. ON P8 G20 SHERPA MEET: Dovetail climate finance with sustainable development goals, says India AGENCIES Udaipur Mahakal Lok, developed at a cost of Rs 350 crore under He said statutory the regime will determine whether a person is converting due to some change in belief. The top court acknowledged forced religious conversion is a very serious matter. When a lawyer questioned the maintainability of the plea, the bench said,"Do not be so technical. We are here to find a solution. We are here for a cause. We are here to set things right. If the purpose of the charity is good then it is welcome but what is required to be considered is the intention. "Do not take it as adversarial. It is a very serious issue. Ultimately it is against our Constitution. When everyone stays in India, they have to act per the culture of India," the bench observed. The apex court will now take up the matter on December 12. CONTD. ON P8 Soon,50K teachers will be recruited: CM Rs 11.87 crore spent on dedication of Shri Mahakal Lok NIRUKT BHARGAVA Ujjain The state government spent a whopping Rs 11,87,33,509 on the dedication of Shri Mahakal Lok on October 11. This amount does not include expenditures on live streaming of the proceedings on various media platforms, branding of the event along with stay and transportation of VVIPs. Singer Kailash Kher, a staunch self-proclaimed devotee of Lord Shiva, was Districts where liquor consumption increased At the first meeting of the G20 Sherpas, India on Monday proposed dovetailing climate action with sustainable development, making a clear bid to bring issues facing the emerging economies and the global south in sharp focus on the world stage. The discussions on Monday focussed on technological transformation in the digital economy health and , education, green development and India's Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) initiative. Initiating the discussions, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant made a strong pitch for working together through hope, harmony and healing to deal with the global challenges, with a focus on developing countries and the global south whose voice is often unheard. At least two officials said the meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere with no direct reference to the Modi chairs key all-party meet, seeks cooperation New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday chaired a meeting of leaders from all parties on India's presidency of the G20 and sought their cooperation to make it a big success as the government highlighted its year-long programmes to mark the exercise.G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies. ongoing Ukraine conflict. "References to Ukraine were mostly in the context of its impact on global supply chains, high energy costs, and food security," a senior official said. On Sunday, Kant flagged rising global debt, inflation and slowdown in growth, sharp differences over the Ukraine conflict as key challenges facing the world. CONTD. ON P8