VACATE GILGIT-BALTISTAN INSTEAD OF ALTERING STATUS: MEA TO PAKISTAN

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has criticised Pakistan Prime

Minister Imran Khan's promise at an election rally in Gilgit-Baltistan to

provide it "provisional province status". Khan was addressing his first

rally in Gilgit-Baltistan against objections by local opposition leaders who

have said his arrival with several federal ministers is an attempt to unduly

influence the election.

"The Government of India firmly rejects the attempt by Pakistan to bring

material changes to a part of Indian territory, under its illegal and

forcible occupation. The UTs of J&K and Ladakh, including the area of

so-called 'Gilgit-Baltistan', are an integral part of India by virtue of the

legal, complete and irrevocable accession of J&K to the Union of India in

1947," said MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in response to a media query

on the Pakistan PM's observations.

Srivastava said such attempts by Pakistan were intended to camouflage its

illegal occupation. But it cannot hide the Pakistan state's human rights

violations, exploitation and denial of freedom for over 70 years to the

people living in these "Pakistan occupied territories''.

The MEA advised Pakistan to immediately vacate these territories instead of

seeking to alter their status.

CONG HITS OUT AT GOVT OVER RISE IN PRICES OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES

The Congress on Sunday attacked the government over the rise in prices of

essential commodities, asking it to act sternly against black marketeers and

push sufficient stocks of food in the market to check rising prices.

Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh accused the government of being

ignorant and alleged it was allowing stocks to rot and the people to suffer.

He said the festive season is here but it is not only COVID-19 that is

denting the spirits of the common man as the prices of food items are

spiralling. He claimed that with almost no fiscal stimulus, the economy is

struggling to get back on track, but "the government is ignorant and

blatantly incompetent in controlling inflation".

The Congress leader cited the high prices of onions and potato, saying it is

highest in 10 years. He said the consumer food price inflation has been

consistently high for the last few months, both in the urban and rural

areas.

CAMPAIGN ENDS FOR SECOND PHASE OF BIHAR ELECTIONS

Campaigning for the second phase of Bihar assembly elections ended on Sunday

evening, setting the stage for polling on Tuesday in 94 constituencies

spread across 17 districts.

The last day of campaigning witnessed hectic canvassing with Prime Minister

Narendra Modi addressing four back-to-back rallies in support of NDA

candidates, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is also in the fray in this

phase, crisscrossing over a dozen venues.

The BJP's charge was led by Prime Minister Modi, who addressed seven rallies

over two days, including the four on Sunday.

Several Union Ministers, including Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Giriraj

Singh and Anurag Thakur, besides senior party leaders such as BJP chief JP

Nadda, addressed campaign rallies.

In his Sunday rallies, the prime minister excoriated the opposition over the

Pulwama attack after Pakistan's admission of complicity in it and berated

the RJD-Congress combine, calling it an alliance of "double-double yuvraj"

(two crown princes) whose sole concern was to protect their "respective

thrones".

BJP leaders repeatedly raked up the Ram temple issues, Article 370, triple

talaq and also prominently mentioned the Pakistani minister's admission of

his country's involvement in the Pulwama attack of 2019 that had left 40

CRPF jawans dead. For attacking the RJD, their constant refrain was "jungle

raj", "lantern era", "kidnapping industry", slamming the party over its

record on law and order.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed two rallies for this phase

of elections where he cornered Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the

issues of unemployment, migrant crisis, farm laws and sugar mills. He had

said the Prime Minister talked about other countries in his speeches but not

about the issues facing the nation such as unemployment.

Tejashwi, in the meanwhile, scaled up the intensity of his campaign and

addressed close to a dozen, or even more, rallies every day since the voting

for phase 1 of election on October 28. He kept his focus on his promise of

10 lakh jobs while also assailing Kumar over a record "46.6 per cent

unemployment", poor status of education and health facilities, the handling

of the coronavirus crisis among other things.

Tejashwi's salvos drew stinging response from Kumar who tried to blunt his

attack by comparing the law and order situation under the RJD's government

(1990-2005) with that under his 15 rule and constantly reminding the voter

that RJD chief Lalu Yadav has been implicated for corruption and is serving

a jail term.

GST COLLECTIONS UP AGAIN, NOW AT 8-MONTH HIGH

Continuing to post a year-on-year increase for the second month in a row,

gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 10.2 per cent to an

eight-month high of Rs 1.05 lakh crore in October, for sales in September.

An uptick in economic activity with the easing of Covid restrictions, along

with a low base effect and a September 30 deadline for claiming input tax

credit and reconciliation for businesses for 2019-20, were the key factors

for the rise in revenues under the indirect tax regime.

In October 2019, GST revenues had contracted by 5.29 per cent to Rs 95,380

crore, marking the third instance of a contraction since the July 2017

rollout of the GST regime.

"The growth in GST revenue as compared to that in months of July, August and

September, 2020, of -14%, -8% and 5%, respectively, clearly shows the

trajectory of recovery of the economy and, correspondingly, of revenues,"

the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

INTIMIDATION & VIOLENCE IN AIR AS US POLL DAY NEARS

The ugliest election campaign in modern US history is drawing to a close

with intimation of violence and intimidation of Democrats opposition and its

voters, implicitly endorsed by President Donald Trump, coming to the fore 48

hours before the final round of balloting begins on Tuesday.

Still significantly behind in polls, Trump on Saturday approvingly tweeted a

video of a convoy of trucks and cars bearing flags and banners supporting

him as they surrounded a Biden campaign bus on the road in Texas in an

effort to browbeat Democrats. "I LOVE TEXAS!" Trump wrote alongside a video

accompanied by music whose lyrics included the rap song "Welcome to the Red

Kingdom."

The Biden campaign said the convoy attempted to run its bus off the highway

and forced them to cancel engagements in a state where polls show the two

sides in a deadheat, with a win or loss for either side being decisive in

the Presidential race.

The intimidation came even as Trump said there would be bedlam and "very bad

things" could happen in the country if results were not declared on election

night, even through there is no legal or constitutional requirement to do

so, and the "projection" of results has purely been a media exercise for

nearly a century. Contrary to Trump's assertion, formal results are always

declared and certified by state officials (not the media) after all ballots

have been counted, often several days after Election Day.

"I think it's highly likely you're not going to have a result.We're going to

be waiting, November 3 is going to come and go, and we're not going to know.

And you're going to have bedlam in our country," Trump predicted in a

campaign rally in Pennsylvania, whose 20 electoral votes is key to both

sides as they push towards the 270 needed to win the White House.

The US President's statements and tactics suggest he and his party believe

the only way they can win is delegitimizing mail-in ballots that are counted

after November 3, a process courts have largely approved. More than 90

million voters, approximately two-thirds of the expected turnout, have

already voted in the election, and roughly 2/3rds of the 90 million are in

the form of mail-in ballots, which tend to favor Democrats because its

voters are more mindful of the pandemic.

CHINA DRAWS PLAN TO MODERNISE PLA, BRING IT ON PAR WITH US MILITARY BY 2027

The just-concluded key conclave of the ruling Communist Party of China has

finalised plans to build a fully modern military on par with the US by 2027,

media reports here said.

By the year 2027, which marks the centennial of the founding of the People's

Liberation Army (PLA), China will build a fully modern military, a goal that

is in alignment with the national strength and will fulfil the future

national defence need, state-run Global Times quoted Chinese analysts as

saying.

While the 14th Five-Year plan envisages massive overhaul of the country's

domestic market to boost consumption in order to reduce China's reliance on

shrinking exports markets, the Vision 2035 visualises a long-term plan,

reflecting the development vision of Xi including the military.

Politically, Xi's Vision 2035 plan sparked speculation that he could

continue in power for the next 15 years.

Xi, 67, has emerged as the CPC's most powerful leader after its founder Mao

Zedong, holding the posts of CPC General Secretary, head of the military

besides the presidency with prospects of a life-long tenure. A

constitutional amendment in 2018 has removed the two-five-year term limit

for the President, which would enable Xi to continue in power for life. His

second term as the president is due to end in 2022.

WITH PAK SENATE CHAIRMAN IN FRAY, IPU BEGINS VOTING FOR NEW CHIEF

As many as 144 countries began voting online to elect the next President of

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in which India is determined to keep out the

Pakistani candidate Muhammad Sanjrani.

The Indications are that India will network to provide a helping hand to the

candidate from Portugal who is familiar with the corridors of the

Geneva-based IPU.

Besides Sanjrani, the other candidates are Duarte Pacheco (Portugal), Akmal

Saidov (Uzbekistan) and Salma Ataullahjan (Canada).

THE REST

========

HIZBUL COMMANDER IN VALLEY KILLED IN GUNBATTLE, POLICE CALL IT BIG SUCCESS

In a major setback to the Hizbul Mujahideen, the militant outfit's

operations chief in the Valley was killed in a gunfight with a team of J&K

Police and paramilitary forces at Rangreth on the outskirts of Srinagar on

Sunday.

Saif-ul-Islam Mir alias Dr Saifullah had taken over as the chief of the Hizb

in the Valley after the killing of Riyaz Naikoo in May this year, and was

one of the most wanted militants in Kashmir.

Early on Sunday morning, police and CRPF personnel cordoned off the Rangreth

neighbourhood after specific inputs about the presence of the militant

commander in the area. A team of the Army's 53 Rashtriya Rifles also joined

the operation subsequently, police said.

As the security personnel closed in on the house, the militant opened

indiscriminate fire. In the resulting gunfight, Mir was killed.

"This is a big success for police and security forces," IGP Kashmir Vijay

Kumar said.

'RESOLVE PUNJAB GOODS TRAIN SUSPENSION ISSUE'

Concerned over the continued suspension of goods trains by the Railways even

after easing of the blockade by the farmers, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder

Singh on Sunday wrote an open letter to BJP national president J.P. Nadda,

calling for collective will and statesmanship to resolve the situation.

Reacting to recent statements of various BJP national and Punjab leaders on

the farmer's protests, particularly the continued suspension of goods

trains, Captain Amarinder stressed that this was neither the time nor the

occasion to indulge in political confrontation. "What is needed at this

critical moment is for all of us to put aside any temptations we may be

harbouring to promote our political interests," he said.

Citing the repercussions the continued suspension of goods trains services

would have for national security, in addition to the critical shortages

faced not just by Punjab but also Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and

Ladakh, the Chief Minister said that the armed forces were likely to be

badly affected with the onset of winter, as they could run out of supplies

and other requisites once the snowfall blocks the roads to Ladakh and the

Valley. "These are dangers that neither the Central government nor any

political party, including the BJP, can choose to ignore," he said, adding

that "the onus lies on all of us..We need to all liaise together, with the

common goal of solving the contentious issue, in the interest of the

country."

Capt. Amarinder said every day of the continued suspension of goods trains

meant critical losses to the industry, agriculture and overall economy, in

view of shortages of power (coal), urea and DAP stocks.

The Chief Minister expressed surprise over the reason of "uncertainty and

safety of train operations" cited by the Railways to not allow goods trains'

movement through Punjab despite the easing of blockade by farmers. He

described the Railways' decision as an apparent case of trust deficit of the

Central government viz-a-viz farmers of Punjab and other States.

UNLIKE PUNJAB, RAJASTHAN BILLS SILENT ON ENFORCING MSP EXCEPT IN CONTRACT

FARMING

Unlike Punjab, the farm Bills brought by the Congress government in

Rajasthan to counter the Centre's new farm laws are silent when it comes to

enforcing the minimum support price (MSP) in sales that take place inside

and outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandi

mechanism.

One of the Bills in Rajasthan does speak about enforcing the MSP, but it is

only limited to contract farming.

This is in contrast to the Bill passed by the Congress government in Punjab,

which has defined the enforcement of MSP for purchase of two crops - wheat

and paddy.

In Rajasthan, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price

Assurance and Farm Services (Rajasthan Amendment) Bill, 2020 has a provision

for punishment for those who compel a farmer to sell his produce below the

MSP, but this enforcement is limited only to contract farming.

J&K GOVT ANNULS ROSHNI ACT, TO RETRIEVE LAND WITHIN SIX MONTHS

The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to annul all land dealing under

the Roshni Act, three weeks after the Jammu and Kashmir high court declared

it unconstitutional and unsustainable.

The principal secretary, revenue, was on Saturday asked to retrieve all such

land and remove encroachments within six months.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants)

Act was enacted in 2001 with the twin objective of generating resources for

financing power projects and conferment of proprietary rights to the

occupants of the state land.

Against the anticipated revenue from such occupants, the revenue actually

generated was meagre. Besides, there were allegations of the legislation

being misused by influential persons, leading to its being challenged before

the high court.

According to the order, complete identities of influential persons,

including ministers, legislators, bureaucrats, government officials, police

officers, businessmen etc, their relatives or persons holding benami for

them, who have derived benefit under the Roshni Act will be made public

within a period of one month.

PROCESS M&A APPLICATION, IGNORE AMAZON LETTER, FUTURE RETAIL URGES BOURSES

Future Retail has asked the BSE and NSE to process its application for

merger and acquisition of its retail assets by Reliance Industries (RIL).

The statement - released to the bourses on Sunday - comes after Amazon wrote

to the SEBI and the exchanges last week, requesting them to consider the

Singapore arbitrator's interim judgment, which has put on hold the Rs

24,713-crore deal between Future Group and RIL.

Future has urged the exchanges to not take into cognisance Amazon's letter

or the emergency arbitrator's order, calling it entirely "misconceived".

HAMILTON WINS AS MERCEDES CLINCH CONSTRUCTORS' TITLE

Mercedes became the first team to win seven successive Formula One

constructors' titles on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton celebrated a

record-extending 93rd career win at Imola to stand on the brink of a seventh

drivers' crown.

Hamilton came back from third place at the end of the opening lap to lead

Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes one-two at the Emilia

Romagna Grand Prix at the Italian circuit.

The Briton, who took the chequered flag 5.783 seconds ahead of pole man

Bottas, also banked a bonus point for the fastest lap to extend his lead to

a hefty 85 points with four races remaining.

Hamilton can now equal Ferrari great Michael Schumacher's record seven

titles in two weeks' time at the Turkish Grand Prix.

IPL: KXIP AND RR ALSO KNOCKED OUT OF PLAY OFFS

Ruturaj Gaikwad hit his third successive half-century to power Chennai Super

Kings to a thumping nine-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in Abu Dhabi,

on Sunday.

Gaikwad stroked an unbeaten 62 from 49 balls, as the former champions

cruised to 154-1 in 18.5 overs, to win with seven balls to spare.

The defeat meant that Kings XI Punjab were also knocked out of the

play-offs.

Earlier, Deepak Hooda brought his big-hitting prowess to the fore to lift

Kings XI Punjab to 153 for 6.

In the second match yesterday, in Dubai, Captain Eoin Morgan excelled with

the bat and Pat Cummins justified his multi-million dollar price tag with a

devastating performance with the ball to keep Kolkata Knight Riders's

slender play-off hopes alive.

Morgan stole the limelight with a power-packed 68 not out off 35 balls,

which included six sixes and five boundaries, as he rallied the Knight

Riders from a precarious position to 191 for 7 after they were put in to

bat.

Then, it was the Cummins show. The Australian pacer came up with a deadly

opening spell that rattled the Royals. He finished with figures with figures

of 4 for 29 as Rajasthan Royals mustered just 131 for 9 and failed to

qualify for the play-offs, finishing eighth with 12 points below Chennai

Super Kings.

League Matches Remaining:

Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians

Points Table

Team / points / NRR

MI 18 / 1.296

RCB 14 / -0.145

DC 14 / -0.159

KKR 14 / -0.214

SRH 12 / 0.555

KXIP 12 / -0.162

CSK 12 / -0.455

RR 12 / -0.569

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Indeed he knows not how to know who knows not also how to un-know. - Richard

Francis Burton

OFF TRACK

A girl was to be married on short notice but still wanted an elaborate

wedding. The invitations were ready to be mailed when someone noticed that

there were no inserted cards inviting guests to the reception. Undaunted,

the mother of the bride typed up a note, made 280 copies and enclosed one

with each formal invitation.

Family and friends were surprised to read: "Conception immediately following

the ceremony in the grand Ballroom of the Holiday Inn. Everyone is invited."