5 STATE POLLS TO BEGIN ON MARCH 27, RESULTS ON MAY 2

Voting for five assembly elections - West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry-  will begin on March 27, and go on till April 29, the Election Commission announced Friday.

Elections in Assam will be conducted in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6, while polling in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will take place in a single phase on April 6.

Elections for the West Bengal assembly will be held in eight phases, starting on March 27 and ending on April 29.

Counting of all votes will be done on May 2.

Questioning the eight phases of pollingi n West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she suspects that the dates were announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for better management of the BJP’s poll campaign.

“I have information from my sources that the poll dates are similar to the ones BJP wanted. Have the dates been announced as per the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah? The PM and the home minister cannot misuse their power for the state elections,” she added.

“With all due respect to the Election Commission, I want to say that questions are being raised on why elections will be held in so many phases in Bengal while other states will be voting in one phase. If EC doesn’t provide justice to the people, where will the people go,” she said.

Responding to questions on the increased number of phases in West Bengal, the CEC said, “The elections to West Bengal (Assembly) in 2016 were in seven phases. The Lok Sabha was in seven phases. So, seven to eight phases is not such a big deal because we also have to see the movement of forces, we also have to see the current charges and counter-charges (by political parties).”

IN WANG-JAISHANKAR TALK: A NEW HOTLINE, TWO PATHS TO PEACE

A day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for 75 minutes, New Delhi and Beijing announced that both have agreed to establish a hotline — “for timely communication and exchange of views”, according to China.

But separate readouts of the phone call released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and China’s Foreign Ministry Friday underscored key differences in emphasis and tone on the path ahead.

The statement from the MEA outlined an incremental approach and made it clear that disengagement, followed by de-escalation, will lead to peace along the LAC, and eventually normalisation of ties.

But the statement from China underlined that the boundary situation should not be placed at the front and centre of the relationship, but instead at a “proper place” in overall ties — the indication was the two sides should return to business as usual while the issue is dealt with.

Recalling their Moscow meeting of September 2020, where he had expressed concern over unilateral attempts by the Chinese to alter the status quo, Jaishankar told Wang that “bilateral relations have been impacted severely over last year”, the MEA said. He said that the “boundary question may take time to resolve but disturbance of peace and tranquility including by violence, will inevitably have a damaging impact on the relationship” — a line that is being viewed as unusually direct and blunt.

SHOWED UTMOST RESPECT TO PROTESTING FARMERS: INDIA AT UNHRC

"The Government of India has set a goal of doubling the income of farmers by 2024. The purpose of enacting three Farm Acts is to enable farmers to realise better price for their produce and enhance their income. It will particularly benefit small farmers and offer more choices to those farmers who opt for them. The Government has shown utmost respect for protests by farmers and has remained engaged in dialogue with them to address their concerns.” This was said by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India, while speaking at the General Debate on Oral Update of the High Commissioner at the 46th Session of Human Rights Council of UN

The envoy pointed out the constitutional changes in the status of Jammu and Kashmir made by Parliament in August 2019 was a "historic decision" that has been welcomed by the people of India, including people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"It has given impetus to socio-economic development, end decades of discrimination and combat cross border terrorism, which has been the key hindrance in full enjoyment of human rights by the people. We have restored grassroots democracy, through District Development Council (DDC) elections, and provided good governance through the 'Back to Village' initiative," he added.

He stated there has been a significant decline in terrorist attacks and progressive national laws have been extended to Jammu and Kashmir to enable the people there to enjoy the same rights as the people in rest of India.

India's response comes as Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that charges of sedition against journalists and activists for reporting or commenting on the farmer's protests, and attempts to curb freedom of expression on social media, are "disturbing departures from essential human rights principles."

Pandey called the remarks "lacking" in "objectivity and impartiality".

"Given these developments, we were perplexed to note some of the comments by the High Commissioner. She appeared as oblivious of the enormous efforts made by my Government to address the challenges, as indeed of many of the factors driving these challenges," the envoy said.

"The unprovoked violence on our Republic Day in the name of farmers' rights, apparently, left her unmoved. Her indifference to terrorism is, of course, not new. Objectivity and impartiality have to be the hallmarks of any Human Rights assessment. We are sorry to see that the High Commissioner's oral update is lacking in both," he added.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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SAUDI PRINCE "APPROVED OPERATION TO CAPTURE OR KILL" KHASHOGGI: US REPORT PULLS NO PUNCHES

The United States on Friday for the first time publicly accused Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of approving the gruesome murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, unveiling a raft of punitive measures but stopping short of directly targeting the powerful heir apparent.

The prince, who is de facto ruler of the longtime US ally and oil provider, "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," said an intelligence report newly declassified by President Joe Biden's administration.

The report said that given Prince Mohammed's influence, it was "highly unlikely" that the 2018 murder could have taken place without his green light. The killing also fit a pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad."

Khashoggi, a critic of Prince Mohammed who wrote for The Washington Post and was a US resident, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, then killed and cut into pieces.

The Treasury Department announced it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official as well as the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit that the report said "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."

In honor of the slain writer, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" that will ban entry into the United States of foreigners who threaten dissidents or harass reporters and their families and immediately placed 76 Saudis on the blacklist.

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," Blinken said in a statement.

But the United States stopped short of directly targeting the 35-year-old crown prince, known by his initials MBS, with officials contending there was no precedent for sanctions on a senior leader of an ally.

Blinken, questioned by reporters, said that "this is bigger than any one person," explaining that Biden is trying "not to rupture the relationship, but to recalibrate to be more in line with our interests and our values."

Biden spoke by telephone late Thursday with 85-year-old King Salman after the White House made clear he had no intention of speaking to the crown prince, who by contrast had formed a friendship with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

WITH STRIKES IN SYRIA, BIDEN TARGETS IRAN’S MILITANT NETWORK

Since President Biden entered the White House, Iranian-backed militants have struck an airport in Saudi Arabia with an exploding drone, and are accused of assassinating a critic in Lebanon and of targeting US military personnel at an airport in Iraq, killing a Filipino contractor and wounding six others.

On Thursday, the world got its first glimpse of how Biden is likely to approach one of the greatest security concerns of US partners in the region: the network of militias that are backed by Iran. US officials said overnight airstrikes ordered by Biden hit a collection of buildings on the Syrian side of a border crossing with Iraq on Thursday and targeted members of the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah and an affiliated group.

A Kataib Hezbollah official said that one of his group’s fighters had been killed in the airstrikes. But Iranian state TV and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a conflict monitor based in Britain, reported that 17 fighters had been killed in the airstrikes, which occurred near Abu Kamal, Syria, just across the border from Iraq.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the US action was a “proportionate military response” taken together with diplomatic measures, including consultation with coalition partners. “The operation sends an unambiguous message: President Biden will act to protect American and coalition personnel.”

Maha Yahya, the director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, said the strikes signalled to Iran that Biden’s eagerness to return to a nuclear deal would not lead him to ignore other regional activities by Iran and its allies, and particularly attacks on American troops.

THE REST

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GDP BACK IN POSITIVE TERRITORY, BUT JUST

After contracting for two quarters in a row, the Indian economy entered the positive territory with a growth of 0.4 per cent in the October-December quarter, mainly due to good performance by farm, services and construction sectors, official data showed on Friday.

Trade and hotel industry registered a contraction of 7.7 per cent during the third quarter this fiscal, as the sectors continued to suffer on account of coronavirus pandemic.

The economy had shrunk by an unprecedented 24.4 per cent in the first quarter this fiscal following the coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdowns. In the second quarter, the GDP declined 7.3 per cent amid a perk up in economic activities after the easing of the lockdown.

INDIA SEES 16K-PLUS CASES FOR 3RD DAY

India recorded more than 16,500 fresh Covid-19 cases for the third straight day on Friday amid a continuing surge in infections in several states. There were 114 deaths from the virus reported across the country. The Covid-19 toll has stayed above 100 for four days running, the highest number of consecutive 100-plus daily fatalities in February.

Maharashtra reported more than 8,000 fresh cases. Kerala reported 3,671 new cases, around the same as previous day.

Cases continued to spiral in Punjab too. The state recorded 628 fresh cases, the first time the tally has crossed 600 in the last 75 days. The state also recorded 14 fatalities, the same as Kerala. Karnataka logged 571 cases on Friday, the highest since January 24.

Gujarat, another state witnessing a surge, reported 460 fresh infections. Tamil Nadu, could be seeing a spike again as new cases rose to a two-week of 481 on Friday. Goa recorded 100 fresh cases, highest in 24 days.

SUV FOUND NEAR AMBANI'S HOUSE WAS STOLEN; A THREATENING LETTER IS FOUND

The vehicle with explosives found near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's residence in south Mumbai had been stolen last week, and a letter found inside said this was only a 'glimpse' of things to come, police said on Friday.

A Scorpio with around 2.5 kg of gelatin sticks was found parked on Carmichael Road near 'Antilia', the multi-storey residence of Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, on Thursday evening.

"The owner of the vehicle (Scorpio), Hiren Mansukh, visited the police commissioner's office in south Mumbai this afternoon after he saw visuals of the SUV found near Ambani's house, which was similar to his vehicle," the police official said.

Besides gelatin sticks, a letter was also found in the SUV, in Hindi but written in English alphabet and purportedly threatening Ambani, his wife Nita and the family, police said. This was only a 'jhalak' (glimpse) but the next time the 'saaman' (explosives) will be fully assembled, the letter said.

PASSENGERS CAN CHOOSE ‘NO CHECK-IN BAGGAGE FARES’ IN DOMESTIC AIRLINES

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday allowed airlines to offer concessions in ticket prices to passengers with no check-in luggage.

This move comes weeks after the government hike the domestic airfare limits by 10-30 percent across India. As per the current rules, a passenger can carry up to 7 kilograms of cabin baggage and 15 kilograms of check-in baggage. Any additional weight is chargeable.

The new rule will allow the operators to provide tickets at lesser prices to those who opt to travel with no baggage or only with cabin baggage within the permissible weight limit.

To avail the discounts, passengers will have to declare at the time of the booking of the ticket the weight of baggage they will be carrying.

SENSEX SUFFERS ITS WORST SINGLE-DAY FALL IN 10 MONTHS, CRASHES 3.8%

India’s benchmark stock indices on Friday saw their worst single-day rout in nearly 10 months as the rising US bond yields took the wind out of the sails of equity markets globally.

The 10-year US Treasury yield rose to as much as 1.61 per cent on Thursday, as against 1.08 per cent at the start of the month, stoking fears that the days of loose monetary policy, which underpinned the stock market rebound from the last year’s lows, could be numbered. Not just in the US, government bond yields have surged in most countries on expectations of rising inflation in the post-pandemic period, even as policymakers suggest that it will be a long road to recovery.

The Sensex fell 1,939 points, or 3.80 per cent, to end at 49,100 -- its biggest loss since May 4.

News reports of United States launching airstrikes in Syria on Thursday, targeting facilities near the Iraqi border, also weighed on global investor sentiment.

‘ASTONISHING, GROSSLY INSENSITIVE’: UK COURT SAID ON KATJU

Ordering the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi Thursday, the District Judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, Sam Goozee, made damning remarks against former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju and his expert testimony.

Katju had last year appeared in the Westminster Court as an expert witness, claiming that Nirav Modi won’t receive a fair trial in India.

While allowing India’s extradition request against Nirav Modi, the court called out Katju on certain comments that he made during his cross examination, calling them “astonishing, inappropriate and grossly insensitive comparisons”. “He (Katju) states that because BJP cannot solve the economic crises it is just like “Hitler and the Jews”, the judgment said.

The court asserted that despite having been a former Supreme Court judge, Katju’s evidence was “less than objective and reliable”. “His evidence in Court appeared tinged with resentment towards former senior judicial colleagues. It had hallmarks of an outspoken critic with his own personal agenda,” it added.

The UK judge also said that despite being highly critical of trial by media, Katju “took the astonishing decision to brief journalists in relation to the evidence he was giving in these proceedings, creating his own media storm and adding to the heightened media interest to date”.

ALASTAIR COOK, ANDREW STRAUSS BLAME MOTERA PITCH, BOYCOTT BLAMES ENGLAND TEAM MANAGEMENT

After Alastair Cook disagreed with India captain Virat Kohli’s assessment of the Ahmedabad pitch for the India vs England day-night Test match, another England captain Andrew Strauss echoed his views.

Strauss said Kohli was probably looking after the groundsmen by saying that the pitch was a good one. “To say the pitch has no fault to play, I totally agree with Cooky. Kohli's looking after the groundsmen there to a certain degree," Strauss said. "Look at Joe Root for a moment. We know he is a great player of spin," Strauss said. "He is in great form as well. What did he get - 19 today? Might have been out two or three times en route to getting that score. And by the way, that's day two of a Test match."

India won the match well inside two days.

But the loss has also brought England’s rotation policy under scrutiny. Former England test batsman Geoffrey Boycott has questioned England’s team selection for the third Test, stating that the tourists ‘should be embarrassed’. “I would also like to know who had the bright idea of playing three fast bowlers on a turning pitch. They should be embarrassed,” Boycott wrote in his column. “England got sucked into thinking they were playing a pink ball test in Adelaide not Ahmedabad,” he added.

Earlier, Boycott also defended the pitch as maintained that no rule states about the kind of pitch a cricketing nation should prepare. “We had first choice of the surface and they were better than us. Simple,” Boycott said while responding to a tweet.

INDICATORS

Sensex 49,100 (-1939), Nifty 14,529 (-568), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 115760.3

Nasdaq 13,192 (+73) Dow 30,932 (-469), S&P 3,811 (-18)

US$-Rs. 73.54 GBP-Rs. 102.59, Euro-Rs. 89.13, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.02, Can$-Rs. 58.10, Aus$- Rs. 57.21

GBP 0.71 /US$, Euro 0.82 /US$, Jap.Yen 106.34 /US$, Aus$ 1.28 /US$, Sing 1.32 /US$, Bang Taka 83.27 /US$, Can$ 1.26 /US$, Mal Ring 4.04 /US$,

Pak Re 157.38 /US$, Phil Peso 48.70 /US$, Russian Rouble 74.56 /US$, NZ$ 1.36 /US$, Thai Baht 30.32 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 27.71 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 47,489

Dollar Index 90.94 Brent Crude 66.13  BDI 1700

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,734 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,674 / 4,574, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 74,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair

OFF TRACK

Out on her rounds, the Nurse Supervisor panicked when one of the patients on the ward was missing. She pressed the intercom and said, "Judi, where's Mrs. Jones in room 340?"

"Oh! I forgot to tell you! I moved her!"

"Uhhh, why?"

"Well, you know she was complaining of severe chills. I put her in bed with Mr. Johnston in 328 who was running a high fever!"