BENGALURU  SUNDAY  SEPTEMBER 06, 2020  `8.00  PAGES 26  LATE CITY EDITION ANDHRA BEST STATE TO DO BUSINESS: GOVT RANKINGS U.P. AT NUMBER 2, TELANGANA DROPS TO 3RD Andhra has topped the latest ease of doing business rankings, prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Uttar Pradesh, which ranked 12th in 2018, has come second in the 2019 rankings, while Telangana, which was second, has slipped to the third position. Madhya Pradesh (4th), Jharkhand (5th), Chhattisgarh (6th), Himachal Pradesh (7th), Rajasthan (8th), West Bengal (9th) and Gujarat (10th) are the others states in the top 10 | P7, 10, 12 ■ 12th K’TAKA SLIPS TO 17TH, KERALA TO 28TH ■ ■ Karnataka dropped from 8th to 17th position. Tamil Nadu ranked 14th, slightly bettering its previous year’s rank of 15th Kerala slipped seven places to 28th while Odisha came 34th The ranking is based on implementation of the Centre’s Business Reform Action Plan 2018-19, which comprises 181 reform points RANK FOR DELHI, UP FROM 23RD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ WARANGAL ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Insurance body moves SC against private hospitals for ‘profiteering’ India is all set to overtake Brazil to become the world’s second-worst Covid-hit country Top three THE alleged profiteering by private hospitals in India through the treatment of Covid-19 patients has forced the statutory body of insurance companies to seek the Supreme Court’s intervention. In an affidavit filed before the apex court a few days ago, the General Insurance Council (GIC) alleged that private hospitals are overcharging insured patients, even in cases where there are no complications or pre-existing illnesses. The GIC said its members have received more than one lakh Covid-related insurance claims so far. It warned that reckless profiteering by private hospitals, if left unchecked, will lead to insurance premiums shooting up in the near future. While there have been many complaints of private hospitals overcharging Covid-19 patients, this is the first time an insurance body has expressed concern. “It is respectfully submitted that in order to bring confidence and to have clarity on the billing structure, there is a need for proper monitoring of the treatment costs by the private hospitals and take suitable action against the violators,” the affidavit said. The plea cites cases of hospitals overcharging insured patients. One of the cases mentioned in the affidavit is that of a Chennai hospital, which billed `14 lakh for the Covid treatment, including 35-day hospitalisation, of an insured person. When objected by the insurance company the fi, nal cost, was brought down to less than `4.5 lakh. The GIC also alleged that private hospitals are charging higher than normal P9 rates for consumables like PPE kits. USA 63.98 lakh Brazil 40.91 lakh India S U M I S U K A N YA D U T TA @ New Delhi 40.23 lakh New positive cases TOTAL CASES 6,298 3,89,232 9,746 Total Deaths Fresh recoveries 2,83,298 FULL COVERAGE P4 Total discharges New cases between Friday and Saturday morning. This is more than the total Covid-19 cases reported in mainland China since the outbreak in December 2019 70,072 recoveries since Friday morning 1,089 deaths 52% of all Covid-19 deaths in the last 24 hours reported from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka INDIA 8.46 ACTIVE CASES LAKH 31.07 LAKH 69,561 DEATHS Source: Union Health Ministry 120 acres of forest land worth `800cr recovered M E E R A B H A R D W A J @ Bengaluru FOR the past 20 days, it has been hectic for the forest officials as they have started recovering encroached forest land in the Anekal Range. Till now, the Karnataka Forest Department has recovered a whopping 120 acres, worth Rs 700-800 crore, on the fringes of Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). The department moved to recover the lands after the High Court vacated the stay last year on a slew of writ petitions filed by encroachers. Forest officials said 180 acres had been encroached upon in Bhootanahalli Minor Forests (MF) to form a sprawling ‘Athithi Layout’ with about 300 sites sold to people under the garb of it being a revenue land. Another 60 acres in this illegal layout still remain to be recovered. These forest lands were encroached upon by the owner of a college, a corporator, real- Defence minister Rajnath Singh tells his Chinese counterpart to learn to respect LAC, avoid making attempts to change status quo 86,432 RECOVERED 9,746 India draws the red line, nudges China to behave Covid: India to overtake Brazil A parcel of the encroached land that was recovered by the government tors, one retired DSP land de, velopers and politicians. Each of them had encroached upon about 10-20 acres. Overcoming all political pressures and threats, the department started the process of recovery on August 17 and is still at it. The recovery process started under the directions of Chief Conservator of Forests Gokul, DCF Anthony Mariappa and P7 ACF G Venkatesh. M AYA N K S I N G H A N D P U S H K A R B A N A K A R @ New Delhi INDIA did not blink once during the two-and-a-half-hour intense meeting with China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Moscow. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was as direct as possible during his interaction with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe, stating that Indian forces are determined to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity . Drawing attention to the fact that Indian troops have always taken a responsible approach towards border management, Singh said China’s aggressive behaviour and attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo were in violation of the bilateral agreements. According to experts, Rajnath Singh’s is a strong message to China not to escalate matters any further as India has the capability to protect its inter- MAGA ZINE RAVI SHANKAR SHINIE ANTONY VASUDEV SADHGURU JAGGI SEPTEMBER PAGES 12 6 2020 SUNDAY 1 THE Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have named 12 people in the First Information Report (FIR) related to the contraband drugs case in Sandalwood. They have already arrested actor Ragini Dwivedi, her friend and RTO clerk Ravishankar, realtor Rahul Shetty and an event manager, Viren Khanna, and booked them under Sections 21, 21C, 27A, 27B and 29B of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The four arrested were taken for medical, including Covid test, after their arrest. The FIR names Shiva Prakash Chappi, Ragini, Viren Khanna, Prashanth Ranka, Vaibhav Jain, Aditya Alva, Loum Pepper Samba, Prashanth Raju, Ashwini, Abhiswami, Rahul Thonshe and Vinay. It, however, does not mention the name of Ravishankar. Chappi works in the Transport Department and is the prime accused in the case. He is said to be a former friend of Ragini. THREE ARRESTED, DRUGS WORTH `44 LAKH SEIZED The CCB on Friday raided a house in KR Puram and arrested three drug peddlers — A Subramani (26), Vidhus (31) and Shejin (21). They also seized contraband drugs worth Rs 44 lakh. Vidhus is a postgraduate in Computer Science from the UK while Subramani studied in a private school in Indiranagar and Shejin is a final-year student of hotel management. in or pollutants This personal the infectious agents protection against It is designed to mitigate and them. the air around infections in close contact public risk of airborne such as hospitals, Air closed environments The PAPR (Powered space of schools. transport and shields the personal device uses bubble. “The Purifying Respirator) a transparent technology to supply the user with exhaled positive pressure bubble and filters as fan-assisted air inside the infecting others cool, purified the wearer from co-founder, DIY. air to prevent Swapneil Parikh, well,” says Dr fog up. Health. Device doesn’t become resistant forests. Bacteria blood presfrom primeval variation in to the pathogens emerge father had a RAO we had access mutate. New Chaturvedi’s never ends. Virusesby the minute. When Akshay “We saved 30 minutes because I’ve ever seen is a war that tests. is changing of medical technology and actor edical science appropriate amazing piece Medical technologyimmediately who ordered far the most u. Brand ambassador to antibiotics. As the Vital. It’s by at LeverageEd out to his doctor GOQii Smart their vital parameters. Founder & CEO sure, he reached gadgets Heroes to monitor right on his wrist—the Mind reading Akshay Chaturvedi, in best medi-tech Covid-19 Frontline Delhi-based health innovation. ,” virtual reality family says to Mumbai Police now to place priority on malls, use of it for my entire Smart Vital watch time than that I’ve got redundant, medical lead, Google Health team, donated the GOQiipandemic, there is no better large machine , cutting-edge Shetty research Akshay Kumar make the usual care. Shravya technology with fight the Covid-19 is gadget that could the power of redefining medical world and India and ‘Prevention a portable ultrasound innovations . After harnessing ‘Health is wealth’ for the paralysed, the old adages some of the pioneering than traditional radiologists life. faster ilitation are in sustaining on steroids. As is cancer neuro-rehab the industry to make a difference to diagnose lung and devices, s are striving built an AI system with smarter products cloud-based different organisation an accurate it uses never before, with Augnito, ideas on healthcare and scalable, Augnito make sense as becomes a reality . Safe, secure . in real time vocabulary Customised better than cure’ Voice to text error-free documentation By BINDU GOPAL M 4 Shuddhi Basket premium product categoThis made-in-India comes in two using UVC light office and electronic ries—one disinfects another, household are baskets equipment while groceries. “The from items such as made of jute chip handicraft products with hi-tech Kolkata embedded in RIF and power They are systems manufactured and Gurugram. labs in Delhi and cost-effective, using USB foldable, lightweight rechargeable and are easily Purvi Roy, CEO and chargers,” says Vault. founder, Arista foldable, 2 A Good Doze Vital smartwatch GOQii Smart device has an measure This revolutionary Oximeter to integrated Pulse in blood with real The the level of oxygen of variations. time updates blood also measures temperasmartwatch and 24x7 body pressure, pulse early detection and in ture to assist “Due to its of Covid-19. sleep, management such as detecting it gives unique features and heart rate, steps, calories into various paramusers a glimpse the health and fitness eters that reflect can be connected to a It of individuals. that enables a centralised dashboard monitoring of remote, continuous minimal with large user group says Vishal Gondal, intervention,” CEO, GOQii. founder and available in and PRO: Easy to wear colourful straps hasn’t been launched CON: Dashboard Home, office, travel WHERE TO USE: PRICE: `5,999 lightweight, PRO: It is affordable, product with easy to carry-and-use auto-off facility folded back be unfolded and CON: It has to with each use Home, office WHERE TO USE: from `2,999 PRICE: Starts 3 Tiny Fighter Killer Covid-19 this has launched Plastics Ltd device Linc Pen and finger-free touch surfaces such pocket-sized contact with designed to avoid doorbells, card maas elevator buttons, switches etc. The 70 buttons, chines, ATM ink of the marker percent ethanol-based it touches. The pen surfaces The sterilises the after each use. a push has nib self-sterilises retractable tool use. It’s easy-to-carry, perfect for one-handed built and button that is and 20mm wide, just 122mm long cartridge. Deepak Jalan, and with a refillable CEO, Linc Pen of director and sense managing by our says, “Driven Plastics Ltd, health and towards the responsibility created an to society, we’ve wellbeing of would contribute product that the lives of avant-garde people and touch the safety of type in all.” the cashier to Linc Pentonic used by PRO: It can be no interpersonal ensuring that the bill amount, customer. place with the contact takes Home, office, travel WHERE TO USE: PRICE: `150 5 Talkative Tech in medical guarantees (AI) trained language voice software that using natural AI scientists, Artificial Intelligence deep learning preferences specific to context, by doctors and leading amplifying Electronic text formatting controls, is its USP. Co-designed by driving and can be incorporated commands and voice automation to discharge healthcare providers “Its seamless Augnito empowers to surgical notes systems (EMR). Augnito. Medical Records radiology to OPD to progress Lawyer, founder, from to get high says Rustom at every step enable doctors lab reports,” vocabulary to meet and summaries and allows them to the entire medical typing which PRO: Augnito understands times faster than at source, four quality reports the pipeline. patients development in give care to more Regional language in English only. CON: Available Hospitals WHERE TO USE: at `2,400 PRICE: Starts Me Play Misty For Fogger Disinfectant Infocom has and from Globus applies sanitiser ULV Cold Fogger infection. It Disinfectant . “It the scope of contamination This state-of-the-art that effective in curtailing to prevent cross areas (ULV) droplets proven highly liquid to high-touch small Ultra Low Volume by disinfectant or mist formed generates a fog for several minutes after air that remain in the substantiated Studies have for disinfectapplication. size are ideal droplets of smaller pathogens like coronavimost ing and eliminating They can reach rus from surfaces. where conventional parts CEO, inaccessible says Kiran Dham, cleaning cannot,” Ltd. Globus Infocom uses 70 percent Globus ULV 6 fogger PRO: This cold can effectively sanitiser, which alcohol-based time, and in the shortest efficiently. reach large areas the chain of infection spaces helps to break public Office, crowded WHERE TO USE: 0 PRICE: `30,000-35,00 PLUS 12 PAGES Turn to page 2 THIS village seems to be celebrating Teacher’s Day every day. Welcome to Inchal, the ‘village of teachers’, where there is at least one teacher in every household and hundreds of students down the years to appreciate their work. Inchal in Saundatti taluk, with a population of about 10,000, has about 900 teachers working in government-aided schools. There are also some others who are working in the Education Department. And that’s not all. Hundreds of Bachelor of Education and Diploma in Education graduates are awaiting placements and will add to the number. A few decades ago, Inchal was a backward village haunted by murders, dacoity and other criminal activities and school education had become a nightmare. But then, the tide changed. The head of the Inchal Mutt, Shivanand Bharati, along with three teachers, founded the Shivanand China abducted five Indians from Arunachal Pradesh: Cong MLA China’s People’s Liberation Army has abducted five people from Arunachal Pradesh, Congress MLA Ninong Ering said on Saturday. Narrating the incident on Twitter, the lawmaker claimed a similar incident had happened a few months ago. According to local media reports, the incident occurred at Nacho forest area in Upper Subansiri district. The persons - Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri – had gone out for hunting, which is a very common practice in the area. Two other villagers managed to escape and informed others, a local newspaper P9 reported, quoting the relative of one of those abducted Indian Army rescues 3 Chinese nationals who lost their way Amid the standoff in eastern Ladakh with the PLA, the Indian Army recently came to the rescue of three stranded Chinese citizens at the Sikkim border and assisted them in their safe return. “The three Chinese citizens lost their way near Sikkim at an altitude of 17,500 feet on Sept 3. The Indian troops helped them return safely,” said the Indian Army. The Army personnel were prompt in protecting them – two men and a woman — from the vagaries of extreme altitude. “Realising the danger to their lives in sub-zero temperatures, the soldiers immediately reached out with medical assistance, food and warm clothes,” said the Army INTERVIEW KARJOL ON RESERVATION In the light of the Supreme Court verdict on the issue of reservation within quota, Deputy CM Govind B Karjol says the government will wait for what the larger bench of the top court has to say on the matter. P3 Thonshe is a close friend of Kannada actor Sanjjanaa Galrani. Samba is an African national and an alleged drug peddler, who used to supply contraband drugs to Ravishankar and also to some celebrities. He was also arrested under the NDPS Act. The CCB has seized some contraband drugs, primarily marijuana, from the premises of some of the accused and the samples have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing the purity of the drug, said a highly placed source. Meanwhile, Ragini has reportedly denied any connection with the narcotic drugs network and is not forthcoming with any inforP5 mation, added the officer. RAIDS CONDUCTED IN BELAGAVI, C’DURGA Ready-to-harvest cannabis plants, worth about Rs 2 crore, were destroyed by the police at Odeyarahalli village in Rampura taluk of Chitradurga district on Saturday. Three people have been arrested in this connection. In Belagavi, the police raided four locations and recovered 123.5 kg of ganja and arrested seven peddlers. This village of teachers redrew learning curve PAPR (Powered device offers the user safety GE Desi Delight US President Donald Trump has said the situation along the India-China border has been ‘very nasty’ and that he would love to get involved and help. “We stand ready to help. If we can do anything, we would love to get involved,” he said SPREADING KNOWLEDGE Bubble Maker Respirator) Air Purifying 360° S U N I L PAT I L @ Belagavi Tech Tonic ‘SITUATION IS VERY NASTY’ @ Bengaluru PEOPLE WELLNESS BOOKS FOOD ART & CULTURE ENT ENTERTAINM fits all. PRO: One size places Offices, crowded WHERE TO USE: PRICE: `10,000 CHAN PROM ISE TO VATIO NS THAT CRISI S E TIMES OF FIFTE EN INNO RE IN THES HEAL THCA disengagement. “The statement is a clear-cut red line on how much is acceptable and what is non-negotiable,” the officer said. Meanwhile, in a predictable response, Beijing blamed New Delhi for the LAC flare-up. “The relations between the two countries have been severely affected by the border issue. The cause and truth of the current tension are very clear, and the responsibility lies entirely with India,” said Wei Fenghe. A former diplomat, who did not wish to be named, said it was important that India stated its position. “We have seen statements from many quarters. The latest statement shows that India is not going to listen to China. We will put our foot down and stand up to P9 them,” he said. B A L A C H A U H A N & M A N J U S H E T TA R BUFFET AY EXPRESS THE NEW SUND PUSHPESH PANT RAMANIAM S VAIDHYASUB SATHYA SARAN Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a meeting with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defence, Major General Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich, in Moscow on Saturday | PTI Ragini, 11 others named in Sandalwood drug case FIR WITH THIS ISSUE VOICES ests and will not hesitate to hit back if its national interests are hurt. Indian forces’ strong response to the PLA’s aggression has rattled the Chinese leadership, says Lt Gen V K Chaturvedi (Retd). “The Chinese never expected such response from the Indian military, which not only has dug in its heels along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) but is also strengthening its positions.” He added India has successfully blocked China’s ‘salami slicing tactics’ and told the Chinese to go back to positions before the end of April. Talking to TNIE on condition of anonymity, a serving Army officer said the Defence Minister’s statement has reaffirmed India’s stand on the territorial dispute, standoff and DEFENCE DIPLOMACY Bharati Education Society in 1975 with the objective of educating every child in the village. The Society established a high school in 1975, a PU college in 1982 and DEd college in 1985. In the beginning, there were just a handful of students enrolled. But today over a thousand students are , being imparted education. Satar Ismail Sab, a teacher from the village, said, “Shivanand Bharati Swamiji showed us that a big revolution can be brought about if one takes up the challenge to change society”. SERVING AT THE EMPEROR OF TEMPLES P2