twitter visakhapatnam l thursday l may 26, 2022 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION ‘Advanced economies to be back on track by 2024’ However, developing economies will be 5% below where they would have been otherwise, according to IMF’s Gita Gopinath There have been Divergent recoveries Speaking at a special session on ‘What next for global growth?’ during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 on Wednesday, Gopinath said there have been very divergent recoveries around the world. The First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund also noted that the war in Ukraine has been a major setback to the global recovery ■ 2026-27 ‘We have a Cost of living crisis’ “We had a serious downgrade to the global growth rate and the world continues to face headwinds because we have a cost of living crisis. Prices of commodities including fuel and food are going up around the world,” she said, adding that central banks are trying to tackle such high inflation by raising interest rates By WHEN India WILL Become A $5-TrillioN ECONOMY, ACCORDING TO IMF’s REVISED DATA CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI It is among the gravest of offences, says NIA court, wants verdict to serve as deterrent to those drawn to violence lifer to Malik for funding terror in J&K An k i ta U pa d h yay @ New Delhi Jailed Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik being escorted by police officers to a special court in New Delhi for sentencing on Wednesday | Parveen Negi Woman tv artiste shot dead in kashmir In another targeted attack, terrorists on Wednesday killed a woman TV artist and injured her 10-year-old nephew in Chadoora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Around 7.55 pm, they shot dead TV artist and singer Amreen Bhat at her home, the police said | P8 Texas teenager guns down 19 schoolchildren, shot dead E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e In one of the worst mass murders in a school in America, an 18-year-old in body armour gunned down 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas state on Wednesday The dead students . of the Robb Elementary School were aged between 7 years and 10 years, the police said. The massacre in the heavily Latino town of Uvalde in Texas, was the deadliest shooting at a US school since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, almost a decade ago. The teen opened fire around 11.30 am local time before he was killed by law enforcement officers. The assailant had turned 18 this month and bought his guns legally — one AR-style rifle from a licensed gun dealer in Uvalde on May 17; 375 rounds of ammunition the next day; and a second rifle on May 20. The needless blood-letting brought the easy access to firearms in the US market to the front burner, since the powerful gun lobby has blocked all attempts check its proliferation. “Where in God’s name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with and stand up to the lobbies?’ President Joe Biden wondered. “How many scores of little children who witnessed what happened seen their friends die as if they’re on a battlefield, for god’s sake,” he said. “To lose a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away. There’s a hollowness in your chest.” The killer has been identifie as Salvador Ramos. His motive was unclear. Observing that funding is the backbone of any operation, including terror, and is among the gravest of offences, a special National Investigation Agency court on Wednesday awarded life imprisonment to separatist leader Yasin Malik in a 2017 case related to terror funding and secessionist activities in the Kashmir Valley . The sentence also aimed to “serve as deterrence for those who seek to follow a similar path,” special NIA judge Parveen Singh warned. In Srinagar, there was stray violence after the verdict. Malik’s family members and neighbours staged a protest in at Maisuma, which is where he hails from. The youth of the area, too, resorted to sloganeering and pelted stones on the security personnel, who fired tear gas shells to disperse them. All shops in Lal Chowk, Maisuma and downtown Srinagar remained shut with security forces stepping up vigil. Also, mobile internet was suspended in Kashmir as a precautionary measure. In his verdict, the judge said the prosecution had shown how funds were received from Pakistani establishments, Lashkare-Toiba founder Hafeez Saeed and through other hawala operations. “It is these funds that were used to create unrest where under the guise of public protests, paid terror activities of stone pelting and arson at mass scale were committed,” the verdict said. Malik had earlier pleaded guilty of all charges, including those under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in the terror funding case. “In my considered opinion, it is high time that it is recognised that terror funding is one of the gravest offences and has to be punished more severely ,” the judge said. Malik was produced before the court amid high security, and awarded the life sentence, apart from a fine of `10 lakh. While the NIA sought capital punishment, the amicus curiae (friend of court) sought life imprisonment, the minimum punishment in the matter. On May 10, Yasin had said he would not contest charges lev- No reform, says judge “When he claimed to have given up the path of violence after the year 1994, the government...gave him an opportunity to reform, and in good faith, tried to engage in a meaningful dialogue with him, and as admitted by him, gave him every platform to express his opinion,” Special Judge Praveen Singh said. However, Malik did not desist from violence, he observed elled against him — Section 16 (terrorist act), 17 (raising funds for terrorist act), 18 (conspiracy to commit terrorist act) and 20 (member of terrorist gang or organisation) of the UAPA and sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 124-A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code. The court rubbished Malik’s contention that he was following Gandhian principles of non-violence, saying despite large-scale of violence in the Valley he never condemned it. , In the Mahatma’s principles, there was no place for violence, howsoever high the objective, the judge said, adding: “It only took one small incident of violence at Chauri Chaura for the Mahatma to call off the entire non-cooperation movement but the convict despite the large scale of violence engulfing the Valley neither condemned the violence nor withdrew his calendar of protest which had led to the said violence.” Criticising the verdict, the Gupkar Alliance called it unfortunate and a setback to peace efforts. It suggested that he avail of all legal opportunities to contest the verdict. Vizag will be hub for unicorn start-ups: CM E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada On day four of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy interacted with the representatives of start-ups and assured them all support to make the City of Destiny a hub for unicorn start-ups. Jagan held talks with BYJU’s Vice-President (Public Policy) Susmit Sarkar, CoinSwitch Kuber Founder and Group CEO Ashish Singhal, EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Prashant Pitti, Meesho Founder and CEO Vidit Atreya and Coursera Vice-President Kevin Mills. In a bid to give a boost to start-ups in the State, particularly in Vizag, Jagan said, “Our government is resolved to make Vizag as the hub of start-ups. So, we invite you (start-ups) to set up your business here.” Elaborating on the policy decisions that would be taken to establish the start-ups, the CM assured the representatives of all resources. BJYU’s VP Susmit said the ed-tech firm would extend full No additional borrowing in FY23, indicates govt The government has budgeted for `16.6 lakh crore borrowTHE Centre may not need ad- ing accounting for a 6.4% fiscal ditional borrowing in the cur- deficit in 2022-23. The source rent financial year (FY23) even added that the much-awaited after taking a huge financial hit GST rates rationalisation exerfrom the excise duty cut on pet- cise will get delayed owing to rol and diesel and the newly an- the inflationary pressures. The nounced cooking gas GST Council’s 47th Coal-centric meeting will be held in subsidy for the poor. According to sourc- energy policy the second half of es, the Centre will June. Coal will stick to the borrowing continue to meet However, despite incalendar set for FY23. flation continuously bulk of the The reduction in ex- power needs as it remaining above the cise duties will cause RBI’s upper tolerance is difficult to an annual loss of `1 make a transition limit of 6%, there are lakh crore to the gov- to clean energy no plans to revise the ernment, while the medium-term infladue to supply subsidy on cooking constraints amid tion target. gas will put an addiThe source clarified geopolitical tional burden of `6,100 that the rupee-rouble tensions, crore a year. trade mechanism is government “At the moment, it very much on the tasources said doesn’t seem we need ble. “The government extra capital. So, we will be will continue to buy cheaper oil sticking to the borrowing cal- from Russia. Talks on rupeeendar fixed for FY23. If there rouble trade are still going on will be a shortfall in the capex, with Russia. The Centre has then we will withdraw the not yet finalised the discount.” funds from the Consolidated Also, privatisation of two Funds of India,” a government public-sector banks will be source said. completed in the current year. M o n i k a Ya dav @ New Delhi support to the education sector in the State, adding that they would set up a research and development center and provide BYJU’s curriculum to the students. Ashish Singhal of CoinSwitch, discussed with the CM ways of providing technology to secure records of comprehensive land survey in AP . Jagan also discussed with EaseMyTrip’s Prashant Pitti about developing tourism sector in the State. The latter assured to provide support in promoting tourism in a big way . Over 1,500 police personnel were deployed across Amalapuram town I Express Riots leave A’puram residents in disbelief outsiders entered the scene and fomented trouble,’’ S An uneasy calm prevailed Venkata Ramu, a resident of in Amalapuram town even the town told TNIE. as life limped back to norA violent mob on Tuesday malcy a day after protests had set ablaze the houses of against renaming the newly Transport Minister Pinipe carved out Konaseema dis- Viswarup and Mummidivartrict after Dr BR Ambedkar am MLA Satish, and several had turned violent. vehicles while agitating Even as Tuesday’s inci- against the May 19 Governdents were fresh in the minds ment Order (GO) inviting obof citizens, it was jections and sugbusiness as usual gestions to rename in the otherwise the district as Dr peaceful town. BR Ambedkar Over 1,500 police Ground Zero Konaseema. personnel and at Fear was palpaleast five superintendents of ble even though the situation police from neighbouring was brought under control districts were deployed to late on Tuesday. Armed pokeep the situation under licemen could be seen at evecontrol. ry street and busy “We have never seen this junctions. kind of violent incidents beAs a precautionary measfore. We (the people of Kona- ure internet services has seema) are known for our been suspended to prevent politeness and respecting rumours and instigating P4 others. We suspect that some messages.  S T r i m u r t h u l u @ Amalapuram Political slugfest The CM has become desperate after his party MLC’s involvement in a Dalit’s murder and hsi regime’s failures. YSRC activist Annam Sai is behind the violence. K Atchannaidu, TDP State president It might be a political conspiracy by YSRC. The govt’s malafide intentions were clear as it gave 30 days for raising objections and suggestions so as to provoke the people Pawan Kalyan, Jana Sena chief There are political elements involved in the attacks carried out at the behest of TDP and JSP and that was why the violence spread quickly. Witnesses said at least 200-300 persons were carrying petrol cans and bottles — Sajjala Ramamkrishna Reddy, YSRC general secy CM Jagan with EaseMyTrip Co-Founder Prashant Pitti at Davos I Express express read By-election in Atmakur constituency on June 23 Driver’s murder: YSRC suspends MLC Bhaskar Vijayawada: By-election to Atmakur Assembly constituency in Nellore district will be held on June 23. The bypoll was necessitated following the sudden demise of former minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy in February. The ECI has issued the schedule for the Atmakur bypoll on Wednesday. The ruling YSRC is expected to field Mekapati Vikram Reddy, the former minister’s younger brother | P4 Vijayawada: MLC Ananta Udaya Bhaskar, accused in the murder case of his former car driver, Subramanyam, was suspended from the YSRC. As per the directions of party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Ananta Babu was suspended from the party in view of the police announcing that the MLC confessed that he was responsible for the death of his former car driver, a press release from the YSRC said. After arresting 46 people, police hunt for 75 more E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Amalapuram Police have arrested 46 persons for their alleged involvement in the violence that broke out in Amalapuram town of Konaseema district on Tuesday Another 75 people involved . in the riots have been identified through CCTV and video recordings. At least 1,500 police personnel from Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Eluru and other districts have been posted in Amalapuram to monitor the situation. Seven cases were registered, including three under non-bailable offences for setting RTC buses on fire. Besides some unidentified persons who pelted stones at Rajamahendravaram SP Aiswarya Rastogi’s vehicle at Ravulapalem on Wednesday, no incidents of protest or violence P4 were reported in the district. Civic body to ban all plastic in Vizag from June 5 E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Visakhapatnam Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) will enforce a total ban on plastics in the city from June 5 to mark the World Environment Day . GVMC Commissioner G Lakshmi Sha told TNIE on Wednesday that the countdown for plastic ban will begin immediately . “People will be given time till June 5 to find alternatives to plastic products. Use of single use and non-biodegradable plastic in the city will attract fines.” The civic body is going the extra mile to restrict the use of plastic, whether they are of single use or reusable, as they are harmful to the environment, Sha noted. “People have been advised to stop using plastic and look for eco-friendly alternatives. The GVMC is encouraging NGOs to produce more eco-friendly bags of paper and cloth that can act as a replacement,” he added. The civic chief said the issue will be discussed with the representatives of all religious institutions for their cooperation in enforcing the ban, and added that boards with no parking slogans will be installed. “An awareness campaign will be launched to discourage the use of plastic and flexies during festivals and celebrations,” he said. “Though it will be difficult to immediately enforce a total ban, we are confident of achieving the goal within a year. All shops selling plastic products will be issued notices to stop their sale after June 5,” GVMC Commissioner Lakshmi Sha pointed out.