FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | WORLD PERSPECTIVE Return to McCarthyism under Trump Page 7 France recognises Palestinian statehood at UN meeting Page 9 Nine dead as torrential rain paralyses Kolkata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 23 September T o r re n t i a l r a i n s overnight paralyzed Kol k a t a on Tuesday, killing at least nine people through electrocution and leaving much of the metropolis submerged as transport services collapsed and daily life ground to a halt just days ahead of the city’s biggest festival, Durga Puja. Some of those who died were identified as Firoz Ali Khan, 50, of Beniapukur; Pranatosh Kundu, 62, of Netaji Nagar; and Mumtaz Bibi, 70, of Ekbalpur. Officials later confirmed the toll had risen to nine, with at least one occurring in the districts. Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said canals and rivers in and around the city were full, hampering drainage efforts. “Every time water is pumped out, more flows back in,” he said. “High tide PM Modi celebrates seven years of Ayushman Bharat STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The iconic yellow taxi wades through a waterlogged road after heavy rainfall in Kolkata on Tuesday. at 1.30 p.m. may worsen the situation. Relief is likely only late at night.” Across the metropolis, arterial roads resembled rivers. Vehicles were stranded a n d c o m m u t e r s wa d e d through waist-deep water at key intersections including Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala and College Street. Long traffic snarls were reported on EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road and Central Avenue. Smaller lanes in south and SNS c e n t r a l Kol k a t a we re completely cut off. Buses broke down mid-route while app-based cabs stayed off the roads or charged exorbitant fares. Air traffic at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport(CCU) was severely hit on Tuesday as 55 flights, including 28 arrivals and 27 departures, were cancelled between midnight and 1 p.m., officials said. Airport data s h owe d most cancellations were attributed to “bad weather at CCU,” though a few were marked “operational.” The affected flights included services to and from Delhi, Mumbai, B e n g a l u r u , Hyd e r a b a d , Imphal, and international destinations such as Dubai and Bangkok. NSCBI Airport authorities used at least seven pumps to clear the accumulated water from the airport complex. M e t ro s e r v i c e s we re suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations after water inundated t r a c k s, w i t h t r u n c a t e d operations running from Dakshineswar to Maidan. Eastern Railway halte d operations on the Sealdah South section due to waterlogged tracks, while skeletal services ran on the North and Main sections. Trains from Howrah and Kolkata terminals were partially affected, and Circular R a i lway s e r v i c e s we re suspended after waterlogging at Chitpur yard. Kerala govt to declare end of extreme poverty on 1 Nov New Delhi, 23 September UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday marked the seventh anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), highlighting its revolutionary impact on India's public healthcare system. Launched in 2018, the scheme has provided financial protection and dignity to millions of Indians, ensuring top-quality and affordable healthcare. PM Modi tweeted on the occasion: “Today we mark #7YearsOfAyushmanBharat! This was an initiative that anticipated the needs of the future and focused on ensuring top-quality as well as affordable healthcare for people. Thanks to it, India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare. It has ensured financial protection and dignity.” Kerala is on the cusp of scripting history by becoming the first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty, following in the footsteps of China's globally acclaimed achievement. "Just as China declared itself free from extreme poverty, Kerala is set to achieve the same within India. This is a historic step towards building a 'Nava Keralam' (New Kerala)," said Local Self Government Minister M. B. Rajesh. He announced that the formal declaration will be made on Kerala Piravi Day (1 November), marking a transformative milestone not only for the state but also for India's development journey. According to Mr Rajesh, Thiruvananthapuram, 23 September 93 per cent of families identified under the extreme poverty category have already been lifted out of the condition through sustained welfare and targeted measures. The remaining households are being supported through customised schemes, paving the way for Kerala to declare itself free from extreme poverty within weeks. Kerala's development model goes beyond conventional welfare. The state has crafted innovative strategies to address the pressing challenges of the 21st century, ranging from climate change to scientific waste management. Through the Haritha Karma Sena, Kerala has set a national benchmark in waste segregation and disposal. At the same time, the integration of digital governance tools has ensured transparency, speed and efficiency. With platforms like K-Smart, citizens can access local body services instantly. Notably, 66,812 building permits were issued digitally within just 30 seconds, a feat hailed as a revolution in e-governance. The Minister also highlighted Kerala's sweeping welfare-driven initiatives implemented through the local bodies. Navratri debut of GST 2.0 sparks record sales across autos, e-comm & electronics STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 23 September The GST 2.0 rollout ignited an unprecedented consumer frenzy on its first day, coinciding with the commencement of Navratri festivities. With simplified slabs and steep price cuts, the GST 2.0 drove record sales across sectors. Car dealerships, e-commerce platforms, and electronics stores reported historic numbers as consumers rushed to take advantage of reduced prices. The automobile industry emerged as the standout winner. Under GST 2.0, smaller sub-4 metre cars were shifted to the 18 per cent tax slab, and the compensation cess on automobiles was scrapped entirely. Maruti Suzuki logged 80,000 enquiries and delivered 30,000 cars, its strongest single-day performance in 35 years. Bookings for small cars jumped 50 per cent compared to typical festival season levels, a report suggested. Hyundai dealers billed 11,000 vehicles, marking the company’s best performance in five years. Tata Motors reported 10,000 car deliveries and 25,000 enquiries, with showrooms reporting higher walk-ins, better conversion rates, and a swelling order pipeline. The excitement was equally palpable online. Flipkart and Amazon opened their festive sale events early for loyalty members, creating a perfect storm of discounts and tax benefits. Retail analysts said the alignment of GST 2.0 with Navratri boosted early festive spending, setting the stage for a blockbuster season through Diwali. Beyond cars and electronics, the impact was felt across grocery stores, apparel retailers, and small businesses. Analysts said the rollout could have a multiplier effect on consumption, providing a much-needed boost to sectors that had seen muted demand in recent quarters. Economists predict that the strong start will buoy GDP growth for the October–December quarter, with the tax reform expected to broaden compliance while boosting disposable incomes. NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Wednesday, 24 September 2025
The Statesman is one of India's oldest English newspapers. It was founded in Kolkata in 1875 and is directly descended from The Friend of India (founded 1818). The Englishman (founded 1821) was merged with The Statesman in 1934. The Delhi edition of The Statesman began publication in 1931. The Statesman Weekly is a compendium of news and views from the Kolkata and Delhi editions. Printed on airmail paper, it is popular with readers outside India. The Statesman (average weekday circulation approximately 180,000) is a leading English newspaper in West Bengal. The Sunday Statesman has a circulation of 230,000.
