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 | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Friday, 02 January 2026 SPORTS WORLD Zohran Mamdani takes oath as NYC’s first Muslim mayor EDITORIAL Unbuilt Cities Govt hikes tobacco excise, industry ‘shocked and surprised’: New Delhi: The government has imposed a fresh and comprehensive excise duty framework on cigarettes and other tobacco products, signalling a decisive tightening of its taxation and regulatory stance on the sector. The industry reacted with dismay, saying it was “shocked and surprised” at the move. A series of Central Excise notifications issued on Thursday revise duty rates, clarify product classification and strengthen compliance norms, significantly increasing the tax burden on tobacco manufacturers. Under the revised structures, cigarettes will attract a specific excise duty ranging from Rs 2,050-8,500 per 1000 sticks, depending on their length and characteristics. Shorter cigarettes fall in lower duty slabs, while longer cigarettes attract progressively higher excise rates. Page 10 New Delhi, 1 January Despite heightened tensions following four days of hostilities between them in May last year, India and Pakistan exchanged on the New Year the lists of nuclear installations and facilities and civilian prisoners and fishermen in each other’s custody. The two countries exchanged the lists through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs said the lists on nuclear installations and facilities are covered under the bilateral pact on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. This agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 Page 4 ‘Will not bow to malevolent forces,’ says CM Mamata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The core guiding principle of this historic journey is the honour of the motherland, the development of Bengal, and the protection of the democratic rights of the people Kolkata/New Delhi, 1 January M arking the 28th anniversary of the All India Trinamul Congress (TMC), West Bengal Chief Minister and party chairperson Mamata Banerjee issued a powerful statement of defiance on Thursday, vowing that her party will never succumb to "malevolent forces." Leading the celebrations for the party that she founded in 1998, Miss Banerjee reaffirmed her commitment to the "Ma-Mati-Manush" (Mother, Motherland, and People) ideology, signalling a resolute stance as the state moves toward pivotal administrative and political milestones in 2026. In a message shared with supporters and posted on WhatsApp, Miss Banerjee reflected on the party's historic journey, which began after she broke away from the Indian National Congress nearly three decades ago to provide an independent platform for the people of Bengal. India, Pak exchange lists of nuke installations, civilian prisoners, fishermen STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE No housing for outsiders: Karnataka Minister Page 9 Page 6 BRIEFLY NATION January 1991, provides, inter alia, that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the pact on the first January of every calendar year. This is the 35th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992. The lists of civil prisoners and fishermen are covered under the provisions of the bilateral agreement on consular access 2008. India has shared the list with details of 391 civil prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed to be Pakistani. Similarly, Pakistan has shared lists with details of 58 civil prisoners and 199 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed to be Indian. "With the aim of serving Ma-Mati-Manush, the journey of the Trinamul Congress began on this day in 1998," Miss Banerjee stated. “The core guiding principle of this historic journey is the honour of the motherland, the development of Bengal, and the protection of the democratic rights of the people.” The Chief Minister emphasised that the party’s strength remains rooted in its grassroots workers, whom she credited for their "tireless efforts and sacrifices" in maintaining the party's momentum through years of political struggle. The Foundation Day comes at a time of heightened political activity in Bengal. The TMC is currently navigating a period of intense scrutiny and administrative friction, including ongoing tussle with the Election Commission regarding electoral roll revisions. Addressing these challenges, Miss Banerjee said: "We will not bow to any malevolent forces, and disregarding all enmity, our struggle for the common people will MAMATA BANERJEE, TMC CHAIRPERSON continue lifelong." The Trinamul Congress was officially formed on 1 January 1998. Since its inception, the party has evolved from a regional challenger to a dominant political powerhouse. Under Miss Banerjee’s leadership, it stormed to power in Bengal in the year 2011, ending the 34-year-long Left Front rule in the state, and has held the reins of government since then, securing a landslide victory in 2021 for a term consecutive term. ‘Several dozens’ killed, around 100 injured in fire at Swiss resort UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Geneva, 1 January ‘Several dozens’ of people are feared killed and around a hundred injured in a fire that followed an explosion in a bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland less than two hours into the new year, police said. The fire took place at about 1:30 a.m. local time (00:30 GMT) in a bar called Le Constellation during New Year's celebrations, Valais Canton police said on Thursday. Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler said work is underway to identify the victims and inform their families, but “that will take time and for the time being, it is premature to give you a more precise figure.” Mr Gisler said that the community is “devastated.” Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Canton attorney general, said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire. Experts have not yet been able to go inside the wreckage. “At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack,” Ms Pilloud said. Local police said they cannot immediately provide precise figures on the number of dead and injured, but an Italian Foreign Ministry statement said around 40 people are believed to have died. Helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene to assist victims, including some from different countries, officials said. The scale of the tragedy overwhelmed local medical resources. “The injured were so numerous that the intensive care unit and operating theatre at the regional hospital quickly hit full capacity,” regional councillor Mathias Renard said. Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders. The barmaid was holding a lit candle in a bottle that set fire to the wooden ceiling. The flames quickly spread and collapsed the ceiling, they told the broadcaster. One of the women described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to escape from a basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door. Another Hindu attacked, set on fire in Bangladesh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 1 January New Delhi, 1 January The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said that India’s economy and financial system remain resilient despite heightened global uncertainties, elevated asset valuations and rising geopolitical risks. The RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) for December 2025 noted that global growth has shown greater resilience than anticipated, supported by fiscal measures, front-loaded trade, and strong investment in artificial intelligence (AI). However, it cautioned that risks to global financial stability remain elevated due to high public debt, stretched asset prices, the growing interconnectedness of non-bank financial intermediaries, and the rapid expansion of private TRIDIB BAPARNASH New Delhi, 1 January Indian players celebrate during the final match of Hockey Asia Cup 2025 against Korea, in Rajgir. FILE PHOTOGRAPH sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 5, sub-section (5) of Page 12 RBI flags global uncertainties, says Indian economy well-placed to withstand shocks credit and stablecoins. On the domestic front, the RBI stated that India continues to grow at a robust pace, driven by strong domestic demand, easing inflation, and prudent macroeconomic policies. The financial system remains healthy, supported by strong balance sheets of banks and non-bank lenders, comfortable capital and liqui- dity buffers, and low market volatility. The Financial System Stress Indicator (FSSI) remains at relatively low levels, indicating limited systemic stress. The report highlighted that India’s near-term risks stem largely from external factors, including the potential escalation of geopolitical and trade tensions, as well as volatility Key provisions of National Sports Governance Act come into force The Union government has brought into force select provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, marking the formal beginning of a statutory framework to regulate the functioning of national sports bodies in the country. The Act, notified in the Official Gazette on 18 August 2025, has come into effect from 1 January 2026, in accordance with a government notification issued under Section 1(2) of the legislation, which allows different provisions to be enforced on different dates. As per the notification, provisions relating to Sections 1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2) and (4) of Section 4, Cummins, David in Australia’s T20 WC squad despite injury Section 8, sub-section (1) of Section 11, Sections 14 and 15, sub-sections (1) to (7) and (10) of Section 17, Sections 30 and 31, and Sections 33 to 38 of the Act have come into force from 1 January. These provisions lay down the establishment and governance framework for National Sports Bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations and Regional Sports Federations. The notified sections also cover the constitution of the National Sports Board, compliance obligations for recognised sports organisations, their rights, duties and privileges, the establishment of a National Sports Tribunal, and the rule-making powers of the central government. The government said the phased implementation of the Act is intended to ensure a smooth transition to the new statutory sports governance regime. The Act aims to promote transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and good governance in sports administration, safeguard the welfare of sportspersons, and enable effective and timely resolution of sports-related disputes. The Act is aligned with the Olympic Charter, Paralympic Charter and international best practices. With the enforcement of the notified provisions, the institutional mechanisms envisaged under the law have become operational from 1 January 2026. in global financial markets. A sharp correction in US equity markets could spill over to domestic markets, impacting investor confidence and financial conditions. India’s external sector remains resilient, with manageable current account deficit levels and strong foreign exchange reserves of over USD 693 billion, sufficient to cover around 11 months of imports. External vulnerability indicators, including external debt and short-term debt ratios, continue to show improvement. The RBI also flagged emerging global risks such as rising leverage in hedge funds, increased reliance on shortterm sovereign borrowing in advanced economies, and growing concentration in AI-driven equity markets, which could amplify market corrections. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE A Hindu man in Bangladesh was allegedly attacked by a mob, who seriously injured him and then set him on fire in the Shariatpur area. According to local media, the incident took place on New Year's Eve on Wednesday at around 9:30 p.m. (local time), near Keurbhanga Bazar in Kaneshwar Union of Damudya. The man, 50-year-old Khokon Chandra Das, was attacked by a group of people who seriously injured him, poured petrol on his body and set him on fire. Das was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment, the Prothom Alo newspaper reported. According to sources at the Damudya Police Station, Das, a resident of Tiloi village in the Koneshwar Union, runs a pharmacy and a mobile banking business at Keurbhanga Bazar. On Wednesday night, after closing his shop, Das was returning home in an auto-rickshaw when some individuals stopped the vehicle at the Damudya-Shariatpur road near Keurbhanga Bazar and assaulted him. The assailants also attacked him with sharp weapons, later pouring petrol on him and setting him on fire, Prothom Alo reported. In order to save himself, Das jumped into a nearby pond beside the road. Hearing his screams, local people rushed to the scene, prompting the attackers to flee. Locals later rescued him and took him to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where he received his initial treatment in the emergency department and was later sent to Dhaka later that night for advanced treatment, as his condition deteriorated. PM to flag off Guwahati-Howrah Vande Bharat Sleeper this month STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 1 January Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday announced that the first-ever Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will operate between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal. The semi-high-speed train with design speed up to 180 kmph will have 16 coaches, including 11 three-tier AC coaches, 4 two-tier AC coaches, and 1 first-class AC coach, with a total capacity of around 823 passengers. Mr Vaishnaw, addressing the media in New Delhi, said the complete trial, testing, and certification of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train have been successfully completed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the inaugural service this month. On the fare, the Minister said in the Vande Bharat Sleeper, the 3AC fare from Guwahati to Howrah has been set at approximately Rs 2,300 and the 2AC fare at Rs 3,000. “Keeping the middle class in mind, the First AC fare has been proposed at approximately Rs 3,600,” he said. Mr Vaishnaw added that by the end of this year, about 12 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains will be ready and inducted into the rail network. Following this, their expansion will be scaled up rapidly next year. Mr Vaishnaw also said that India's Bullet Train project will be ready by 15 August 2027. The services are being rolled out in phases along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad HighSpeed Rail Corridor. He said that the first section of the Bullet Train will open from Surat to Bilimora in Gujarat, followed by two more sections from Vapi to Surat and Vapi to Ahmedabad. After this, Bullet Train services will be expanded to Maharashtra in a phased manner.