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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI ‘Tech sovereignty is an imperative’ NATION US clears sale of Russian crude loaded by 12 March BRIEFLY India, US continue talks on trade pact: New Delhi: India and the United States remain actively engaged in discussions for a mutually beneficial trade agreement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday, dismissing media reports that suggested bilateral trade negotiations had been put on hold. In an official statement, the Commerce Ministry clarified that engagement between the two countries continues and emphasised that both sides remain committed to advancing trade ties. “We have noted a media report regarding ongoing trade talks with the US. It is denied that there is any hold off in bilateral engagement. It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the ministry said. The clarification comes amid ongoing negotiations between the two countries aimed at strengthening economic ties and resolving long-standing market access issues. Page 10 Lok Sabha becomes Oppn’s main platform to corner govt Page 7 Page 9 UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Today, Bodoland has embarked on the path of peace and development, and Assam is writing a new chapter of peace and progress. New Delhi, 13 March P NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA him from travelling there. The Prime Minister said the Bodoland region, which had faced decades of insurgency and unrest, was now witnessing a transformation marked by peace and development. “Today, Bodoland has embarked on the path of peace and development, and Assam is writing a new chapter of peace and progress,” he said. Mr Modi paid tributes to FM Sitharaman proposes Economic Stabilisation Fund amid West Asia crisis STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 March Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday proposed setting up an Economic Stabilisation Fund amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. Speaking in Parliament, the Finance Minister said the aim of this fund should be to create fiscal headroom, enabling India to respond more effectively to global economic headwinds. Responding to the discussion on the second batch of supplementary demands for grants in Lok Sabha, Mrs Sitharaman said: "I would like to highlight that the proposed Economic Stabilisation Fund will provide fiscal headroom, allowing India to respond to global headwinds such as recent crises, unanticipated supply chain disruptions, unexpected shocks to subsectors of the Indian economy, and any other events that may have significant fiscal implications. In anticipation of what cannot be foreseen, we are coming up with economic stabilisation measures”. “The fiscal deficit for FY26 will remain within the Revised Estimates (RE), which projects it at 4.4 per cent of GDP, the same level as the Budget Estimates (BE) for the year," she said. “There is no increase in expenditure beyond the BE of 2025–26 due to the second supplementary,” she said. The supplementary demands seek Parliament’s approval for gross additional expenditure of over Rs 2.81 trillion for the financial year 2025–26 (FY26). As part of the demands, the finance ministry has also sought Rs 57,381.84 crore for the Economic Stabilisation Fund. The proposal of the fund comes amid an energy supply crunch due to the West Asia conflict. As per the information shared by the Finance Ministry, the supplementary demands involve a net cash outgo of Rs 2.01 trillion. “The gross additional spending will be matched by savings of Rs 80,145.71 crore across ministries and departments or by enhanced receipts and recoveries,” the ministry said. SC asks Centre to examine menstrual leave policy PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 13 March The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a petition seeking mandatory paid menstrual leave for women across all establishments, observing that such a statutory requirement could have unintended consequences for women’s employment prospects. The Court noted that while the issue concerns the welfare of women, making menstrual leave compulsory through legislation may lead to employers becoming hesitant to hire women or assign them important responsibilities. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi disposed of the petition by directing the Union government to consider the representation made by the petitioner and consider whether any policy framework on menstrual leave can be evolved in consultation with relevant stakeholders. During the hearing, the Court questioned the locus of the petitioner, noting that the petitioner was not personally affected by the issue. It also observed that no woman had approached the Court seeking such relief. The Bench further pointed out that the petitioner had previously filed similar petitions on the same issue. Earlier petitions filed in 2023 and 2024 had already resulted in directions to the Union government to examine the representation and take a policy decision. The judges indicated that although certain organisations and some States have voluntarily introduced menstrual leave policies, imposing such a requirement by law may produce the opposite effect by making women employees appear less favourable in a competitive job market. The Court emphasised that while affirmative action for women is recognised under the Constitution, policy measures must also consider their long-term impact on employment opportunities and career advancement. In view of its apprehension on the likely adverse impact of such a policy backed by statute, the Bench disposed of the writ petition, stating that the competent authority in the Union government to consider the petitioner’s representation and take an appropriate decision on the issue after consulting stakeholders. The petition had sought directions to the Union government, States and Union Territories to frame laws or policies recognising the health difficulties faced by women during menstruation and to provide suitable relief, including menstrual leave for working women and female students. It also urged the Court to address what it described as a legal gap in providing workplace protection and welfare measures related to menstrual health. Bodo leaders such as Upendranath Brahma and Rupnath Brahma, and praised the Bodo community for preserving its cultural heritage. Recalling his recent visit to Guwahati during the Bagurumba dance festival, he said he was proud to witness the community’s efforts to protect its language and traditions. “Whether it is the spiritual tradition of Bathou or the festival of Bwisagu, these strengthen India’s cultural heritage,” he said. Highlighting the Centre’s development push in the region, Mr Modi said the projects launched during the programme include key infrastructure works, with more than Rs 1,100 crore earmarked for roads in the Bodoland Territorial Region under the Asom Mala initiative. This trophy is for every Indian, we exist due to your support: Surya Page 12 Page 5 PM Modi launches `4,570 crore projects in Assam rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Bodoland region, which had faced decades of insurgency and unrest, is now witnessing a new chapter of transformation marked by peace and development as he launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than Rs 4,570 crore in Assam. The projects focused on infrastructure, connectivity, and public services aimed at accelerating growth in the Bodoland region. The projects were inaugurated in programmes held in Guwahati and Kokrajhar, with the Prime Minister addressing a gathering in Kokrajhar through video conferencing from Guwahati after bad weather prevented Saturday, 14 March 2026 SPORTS SATURDAY INTERVIEW WORLD | TMC leads Opposition’s impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 13 March The Trinamul Congress (TMC) on Friday moved an impeachment motion against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in both Houses of Parliament, accusing him of acting in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on multiple occasions. Coming as it does amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, ahead of crucial Assembly elections in the state, the motion, though initiated by the TMC in West Bengal, has support from the broader Opposition INDIA bloc, including the Congress, the Samajwadi Party, the DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), even though the party considers itself outside the alliance. This is the first time an impeachment motion has been brought against a sitting CEC. Around 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha members have signed the notice, citing seven primary charges. These include allegations of “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office in favour of the ruling party,” “deliberate obstruction of investigations into electoral fraud,” and “mass disenfranchisement,” particularly during the SIR in West Bengal. The motion broadly accuses Mr Kumar of lowering the dignity of the constitutional office by succumbing to political influence. Opposition parties have long been criticising Mr Kumar’s handling of the SIR, including in electoral roll revisions in Bihar ahead of the November Govt says no need for panic LPG buying, domestic refineries operating at full capacity STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 March The government on Friday appealed to the people not to give credence to rumours and refrain from engaging in panic buying of LPG in the wake of the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry also clarified that India currently has a crude oil refining capacity of 258 million metric tonnes, and domestic refineries are operating at full capacity. “ This has made the country self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, reducing the need for imports of these fuels,” Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) in the ministry, said, at an inter-ministerial media briefing on the situation arising from the conflict in West Asia. The senior official said, “There is no need for panic booking; no ‘dry-out’ has been reported at any LPG distributor.” She said the supply of piped natural gas (PNG) to households and compressed natural gas (CNG) remained uninterrupted. Petrol and diesel were also available in adequate quantities at retail outlets nationwide. “Given this situation, there is absolutely no need for panic...Furthermore, regarding commercial consumers in our major urban cities and centers ~ many of whom are currently facing difficulties due to their reliance on LPG supplies ~ the Government of India is making every effort to address their concerns. We appeal to all such commercial consumers 57 pc of Indian households face LPG delay, black marketing: New Delhi: Nearly 57 per cent of Indian households reported delays in receiving LPG cylinders or incidents of black marketing over the past week, amid concerns about possible supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, according to a survey. The survey, conducted by LocalCircles, collected more than 57,000 responses from household consumers across 309 districts. According to the survey findings, 57 per cent of respondents experienced delays in LPG cylinder delivery or instances of black marketing during the past week. 29 per cent reported that dealers said cylinders were unavailable or bookings were delayed. Page 10 to contact their local CGD (City Gas Distribution) network provider or their designated dealer to obtain a PNG connection,’’ the official added. Similarly, LPG supplies are also being provided to hospitals and educational institutions. “Domestic production of LPG has increased by 30 per cent as of today; compared to March 5th, our refineries are currently producing 30 per cent more LPG,” she added. Cash-for-query case: SC to clarify law on sanction under Lokpal Act; probe against TMC MP Mahua Moitra put on hold PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 13 March The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the legal framework governing sanction under Section 20 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which deals with sanction to investigating agencies to file chargesheets and initiate prosecution against public servants accused of corruption. The Court also put on hold the investigation against Trinamul Congress MP Mahua Moitra in the cash-for-query case for now. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice and sought responses from Mahua Moitra, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and BJP leader Nishikant Dubey, who had first raised allegations that Moitra allegedly accepted benefits in exchange for raising questions in Parliament. “We will comprehensively lay down the powers of Lokpal and the statutory restrictions if any,” CJI Surya Kant said agreeing to examine the issue raised in Lokpal’s petition.. The matter reached the top court after the Lokpal of India challenged a December 2025 Delhi High Court judgment which had set aside its (Lokpal’s) decision permitting the CBI to file a chargesheet against Moitra. The High Court had held that the Lokpal’s approval was contrary to the procedure prescribed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act and directed the anti-corruption body (Lokpal) to reconsider the question of sanction. While hearing the Lokpal’s plea seeking clarity on the scope of its powers under Section 20, the Supreme Court indicated that the provision required authoritative interpretation. The Bench observed that it would examine the statutory scheme in detail to determine the extent of the Lokpal’s authority and any limitations placed on it while granting sanction to proceed against public servants. Until the issue is settled, the Court said it would not permit prosecution to proceed with in Ms Moitra’s case. The Court also paused the Lokpal from complying with the High Court’s direction to take a fresh decision within a fixed timeline. The bench noted that the dispute essentially revolves around the interpretation of the sanction mechanism under the Lokpal Act and how it operates alongside the Prevention of Corruption Act and criminal procedure law. 2025 assembly elections and in other poll-bound states. TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, too, repeatedly accused the Election Commission of deleting genuine voters from the rolls and working to favour the saffron party. Trinamul MP Kalyan Banerjee said the decision to initiate the impeachment motion was taken by Miss Banerjee herself. Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, the procedure to remove a CEC is similar to the one for the impeachment of a Supreme Court or high court judge. The motion must be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members. EAM speaks to Iranian FM again STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 13 March Amid heightened tensions in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had another conversation last night over the phone with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on bilateral matters and other issues of significance. This was the fourth conversation between the two foreign ministers in recent days. The talks between them have apparently resulted in Iran permitting two Indian tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, thus ensuring the safe passage of energy supplies to India amidst the ongoing war in West Asia. ‘’Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues,’’ Mr Jaishankar wrote on ‘X’ this afternoon. According to the Iranian foreign ministry, Mr Araghchi briefed the Indian minister on the latest situation resulting from ‘’the acts of aggression and atrocities committed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, as well as the consequences for regional and global stability and security.’’ He emphasised the firm resolve of the Iranian government, nation, and armed forces to exercise their legitimate right to self-defence against the ‘’aggressors.’’ Mr Araghchi stressed the necessity for regional and international bodies and organisations to condemn the military aggression against Iran.