FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW Bhajan Clubbing shatters myth of secularisation Israel says that Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib killed Hit by war, rupee at all-time low: New Delhi: The Indian rupee hit a record low of Rs 92.65 to the dollar at close of trading on Wednesday, as foreign investors kept pulling out of bourses and spiralling crude prices kept pushing up India’s foreign exchange outflow. Analysts believe that if the Iran-US war in West Asia continues, the run away from emerging market bourses to the safe haven of the US dollar will continue, and the rupee could well touch Rs 95 to the dollar by the end of the month. “The rupee breached the psychological barrier of Rs 92.50 today. Two reasons kept pulling the rupee down ~ FII pull out from our markets and the crude price rise,” Vikram Sahney, an independent merchant banker, told UNI. Page 12 Govt mandates free seat selection on 60 pc of flight seats: New Delhi: In a broader push to improve passenger convenience and standardise airline policies, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to offer free seat selection for at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight. The new direction was issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and aims to ensure fair access for passengers and improve transparency in airline practices. Further, the directions also said that the passengers travelling on the same PNR should be seated together, preferably in adjacent seats. The DGCA also instructed airlines to maintain strict adherence to passenger rights framework, particularly in cases of delays, cancellations and denied boarding. In terms of baggage policy, the DGCA asked the airlines to ensure the carriage of sports equipment and musical instruments to be facilitated in a transparent and passenger-friendly manner, subject to applicable safety and operational regulations. Page 14 Govt offers additional LPG to states expediting PNG rollout STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 18 March T Gas Ministry, said fuel stations have sufficient petrol and diesel stocks. “Domestic LPG production has increased by 40 per cent while no dry-outs have been reported at petrol pumps,” she said, adding that crude is available adequately and 100 per cent of PNG and CNG are available. Ms Sharma said that the government has written to states and Union Territories offering 10 per cent more commercial LPG if they can help in shifting to PNG. “We have issued a letter under which states and UTs have been offered an additional 10 per cent allocation of commercial LPG, provided they can help long-term transition from LPG to PNG," Ms Sharma said. Under the assistance framework, the government will provide additional commercial LPG supplies to states. The senior official said many of the states have already started allocating commercial cylinders. Some 15 states have Kolkata I-PAC raids: Bengal questions ED’s plea; SC flags need for remedy in ‘unusual’ situation PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 18 March The West Bengal government on Wednesday submitted before the Supreme Court that the Directorate of Enforcement’s petition invoking Article 32 of the Constitution to seek directions for a CBI probe against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and some police officers for alleged interference with the ED’s raid on the offices of I-PAC in Kolkata this January was not maintainable. Raising a preliminary objection, the state government argued that the ED, being an arm of the Union government, cannot invoke fundamental rights to approach the Court under Article 32 as the central agency was neither a “legal or natural person” or “body corporate”. Appearing for West Bengal, senior advocate Shyam Divan told a Bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N V Anjaria that the ED is neither a legal person nor a body corporate capable of claiming violation of fundamental rights. He argued that if the Union government had any grievance against a state government, it could invoke the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 131 instead of using the ED as a vehicle to file a writ petition. He said permitting such petitions would disturb the federal balance by enabling central agencies to initiate constitutional litigation against States. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Chief Minister Mamata Banarjee, supported the objection, contending that investigative powers exercised by agencies like the ED flow from statute and do not amount to enforceable fundamental rights. Justice Mishra, however, questioned whether the ED should be left without any legal remedy if its investigation was allegedly obstructed by the Chief Minister. The Court noted that the situation described by the agency was unusual and raised broader concerns about the ability of investigating bodies to function without interference. PM to exiting RS MPs: Journey never ends STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 18 March Observing that in the dynamic field of politics the journey never truly ends, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the future always holds new opportunities for seasoned leaders. Addressing retiring members of the Rajya Sabha, the PM said: "In politics, there are no full stops; your experience and contribution will forever remain a part of the nation’s life.” Expressing gratitude for the chance to honour the retiring members, he noted that such occasions allow the House to rise above party lines and share a common sentiment. PM Modi remarked that whether the members return or move into broader social service, their accumulated experience remains an asset to the nation. Highlighting the best contributions of the outgoing members, he suggested that the new generation of MPs should look to veterans like H D Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sharad Pawar as role models. He also praised Deputy Chairman Harivansh for his soft-spoken conduct and his ability to maintain the House's trust while handling complex crises. Such dedicated service reflects a deep commitment to the responsibilities entrusted by society. “There is much to learn from these senior leaders about staying entirely committed to the Thursday, 19 March 2026 Surviving Judicial Scrutiny Page 11 he government on Wednesday stated that domestic LPG production has increased by 40 per cent as refineries operate at optimal capacity but supply continues to be a matter of concern due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the wake of the war in West Asia. In a bid to expedite expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) access and coverage amid the shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), the Centre on Wednesday also offered states an additional 10 per cent commercial LPG allocation if they fast-track the rollout of PNG networks to ease pressure on cooking fuel availability. At an inter-ministerial press briefing on the situation arising from the war in West Asia, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Petroleum and Natural | Virat Kohli still the driving force at RCB, says AB de Villiers LAW Page 9 BRIEFLY SILIGURI SPORTS WORLD PERSPECTIVE | responsibilities given by society,” the PM noted. Reflecting on the changing traditions of the House, PM Modi remarked that while the 24x7 media environment has made everyone more conscious, the legacy of humour and wit remains an essential part of parliamentary life. He highlighted that the departure of a group every two years allows for a continuous exchange of knowledge, ensuring that the House's rich legacy is preserved by the incoming members. He observed that this institutional continuity is a significant advantage that strengthens the democratic process. “The legacy here is a continuous process that enriches our parliamentary system,” remarked the Prime Minister. Highlighting the unique institutional value of the Rajya Sabha, the PM pointed out that the parliamentary system gains immense strength from the concept of a "second opinion." He noted that the transition of decisions between the two Houses adds a critical new dimension to the legislative process, ensuring more refined outcomes for the country. This democratic heritage, according to him, fosters a sense of openness and thoroughness in national decision-making. “This second opinion is a massive contribution to our democracy that we must cherish,” said the PM. He pointed out that the retiring cohort holds the rare distinction of having served in both the old and the new Parliament buildings during their tenure. He remarked that being part of the historic transition to the new House would serve as a fresh and significant memory in their public service careers. Mr Modi described the House as a "Great Open University" that provides members with a unique education in the complexities of national life. made allocation of commercial LPG to distributors and almost 7200 tonnes of commercial LPG that include both bulk and auto have been already uplifted across the country in the last four days. ‘’We have sufficient inventories. We procure crude from more than 40 countries. Our refineries are operating at the maximum capacity,’’ she added. Ms Sharma also stated that India has sufficient stocks of aviation turbine fuel and no price increase has been done by the oil marketing companies. She said over 2,300 surprise inspections were conducted by oil marketing companies on LPG distributors yesterday. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry, said 22 Indian vessels, which are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, carry 3.2 lakh tonnes of LPG, 2 lakh tonnes of LNG (Liquified Natural Gas), and 1.67 million tonnes of crude oil. Page 16 Jag Laadki brings 80,886 MT crude to India via Strait of Hormuz PM speaks to Kuwait Crown Prince, stresses Hormuz safety: UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi, 18 March Strengthening its energy supply chain amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, India on Wednesday received a third tanker, Jag Laadki, at Gujarat’s Mundra Port, carrying approximately 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the shipment originated from the United Arab Emirates and was loaded at Fujairah Port, a key energy hub that has recently witnessed drone and missile attacks. The arrival of Jag Laadki, follows the docking of two LPG carriers earlier, reflecting continued inflow of critical fuel supplies. The vessel, over 274 metres in length and with a large cargo capacity, highlights the scale and resilience of maritime operations underpinning India’s energy security. On Monday, the first LPG carrier, Shivalik, to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Israel-Iran conflict, arrived at Mundra. A day after, LPG vessel Nanda Devi, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, docked at Vadinar port in Jamnagar. During a media conclave in the national capital last week, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali had said his country permitted a number of Indian vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, owing to the "longstanding friendship" between the two countries. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on the Gulf nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremost priority. We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability. I thanked him (Crown Prince of Kuwait) for continued support for the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait,” the PM wrote on the ‘X’ microblogging platform later.