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 CJP to begin ‘Kya Bolti Public’ campaign in September WORLD Iran, Oman close to deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz Page 5 Jobs first Page 6 BRIEFLY Agni-4 clears operational validation in Chandipur test: New Delhi: India on Thursday successfully conducted the test-firing of the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha, validating all operational and technical parameters of the strategic weapon system. According to the Ministry of Defence, the missile was launched under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). The successful launch confirmed the missile’s operational capability. “The Medium Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-4’ was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha on 6 August 2026. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. The test was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. LS passes Bill that clears way for UPI payment fees STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 August T he Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026, clearing a key piece of legislation that will, among other things, authorise the government to permit banks and other service providers to levy charges on payments through unified payments interface (UPI) and other notified electronic payment modes. The Bill, moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was passed by a voice vote amid Opposition uproar. The Bill, introduced by Mrs Sitharaman on 4 August, replaces the Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, promulgated on 5 June, and amends the Income-tax Act, 2025, the Finance Act, 2026, and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. According to the government, the legislation forms part of its broader effort to modernise India’s taxation framework, streamline regulatory provisions, provide greater support to manufacturing and improve the investment climate. Among its more controversial aspects, the Bill amends the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, by removing the mandatory zero Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) frame- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 August work, paving the way for marketdriven pricing of transaction processing fees. The government has maintained that the change would help ensure the long-term sustainability of the digital payments ecosystem while encouraging innovation and investment in payment infrastructure. Real-time payments made through RTGS and NEFT already entail a service charge. However, UPI transactions The two leaders “reviewed sustained progress in IndiaIsrael Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral cooperation across various sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” it said. During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu also discussed the latest developments in West Asia, a region that has witnessed heightened geopolitical tensions and security challenges in recent months. While the PMO did not disclose specific details of their discussion on regional issues, it said the two leaders exchanged views on the recent developments in West Asia. The statement added that Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to remain in touch. India and Israel elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in 2017 during Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to Israel, the first by an Indian Prime Minister. Over the years, the partnership has expanded into a broadbased collaboration encompassing defence, agriculture, water management, innovation, cybersecurity, trade, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges. The latest telephonic conversation reflects the continued high-level engagement between New Delhi and Tel Aviv as both countries seek to further strengthen their strategic partnership while closely monitoring developments in the wider West Asian region. Ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal in rape case reversed, sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai, 6 August The Bombay High Court on Thursday sentenced former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a junior colleague, hours after setting aside his acquittal and convicting him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar announced the sentence and granted Tejpal two weeks' time to surrender before the jail authorities. Earlier in the day, the Justice Gokhale-led Bench had allowed the appeal filed by the Goa government against the May 2021 judgment of a sessions court in Mapusa, which had acquitted Tejpal of all charges. Gambhir challenges India to be ready for every situation in Sri Lanka Page 12 Page 9 PM Modi, Netanyahu review India-Israel strategic ties, discuss West Asia developments Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu during which the two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the conversation focused on strengthening ties between the two countries across a range of sectors while also addressing recent regional developments. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from Prime Minister of Israel, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu,” the PMO said in the statement. Friday, 07 August 2026 SPORTS NATION EDITORIAL | Pronouncing the verdict, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) (rape), 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) of the IPC. It had then posted the sentencing for later in the day. During the hearing on the question of sentence, Tejpal’s counsel sought suspension of the conviction for eight weeks to enable him to approach the Supreme Court, submitting that the verdict had reversed an acquittal and highlighting that there was no other criminal case against him. Addressing the Justice Gokhale-led Bench, Tejpal also pleaded for leniency, stating that he believed himself to be a victim and requested the High Court to take a compassionate view while deciding the sentence. Opposing the plea, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the case required a strong message against sexual violence, contending that “when a girl says no, it means no”. The case stems from allegations made by a junior colleague that Tejpal sexually assaulted her inside an elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013. The Goa Police registered an FIR against Tejpal for offences including rape, following which he was arrested in November 2013 after a local court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. He was granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014. In May 2021, Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and citing alleged lapses in the investigation, including failure to produce certain evidence such as CCTV footage. have been exempted from such charges so far. Among its other provisions, the Bill grants foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) exemption from income tax on interest earned from investments in government securities as well as capital gains arising from the sale, exchange or transfer of such securities. The exemption will apply retrospectively to income earned on or after 1 April 2026. Prior to the amendment, interest income from such investments attracted a 20 per cent tax, while short-term and long-term capital gains were taxed at 30 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively. The legislation also expands tax incentives for foreign companies engaged in strategic sectors such as electronics manufacturing and the diamond trade. ‘Consider the request’, Rajya Sabha chairperson tells Rijiju as Oppn persists with demand for Amit Shah’s presence STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 6 August Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Thursday asked the government to consider the Opposition’s request for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s presence in the House and urged Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to convey the sentiments. The Chairman’s remarks came as Opposition members, led by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, continued to press for Mr Shah to appear in the House and respond to questions over the alleged excesses by security forces during the crackdown on youths marching to Parliament on 20 July to protest paper leaks. “I request you to consider the request for the Home Minister to come to the House. As Parliamentary Affairs Minister, you can convey the sentiments of the Opposition to the Home Minister,” Mr Radhakrishnan told Mr Rijiju. The Rajya Sabha continued to witness stormy scenes as the Opposition persisted with its demand for a statement from Mr Shah. As the Chair attempted to take up Question Hour, Opposition members raised slogans, prompting repeated appeals from Mr Radhakrishnan to maintain order. Assuring the protesting MPs that they would get an opportunity to raise their concerns, he then allowed Mr Kharge to speak, triggering a heated exchange between the Treasury and Opposition benches. Mr Kharge reiterated the Opposition’s demand, saying it was raising genuine issues concerning the country and its people. Invoking late BJP leader Arun Jaitley, he said: “In this very House, Arun Jaitley ji himself said that disruption is a part of parliamentary democracy. You can raise any question relevant to the proceedings. But when we are asking genuine questions, they are escaping.” Mr Rijiju countered, saying: “The Leader of the Opposition did not quote any rule. He cannot direct the Chair, he can only make a request, not dictate.”