FRIDAY www.thestatesman.com 12 AUGUST 2022 FIND US ONLINE Scan this with your smartphone twitter.com/TheStatesmanLtd facebook.com/thestatesman1875 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P6 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT RAIN.STRONG SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 3040 KMPH). THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 27 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max: 31.9 °C (-3) SUN RISES 05:49 hrs MOON RISES 19:41 hrs Min: 28.0 °C (+1) SUN SETS 19:04 hrs MOON SETS 06:53 hrs THUMBNAILS Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates Raksha Bandhan with youngsters at his residence, in New Delhi on Thursday.  ANI 10 crypto exchanges under ED lens, summons issued: As many as ten crypto exchanges were under the lens of the Enforcement Directorate for their alleged involvement in money laundering of around Rs 10 billion. The ED had on August 5 conducted searches on the premises of one of the Directors of Zanmai Lab Pvt Ltd, which owns the popular crypto currency exchange WazirX and issued a freezing order to freeze their Bank balances to the tune of Rs 64.67 crore. This action led the ED P8 to ten crypto exchanges. Mr Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, are likely to have a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan,Pakistani diplomatic sources have said. The SCO summit is scheduled for September 15-16 where leaders of the organisation will sit together to discuss regional challenges. Mr Sharif will attend the conference during which he is likely to meet the presidents of China, Russia, Iran, as well as Mr Modi, according to the sources.The sources further confirmed that in its July 28 meeting, the SCO Foreign ministers HAD reiterated that the heads of SCO states will attend the summit. However, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, who had attended the meeting in Tashkent, had previously A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana and comprising Justice Krishna Murari noted that irrational freebies are definitely an issue of concern and there should be financial discipline. T he Centre on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to lay down guidelines to regulate the freebies announced by political parties to induce voters, till the legislature devises a mechanism. The issues associated with freebies were also acknowledged by the apex court, which observed that the economy losing money and the welfare of the people, both have to be balanced. A bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana and comprising Justice Krishna Murari noted that irrational freebies are definitely an issue of concern and there should be financial discipline. They however pointed out that in a country like India, where poverty is an issue, how could poverty be ignored. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said: “We are proposing a committee, comprising secretary, central government, secretary of each state government, representative of each political party, representative India slams China for blocking listing of JeM leader at UNSC: India today lashed out at China for its “double speak and double standards” on the global community’s shared battle against terrorism. “It is unfortunate that the (UN) sanctions committee has been prevented from playing its role due to political consideration. China's action exposes its doublespeak and double standards,” official sources said after China blocked a move by India and the US to list Pakistan-based Jaish-eMohammed (JeM) leader Abdul Rauf Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council. said that a bilateral meeting between the Pakistani and Indian leaders is not scheduled. “There are no plans of any meetings between Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers in September,” he had said. of Niti Aayog, RBI, Finance Commission,National Taxpayers Association and others”. He added that till the legislature steps in, the court may lay down something. A counsel argued that most of the freebies are not part of the manifesto but are declared during rallies and speeches. The bench said it is a serious issue and added that people who are opposing freebies have a right to say, since they are paying tax and expect that amount should be spent on building infrastructure etc and not in distributing money. The Chief Justice said the expert panel can look into it, and it cannot get into making legislation. The Chief Justice said the question is to what extent the court can interfere or go into the issue? He reiterated that it is a serious issue and pointed out various schemes introduced by the Centre and state governments for the welfare of the people. Mehta said freebies cannot be welfare, and there are other scientific ways to provide welfare to the people. He added that now elections are only fought on the ground of freebies. “If freebies is considered to be for the welfare of the people, it'll lead to a disaster,”said Mehta. The petitioner claimed RBI data shows that the total outstanding liabilities of the states as on March 31, 2021 are a staggering Rs 59,89,360 crores. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, emphasized on financial discipline, and said "Where would this money come from? We're tax payers?."Citing the distribution of gold chains and TVs by political parties, senior advocate Arvind Datar said there was a decision by this court which states that giv- P12 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 11 AUGUST A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was among four soldiers killed in a suicide attack by terrorists at an Army camp near the Line of Control (LOC) in Rajouri district of Jammu division on Thursday morning. Two heavily armed terrorists dressed as soldiers have been eliminated in intense exchange of fire at the spot that is about 6 kms from the Darhal police station. Terrorists tossed grenades at the troops to force their entry into the Army camp. Arms and ammunition has been recovered from the spot. Three other soldiers were injured during exchange of fire with terrorists, but one of them also succumbed in the evening raising the number of martyred soldiers to four. Three soldiers had lost their lives during the encounter in the morning. The suicide attack by Pakistan sponsored terrorists has come three days before India's Independence Day.Six STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 AUGUST widely admired. Articulation has always been one of your greatest strengths. The writings of Vinoba Bhave Ji have always impressed me. Whenever I hear you, I see shades of the same brilliance,” the letter said. Recalling an anecdote, Modi said during veteran ing freebies is adhering to the Directive Principles of State Policy under the Constitution, which needs to be looked into. The bench noted that financial discipline has to be there and the economy losing money and welfare of the people, both have to be balanced. The Chief Justice said he does not want to encroach on areas meant for legislation. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Aam Aadmi Party, said there is confusion between freebies and welfare, the word freebies is used in a very wrong manner. After hearing the arguments, the top court scheduled the matter for further hearing on August 17. The court had sought suggestions from stakeholders and recommended setting up an expert panel to scrutinize the issues associated with irrational freebies.The top court was hearing a PIL by Upadhyay seeking directions to the Centre and the ECI to take steps to regulate poll manifestos of political parties and to hold parties accountable for promises made in such manifestos. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 AUGUST Jagdeep Dhankhar today took over as the 14th Vice President of India, succeeding M Venkaiah Naidu. A well-known lawyer and former Governor of West Bengal, Mr Dhankhar was administered the oaths of office and secrecy by President Droupadi Murmu at a swearing-in ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu were among those present at the ceremony. The PM congratulated Mr Dhankhar on taking oath as the vice president. In a tweet, he said; “Attended the oathtaking ceremony of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji. I congratulate him on becoming India’s Vice President and wish him the very best for a fruitful tenure.” Prior to oath-taking, Mr Dhankhar visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. “Felt blessed, inspired, and motivated to be ever in service of Bharat in serene sublimity of Raj Ghat while paying respects to Pujya Bapu,” he tweeted.Mr Dhankhar, the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar meets President Droupadi Murmu during his swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.ANI Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji. I congratulate him on becoming India’s Vice President and wish him the very best for a fruitful tenure NARENDRA MODI PRIME MINISTER NDA nominee, was elected as the Vice President on 6 August, defeating joint Opposition candidate Margaret Alva. He secured 528 votes against Mrs Alva's 182. Mr Dhankhar secured 74.36 per cent. He has the highest winning margin in the last six vice presidential elections held since 1997. In his capacity as the vice president, he will also be the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This will be the first time that the presiding offi- Anubrata arrested in cattle smuggling case JCO among 4 soldiers killed in Rajouri suicide attack, 2 terrorists eliminated The suicide attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists comes three days before India's I- Day soldiers were injured during exchange of fire and four of the succumbed, said a defence spokesman. Giving details of the incident, the spokesman said; "In the early hours of 11 August 2022, alert sentries of the Indian Army post at Parghal, District Rajouri, (J&K) detected suspicious persons approaching their post taking advantage of the inclement weather and dense foliage. The sentries challenged the two terrorists who threw grenade while attempting to gain entry inside the post. However alert troops cordoned the area and engaged them in a fire fight thereby pinning them. In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were neutralised. Six soldiers of Indian Army were injured in the operation out of which, three bravehearts succumbed to their injuries while repulsing ‘Your life will be source of inspiration’: says Modi in emotional letter to Naidu In an emotional letter to M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the former vice president's contribution to the nation and expressed confidence that his experience and knowledge will remain prized assets for lawmakers in the future. “Your life journey will be a source of inspiration, especially for those who seek to enter public life,” Modi said in the three-page letter written yesterday. Emphasising that he has personally benefitted from Naidu's counsel on many matters in interactions over the last many decades, the PM said Naidu viewed every matter from the prism of “Nation First” and then gave his views. “Your energy is infectious. It can be seen in your wit and wisdom. Your one-liners are P7 Supreme Court favours balance between economy and welfare Modi-Shehbaz Sharif meeting possible during SCO summit ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI, 11 AUGUST KYRGIOS DEDICATES VICTORY TO SICK MOTHER Impose guidelines on Jagdeep Dhankhar sworn in as India’s 14th Vice President freebies: Centre to SC NEW DELHI, 11 AUGUST Min. 67% SNS & AGENCIES P5 SNS & AGENCIES Max.84% TEMPERATURE CAN BANGLADESH ENSURE A SOFT LANDING? ‘WHAT A JOKE!’ NITISH ON SUSHIL MODI’S ‘TOTALLY BOGUS’ V-P CLAIMS VISA REPRISAL BJP leader L K Advani's ''Rathyatra'', he had been given various organisational duties and was keeping close track of the ''yatra''. He said; ''On one occasion, I asked the security personnel accompanying Advani Ji about their experience and one of them told me that some of the pro- grammes in Andhra Pradesh were particularly enjoyable. When I asked them why, they told me that there was one leader Venkaiah Naidu Ji, who spoke in super-fast Telugu, and while they did not understand what was being spoken, they could see the tremendous impact on the audience,” he added. Modi said he could see the punishing schedule Naidu kept through his vice presidency. It was heartening to see first-time members, especially women and younger members, get more opportunities to express themselves in the Rajya Sabha. “Always a stickler for Parliamentary discipline and traditions. I know of your personal anguish and discomfort whenever there were unseemly disruptions or the dignity of Parliament was lowered in any manner,” the PM said. this suicide attack by terrorists”.The valiant soldiers made the supreme sacrifice upholding the highest tradition of the Indian Army, said the spokesman. He identified the martyred soldiers as; Subedar Rajendra Prasad, resident of Jhunjhunu, Rifleman Lakshmanan D, resident of Madurai, Rifleman Manoj Kumar, resident of Faridabad and Rifleman Nishant Malik. Mukesh Singh, ADGP, Jammu Zone said; “As reported by 11 Raj Rifles, someone tried to cross the fence of Army camp at Pargal. Sentry challenged and exchange of fire took place. Additional parties have been dispatched for the location which is around 6 kms from police station Darhal”.J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted; “Strongly condemn despicable terrorist attack in Rajouri; tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice. We shall deal with evil designs of terrorists and their backers in a befitting manner". FACT FILE TOTAL CASES 4,42,06,996 ACTIVE CASES 1,25,076 NEW CASES 16,299 NEW RECOVERIES 19,431 TOTAL DEATHS 5,26,879 UNION HEALTH MINISTRY FIGURES AS OF 8.00 A.M. THURSDAY 11 AUGUST 2022 Delhi govt makes wearing of masks mandatory at public places: In the wake of a sudden surge of new Covid cases in the national capital, the Delhi government has made wearing of masks in public places mandatory and a fine of Rs 500 will be imposed on violators. The decision was taken by the DDMA after noticing that people were not adhering to wearing of masks at public places. Details on Page 2 cers of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will be from Rajasthan. Om Birla, who is currently the Lok Sabha Speaker, also hails from Rajasthan. A seasoned politician, Mr Dhankhar did his initial schooling at the Government Primary School at Kithana village. He began his professional career as a lawyer, and despite being the first generational professional, he rose to be among the top legal experts in the country. Coal scam: ED summons 13 IAS, IPS officers from Bengal to Delhi KOLKATA, 11 AUGUST STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BOLPUR/ASANSOL, 11 AUGUST The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Trinamul Congress Birbhum district president, Anubrata Mondal in Asansol in connection with the cross border cattle smuggling case. The development comes weeks after the Enforcement Directorate arrested the then Trinamul Congress secretary general and state minister Partha Chatterjee in connection with the teacher recruitment scam in the state. The Asansol CBI Court has sent Mr Mondal to ten days CBI custody. He will be taken to the CBI offices at Nizam Palace in Kolkata by road on Thursday. At around 5 p.m. he was brought to Asansol Special CBI Court amidst protests and slogan-shouting by CPI-M and BJP supporters in a convoy heavily guarded by the CRPF. Earlier in the day at around 9.30 a.m, the CBI sleuths raided his residence at Bolpur for about one and half hours. Over a hundred armed CRPF jawans guarded the house during the raid. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday issued summons to five Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and eight Indian Police Service (IPS) officers from Bengal to appear before its Delhi headquarters for questioning in connection with the coal smuggling scam. Of the eight IPS officers who are being summoned between August 21-31, two are additional director ranking officials namely ADG of Criminal Investigation Department and Special Task Force of the state police, Gyanwant Singh and ADG of state Intelligence Branch , Rajeev Mishra.One of the five IAS officers is B.P. Gopalika, currently the additional chief secretary to the state personnel & administrative reforms department.