SUNDAY www.thestatesman.com 20 NOVEMBER 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 BJP TARGETS AAP FOR SATYENDAR JAIN MASSAGE VIDEO MLA POACHING: HC RELIEF FOR BL SANTOSH P4 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. MIST IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 27 AND 10 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 90% TEMPERATURE Max: 27.0°C (-1) SUN RISES 06:48 hrs MOON RISES 03:49 hrs NORTH KOREA UNVEILS KIM’S DAUGHTER AT MISSILE LAUNCH SITE P2 P11 PM Modi slams previous govts for N-E neglect OZ WIN SERIES AFTER 72-RUN DEFEAT OF ENGLAND P12 WORLD CUP FEVER Prime Minister inaugurates Arunachal Pradesh’s first greenfield airport Min. 36% STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER THUMBNAILS Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi offers tribute at the Samadhi of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 105th Birth anniversary, at Shakti Sthal, in New Delhi on Saturday. SUBRATA DUTTA Veteran actor Tabassum Govil no more: Veteran actor Tabassum Govil is no more. The celebrated actor breathed her last on Friday evening.Her family has confirmed cardiac arrest as the cause of her death.The legendary actor passed away at the age of 78 at a hospital in Mumbai. On Friday night, she suffered her first heart attack around 8:40 PM followed by another at 8:42 pm.The actress, who had been experiencing health concerns for the past few days, was subsequently admitted to a Mumbai hospital a few days ago. Parliament's Winter Session to commence from 7 December: The Winter Session of Parliament will be held from December 7 to December 29 this year, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said.There will be a total of 17 working days in the upcoming Winter Session. "Winter Session, 2022 of Parliament will commence from 7 December and continue till 29 December having 17 sittings spread over 23 days. Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to discussions on Legislative Business and other items during the session. Looking forward for constructive debate,” the Union Minister said. Retd IAS officer Arun Goel appointed EC: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday appointed retired bureaucrat Arun Goel as Election Commissioner in the apex poll body. Goel is a retired IAS officer from Punjab Cadre of the 1985 batch. "The President is pleased to appoint Shri Arun Goel, IAS (Retd.) (PB: 1985) as the Election Commissioner in the Election Commission with effect from the date he assumes the office," sa- id an official communication from the Ministry of Law and Justice. He will join Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Co- mmissioner Anup Chandra Pandey in the apex poll body.  P Min: 09.0°C (-3) SUN SETS 17:26 hrs MOON SETS 15:07 hrs  He dedicated the 600 MW Kameng rime Minister Narendra Modi today accused previous non-BJP-led governments of neglecting the North-east, claiming that it was only the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime that gave attention to the region and after that, his own government gave momentum to the development process.In post-Independence India, the North-east region faced indifference and neglect. The Vajpayee government gave attention to the region and created a separate ministry for the North-east. Later, that momentum was lost but after 2014, a new chapter of development was opened, he said at a function at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, Mr Modi inaugurated the first greenfield airport, named “Donyi Polo Airport” at Itanagar and dedicated the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation. Mr Modi said that “earlier, remote border villages were treated as the last village. Our government worked by considering the villages in the border areas as the first village of the country. This has resulted in making the development of the North-east a priority for the government.”The PM went on Prime Minister Narenda Modi pointed out that Donyi Polo Airport would be the fourth operational airport for Arunachal, taking the total airport count in the Northeast to 16. Hydro Power Station to the nation Highlighting the infrastructure devel- This is a new era of expectations & aspirations & today’s programme is a perfect example of the new approach of India to say: “Be it tourism or trade, telecom or textiles, North-east gets top priority. Be it drone technology or Krishi UDAAN, be it airport connectivity or port connectivity, the government has attached priority to the development of the North-east.” He gave examples of the longest bridge in India, the longest railroad bridge, the rail line connectivity and a record construction of highways to highlight the development work carried out in the region. “This is a new era of expectations and aspirations and today’s programme is a perfect example of the new approach of India,” he added. The PM said the launch of the airport was a resounding opment in Arunachal Pradesh, he gave the example of highway construction in remote and inaccessible areas and further added that the central govt was going to spend another Rs 50,000 crores in the near future reply to the sceptics who tried to term the foundation stone of the airport as an election gimmick. He urged political commentators to don a new thinking hat and stop looking at the development of the state from the prism of political benefits. He supplemented his point by mentioning that the state was neither undertaking election nor was any poll in the pipeline. The priority of the government was the development of the state. The PM pointed out that Donyi Polo Airport would be the fourth operational airport for Arunachal, taking the total airport count in the Northeast to 16. The rapid development of airports in the region reflected the special emphasis of the government on enhancing connectivity in the Northeast. He informed that the number of flights connecting the Northeast has doubled. Highlighting the infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh, he gave the example of highway construction in remote and inaccessible areas and further added that the central government was going to spend another Rs 50,000 crores in the near future. He also underlined the natural beauty of Arunachal and remarked that the state has great potential for tourism. He stressed the need for proper connectivity to remote areas of the state. ‘It’s a celebration of India’s might & characteristics’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’, a month-long programme organised in Varanasi. The objective of the programme is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the ageold links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi ~ two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning. More than 2,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be visiting Varanasi to participate in seminars, site visits, etc to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest. During the programme, the PM also released a book ‘Tirukkural’ along with its translation into 13 languages. He also wit- Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at the inauguration of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, in Varanasi on Saturday.  ANI nessed a cultural programme followed by “aarti”. Addressing the gathering, Mr Modi expressed delight at the gathering being held in the most ancient living city in the world. Speaking on the importance of Sangams in the country, be it the confluence of rivers, ideology, science or knowledge, the PM said that every confluence of culture and traditions is celebrated and revered in India. He remarked that in reality, it’s a celebration of India’s might and characteristics, thus making the Kashi-Tamil Sangam unique. Throwing light on the connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu, he said that on one hand, Kashi is the cultural capital of India whereas Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture is the centre of India's antiquity and pride. Drawing an analogy to the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the PM said the Kashi-Tamil Sangam is equally holy which engulfs endless opportunities and strength in itself. The PM underlined Tamil Nadu’s contribution to the development of Kashi and recalled that Tamil Nadu-born Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan was the Vice Chancellor of BHU. Fans carry hoardings of Portugese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and Brazilian footballer Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior for decoration on the eve of the FIFA World Cup that is scheduled to be start on Sunday in Qatar. In Kolkata on Saturday.  ANI Mamata to attend PM’s meet with CMs in Delhi SNS & AGENCIES KOLKATA, 19 NOVEMBER Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will attend a meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 December with chief ministers of all states to discuss the preparatory process for the country hosting the G20 Summit in 2023. According to state secretariat sources, the chief minister might use the opportunity of her visit to New Delhi to have a separate meeting with the Prime Minister on the occasion, where she can again raise the demands on the pending central dues to the West Bengal government. However, no confirmation has reached the state secretariat as yet on whether the separate meeting will happen or not. A few months back, Mamata Banerjee went to New Delhi, had a separate meeting with her counterpart Arvind Kejriwal and requested him to clear the pending central dues under two heads namely state' share in goods & services tax and pending funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Although in the meantime, the Centre has released funds under centrally-sponsored schemes, the state's dues on account of MGNREGA are still pending. Recently, at a public meeting, the chief minister also aired his grievance in this matter and questioned whether she will now have to touch the feet of the Prime Minister for the pending central funds. State secretariat sources said that the West Bengal government too had certain observations about the formula on state's share in GST, which it could not raise because of the long pending GST Council meeting. Former state finance minister and the current chief economic advisor to the state government, Amit Mitra had recently written a letter to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on this count. If she gets an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister separately, the chief minister might also raise this matter in the meeting. She is also expected to appraise the Prime Minister on the erosion of River Ganges which is playing havoc in certain districts of Bengal. Economic crackdown must to curb Navlakha out of prison, UN climate summit struggles to terrorism: Shah takes a dig at Pak will be in house arrest make progress on extended day AGENCIES NEW DELHI , 19 NOVEMBER In an apparent reference to Pakistan, home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that some countries, along with their government agencies, have made ‘terrorism’ their state policy, arguing that their unrestrained activities should be dealt with strict economic crackdown. Speaking at the concluding session of the third “No Money for Terror” Ministerial Conference on CounterTerrorism Financing, Shah said, “Some countries, their governments and their agencies have made ‘terrorism’ their state policy. In these terror havens, it is necessary to shackle their unrestrained activities along with a strict economic crackdown and all the countries of the world will have to make up their minds on this, rising above their geopolitical interests." The veiled reference comes as India has been vociferously telling the world about Pakistan's use of terrorism as state policy, at several world forums. Asides from this, New Delhi has been asking the world for greater scrutiny of Pakistan's actions in breed- Union home minister Amit Shah addresses at the concluding session of the third 'No Money for Terror' Ministerial Conference on CounterTerrorism Financing, in New Delhi on Saturday.  ANI ing terrorism. Addressing delegates from across the world, Shah said that India observes that some countries repeatedly support terrorists and those who harbour terrorism. "But, terrorism has no international boundaries, so all countries should think beyond politics and cooperate with each other," he said. The Home Minister said that at the same time, all countries will have to agree on one common definition of 'terrorism' and 'terror financing', because it is an issue of the protection of our citizens, and their human and democratic rights, it should not become a political issue. He noted that it has also been found that these organizations tend to become the medium of financing terrorism. Shah said that recently, the Government of India has banned an organization that conspired to radicalize the youth and push them towards terrorism and that every country should identify and take stringent action against such organisations. Union Home Minister said that all countries must implement the standards, and recommendations set by the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, not just on paper, but in spirit. He argued that the strategy of "Trace, Target, and Terminate" should be adopted from low-level economic offenses to more organized economic crimes. Describing terrorism as the biggest menace against democracy, human rights, economic progress and world peace, Shah said India is committed to working with all countries to combat terror financing in all its forms, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SNS & AGENCIES AGENCIES MUMBAI, 19 NOVEMBER Activist Gautam Navlakha, jailed since 2020 in the Koregaon-Bhima case, was released on Saturday from Navi Mumbai's Taloja Central Jail in line with the Supreme Court order to keep him under house arrest. Following his appeal on medical grounds, the court had reiterated its order yesterday, rejecting the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) argument that he had "deliberately misled" the court regarding his health. The 70-year-old Mr Navlakha, who will stay at a house in Navi Mumbai, has been handed over to the police. The NIA had objected to his team's proposal that he stay at a CPM office. Earlier in the day, judge Rajesh Katariya of the special court for National Investigation Agency (NIA) cases here issued his `release memo'. The activist has been in jail since April 2020 in a case related to violence at Maharashtra's Koregaon-Bhima on January that year. The violence, in which one person died, took place a day after alleged inflammatory speech- SHARM EL-SHEIKH , 19 NOV EMBER es were delivered at an Elgar Parishad conclave. The Pune police had claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. Last week, the top court had ordered that Mr Navlakha, who claims to be suffering from various ailments, be shifted to house arrest within 48 hours. But the release was delayed, to which the court reacted sharply at a hearing yesterday, accusing the NIA of delaying tactics. The anti-terror agency had asked the top court to revise its decision, raising concern about safety in view of Mr Navlakha's alleged "terror links". The court had questioned if the police "can't keep a watch on an ailing 70year-old man?" The three-storey Comrade B T Randive Building where Navlakha will be staying belongs to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and houses a public library on the ground floor. As negotiations continued in Egypt on the extended day on Saturday, climate negotiators have been grappling for an agreement at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) on key issues ~most prominently on funds for the loss and damage suffered by poor and vulnerable countries hit by extreme weather, fossil fuel phase-out and lack of transparency in the COP Presidency.Diplomats from nearly 200 countries believe there are many factors at play if this COP doesn’t deliver. Despite the COP being hosted in Africa, voices from across the region demanding a fund for loss and damage and fossil fuel phaseout have been largely ignored by the Presidency. There is an emphasis on scaling up renewable energy, but unless it's not linked to phasing out coal, oil and gas, it doesn't work in reality, said Aarti Khosla, Director, New Delhi-based Climate Trends. “The text is missing on any reference to oil and gas. Given what we have seen in the world this year with rising Letters and drawings left behind are gathered at the Youth Pavilion at the COP27 U.N. on Saturday.  AP gas prices and inflating bills of poor countries, this not only wastes a year from the last COP but it also makes it convenient for the fossil fuel lobbies to press ahead. That is not in the interest of climate action. This COP in Egypt should have sent out a better signal,” Khosla said. COP27 President Sameh Shoukry briefed the media about the ongoing negotiations, including developing a balanced and productive text, and urged the parties to show their determination and reach a consensus.“The issue now rests with the will of the parties. It is the parties who must rise to the occasion and take upon themselves, the responsibility of finding the areas of convergence," Shoukry said. Sounding a warning note, Zeina Khalil Hajj of 350.org said, “We are already in overtime at COP27 and our message is very clear~ we cannot afford a bad deal. The world around us is on fire, we cannot delay implementing 1.5-degree C.“We still haven't seen the latest text but in the draft, we saw on Friday that COP27 is backsliding on commitments to phase out fossil fuels which is needed to keep 1.5-degree C alive. The fossil fuel lobby is shaping the deal here and we cannot afford this.” The success or failure of COP27 depends on the inclusion of an equitable phase out of all fossil fuels in the formal outcome.Many countries, including Vanuatu and Tuvalu as well as large producers like the US, Norway, Colombia and the EU, are already pushing for this, but more countries must show clearer leadership. And the world supports them, as half a million people just signed a petition calling on a global phase out of fossil fuels. The divisions between the north and south were always getting bigger, but they became ever more visible here this time, said a climate negotiator.