SATURDAY 13 MAY 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC* www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘CULTURAL IDENTITY VITAL FOR YOUTH’ ISLAMABAD HC GRANTS 2-WEEKS BAIL TO IMRAN P11 WEATHER Humid and discomfort weather is very likely. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 37 °C and 29°C respectively. TEMPERATURE Max: 38.1°C (+2) SUN RISES 04:59 hrs MOON RISES ------ hrs P7 P5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 34 % Min: 28.7°C (+2) SUN SETS 18:8 hrs MOON SETS 11:3 hrs THUMBNAILS Nurses holding candles pay tribute to Florence Nightingale on International Nurses Day at Kilpauk Medical College, in Chennai on Friday. ANI CBSE Class 12 & 10 results declared, girls outshine boys: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Friday declared the results of Class 12 and 10. While the overall pass percentage for Class 12 was 87.33, for Class 10, it was 93.12 per cent. This year, girls outshined boys in both the examinations, by 6.01 per cent in Class 12, registering a 90.68 per cent pass percentage and by 1.98 per cent in Class 10, where Pg5 94.25 per cent of girl candidates passed. NEW DELHI/KOLKATA, 12 MAY he Supreme Court has sought clarifications from the West Bengal government seeking the reasons behind its decision to ban the screening of the movie The Kerala Story in West Bengal. The apex court issued a notice in this regard to the state government on Friday. The producers of the film had moved the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the West Bengal government to ban its screening in all cinema halls and multiplexes across Kolkata and other districts. A Bench of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha said that the film “is being screened in the rest of the country; there appears to be no reason for a ban on its screening’. “West Bengal is not different from any other part of the country. If it can run in other parts of the country, why should the State of West Bengal ban the film? Why will the state of Bengal not allow the movie to run? It is running in other parts of the country which have a similar demographic profile as West Bengal,” the T P12 If the public does not think that the film is not worth seeing, they will not see it. This has nothing to do with the cinematic value of the movie, it may be good or bad. Why should you not allow a film to run? D Y CHANDRACHUD CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA Bench said. Telling the West Bengal government to leave the worth of the film to the people, Chief Justice Chandrachud said: “If the public does not think that the film is not worth seeing, they will not see it. This has nothing to do with the cinematic value of the movie, it may be good or bad. Why should you not allow a film to run?” The Bench has also issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government on its “de facto” ban on the film in that state and directed it to specify all measures taken for securi- ty in theatres showing the movie in Tamil Nadu. Responding to the Bench asking why the West Bengal government has banned the screening of the film when it is running in other parts of the country, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that the State government banned the screening of the film as there are intelligence reports apprehending law and order problems. Mr Singhvi, appearing for the West Bengal government, said that in all other matters relating to the same film, the court had asked the parties to approach the High Courts, similarly the producer of the film too should be asked to move the High Court. While speaking to the reporters at the state secretariat Nabanna on Monday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee had said: “I have asked the chief secretary to ban screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ in our state to avoid any incident of hatred and violence.” “Strong action would be taken if anyone screens the movie in cinema halls or multiplexes in Kolkata and other districts. Several scenes shown in the film could disturb peace in the state. BJP is doing the politics of divisions and hatred. Our decision to ban it is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence, and to maintain peace in the state,” the chief minister had said. The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen, claims to portray the story of some women from the state who were converted to Islam and recruited by terror outfit ISIS. The movie has been the subject of fierce online debate and criticism with strong objections raised by many political leaders who have termed it to be a propaganda film. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE GANDHINAGAR, 12 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 2,450 crores relating to water supplies, roads, urban development and mines. The Prime Minister also participated in the “Gruh Pravesh” (house warming) ceremony of 19,000 beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) by handing over the keys of their houses, built at a cost of around Rs 1,950 crores. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that his government has made housing a strong base for the war against poverty and a tool for empowerment and dignity of the poor. He added that the government is eliminating inequality, reaching every poor person and ensuring 100 per cent saturation. “We must understand that a home is more than just a shelter. It is a place of faith where dreams are realised and new possibilities are born,” said the Prime Minister while addressing the gathering. He said around PM Narendra Modi hands a symbolic key to a beneficiary at the inauguration and stone-laying foundation ceremony of various projects worth around Rs.4,400 crores, as Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel looks on, in Gandhinagar on Friday.  ANI four crore homes have been provided to the poor during the last nine years. “Nearly 70 per cent of these homes are in the names of women, turning the mothers and daughters into Lakhpati Didi,” the Prime Minister added. The Prime Minister also participated in the 29th Biennial Conference of the All India Primary Teachers’ Federation and walked through the exhibition put up with the theme ‘Teachers are at the Heart of Transforming Education’. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the huge contributions of all Gyanvapi : Allahabad K’taka polls: Counting of votes today; HC orders scientific Cong, BJP waiting with bated breath examination of ‘Shivling’ BURNING BRIGHT STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PRAYAGRAJ, 12 MAY A tiger drinks water from a water body at the Bandhavgarh National Park.  ANI In a significant verdict on the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque controversy, Allahabad High Court on Friday issued an order to conduct a scientific examination of the alleged ‘Shivling’ found within the mosque area. The High Court has ordered the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to perform a scientific survey. The examination will have to be done without harming the alleged ‘Shivling’, the court directed. With this verdict the High Court reversed the decision of the District Judge of Varanasi, which had rejected the demand of the Hindu side for carbon dating of the Shivling. The single judge Bench of Justice Arvind Kumar NEW DELHI, 12 MAY Mishra,hearing the case, said that ASI will have to perform a scientific survey. The ASI will have to ascertain whether it really is a ‘Shivling’ or something else. It will also have to be ascertained that how old the alleged ‘Shivling’ is. The decision of the High Court came today on a petition filed raising the demand of getting the scientific study of the alleged ‘Shivling’ done through carbon dating. In this matter, the Archaeological Survey of India had submitted its report yesterday in a sealed cover. The petition was filed on behalf of the women of the Hindu side challenging the order of the District Judge of Varanasi. In May last year, during the proceedings of the court commission, the ‘Shivling’ was found in the mosque's washing area. Counting of votes polled in the Karnataka Assembly elections will begin tomorrow at 8.00 am amid tight security arrangements. The three main contenders for power in the state are the BJP, Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular). The electoral fortunes of top leaders like Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai (BJP), Congress veterans Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, among many others, will be known tomorrow. There are 35 counting centres across the state where arrangements have been made for counting the votes. Karnataka had set a new record of 73.19 per cent voter turnout during the 10 May Assembly election. The turnout this time sur- Central govt issues order against top e-commerce platforms for selling seat belt alarm stopper clips STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Rule 138 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 makes it mandatory for vehicle passengers to wear seat belts NEW DELHI, 12 MAY The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued orders against five top e-commerce platforms for selling car seat-belt alarm stopper clips for violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The clips compromise the life and safety of consumers by stopping alarm beeps that sound when passengers do not wear seat belts, an official Press note said today. Headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, the CCPA passed orders against Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, ShopClues and Meesho for violation of consumer rights and unfair trade practices. The issue of the sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips was brought to the notice of CCPA by the Department of Consumer Affairs through a letter from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). The letter PK BANERJEE’S BIRTHDAY TO BE AIFF GRASSROOTS DAY SC questions Bengal on ‘Housing made a base for war against poverty, a tool The Kerala Story ban for empowerment of poor’ No reason for ban when it’s being screened in rest of country: Top court RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 87 % MAHA GOVT CLEARS PARAM BIR SINGH OF ALL CHARGES Based on the initiative The CCPA passed orders against Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, ShopClues and Meesho for violation of consumer rights and unfair trade practices highlighted the issue of the blatant sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips and sought action against errant vendors and online platforms and issuance of an advisory. Rule 138 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 makes it mandatory for vehicle passengers to wear seat belts. of the CCPA, 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms It was found during the proceedings that some sellers were selling the clips by camouflaging them under the garb of bottle openers or cigarette lighter etc. The online sale of such items that compromise passengers’ safety by stopping the alarm beep that sounds when passengers are not wearing seat belts can be unsafe and dangerous to the life and safety of consumers, the Press note said. “It is imperative to say that using car seat belt alarm stopper clips can also be a hurdle for consumers seeking claim amounts in the cases of motor insurance policies, wherein an insurance company may deny the claim by citing the negligence of the claimant for using such clips. On the other hand, using a seat belt acts as a restraint that allows the airbag to provide proper cushion and not hit the passengers at full force which also works as a protective shield in case of collisions,” the press note said. The CCPA, which is entrusted to protect, promote and enforce the rights of consumers, took cognizance of the issue of the sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips and found that these clips were being sold on several e-commerce platforms in an easy-to-access manner, resulting in direct violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and posing a high risk to the life of the consumers.It was also found during the proceedings that some sellers were selling the clips by camouflaging them under the garb of bottle openers or cigarette lighter etc. Taking into consideration the adverse impact on the safety and life of consumers, the CCPA referred the matter to the DG Investigation (CCPA). Based on the recommendation in the investigation report and submissions made by e-commerce entities, the CCPA issued directions to the e-commerce platforms where they were ordered to permanently delist all car seat belt alarm stopper clips and associated motor vehicle components which compromise the safety of passengers and the public. They were also directed to apprise the CCPA of the steps taken against errant sellers of such products and to submit details of the sellers along with a compliance report on the directions. Based on the initiative of the CCPA, 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms. passed the previous voting percentage of 72.44 set in the 2018 Assembly election. Most exit polls have predicted a tight contest between the Congress and BJP. While both major parties are optimistic about their performance in the battle at the hustings, the JD(S) appears to be expecting a hung verdict, which would enable it to play a critical role in government formation. The JD(S) is also looking to keep its flock together amidst concerns that the BJP and Congress may try to poach its winning candidates. BJP central parliamentary board member B S Yediyurappa on Friday held a meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and others at his residence here ahead of the poll results. Mr Bommai on Friday reiterated that the BJP is all set to cross the magic number and will get the majority. In the 2018 Assembly polls, the BJP had emerged as the single largest party, winning 104 seats, followed by Congress with 80 seats and the JD(S) with 37. There was also one Independent member, while the BSP and the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP) also got one seat each. teachers at a time when India is moving forward with the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat’ in the Amrit Kaal. The Prime Minister said that his experience with teachers of Gujarat helped him at the national level and also for creating a policy framework. He cited the example of constructing toilets in schools for girls in mission mode and talked about starting science education in tribal areas. “School dropout rate in Gujarat was about 40 per cent and now it is less than three per cent”, said the PM and attributed the feat to the teachers. Cockpit violation: DGCA fines AI `30 lakh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 MAY The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on Air India for allegedly not taking prompt and effective action in the February 27 Dubai-Delhi flight cockpit violation incident and suspended the Pilot in command for three months. The pilot of Air India AI915 Delhi-Dubai flight on February 27 allowed a woman friend to enter the cockpit, according to a complaint filed by a cabin crew member on the same flight who alleged that safety norms were violated. Last month, DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Chief of flight safety Henry Donohoe for failing to report the DubaiDelhi flight cockpit violation incident on time. MHA prepares Model Prisons Act, 2023 to replace Prisons Act, 1894 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 MAY Considering the antiquity of the existing Prisons Act, 1894, the Ministry of Home A?airs (MHA) has finalised a comprehensive Model Prisons Act, 2023 which can serve as a guiding document for States for adoption in their jurisdiction. The present Prisons Act, 1894 is a pre-Independence era Act and is almost 130 years old. The Act mainly focuses on keeping criminals in custody and enforcement of discipline and order in prisons. There is no provision for reform and rehabilitation of prisoners in the existing Act. The model Act has been prepared by the MHA on the basis of a draft prepared by the Bureau of Police Research and Development which held wide-ranging discussions with state prison authorities and correctional experts. Along with The Prisons Act, 1894, The Prisoners Act,  The present Prisons Act, 1894 is a pre-Independence era Act and is almost 130 years old  The Act mainly focuses on keeping criminals in custody and enforcement of discipline and order in prisons. 1900 and The Transfer of Prisoners Act, 1950 have also been reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs and relevant provisions of these Acts have been assimilated in the Model Prisons Act, 2023. The State governments and Union Territory administrations can benefit from the Model Prisons Act, 2023 by adopting it in their jurisdictions, with such modi?cations which they may consider necessary, and repeal the existing three Acts in their jurisdictions. The Model Prisons Act has provision for use of technology in prison adminis- tration with a view to bring transparency in prison administration. There are provisions for video conferencing with courts, scientific and technological interventions in prisons. The model Act provides for security assessment and segregation of prisoners, individual sentence planning; grievance redressal, prison development board, attitudinal change towards prisoners; and separate accommodation for women prisoners and transgenders. The Act has provisions regarding establishment and management of high security jail, open jail (open and semi open), protecting the society from the criminal activities of hardened criminals and habitual offenders and for legal aid to prisoners, provision of parole, furlough and premature release to incentivise good conduct. There is focus on vocational training and skill development of prisoners and their reintegration into the society.