CMYK TUESDAY 16 MAY 2023 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC www.thestatesman.com KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘NEED TRAINING IN LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING’ KTR’S JIBE AT BJP FOR UNEMPLOYMENT MARCH P4 WEATHER Thunderstorm with gusty wind very likely. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely be around 36°C and 24 °C respectively MACRON VOWS TO BOOST FRANCE’S ECONOMY P9 P10 K’taka twist: Wish Siddaramaiah ‘all the best’, says DK Shivakumar AICC observers to meet Kharge on choosing new Karnataka Chief Minister RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Min. 24% Max: 36.7°C (+1) SUN RISES 04:58 hrs MOON RISES 01:59 hrs Min: 26.1°C (-1) SUN SETS 18:09 hrs MOON SETS 14:07 hrs THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 MAY he Karnataka cliffhanger just got a fresh twist with state party chief DK Shivakumar, one of the two contenders for the top post, sending his "best wishes" to his rival today. The 61-year-old, who was expected to visit Delhi this evening, in a sudden turnaround, said he would not and wished Siddaramaiah all the best, "since he has the numbers". The central Congress leadership will take various factors, including the views of newlyelected legislators in Karnataka, into account before choosing the new leader of the Congress legislature party in the state, it is learnt. After detailed discussions with newly-appointed Congress legislators in Karnataka on choosing the new leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), the T INS Kavaratti, Indian Navy's latest indigenous ASW corvette arrived at Batam Port in Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of IndiaIndonesia Bilateral Maritime Exercise Samudra ANI Shakti from 14-19 May 23.  Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Deputy Chief of Air Staff: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff today. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned in the fighter stream on 6 December 1986. He is a graduate of the Staff Course, Bangladesh and the National Defence College, New Delhi. The Air Marshal is a qualified flying instructor as well as an experimental test pilot, with over 3300 hours of flying experience on fighter, trainer and transport aircraft. He participated in Operation Safed Sagar and SNS Rakshak. three AICC observers have returned to the national capital and are expected to submit their report to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tonight. The race for leadership is between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar. Kharge had deputed former Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Shinde, Jitendra Singh (Congress General Secretary) and Deepak Babaria (former Congress General Secretary) as the observers for the election of the CLP Leader of Karnataka. According to Jitendra Singh, the observers met all the Congress legislators yesterday to ascertain their views on the new CLP leader. He said the ''Bharat Jodo Yatra'' of Rahul Gandhi had also contributed to the party's handsome victory in the state. He said the Congress governments have also fulfilled promises made to the people. ''We ‘Headway in advanced technology must for India to deal with emerging threats’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 MAY Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today exhorted research institutes to speed up activities in advanced technology and achieve progress to make India fully capable of dealing with emerging threats related to cyber and space. Addressing the 12th convocation ceremony of the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune, he shared insights on the continuously changing political and economic equations among nations in the current global scenario. The minister stated that Science & Technology and methods of warfare were evolving at a rapid pace and there was a need to make fast progress in advanced technology to deal with non-kinetic or contactless warfare, which the world today was witnessing, in addition to the conventional methods. “If our adversary possesses more advanced technologies, it can be a cause of concern for us in the future. There is an urgent need to move fast towards technological advancements in line with the changing times.This responsibility lies with our institutions. The defence sector is not a stagnant lake, but a flowing river. Just as a river, we need to keep surging ahead overcoming obstacles,” he said. Highlighting the deep connection between cutting-edge technologies and defence research, Rajnath also called upon the institutions such as DIAT to come up with new innovations which are not only useful to the defence sector but equally effective for civilians as well. Elaborating on the government’s vision to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence, he termed it as the most crucial component, which was essential for strengthening the security apparatus of the country. He, however, clarified that selfreliance did not mean isolation from the world. “Today, the world has become a global village and isolation isn’t possible. The aim of self-reliance is to meet the needs of the Armed Forces by building necessary equipment/platforms with our own capacity while fulfilling the security requirements of our friendly countries,” he said. Rajnath emphasised that dependence on the import of defence equipment could become a hindrance to India’s strategic autonomy, which was the main reason the government was making all-out efforts to achieve self-reliance in the sector. “Without self-reliance, we cannot take independent decisions on global issues in line with our national interests. More equipment we import; the more adverse impact it will have on our Balance of Trade.We aim to become a net exporter instead of a net importer,” he said. will give our report to the Congress President,'' he added. On Sunday evening, the Congress Legislature Party unanimously authorised the Congress President to appoint the new Leader of the CLP. Siddaramaiah has also rushed to Delhi to meet Kharge while Shivakumar was celebrating his birthday with his supporters at his residence in Bengaluru. The central party leadership is unable to ignore the equally strong claims of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, given the fact that they played a pivotal role in ensuring the party's impressive victory in the state. Siddaramaiah is a popular Lingayat leader and Shivakumar is a Vokaligga leader and both are popular among the masses. Shivakumar is also credited with reviving the party in the state as its chief. Earlier on Monday, Congress' Karnataka President D.K. Shiv- akumar on Monday quipped that he does not have a single MLA on his side, as "all the 135 MLAs who won in the elections belong to the Congress". "Let's leave the matter of CM to the high command," he said. Addressing reporters, Shivakumar said that he is the single man and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will take a call on the leadership matter. "When I became KPCC President, Sonia Gandhi has assured me... When the coalition (with JD-S) government collapsed in Karnataka and we lost 15 MLAs, I did not budge and built the party," he said. Supporters of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have started poster war claiming that their leader is the future CM of Karnataka. Meanwhile, Lingayat seers have met and demanded that since 39 Lingayat MLAs have been elected, the DCM post should be given to them. Regional parties should get more significant role in 2024 polls: CM Mamata SNS & AGENCIES STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 MAY Hasin Jahan has said that she is aggrieved by the unilateral form of extra- judicial Talaq, Talaq-Ul-Hasan, and has received a Notice of 1st Pronouncement of Divorce Under Talaq-Ul-Hasan on July 23 2022 by Mohammad Shami. Upon receiving such Notice, Hasin Jahan contacted her near and dear ones, and found that many others too have suffered similar fate by their husbands. The petitioner has said that she has approached the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, reiterated that regional parties should get a more significant role in the 2024 fight against the BJP but this , time, she softened her stance vis-a-vis the Congress. "Wherever regional parties are strong, the BJP cannot fight. The Karnataka verdict is a verdict against the BJP Peo. ple are antagonised. Atrocities are happening. The economy is ruined. Democratic rights are being bulldozed and even the wrestlers are not being spared," the CM said. However, Mamata Banerjee made it clear that while regional parties should take on the BJP in their strongholds, the Congress should focus on winning its own seats. "But I think wherever the regional parties are strong, whether it's UP , Bihar or Odisha, or Bengal, or Jharkhand or Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, there are so many states, the strong party must be given priority. And wherever Congress is strong in their 200 seats or something, what we have calculated, let them fight and we will support them." Ms Banerjee also made it clear that the Congress needs to support the regional parties. "But they have to see that they have to support other political parties also. I support you for Karnataka but you are fighting against me every day. That should not be the policy. This is for everybody. If you want some good thing, then you have to sacrifice yourself also in some areas," she said while pitching a strategy to defeat the BJP in 2024. "There should be a level playing ground to save the country, save democracy and save the people of this country," Banerjee added when asked if the Congress should shed its big-brotherly attitude towards regional parties. Factually baseless: Sebi to Supreme Court on allegations of probing Adani group since 2016 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 MAY The market regulator – the SecuritiesandExchangeBoardofIndia – on Monday described as“factually baseless” the allegation that it is investigating Adani group of companies since 2016. In its response affidavit to a petition relating to Hindenburg report, the market regulator told the Supreme Court that investigation done earlier by SEBI pertains to the issuance of Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) by 51 Indian listed companies, and the same has concluded and no listed company of Adani Group was part of the 51 companies. “Pursuant to completion of investigation, appropriate enforcement actions were taken in this matter. Hence, the allegation that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) is investigating Adani since 2016 is factually baseless.…reliance sought to be placed on the investigation pertaining to GDRs is wholly misplaced,” SEBI said in a rejoinder affidavit. SEBI has said that in the context of investigation into Minimum Public Shareholding (“MPS”) norms, SEBI has already approached eleven overseas Regulators under the MultilateralMemorandumofUnderstanding (“MMOU”) with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”). Various requests for information were made to these eleven Regulators. The first request to overseas Regulators was made as early as on October6,2020,SEBItoldthetopcourt. Supreme Court issues notice to respondents on Shami’s wife’s plea on uniform laws on divorce The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, National Commission for Women, and National Human Rights Commission on a plea seeking framing of guidelines for gender-neutral, religion-neutral uniform grounds and uniform procedure of divorce. A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice J.B. Pardiwala issued notice on a plea by Hasin Jahan, wife of Mohammad Shami, Indian cricket team player, and tagged it with other petitions raising the same issue. P12 KOLKATA, 15 MAY Max. 89% TEMPERATURE ‘RIVALRIES WITH FEDERER, NADAL & MURRAY MADE ME STRONGER’ top court seeking adjudication of the larger issues relating to “Talaq-E-Hasan and all other forms of Unilateral Extra-Judicial Talaq” which are still prevalent and in force under the Muslim Personal Laws (Shariat), by way of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. Hasin Jahan has said that she is an aggrieved wife, who was subjected to the abuse of the draconian practices being followed under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat), wherein, except Talaq-e-biddat, there exists numerous other forms of unilateral form of divorce, which provide unfettered powers over the Muslim man, to divorce a Muslim woman, in a whimsical and capricious manner, without affording any right of reconciliation or being heard in any manner, to the Muslim women. She has claimed that these divorces prevalent amongst Muslim community are discriminatory to Muslim women on the grounds of sex and gender, thereby violating the fundamental rights of the women, guaranteed under Article 14,15 and 21 in the constitution. Such forms of Talaq include one Talaq-E-Hassan also known as Talaq-Ul-Hassan, which is being grossly abused by the Muslim men by pronouncing thrice - once a month for three consecutive months with any opportunity of hearing to the Muslim women to be heard. CMYK Having denied that any of the Adani group’s companies were part of its 2016 investigation, the marker regulator has told the top court that its request for extension of time by six months is to ensure carriage of justice keeping in mind the interest of investors and the securities marketsinceanyincorrectorpremature conclusion of the case arrived at without full facts material on record would not servetheendsofjusticeandhence would be legally untenable. As regards 12 transactions of the Adani group referred in the Hindenburg report, prima facie they are highly complex and have many sub-transactions across the numerous jurisdictions and their rigorous investigation would require collation of data/information from various sources, including bank statements from multiple domestic as well as international banks, financial statements of onshore and offshore entities involved in the transactions and contracts and agreements, if any, entered between the entities along with other supporting documents. SEBI told the SC that, analysis would have to be conducted on the documents received from various sources before conclusive findings can be arrived at. On March 2, the top court had directed the market regulator SEBI to probe any violations of the securities law by the Adani group in the wake of the Hindenburg report, which led to a massiveWipeout of the group’s market value. The same day, the top court had also set up an expert committee of six members headed by its former judge Justice A M Sapre.The January 24, 2023, Hindenburg report had alleged market stock manipulation and fraud by the Adani conglomerate. TheAdaniGrouphasattacked Hindenburg as an “unethical short seller,” stating that the report by the New York-based entity was “nothing but a lie,” pointing out that the short-sellers in the security market books gains from the subsequent drop in the prices of the shares. 'Manipur's integrity will not be compromised' STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE IMPHAL 15 MAY Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who was summoned to Delhi by Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday, today met the Press and informed that the Union minister has pledged that the territorial integrity of Manipur will never be compromised. This is a rebuff to the demand of 10 Kuki legislators of Manipur, including ministers, who had demanded a separate territory for them as they cannot stay together with the Meiteis anymore under the same administration after the recent clashes. Mr Singh said he accompanied by State BJP Party Chief A. Sharda Devi, Rajya MP Sana- jaoba and four of his cabinet colleagues met the Home Minister who assured them he was closely monitoring the situation in Manipur. CM Biren Singh also said that efforts are underway to crosscheck the number of Kuki militants missing from 14 designated camps set up under Suspension of Operations agreements with various militant groups. Nor has the state have been able to account for the number of weapons missing from the armoury of the designated Camps. Meanwhile, a sum of Rs 17 lakhs was found missing from the chest of the Churachandpur branch of the Manipur State Cooperative Bank. Mr Shah is reported to have held a meeting with representatives of the Kuki community from Manipur and a group of CSOs from Mizoram on Monday. In the meantime, it has been learnt from reliable sources that the Union Home Secretary has informed the Manipur Governor that the State should be brought back to normalcy by 20 May. Also, it is learnt that the national executive of the BJP is meeting at its Head Quarters in New Delhi on 21 May to decide on the future leader of the Legislative party in Manipur. The names doing the rounds in Manipur are that of Th. Radheshyaam, Th. Biwajit and Govindas Konthoujam, the later two being Cabinet ministers in the present Government.