TUESDAY 23 MAY 2023 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR US SIGNS NEW SECURITY PACT WITH PAPUA NEW GUINEA P10 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. POSSIBILITY OF VERY LIGHT RAIN TOWARDS NIGHT AT ONE OR TWO PLACES. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 43 AND 28 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 58% TEMPERATURE Max: 43.7°C (+3) SUN RISES 05:27 hrs MOON RISES 09:03 hrs NAIDU WANTED AMARAVATI SEVEN PLAYERS TO TO BE A GATED COMMUNITY LEAVE FOR ENGLAND FOR RICH ONLY AHEAD OF WTC FINAL GOYAL TO INAUGURATE ISO'S COPOLCO PLENARY P3 Do not rush to banks, urges RBI governor RBI had advised banks to stop issuing `2000 denomination banknotes with immediate effect Min. 28% SNS & AGENCIES Min: 27.3°C (+1) SUN SETS 19:09 hrs MOON SETS 22:47 hrs THUMBNAILS Vehicles queued up as the Manali Bike Association blocked the road to protest over some ANI issues, in Manali on Monday. Four dead as boat capsizes in UP's Ballia: At least four people were drowned as a boat with 30 people, mostly women and children, capsized in river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district on Monday morning, officials said. Several families had gathered at Maldepur ghat in the Maldepur area to perform 'mundan' (ritual head tonsuring) on their children. The boat is said to have capsized due to overloading. District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that the accident occurred possibly due to a malfunction in the engine of the boat. MUMBAI, 22 MAY N oting that there is no reason for worry over the move to withdraw Rs 2000 notes, which continue as legal tender, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das has said the central bank has "more than adequate" notes of other denominations available. There has been some speculation that the decision to withdraw Rs 2000 note may put a strain on the overall money supply. "Let me assure you, we have more than an adequate quantity of notes available, already printed. We have more than an adequate quantity of printed notes already available in the system - not just with the RBI but also at the currency chests which are operated by the banks. So, there is adequate stock available and there is no reason to worry," Das told reporters here. Speaking about the September 30 deadline exchange of Rs 2000 notes, he said a date was decided so that people take the process seriously and it does not become endless. "...Time is given up to September 30 (for exchange of notes) so that it is taken seriously, otherwise, if you leave it open- PIL in Delhi High Court against RBI SNS & AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 22 MAY A plea has been moved in the Delhi High Court challenging Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of India (SBI) notifications, that permits the exchange of notes without any identity proof. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by BJP leader and Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay. The PIL says that the notifications -- published on May 19 and 20 -- are arbitrary and offend Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The plea also seeks a direction to the RBI and SBI to make sure that Rs 2000 notes are deposited in respective bank accounts only so that people having black money and disproportionate assets could be identified. The PIL, seeks a direction to the Centre to take action regarding the same. ended, it becomes a kind of an endless process," Das said in the interaction with the media. Currency notes of the Rs 2000 denomination were primarily issued for the purpose of quickly replenishing the value of money which was being taken out from the system when the legal tender status of then-prevailing Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes was withdrawn during demonetisation. "That purpose has been fulfilled. Today there are enough notes in the circulation of other denominations," he said. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday decided to with- draw the Rs 2000 denomination currency notes from circulation, but added they will continue to remain as legal tender. RBI had advised banks to stop issuing Rs 2000 denomination banknotes with immediate effect. RBI, however, said that citizens will continue to be able to deposit Rs 2000 banknotes into their bank accounts and/or exchange them into banknotes of other denominations at any bank branch up to September 30, 2023. The exchange of Rs 2000 bank notes into notes of other denominations can be made up to a limit of Rs 20,000 at a time at any bank starting from May 23, 2023. "It has also been observed that this denomination is not commonly used for transactions. Further, the stock of banknotes in other denominations continues to be adequate to meet the currency requirement of the public," RBI said Friday. RBI said Rs 2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016, primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes in circulation at that time. The objective of introducing Rs 2000 banknotes was met once banknotes in other denominations became available in adequate quantities. Therefore, the printing of Rs 2000 banknotes was stopped subsequently in 2018-19. About 89 per cent of the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes were issued prior to March 2017 and are at the end of their estimated life span of four-five years. The total value of these banknotes in circulation has declined from Rs 6.73 lakh crore at its peak in March 31, 2018 (37.3 per cent of Notes in Circulation) to Rs 3.62 lakh crore constituting only 10.8 per cent of Notes in Circulation on March 31, 2023. PM Modi unveils 12-step plan to strengthen pacific partnerships ASHOK TUTEJA NEW DELHI, 22 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi today slammed what he called barriers arising in the supply chains of food, fuel, fertilizer and pharmaceuticals even as he announced a 12-point programme to strengthen India's partnership with Pacific Island nations. ''Climate change, natural disasters, hunger, poverty, and various health-related challenges were already prevalent. Now, new issues are emerging,'' he noted while cochairing the third India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit in Papua New Guinea with the country's Prime Minister James Marape. Pointing out that the world has gone through a difficult period of Covid pandemic and many other challenges, he said the impact of these challenges has been felt most by the countries of the Global South. ''(But) those whom we considered trustworthy, it turned out that they were not standing by our side in times of need. During these challenging times, an old saying has proven true: A Friend in need is a friend indeed," he said in an obvious dig at the developed world over the lack of vaccine equality. Modi said he was glad that India stood with Pacific Island nations during this challenging time. Whether it was vac- cines or essential medicines, wheat or sugar; India, in line with its capabilities, has been assisting all partner countries. ''As I have said before, for me, you are not Small Island States, but Large Ocean Countries. It is this vast ocean that connects India with all of you. Indian philosophy has always viewed the world as one family,'' he told the leaders attending the meeting. Hyderabad: Delivery agent jumps from third floor of building to escape dog attack STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE HYDERABAD, 22 MAY A delivery agent sustained grievous injuries after jumping off from the third floor of a building in Hyderabad in order to evade an attack by a pet dog of the customer when he had gone to an apartment to deliver a mattress. This is the second such incident of an attack by a pet dog in Hyderabad in recent times and food delivery agent Muhammad Rizwan had died as a result of his injuries sustained after jumping off from the third floor of an apartment in Banjara Hills when he was attacked by the pet dog of the customer while making the delivery. On Sunday Mohammad Iliyas (27) who works for Amazon went to an apartment at Panchvati colony in Manikonda. He was delivering a mattress when the pet dog, a labrador who was not on leash started barking at him. In panic, he jumped off from the third floor of the apartment and fell on the sidewall sustaining multiple fractures. He was rushed to a hospital and his condition is stated to be out of danger. Raidurgam police have recorded his statement and registered a case against the dog owner under relevant section of the IPC for negligent conduct with respect to animals in his possession. Meanwhile, the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union has demanded that the dog owner should bear the expense of the medical treatment of Iliyas. The Union president Shaikh Salauddin urged dog owners to leash their pets when delivery agents come to their apartments. He also appealed to the Residents’ Welfare Associations should discuss the matter in their meetings. He demanded that Amazon should compensate the delivery agent for his loss of pay since he was injured during duty hours and would be unable to return to work immediately. “His livelihood will be affected by this. Amazon should pay him at least Rs1000 per day. Amazon should also come up with a policy to prevent such incidents,” said Salauddin in his statement. The union also sought the intervention of the Mayor of Hyderabad and the municipal affairs minister to ensure dog owners are held responsible for such incidents. India, the PM said, considered it a responsibility to bring the issues, expectations and aspirations of the Global South to the attention of the world through the G-20 platform. India has set ambitious targets on the issue of climate change, and the country was working rapidly towards them, he added. While prioritising food security, India has also focused on nutrition and environ- P12 P4 mental conservation. The year 2023 has been declared as the International Year of Millets by the UN. India has given the status of "Shree Ann" to this superfood, he said. Meanwhile, the Indian leader announced a 12-step programme to propel India's partnerships with Pacific Island countries. "It will fulfill the developmental aspirations of the people of the region and consolidate the shared vision of a free, open and prosperous IndoPacific. fulfil consolidate the shared vision of a free, open and prosperous Indo- Pacific," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. The 12-steps included opening up a new 100-bed regional super speciality hospital in Fiji and setting up a Regional IT and Cyber Security Training Hub in Papua New Guinea; "Sagar Amrut Scholarships -1000 scholarships in the next 5 years; and Jaipur Foot Camp in Papua New Guinea in 2023. PM conferred with highest civilian honours of Papua New Guinea & Fiji STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 22 MAY On the second leg of his three-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the highest civilian honours of two countries--Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Papua New Guinea conferred the order of Logohu on the PM for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of Global South. Very few non-residents of Papua New Guinea have received this award and its recipients are titled "Chief". In a tweet, the Prime Minister's Office said: "Papua New Guinea has conferred the Companion of the Order of Logohu on PM Narendra Modi. It was presented to him by Papua New Guinea Governor General Sir Bob Dadae." Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: "An honour emblematic of the depth of India-Papua New Guinea relationship. Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae of Papua New Guinea conferred PM Modi with the country's highest civilian award, Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL)." Earlier today, Fiji bestowed PM Modi with the Com- PM Narendra Modi being conferred with Papua New Guinea Companion of the Order of Logohu by the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on Monday.  ANI panion of the Order of Fiji award in recognition of his global leadership. Only a handful of non-Fijians have received this honour till date. The PMO said: "PM Narendra Modi has been conferred the highest honour of Fiji, the Companion of the Order of Fiji. It was presented to him by PM Sitiveni Rabuka." Modi thanked the Government and the people of Fiji for this honour and dedicated it to the people of India and to the generations of Fiji-Indian community, who have played a key role in the special and enduring bond between the two countries. Army called in after fresh flare-up in Manipur’s Imphal, curfew is back AGENCIES IMPHAL, 22 MAY After a brief period of peace, reports of fresh violence and arson came to the fore from Imphal, and army and paramilitary forces were reportedly rushed to the state, forcing a curfew to be imposed again. The curfew had earlier been relaxed till 4 PM but was reimposed from 1 PM after the latest flare-up. Two houses were torched by a mob in Imphal East district after two armed miscreants forced people to shut their shops on Monday afternoon, police officials said. The mob also beat up one of the miscreants while the other managed to flee. The two were taken into custody. Armymen deployed in the area who rushed to the scene used force and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob resulting in minor injuries to a few people. Locals protested the incident by burning tyres on the road. Meanwhile, the Manipur government has also extended the ban on internet services across the state for five more days in order to curb the spread of hate speech and maintain peace amid reports of sporadic incidents of violence, according to an official order on Sunday. Intermittent clashes have been going on in Manipur between the dominant Meitei community and the hill tribes for over a month now. The ban was first clamped on May 5 after clashes broke out following a ‘Tribal Soli- darity March’ that was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The order on Sunday, which was signed by the state government’s commissioner of the home department, said there was apprehension that anti-social elements might use “social media to disseminate images, hate speech, and hate video messages, which could have serious repercussions for the law and order situation”. Patnaik re-inducts veterans in cabinet reshuffle STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 22 MAY Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conducted a minor reshuffle inducting three veterans against existing vacancies in the cabinet . Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal administered the oath of office to Bikram Keshari Arukha, Sudam Marandi and Sarada Prasad Nayak at a simple function here on Monday . It may be noted that Arukha had resigned from his post as Speaker of the Assembly and two ministers Samir Ranjan Dash and Srikant Sahu were dropped a few days ago ostensibly because of controversies involving women. The assassination of cabinet minister Naba Kishore Das in January resulted in the third vacancy. Sudam Marandi, a tribal leader of Mayurbhanj district who had been dropped a year ago made a comeback and was made the School and Mass Education Minister , a portfolio held by Samir Ranjan Dash. Similarly, Sarada Prasad Nayak, a former minister from Rourkela , was reinducted today and made the Labour Minister . The portfolio was held by Srikant Sahu. Bikram Keshari Arukha, a heavyweight of Ganjam district and six-time mla was made the Finance Minister. Arukha had held the forest portfolio till last year when he was nominated as Speaker of the Assembly. Niranjan Pujari held the Finance department along with other departments like Health and Parliamentary Affairs. Pujari remains as health and parliamentary affairs minister. This is the second cabinet reshuffle conducted by the CM in his fifth term. There were speculations that youngsters and women will be inducted, but with less than a year to the general elections , the CM has opted to fall back on experienced former ministers. Aspirants from Puri and western Odisha districts of Bargarh and Sambalpur ( regions of the two ministers Sahu and Das) were disappointed as none from these regions found place. Clearly, the aim was to strengthen the ruling BJD in the three districts – Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh and Ganjam where the opposition BJP is perceived to have gained ground. The tribal factor as well as the BJP’s stand that it had nominated a tribal lady of Mayurbhanj Draupadi Murmu to the post of President has prompted the CM to make Sudam Marandi a Minister. Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh Lok Sabha seats are held by the BJP - Juel Oram and Union Minister Bisweshwar Tudu.