CMYK SUNDAY 28 MAY 2023 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR KCR CALLS PM MAAFI KA SAUDAGAR THE CHANGED STRATEGY OF KEJRIWAL P7 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Rain/ Thundershowers likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 33 °C and 22 °C respectively. RAINFALL: 7.1 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95 % TEMPERATURE Max: 33.4°C (-2) SUN RISES 04:54 hrs MOON RISES 11:14 hrs Min. 65 % Min: =22.8°C (-4) SUN SETS 18:15 hrs MOON SETS ------ hrs Full Moon on 04 June An illuminated view of the new Parliament building ahead of its inauguration ceremony, in New Delhi on Saturday. ANI Ahead of Shah's visit, Army Chief Manoj Pande visits Manipur: Two days before the scheduled visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande reached Manipur on Saturday to hold meetings with various civil society organisations in Churachandpur district. Amidst sporadic incidents of violence, the Manipur government, meanwhile, extended the suspension of internet services for another five days. Defence sources said that the Army chief arrived in Imphal on Saturday PG5 on a two-day visit. BCCI DENIES AGREEING TO PCB'S MODEL FOR ASIA CUP 2023 KHARGE CALLS MEET OF MP LEADERS ON 29 MAY P4 P5 Mamata apologises for tragic Egra blast P12 Modi to dedicate new Parl building to nation Chief minister vows to take action against officers who fail to act BISWABRATA GOSWAMI EGRA, 27 MAY hief minister Mamata Banerjee, today apologised to the residents of Khadikul village for a fatal explosion that occurred at an illegal firecracker factory in the village, located within Egra police station limits in East Midnapore earlier this month. The incident resulted in the loss of 11 lives and left many people injured. Miss Banerjee who visited the village 11 days after the incident occurred, acknowledged that the blast could have been prevented if the state’s intelligence apparatus had functioned properly and expressed her regret while speaking to the family members of the victims of the incident. “I will bow my head down to you and apologise for the incident,” stated Miss Banerjee while distributing compensation cheques to the families of the deceased and injured. She also presented appointment letters in the state home guards to one member from each affected family. The chief minister emphasised that C the incident highlighted the need for improved intelligence functioning to avert such disasters. Miss Banerjee informed the villagers that two individuals from the family of the primary accused, the owner of the illegal factory, had been arrested. She urged the residents to cooperate with the local police by providing any information regarding the presence of similar units operating illegally. She was accompanied by the State Chief Secretary, H. K. Dwivedi, during her visit. Up to now, nine individuals have been apprehended for their alleged role in the incident. However, the primary accused passed away three days later at a hospital in Cuttack, where he had fled with his family following the incident. During her visit, Miss Banerjee made it clear that she had come to the area without any political agenda, stating that the Egra incident had opened her eyes. She announced the formation of a committee led by the Chief Secretary to establish a cluster dedicated to the production of green crackers, as an alternative to traditional firecrackers. The cluster would be located away from densely populated areas to ensure safety. Acknowledging the economic challenges faced CMYK by some individuals who are compelled to work in illegal firecracker factories, Miss Banerjee stressed the necessity of putting an end to such activities. She urged locals to promptly inform the officer-in-charge of the concerned police station if they come across any instances of illegal firecracker production. Furthermore, she vowed to take action against officers who fail to act, ensuring that they would be transferred. The OC of Egra police station, Mousam Chakraborty was immediately transferred on account of his inaction on multiple complaints. Expressing her concern, Miss Banerjee emphasised that senior officers did not get crucial intelligence inputs, which could have prevented the tragic incident. She acknowledged that this negligence should have been avoided, and promised measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Gaurango Maity, who lost his son and brother, said: “The ex-gratia amount is not much but it will help us for some time. It is the job that is important.” Sri Sri Ambalavanan Desika Paramacharya Swamigal hand overs the 'Sengol' to PM Narendra Modi ahead of the inauguration ceremony of New Parliament Building on Saturday. ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 27 MAY Amidst a boycott call by 21 Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the newly-constructed Parliament building to the nation on Sunday. Along with Mr Modi, the inauguration will be led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The PM will also install a historic 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building. However, major parties will be conspicuous by their absence on the occasion as they have decided to boycott the inaugural ceremony. The Congress and 20 other Opposition parties have accused the government of “bypassing” President Droupadi Murmu for the event. The government has, however, received confirmation from 25 polit- ical parties that they are attending the inaugural ceremony. These include parties that are not members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance . Meanwhile, Delhi Police has beefed up security around the new Parliament building ahead of the inauguration ceremony. Sources said Delhi Police have decided to close all borders in order to prevent any protest or gathering. This decision has been taken in the wake of a call for a Mahila Panchayat in support of the wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India president in front of the new Parliament building on 28 May. Mr Modi on Saturday shared a video of the new Parliament with voiceoverby citizens conveying their thoughts as requested by the PM. PM chairs 8th Governing Council meet of NITI Aayog NEW DELHI, 27 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired the eighth governing council meeting of the Niti Aayog. Themed on 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Role of Team India', the meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in the national capital's Pragati Maidan. As the chairman of NITI Aayog, PM Modi presided over the meeting, which deliberated on issues related to health, skill development, women empowerment and infrastructure development, with an aim to make India a developed nation by 2047. Chief Ministers of several States participated in the council meeting . Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde were seen at the meeting. AGENCIES
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