MONDAY 06 NOVEMBER 2023 www.thestatesman.com twitter.com/thestatesman facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR T’GANA ELECTIONS: BRS IN TROUBLE IN 53 SEATS CONGRESS BETRAYED SP BACKWARDS: , AKHILESH YADAV P4 P5 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SHALLOW TO MODERATE FOG IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 31 AND 15 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Min: 15.8°C (+1) SUN SETS 17:33 hrs MOON SETS 13:53 hrs THUMBNAILS A youth delegation from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh meets President Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Sunday. ANI EAM discusses 'grave situation' in West Asia with Iranian counterpart: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday discussed the "grave situation" in West Asia during his conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. "Spoke today with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein AmirAbdollahian. Discussed the grave situation in West Asia and the concerns of the international community. Conveyed the importance of preventing escalation and providing humanitarian support. Agreed to stay in touch," Jaishankar posted on X. Kolhi’s record-equalling ton, Modi: We have bridged the gap Jadeja’s fifer: India crush SA with N-E states PM said that Centre was working to build a ‘Marvellous Mizoram’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER Asserting that the Union government was working to build a ‘Marvellous Mizoram’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the BJP-led NDA Government “bridged the gap” between northeastern states and the national capital by addressing their needs and aspirations. The around twomonth-long poll campaign for the Mizoram Assembly elections came to an end on Sunday afternoon amidst the Election Commission's efforts to hold the polls in a free, fair and transparent manner. Addressing the people of Mizoram through a video message on the last day of the poll campaign, Mr Modi said before 2014, people perceived the northeastern states, such as Mizoram, as distant from Delhi both physically and psychologically. “The BJP recognised this sense of distance and, after coming into power as part of the NDA govern- ment in 2014, made it a priority to bridge this gap by addressing the aspirations and needs of the northeastern states," he said while addressing the people of poll-bound state. Emphasising that Mizoram has both nature and culture, Mr Modi said the north-eastern state has great potential to turn into a global tourist hub. “Mizoram is a state with both nature and cul- Maternity leave parity for women defence personnel Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for extension of the rules for maternity, child care and child adoption leave for women soldiers, sailors and air warriors in the armed forces at par with their officer counterparts. With the issuance of the rules, the grant of such leave to all women in the military, whether one is an officer or any other rank, will be equally applicable, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. The decision is in line with the Defence Minister's vision of inclusive participation of all women in the Armed Forces, irrespective of their ranks. The extension of leave rules will go a long way in dealing with women-specific family and social issues relevant to the Armed Forces. This measure is going to improve the work conditions of women in the military and aid them to balance the spheres of professional and family life in a ANOTHER MILESTONE ACHIEVED With the issuing of the rules, the grant of such leaves to all women in the military, whether one is an officer or any other rank, will be equally applicable. The decision is in line with the vision ‘inclusive participation’ of all women in the armed forces, the Defence Ministry says better manner, the Ministry said. Furthering Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government’s commitment towards utilising Nari Shakti, the three Services have spearheaded a paradigm shift with inclusion of women as soldiers, sailors and air warriors. With the recruitment of women Agniveers, the Armed Forces will be empowered with the bravery, dedication and patriotism of women soldiers, sailors and air warriors to defend the land, sea and air frontiers of the country. From being operationally deployed in Siachen, the highest battlefield in the world to being posted on warships as well as dominating the skies, Indian women are now breaking barriers in almost every field in the Armed Forces, the Ministry said. In 2019, a significant milestone was also achieved through recruitment of women in the Indian Army as soldiers in the Corps of Military Police. Rajnath Singh has always been of the view that women should be at par with their male counterparts in every field. ture. It has the potential to become a global tourist hub. When infrastructure improves, it helps trade, talent and tourism. Infrastructure brings investment, industries, and income and also creates opportunities," the Prime Minister said in his address. He also said that a revolution happened across sectors in the state due to the work of the BJP-led government. India sends emergency relief to Nepal NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER India on Sunday sent an emergency aid package, comprising medical equipment, relief materials and more, for people affected by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Nepal. The strong temblor, which even jolted the national capital and parts of north India, left 157 dead and scores injured. Serving as the first responder, India shipped essential medicines and relief materials to assist the earthquake-affected communities. This rapid response aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Neighbourhood First Policy,” external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, emphasising India's commitment to supporting its neighbouring nations in times of crisis. “Providing emergency relief assistance to earthquake-affected areas of Nepal. As a first responder, India delivers medicines and relief material. PM’s Neighbourhood First policy in action,” Mr Jaishankar posted from his official handle on X. The first consignment of Rs 10 crore worth of emergency relief materials arrived at Nepalgunj on Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Nepal informed through an official AGENCIES release. Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday by slamming his 49th ODI ton against South Africa at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata as he steered India to a convincing 243run win over South Africa. The perfectly paced hundred from Kohli saw him join Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the list of players with the most centuries in One Day International cricket. Kohli reached this landmark in the 49th over of the India innings. The righthanded batter hit 10 fours on the way to his ton. Providing the icing on Kohli’s birthday cake, as it were, in the South African innings, Ravindra Jadeja (5/33) reduced the top-ofthe-table clash to a mere onesided affair in favour of the hosts, by triggering a collapse that the South Africansnever managed to recover from. The Proteas were bundled out for 83 in 27.1 overs, their biggest loss in ODIs. Kohli has already scored a ton in this Cricket World Cup. This came against Bangladesh in Pune when he scored an unbeaten 103 off 97 balls which took India to a seven-wicket win and won him the Player of the Match award. He came very close to another one in Dharamsala against New Zealand but fell five runs short then. Then he scored a brilliant 88 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai but fell before he could clear the line. The list of top centurymakers in ODI cricket has three Indians at the top with Rohit Sharma (31) coming behind Tendulkar and Kohli. Nine players have recorded more than 25 hundred in the format in men's cricket. Match report on Pg 12 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER A view of the polluted Yamuna river The 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the NCR. Under it, entry of trucks into Delhi is banned; private and govt offices can be asked to work with 50 pc strength, rest to work from home tial commodities/providing essential services and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks will be allowed. There will also be a ban on the plying of Delhi-registered, diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/providing essential services. Delhi, NCR state governments can also ask public, municipal and private offices to work on 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home. Delhi education minister Atishi announced earlier on Sunday that all primary schools in the city would remain closed till 10 November. In a post on X, Atishi said, "As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November." "For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online mode," she added. Earlier on 2 November, after the pollution levels in the city plunged to the 'severe' category, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the government and private schools in the national capital would remain closed for two days (till 4 November). The air quality in Delhi remained in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, though with a marginal dip in the overall India's Virat Kohli celebrates his century during the match against South Africa in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.  BISWAJIT GHOSHAL  MOST ODI CENTURIES Player Name Hundreds Innings Runs 49 277 13625 183 2008-2023 2 Sachin Tendulkar (India) 49 452 18426 200* 1989-2012 3 Rohit Sharma (India) 30 251 10554 264 2007-2023 4 Ricky Ponting (Australia) 30 365 13704 164 1995-2012 5 S Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) 433 13430 189 1989-2011 1 Virat Kohli (India) 28 Highest Score Span LS’s ethics panel to adopt draft report on 7 Nov AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER The Lok Sabha’s Ethics Committee will hold a meeting on 7 November in Delhi to adopt a draft report on the alleged 'cash-forquery' allegations against TMC MP Mahua Moitra. The agenda released by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for the meeting says: “Complaint dated 15 October 2023 given by Dr Nishikant Dubey, MP against Mahua Moitra, MP for alleged direct involvement in cash for query in Parliament with reference to Govt invokes GRAP Stage IV to tackle Delhi’s rising pollution With no respite from hazardous atmospheric pollution in the city as air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday decided to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire Delhi-NCR with immediate effect, banning entry of trucks and switching over to work from home. GRAP is a set of measures drafted by the Centre's CAQM to tackle air pollution. The Stage IV is the highest level of pollution alert. The 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect from Sunday in the entire NCR. Under it, entry of trucks into Delhi is banned. However, those carrying essen- P12 KOLKATA, 5 NOVEMBER TEMPERATURE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER P10 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Max.98% Min. 45% Max: 31.5°C (+1) SUN RISES 06:37 hrs MOON RISES 00:58 hrs INDIA WIN BRONZE AT JOHOR HOCKEY TOURNAMENT BAGHEL UNVEILS CONG MANIFESTO Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 410 against 504 on Saturday, as per the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India). An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good"; between 51 and 100 "satisfactory"; 101 to 200 "moderate"; 201 to 300 "poor"; 301 to 400 "very poor"; and 401 to 500 "severe". According to the data issued by SAFARIndia, the air quality in the Lodhi Road area was recorded at 385 (very poor) while in the Delhi University area it stands at 456 (severe). In Noida, air quality plunged to the 'severe' category with AQI at 466, as per SAFAR-India. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai earlier wrote to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging him to ban the entry of vehicles noncompliant with BS-VI norms into Delhi from neighbouring states in Delhi-NCR. See also Pg 02 examination/ investigation of the alleged unethical conduct of Mahua Moitra, MP by the Committee on Ethics-Consideration and Adoption of Draft Report.” Earlier, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on 2 November over cash-for-query allegations against her and opposition members of the panel "walked out" of the meeting. Ms Moitra and the Opposition members raised questions over the line of questioning and alleged that “personal questions” were posed to the TMC MP. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, had alleged that the Trinamul MP had taken bribes from Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani to raise questions in Parliament to target the Adani Group. On Sunday, targeting Lok Sabha Ethics Committee chief Vinod Sonkar, Ms Moitra on Sunday claimed that the BJP MP had asked her ‘cheap sordid irrelevant questions’ when she appeared before the panel on 2 November, in connection with the cashfor-query scandal. In a post on X, the TMC MP warned the BJP saying that she has the ‘exact’ transcript of record in the Ethics Committee verbatim. Centre authorises SBI to issue, encash electoral bonds between 6 and 20 Nov AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 5 NOVEMBER The Centre has authorised the State Bank of India (SBI) to issue and encash electoral bonds through its 29 authorised branches between 6 and 20 November. The electoral bonds shall be valid for 15 calendar days from the date of issue and no payment shall be made to any payee political party if the bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period. The electoral bond deposited by an eligible political party in its account shall be credited on the same day. The government of India had notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 through a gazette notification on 2 January 2018. The electoral bonds shall be valid for 15 calendar days from the date of issue and no payment shall be made to any payee political party if the bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period As per provisions of the scheme, electoral bonds may be purchased by a person who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. A person being an individual can buy electoral bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals. Only the political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the state, shall be eligible to receive the electoral bonds. The electoral bonds shall be encashed by an eligible political party only through a bank account with the authorised bank. The Electoral Bond Scheme has been challenged in the Supreme Court. A Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on 2 November reserved its judgment on petitions challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme.