TUESDAY 07 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 BAGHEL TO COMPLAIN TO EC ON BETTING APP LINK ALLEGATIONS HELICOPTER CARRYING KCR DEVELOPS TECHNICAL SNAG, LANDS SAFELY P5 SENSEX 64,958.69594.91 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. MIST/SHALLOW FOG IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 31 AND 14 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max.98% Min. 35% TEMPERATURE Max: 31.5°C (+1) SUN RISES 06:38 hrs MOON RISES 01:52 hrs Min: 13.5°C (-2) SUN SETS 17:33 hrs MOON SETS 14:23 hrs THUMBNAILS A labourer paints a clay hatri at a workshop ahead of Diwali festival, in Jalandhar on ANI Monday. Heeralal Samariya sworn in as Chief Information Commissioner: Senior bureaucrat Heeralal Samariya was sworn in as the chief of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, making him the first person from the Dalit community to hold the post. NIFTY 19,411.75181.15 ‘GLOBAL ECONOMIC CWC: IT'S AFGHAN GROWTH PROSPECTS SPINNERS VS AUSSIE LOOK WEAK AS RECOVERY BATTING MIGHT REMAINS SLOW’ P4 ` vs $ 83.227 PAISE P8 GOLD 62,890.00 Odd-even scheme back in Delhi from 13 Nov P12 SILVER 75,200.00 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 85.961.07 PM speaks to Iran President on ‘difficult situation’ in West Asia A decision could be taken later on the extension of the odd-even rule NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 6 NOVEMBER I n a bid to curb the rising pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi government has decided to reintroduce the odd-even scheme in the city a day after the Diwali festival, from November 13 to 20. The scheme was last enforced in the city in 2019. Under the scheme, a traffic rationing measure, vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit will be allowed on roads on odd dates while those with an even digit on even dates. Addressing a press conference here on Monday after a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and several other senior officials, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai declared, "In view of air pollution, the odd-even vehicle system will be applicable for one week from 13th to 20th November." The meeting held at the Delhi Secretariat was beside the chief minister and the environment minister was attended by other senior ministers along with several officers of the state government. The environment minister said the week-long measure would be introduced on a trial basis. A decision could be taken later on the extension of the oddeven rule. There is a possibility that the level of pollution will be reduced with the wind speed increasing on November 7-8 might, he said. "As per the forecast, the wind speed will be 12km/hour tomorrow, 7th November, and if the speed reaches 10 to 12 km/hour, then there is a possibility that the level of pollution accumulated here might disperse. Similarly, the wind speed will be 8-10 km/hour on 8th November. It is expected that the speed of wind will increase on November 7 and 8 November which will reduce the level of pollution...," he said. Rai said there was a complete ban on firecrackers. "Despite the ban on firecrackers, today we have directed the police to be alert as there is Diwali and World Cup match and then Chhath Puja," he said. He further said, “We also appeal to the BJP governments in the BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to ban the firecrackers to control the pollution.” According to the data issued by the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India), the air quality in the National Capital was recorded at 488, up from 410 a day ago. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), on Sunday, decid- ed to invoke Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect to prevent further deterioration of air quality. The Air Quality Commission said that Stage IV will be implemented in addition to the restrictions placed under Stage I to III. According to the 8-point action plan, there will be a ban on entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks). Also, a ban will be imposed on the plying of Delhi-registered dieseloperated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services. GRAP Stage-IV restrictions also include NCR and the Delhi government may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI-IX, and class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode. SEE ALSO PAGE 2 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday talked to Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi over phone and exchanged views on the difficult situation in the West Asia region and the IsraelHamas conflict. Modi expressed deep concern at the terrorist incidents, violence and loss of civilian lives. He reiterated India’s longstanding and consistent position on the Israel-Palestine issue, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. President Raisi shared his assessment of the situation. Both leaders emphasised on the need for preventing escalation, ensuring continued humanitarian aid and early restoration of peace and stability. The leaders also reviewed and positively assessed progress in multifaceted bilateral cooperation. They welcomed focus and priority accorded to Chabahar port in Iran for improving regional connectivity, the PMO said. Both sides agreed to remain in touch given the shared interest in regional peace, security and stability. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday spoke to his Iranian counterpart H Amir-Abdollahian and discussed the grave situation in West Asia and concern of the international community. He had conveyed the importance of preventing escalation and providing humanitarian support. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch. Chhattisgarh, Mizoram go to polls today STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 6 NOVEMBER Stage is set for the commencement of 2023 Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh and Mizoram on Tuesday. While Chhattisgarh will witness polling in 20 seats in the first phase, Mizoram will vote on all 40 seats. The Myanmar and Bangladesh international border with Mizoram has been sealed in view of the Election Commission declaring about 30 polling stations along the Mizoram border as sensitive. A total of 174 candidates are in fray in Mizoram. According to the Mizoram CEO, the total number of electorate stands at 8,51,895 out of which 4,12,969 are male, 4,38,925 are female and 1 (one) third gender. The counting of votes in Mizoram is scheduled for December 3. On the other hand, 223 candidates are in fray for the 20 seats going to polls in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Altogether, 5,304 voting booths have been set up by the Election Commission in the first phase. A total of 40,78,681 voters will cast their votes in the first phase. In this phase, 13 of the 20 seats are reserved for SC/STs. The second phase of the Chhattisgarh polls will be held on November 17.