WEDNESDAY 08 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 `66.60 CR PENALTY IMPOSED ON GOLD SMUGGLING ACCUSED ‘ISRAEL WILL HAVE OVERALL SECURITY ROLE IN GAZA INDEFINITELY’ P4 P9 SENSEX 64,942.4016.29 WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 30 °C and 21 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Min. 37 % Max: 31.1°C (0) SUN RISES 05:44 hrs MOON RISES 00:22 hrs Min: 22.1°C (+1) SUN SETS 16:57 hrs MOON SETS 13:31 hrs New Moon on 13 November THUMBNAILS A Metro train runs amidst a thick layer of smog as the air quality went down to the 'Very poor' category amidst rising air pollution, in the Capital on Tuesday. SNS Maxwell’s 201 propels Australia to WC win: Glenn Maxwell hit a 128-ball 201 not out to help Australia grab a three-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Afghanistan and seal a semifinal spot in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. Australia at one stage were 91/7, chasing Afghanistan's score of 291/5. (Earlier report on Page 12) AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER he Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to stop the selective 'pick and choose' approach in appointments to the top court, high courts and transfers between high courts, warning it of of "an unpalatable order" if the delay and selectivity continue while making appointments recommended by the SC collegium. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia expressed great concern against the delay by the Centre in clearing names proposed or reiterated by the Collegium for appointment to the Supreme Court and high courts, or transfer between high courts. Citing a recent example, Justice Kaul said that even when the SC collegium had recommended the elevation of five advocates as the Punjab T There are 14 pending recommendations to which there has been no response. In recommendations made recently, selective appointments have been made...This is hardly conducive to persuading successful lawyers to join the bench THE SUPREME COURT and Haryana High Court judges, the Centre skipped the first two and cleared the remaining three. He added that this trend was reflected in several other appointments made by the Centre which disturbs inter-se seniority. "This pick-and-choose must stop," Justice Kaul told Attorney General R. Venkataramani. He further told the AG that this must not be taken as an off-hand remark as he has discussed this with the collegium. While passing the PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER KOLKATA, 7 NOVEMBER In a firefighting measure to combat alarming levels of air pollution in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a halt to stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Delhi. Ordering an immediate halt to stubble burning in the four states adjoining the national capital, a Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia saddled the local SHOs of police stations with the responsibility of enforcing the ban on stubble burning. The Bench also asked the chief secretaries of these states to oversee the effective enforcement of the ban on stubble burning ~ which in the view of the Bench, though, was not the only source of air pollution but an important contributor to the toxication of the air. “We direct the State gov- Miss Banerjee will physically inaugurate the Kali Puja at Janbazar. The puja is organised by TMC MLA Swarnakamal Saha Puja at her residence every year. Besides senior state government and police officials, political leaders , businessmen, members of different consulates and important people from different walks of life visit her home and take part in the puja. She observes fast and prepares the Bhog that is offered to the deity. SC: Seizure of journalists’ digital devices serious matter, better guidelines needed NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER The Supreme court on Tuesday said that the search and seizure of digital devices of media professionals is a “serious matter” that concerns the protection of the sources of media professionals and their right to privacy. A Bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia said this while asking the Central government to frame better guidelines to regulate the accessing of information from seized digital devices of media professionals. “These are media professionals, they will have on their phone’s sources, contacts. So, there must be some guidelines. This is serious,” Justice Kaul observed. Appearing for the Central government, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju said: “But there are anti-nationals who may... We cannot be shut out completely. Media cannot be above the law.” Stating that there has to be a balancing of SILVER 74,500700 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.922.26 PRIVACY CONCERNS  The order, the bench warned the AG that it might pass orders that may not be "palatable" on the judicial side if the problem is not taken care of by the Centre. It also said in its order that 14 names are pending with the Centre and five names are pending despite the reiteration by the collegium. Dictating the order the bench said: "We have expressed our concerns to the AG over the lack of progress since the last date. Pendency of transfer matter is an issue of great concern as it is being selectively done...AG submits that the issue is being taken up by him with the government. "There are 14 pending recommendations to which there has been no response. In recommendations made recently, selective appointments have been made...This is hardly conducive to persuading successful lawyers to join the bench." Justice Kaul asked the government to show some progress on the issue of transfers and selective appointments as the delays create huge anomalies in the system. The court was hearing a plea seeking contempt action against the Centre over delays in notifying the appointment of judges after recommendations were forwarded by the Collegium. On 20 October, the top court said that it will have to “unstuck” the Collegium recommendations stuck with the Centre for appointment of judges. The case is listed for further hearing on 20 November. Voters casting their votes in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, at a polling station, in Kabirdham.  ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER Over 70 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Mizoram and Chhattisgarh where polling for the Assembly seats were held on Tuesday. According to the Election Commission's data, at 5 p.m, 77.04 per cent of voters had exercised their franchise in the north-eastern state, while Chhattisgarh saw 70.87 per cent voting in the first phase of its Assembly elections. Mizoram voted in all 40 Assembly seats in the state on Tuesday. The elections in Mizoram and the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh heralded the start of the voting process in this round of Assembly polls, with three other states ~ Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana ~ slated to go to the polls later this month. Several constituencies in Mizoram recorded high polling percentages. According to poll data till 5 pm, Serchhip seat reported a voter turnout of 83.96 per cent, Mamit 83.42 per cent, Hnahthial 82.62 per cent, Khawazawl 82.39 per cent and Kolasib 80.13 per cent. The polling to elect a new Assembly started at 7 a.m. and Mizoram CM Zoramthanga shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote for the Mizoram Assembly elections, at a polling station in Aizawl on Tuesday.  ANI concluded at 4 p.m, officials said. The first phase of polling for 20 seats in Chhattisgarh Assembly polls was also held on Tuesday. Chief minister Zoramthanga, who heads the Mizo National Front, is seeking re-election from Aizawl East-I. Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) chief Lalduhoma, a former IPS officer, who is also the party's chief ministerial candidate, is in the fray from Serchhip. In the 2018 Assembly elections, the Mizo National Front (MNF) secured 26 seats with a vote share of 37.8 per cent and ousted the Congress from power. SC orders immediate halt to stubble burning Mahua questions ethics STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE GOLD 61,360110 ` vs $ 83.22 P12 Will pass unpalatable Over 70 pc turnout recorded in Chhattisgarh & Mizoram order: SC warns govt Mamata to inaugurate Kali Pujas in city, Delhi Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate Kali Pujas physically and virtually in the city as well as in Delhi tomorrow. Miss Banerjee will physically inaugurate the Kali Puja at Janbazar. The puja is organised by Trinamul Congress MLA Swarnakamal Saha and very popular in the area. From Janbazar she will virtually inaugurate the Kali Puja at Girish Park which is organised by veteran Trinamul Congress leader Sanjay Bakshi. She will also virtually inaugurate the Bangla Sarir Haat in New Delhi. She will inaugurate the Kali Puja on Shakespeare Sarani organised by Bablu Paine. At 6 p.m. she will physically inaugurate the Kali Puja at Venus Club and from there she will virtually inaugurate 3/4 other pujas virtually. Miss Banerjee holds Kali P10 In comments over delay in and selective appointments of judges Max. 97 % TEMPERATURE NIFTY 19,406.705.05 ‘HUMONGOUS WHEN INDIA QUALIFY FOR FOOTBALL WC’ WORLD RECORD OF PAPER LEAKS, CORRUPTION: SHAH SC on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the seizures of digital devices of journalists and asked the Centre to bring in better guidelines to regulate the powers of investigating agencies.  The observations came in the course of the hear- ing of a public interest plea by the Foundation for Media Professionals seeking framing of the guidelines for the search and seizure of digital devices by law enforcement agencies. interest including the right to privacy, the Bench gave the Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju time till 6 December 6 ~ the next date of hearing ~ to work on the issue and come back. “...There has to be a balancing of interests and better guidelines need to be in place to protect media professionals. We would like ASG to work on this and come back on this issue. In view of the aspect that privacy is held to be a fundamental right”, the Bench said in its order. In the course of the hearing, as ASG Raju said that the matter involves complicated legal issues, Justice Kaul said: “It's a serious matter. These are media professionals who will have their own sources. There must be some guidelines.” “You must have better guidelines. You want us to do it, we'll do it. But my view is that you ought to do it yourself. It can't be a State that's run through its agencies. You must analyse what kind of guidelines are necessary to protect... This is not adversarial. We'll give you time,” Justice Kaul told the ASG. EMERGENCY MEASURE In a firefighting measure to combat alarming levels of air pollution in the national capital, the SC on Tuesday ordered a halt to stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and some parts of Delhi. The Bench further direct- ernment of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some parts of Delhi to ensure the crop burning is stopped forthwith and the local SHO is made responsible for it under the overall supervision of Chief Secretary for the time being.” The top court's direction for immediate action came as the Bench observed: “The residents of Delhi are struggling with health issues because we don’t seek to find a solution year after year to the aggravated problem of pollution at this time of the year. This has been an ongoing process for five years. It is time that something is done as of yesterday, than postponing it, as we do believe that the matter requires immediate ed the Delhi government to monitor and ensure that the municipal solid waste is not burnt in the city or in the open as happening during this period as it has an impact.” attention and court monitoring irrespective of the fact whether the weather improves or not.” The court further said: “It is suggested that the real-time monitoring was to take place by the DPCC but the result has not been put in the public domain. We direct compliance forthwith and direct the chairperson DPCC to be personally present in the court on the next date of hearing – 10 November.” The Bench further directed the Delhi government to monitor and ensure that the municipal solid waste is not burnt in the city or in the open as happening during this period as it has an impact.” Noting that a large number of taxis registered in other states, carrying just one passenger, are plying in Delhi, the Bench asked whether it is feasible to restrict the plying of the taxis registered in Delhi during this period of time. The court will hold a further hearing of the matter on Friday ~ 10 November. panel meet reschedule AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER Trinamul Congress leader Mahua Moitra, who is facing charges of alleged 'cash for Parliament questions' on Tuesday took a swipe at the Parliament's Ethics Committee for postponing the meeting to 9 November to clash with a Congress MP’s nomination filing date, saying that the BJP was calling its allies to ensure attendance to adopt a draft report via majority. In a post on X, Ms Moitra said, "No draft report circulated as is the norm but will be “adopted" on 9 November . The meeting was postponed to clash with the Congress MP’s nomination date so he can’t come. BJP calling allies to ensure attendance to adopt via majority. Chartered flight to fly in MP state president. How scared Adani and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi are." The remarks from the Tri- namool Congress leader came after the Ethics Committee meeting, which was scheduled on 7 November, was postponed to 9 November. According to Congress sources, Party MP Uttam Kumar Reddy is all set to send his dissent note on the rescheduling of the meeting, which is colliding with his nomination in Telangana. Ms Moitra along with the opposition members of the ethics panel stormed out of the meeting on 2 November, accusing the committee's chairperson of asking her "personal and unethical" questions. Deepfake video: Centre 78-yr-old contests polls for 32nd issues advisory to time after losing 31 elections social media platforms AGENCIES JAIPUR, 7 NOVEMBER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER A day after a deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna went viral on social media, the Centre on Tuesday issued an advisory to online intermediaries to ensure that due diligence is exercised and reasonable efforts are made to identify misinformation and deepfakes, particularly those violating provisions of rules and regulations or user agreements. The advisory also asked them to ensure that such cases are expeditiously acted upon well within the timeframes stipulated under the IT Rules 2021. “Users are caused not to host such information/content/Deep Fakes and remove any such content when reported within 36 hours of such reporting and ensure expeditious action, well within the timeframes stipulat- ed under the IT Rules 2021, and disable access to the content /information," a press note said. The intermediaries were reminded that any failure to act as per the relevant provisions of the IT Act and Rules would attract Rule 7 of the IT Rules, 2021 and could render the organisation liable to losing the protection available under Section 79(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.Deepfakes are synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated to replace one person's likeness convincingly with that of another. CMYK This is the story of 78-year-old daily wager Titar Singh who has lost 31 elections till now. However, despite his bail getting confiscated every time, this MGNREGA worker’s passion for contesting elections has not diminished and he has filed his nomination for the 32nd time from Sri Karanpur Assembly constituency. Titar Singh has already contested Panchayat Samiti, Sarpanch, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections but has never won any of these polls. Locals reveal that Titar Singh sold his goats several times to stand for elections. Titar Singh is a resident of 25 F Gulabewala of Sri Karanpur Assembly area. He says that he fights elections not to gain popularity or make records, but because polls are a weapon to achieve one's rights. “The passion to fight for his rights arose in Titar’s heart when he was young because he got Titar Singh has already contested Panchayat Samiti, Sarpanch, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections but has never won left out of the allotment of land in canal areas. There were many people like him and that inspired him. He then started fighting for his rights and slowly it became a part of his personality. “However, his demand for allotment of land has still not been fulfilled. He and his sons work as MGNREGA daily wage labourers,” say residents of the area. He has contested Lok Sabha elec- tions ten times, Legislative Assembly polls ten times, and he has stood 11 times for the district council chairperson and sarpanch and ward membership elections. According to his affidavit, at present, he is 78 years old, and has three daughters, two sons and grandchildren. He has a deposit of Rs 2500 in his account but no land, no cart or horses. Throughout the year he labours however, during polls, his life changes and he goes campaigning from house to house, seeking votes. Sadly, his deposit gets confiscated every time he loses an election as officials say that he has never garnered more than 1,000 votes. Titar Singh says that he also gets a pension which helps him fulfil his daily needs but he never spends on campaigning. This senior citizen is not on any social media, however, his video went viral on social media on Monday when he was going to fill out his nomination form.