SATURDAY 11 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 BLACK AND WHITE ‘KALESHWARAM A HUGE SUCCESS’ P7 SENSEX 64,904.6872.48 WEATHER Mainly clear sky.Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 30 °C and 21 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95 % TEMPERATURE Max: 30.0°C (-1) SUN RISES 05:46 hrs MOON RISES 02:51 hrs ` vs $ 83.291 PAISE New Moon on 13 November THUMBNAILS A woman admires herself in the mirror as she wears a jewellery piece on the occasion of the Dhanteras festival in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI Odd-even scheme postponed, situation to e be analysed after Diwali,says Delhi minister: With the air quality improving in the national capital, the Delhi government has decided to postpone the vehicle rationing scheme of odd-even from November 13 to 20. The decision was announced on Friday by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai. He said that the situation of pollution will be analysed after Diwali, and if the case demands then the government will decide on the scheme. NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER ndia conveyed to the United States its serious concern over the activities of 'Khalistan' elements in Canada in the context of the ongoing IndiaCanada diplomatic row as the two countries discussed the Israel-Hamas conflict and steps to strengthen cooperation on key strategic issues, including countering China's aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific, at the '2+2' ministerial dialogue here on Friday. Defence minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar led the Indian side at the dialogue while the American delegation was headed by Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “The India-US defence relationship has evolved into a strategic partnership characterised by mutual trust, shared values, and a growing recognition of common interests in maintaining regional and global security. We increasingly find ourselves in agreement on strategic issues, including countering China's aggres- I Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in New Delhi.  ANI sion, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and addressing regional security challenges.We share a focus on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, recognising the criticality of safeguarding vital sea lanes and promoting stability, our teams are working on the substantive outcomes,” Mr Singh said in his remarks at the meeting. He said the strategic convergence between the two countries should guide them to new domains and expand the scope of collaboration. “We are charting new pathways of cooperation by pur- BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 80.970.94 US made tremendous forward strides in defence partnership with India, Austin tells Rajnath AGENCIES and our operational cooperation is also moving from strength to strength. Our militaries are conducting increasingly complex exercises and building greater interoperability across all domains.” In a post on microblogging site X after the meeting, Mr Jaishankar said: “Followed up on PM Narendra Modi’s State visit to the US this June. Our agenda covered advancing our strategic partnership, including elevating our defense ties, moving forward in space & tech, future logistics cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.” Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in the context of bilateral relations the two sides focused on trade & investment; critical & emerging technologies, space, mineral security, value chains, supply chains and combating terrorism. In the regional context, the focus was on growing cooperation on connectivity, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, Quad cooperation, Indo-Pacific partnership and India's leadership of the Global South. WASHINGTON, DC , 10 NOVEMBER US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, on Friday said the India-US Defence partnership has made tremendous forward strides in the past year, including the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap. In his remarks at the bilateral with his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, Austin said: "We made a tremendous stride forward in our defence partnership over this past year, including the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, and we concluded that roadmap during my visit in June. In just 5 short months, we've made significant progress on that roadmap, and our operational cooperation is also moving from strength to strength." “Our militaries are conducting increasingly complex exercises and building greater interoperability across all domains. I look forward to discussing all these topics today as we take stock of our accomplishments. I'm glad that we will also discuss new ways to fur- ther strengthen the major defence partnership," Austin added. Earlier in the day, the US Secretary of Defence noted that India and Washington, have over the past year made "impressive gains" in building a defence partnership. He called it "important" that India and US exchange views, find common goals and deliver for the people of the two nations in the face of the urgent global challenges. In his opening remarks at the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Austin said, "We are meeting at a time of great momentum. The US and India partnership in the face of urgent global challenges, it's more important than ever that the world's two largest democracies exchange views, find ANINDITA CHOWDHURY HYDERABAD, 11 NOVEMBER In a setback to Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, the Supreme Court on Friday directed him to decide on the four Bills presented to him for assent, while upholding the validity of the Budget session reconvened on 19/20 June in which these four Bills were passed with an overwhelming majority by the State Assembly. Upholding the validity of the reconvened two-day budget session on 19/20 June, that was earlier adjourned sine die on 22 March, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heading a Bench also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, said, “Any attempt (by the Governor) to cast doubts on the validity of the session of the legislature would be fraught with great perils to democracy. The Speaker, who has been recognised to be the guardian of privileges of the House was acting in his jurisdiction in adjourning the House sine die and and reconvening it on June 19/20, 2023 in which these four Bills were passed.” Stating that casting doubt on the validity of a session is not a “constitutional option open to the Governor” – a titular head and supposed to be a constitutional statesman – the Bench said that the State Assembly comprises the elected representatives to which the State government is accountable. Taking exception to Governor Purohit questioning the validity of the reconvened Budget session on 19/20 June and consequently the validity of the Bills passed, Chief Justice Chandrachud said: “You are playing with fire by questioning validly passed Bill... What will happen to the parliamentary form of government?” The SC further questioned the Governor, saying: “How can you sit on a judgment whether the session is valid?” and stated that: “The Governor as an appointee of the President is the titular head of the state was intended only to be a Constitutional statesman to guide the government on matters of constitutional concern.” Having taken a dim view of the way Governor Purohit has acted, the Bench also questioned the Punjab government on the way it was stretching the budget session convened on 3 March, which was adjourned sine die on 22 March, reconvened on 19/20 June and again on 19/20 October, without proroguing it. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is banking on the BJP to split the anti-incumbency votes and bungling by the Congress in allocation of seats to see it through in Greater Hyderabad and adjoining seats where the party was once considered to be the weakest. The BRS is confident of winning around 14-15 seats on offer in the city and around barring those that are with the AIMIM. Ironically, the party which boasted a strong rural base since its inception is facing resentment of the agrarian voters but has improved its chances considerably in Greater Hyderabad area where the signs of development are more visible. BRS leaders believe that is more because of the “Brand Hyderabad” created by its dynamic working president KT Rama Rao who also handles the portfolio of IT, industry and urban development. And the party’s greatest support comes from the “settlers” primarily hailing from Andhra Pradesh. “The urban people are more concerned with jobs, investment, infrastructure development and the Brand Hyderabad in the past nine years has been boosted beyond measure. They prefer a progressive government and hence we enjoy considerable support among the people of Hyderabad,” said a BRS leader. Undoubtedly, Hyderabad took quantum leaps under the BRS government with almost all major MNCs choosing to set up their campuses outside the USA in Hyderabad but the presence of a strong BJP on the ground to split the anti-incumbency vote may also help the BRS. In the Hyderabad civic polls of 2020, the BJP had taken the BRS head-on while the Congress was limited to two seats. The BRS could win only 56 seats while the BJP got 48 seats, though it joins hands with AIMIM, which won 44 seats, to form the board. “BRS has never done well in Hyderabad area and there was hardly half a percentage vote difference between BJP and BRS. With the weakening of the Congress, the BJP will establish its stronghold in the city,” claimed BJP spokesperson Kishore Po Reddy. But BRS leaders are not unduly worried.They point out: “In the civic polls of 2020, the BRS got sandwiched between the BJP and the AIMIM and their narrative of polarisation and our development agenda got sidelined but this will not happen in the Assembly election.” According to their calculation, in a triangular fight BRS will win and some BJP voters might even vote for them for tactical reasons. Moreover, the BRS leaders Happy every house is illuminated with welfare schemes on Diwali, says PM CJI inaugurates ‘Mitti Cafe’ run by specially-abled staff on SC premises STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed satisfaction that government schemes are bringing happiness to every household on Diwali. The MyGovIndia X handle posted a video on the benefits of schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, Pradhanmantri Mudra Yojana, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, UPI Digital Payments, and Start-Up India. The video is meant to showcase “how the Modi Government has brightened up lives of crores of our citizens & spread joy with its various schemes”. Responding to the X post of MyGovIndia, the Prime Minister posted on X: “I am very satisfied that today every common goals, and deliver for our people. We've made impressive gains in building our major defence partnership over the past year, and that will help us contribute even more together to the cause of peace and stability." Austin stated that the scope of India-US cooperation is vast, adding that the strength of the US-India partnership is rooted in the people-to-people ties, which he stressed is the heart of the friendship between the two nations. The dialogue will provide a platform for toplevel discussions between the US and India, addressing critical bilateral and global matters, with special emphasis on developments unfolding in the Indo-Pacific region. SC directs Punjab Guv to decide BRS banks on BJP and Cong to win H’bad on 4 Bills sent to him for assent NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER Describing as a matter of “serious concern” the Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi sitting on Bills sent to him from 2020 to 2023, the Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Central government to state its position on the inaction by the Governor. The Tamil Nadu government had come to the court seeking directions to the Governor to decide on the 12 Bills sent to him during the period from 13 January 2020 to 28 April 2023, and other matters requiring his sanction, including the appointment of the chairman and members of the state public service commission. suing stronger defence, industrial engagement, easing of technology restrictions, resilient supply chains in all domains, and maritime security,” he added. Responding to Mr Singh’s remarks, US Defence Secretary Austin said: “We made a tremendous stride forward in our defence partnership over this past year, including the US-India Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and we concluded that roadmap during my visit in June and in just five short months, we've made significant progress on that roadmap P12 SILVER 74,000800 India conveys Canada concerns to US officials PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER GOLD 61,090330 ASHOK TUTEJA Min: 21.3°C (0) SUN SETS 16:56 hrs MOON SETS 15:2 hrs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P5 India, US also discuss Israel-Hamas conflict, China’s aggression at 2+2 talks Min. 50 % TN govt vs Guv: SC seeks Centre’s stand P6 NIFTY 19,425.3530.05 KOHLI WILL BE ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS: VIV RICHARDS ‘MAHUA NOT TREATED FAIRLY’ house in the country is illuminated with our public welfare schemes on the festival of Diwali.” India’s progress will get a boost if people go ‘vocal for local’ and buy indigenously created goods, he said. Modi acknowledged the hard work of 140 crore Indians and said that it is due to the creativity and relentless spirit of entrepreneurs that “we can be Vocal For Local and further India’s progress.” Responding to the X post of leading entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the Prime Minister posted on X: “Indeed, let’s make this Diwali about the hard work of 140 crore Indians. It is due to the creativity and relentless spirit of entrepreneurs that we can be #VocalForLocal and further India’s progress. May this fes- tival herald an Aatmanirbhar Bharat!” Celebrating the spirit of the festive season, in another X post, the PM greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Dhanteras, a festival symbolizing health, happiness and prosperity. Mr Modi sought the blessings of Lord Dhanvantari and wished that all citizens remain healthy, prosperous and happy, so that the determination of a developed India continues to get new energy. The PM posted on X: “Many congratulations to all my family members of the country on Dhanteras, a festival symbolizing health and happiness and prosperity. I wish that by the grace of Lord Dhanvantari, all of you always remain healthy, prosperous and happy, so that the determination of a developed India continues to get new energy.” NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday inaugurated 'Mitti Cafe' run by the specially-abled on the premises of the Supreme Court. The CJI, who was accompanied by other judges, urged members of the bar to support the initiative. Mitti Cafe is run by an NGO that works with people with special needs and provides them with employment opportunities. Mitti ~ a social initiative foundation ~ has more than 35 cafes which are managed by hundreds of adults with special needs and have served over 10 million meals. The non-governmental organisation (NGO) works towards the economic independence and dignity for adults CMYK are confident that the Congress has bungled in the selection of candidates, opting for little known “parachute” leaders who are pitted against its more seasoned politicians. The Congress nominated Madhu Yakshi Goud who was once Nizamabad MP in LB Nagar and Rohin Reddy, a leader from Khairatabad in Amberpet. While former MLA of Jubilee Hills, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, was denied the ticket, the Congress fielded former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin there to take on Maganti Gopinath of the BRS. A littleknown Kota Neelima was fielded to take on BRS strongman Talasani Srinivas Yadav in Sanath Nagar. A shrewd KCR immediately ensured AIMIM fields its own candidate, a local corporator, in Jubilee Hills, to split the 33 per cent minority vote in the constituency. “We were on a sticky wicket at LB Nagar but after their candidate was announced we are sure we will sail through,” said the BRS leader. Centre invites comments on Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2023 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 10 NOVEMBER CJI DY Chandrachud during the inauguration of Mitti Cafe at the Supreme Court premises, in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities and persons from other vulnerable communities. The NGO started its work in 2017 and has created job opportunities for those with special needs. The NGO is run by an all-women leadership team, under CEO-founder Alina Alam.Talking to a news agency, Ms Alam, who is the director of Mitti Cafe, said: "Mitti Cafe provides job opportunities to people with special needs and more than 500 disabled people are directly associated with the cafe." Advocate Priya Hingorani thanked CJI Chandrachud and the apex court for the support. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday invited comments on the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 which provides for a consolidated framework to regulate broadcasting services and seeks to replace the existing Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The Bill is intended to replace the existing fragmented regulatory framework with a new, comprehensive law. It streamlines regulatory processes, extends its purview to cover the over-the-top (OTT) content and digital news, and introduces contemporary definitions and provisions for emerging technologies, a government statement said.