SATURDAY 18 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 TELANGANA CONG PROMISES DAILY 'PRAJA DARBAR' ‘SP MUST SHOW A BIG HEART’ P7 SENSEX 65,794.73187.75 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SHALLOW FOG IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 28 AND 13 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY RAINFALL: 00.0mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE Max: 28.2 °C (0) SUN RISES 06:46 hrs MOON RISES 12:22 hrs Min. 51 % Min: 12.0 °C (0) SUN SETS 17:27 hrs MOON SETS 21:59 hrs THUMBNAILS IAF's Surya Kiran aerobatic team flies past during rehearsal at the Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of the India vs Australia ICC Mens 2023 World Cup Final, in Ahmedabad. ANI Centre appoints Alok Sharma as new SPG Chief: The Central government on Friday appointed 1991-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre Indian Police Service officer Alok Sharma as Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG)-- India's elite force entrusted with the task of providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members. JAMMU, 17 NOVEMBER Six terrorists were on Friday killed in two separate encounters with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. While five terrorists were eliminated in Kashmir, one Pakistani terrorist was gunned down in the Rajouri district of Jammu. In a major operation in the hinterland of Kashmir, five heavily armed terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) were killed in a stillongoing encounter that broke out in Samnu village of south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Thursday, police said. This was one of the major anti-terrorist operations after the one witnessed in the Machhel sector of North Kashmir a few months ago. The identity of the killed terrorists was being ascertained, police said. The encounter had started yesterday evening at Samnu in D.H Pora area of Kulgam district. A fierce gunfight was wit- P5 ` vs $ 83.252 PAISE GOLD 61,690650 P12 SILVER 76,5001500 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 78.731.31 Modi condemns deaths Looming threat of deep in Israel-Hamas conflict fakes in digital media a big concern, says PM Calls for diplomacy, dialogue to end crisis at 2nd Voice of Global South summit STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 NOVEMBER P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly condemned civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and called upon the countries in the Global South to speak in one voice for greater global good. “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is essential for global prosperity. But we are all witnessing new challenges in West Asia. India has condemned the 7 October terrorist attack in Israel. We have emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy along with restraint for dealing with the situation,” he said, addressing the 2nd Voice of Global South summit hosted by India in virtual mode. He also noted that India has sent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians following his telephonic conversation with Palestine President Mamoud Abbas. Mr Modi called for cooperation among Global south countries within the framework of five Cs - “consul- Six terrorists killed in J&K encounters STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P4 NIFTY 19,731.8033.40 ‘INDIA'VE BEEN THE BEST IN THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR’ EAM REAFFIRMS INDIA'S COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL SOUTH Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the inaugural session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit, via video conference in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI tation, communication, cooperation, creativity, capacity building”. The PM also mentioned forward movement at the G20 on several initiatives which would benefit the Global South. He described the Voice of Global South as the most unique platform for the changing world of the 21st century. "Our priority was to make the G-20 inclusive and human-centric on a global scale. Our effort was that the focus of G-20 should be on the development of the people,'' he noted. The PM said that it was with this objective that India organised the Voice of Global South Summit for the first time in January this year. “In more than 200 G20-related meetings held in different states of India, we gave prominence to the priorities of the Global South," he said. The result was that India was successful in getting everyone's consent on the issues of the Global South in the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration in September. He also talked about the African Union's entry into the G20 as a permanent member at the New Delhi summit. "I cannot forget that historic moment, when the African Union was inducted into G20 as a permanent member with India's efforts,” he said. Talking about other achievements for the Global South under India's G20 presidency, Mr Modi said an unprecedented seriousness was shown this time on climate finance. There was consensus at G20 on providing finance and technology in easy terms to countries of the Global South for climate transition, he said. India, he said, was of the view that new technology should not become a new source of widening the distance between North and South. Today, in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there was a great need to use technology in a responsible manner. “To take this forward, an AI Global Partnership Summit is being organised in India next month,” he told the participants. Nearly 72 pc turnout in MP, 68 pc in Chh’garh 2nd phase STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted threats of deep fakes in newage media and said it was important to understand how artificial intelligence works since it could be used to purposefully spread false information or have malicious intent behind its use. Addressing a Diwali Milan gathering at the BJP Headquarters here, the Prime Minister spoke to journalists about the dangers of deep fakes in digital media. He urged the media persons to educate people about the negative effects of using artificial intelligence to spread harmful content such as misrepresentation of individuals in deep fakes. “I recently saw a video in which I was seen singing a Garba song. There are many other such videos online,”said Mr Modi, adding that “the looming threat of Deepfake has become a great concern and can create a lot of problems for all of us.” Deepfakes are used to purposefully spread false Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Diwali Milan programme at the BJP Central office on Friday.  ANI information or they may have a malicious intent behind their use. They can be designed to harass, intimidate, demean and undermine people, the PM said. Deepfakes can also create misinformation and confusion about important issues, he said. The Centre has said that creation and circulation of Deepfakes will carry strong penalty -- Rs 1 lakh in fine and three years in jail. Misrepresentation of individuals in Deepfakes has led to the generation of blackmail materials to falsely incriminate people. As these videos and audio recordings can be difficult to verify, the neg- CHHATH PREPARATION STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE nessed between the terrorists and police and security forces. Special forces of the Indian Army's elite 9 Para, 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police were engaged in the operation against the terrorists. Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said that on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF in the general area Samnu, Kulgam. The area was cordoned and search conducted, resulting in a fire fight. Five terrorists have been eliminated along with recovery of 4 AK rifles, 1 Pistol and other war-like stores. Giving details about the encounter in Rajouri, police said that based on specific information, a joint operation was launched by Rajouri Police, Army, SF and CRPF in the general area Behrote top, in Budhal this morning. BHOPAL/RAIPUR, 17 NOVEMBER A voter turnout of more than 72 per cent was recorded in Madhya Pradesh in the state Assembly polls held on Friday, while Chhattisgarh recorded 68.15 per cent voting in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections in the state. According to the Election Commission (EC), Madhya Pradesh registered 71.64 percent voting till 5 p,m. EC officials said that the voting percentage was likely to increase and the final figure would be available by Saturday after the final scrutiny. Chhattisgarh, meanwhile, saw a voter turnout of 68.15 per cent as of 5 p.m. in the 70 seats that went to the polls in the second phase of the election in the state, according to EC data. In Chhattisgarh, Maoists attacked a polling party in Gariyaband, resulting in People wait in queues to cast their votes at a polling booth for Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections in Bhopal on Friday. ANI death of an ITBP jawan, while in Madhya Pradesh, a Congress candidate in Chattarpur district was attacked and his driver murdered on Thursday night, hours before voting began Friday morning. Some stray incidents of stone pelting and gunfire were also reported during voting. Till 5 p.m, Agar-Malwa constituency recorded the highest voting percentage at 82 in Madhya Pradesh. In contrast, Alirajpur recorded the lowest voting percentage at 56. Voting for 230 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh began at 7 a.m, on Friday. In Chhattisgarh, prominent leaders, including CM Bhupesh Baghel and others, cast their votes alongside their families, expressing confidence in their victory. The electoral battleground of Chhattisgarh involves a total of 958 candidates in the second phase. The first phase on 7 November recorded a 78per cent voter turnout in 20 seats. The results are scheduled to be announced on 3 December. People buy essential items ahead of the Chhath Puja, in the Capital on Friday. SNS After Subrata Roy’s death, what happens for Sahara Group investors? STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 NOVEMBER When the chairman of the Sahara Group, Subrata Roy, passed away on 14 November, he left a big question behind, that of refund of money to the people who had put in funds in his group’s schemes. Roy was also the main accused in a fraud case involving huge amounts of deposits from the public and millions of investors are still waiting for a refund of their money. Back in 2011, capital markets regulator Sebi ordered two Sahara Group firms, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd (SIREL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd (SHICL), to refund the money raised from nearly 3 crore investors. The money was raised through the issue of optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs) that SEBI deemed illegal. Later, after a ative impact on reputation can be difficult to recover from, even when verified as a Deepfake. The Prime Minister talked about the 'Vocal for local' campaign, and said it has found people's support; the idea of a fully developed India was not just mere words but had touched ground reality. The PM said that local businesses had blossomed under the vocal for local campaigns and stated that “we all must prioritise our local products.” “We now have a strong position on a global level, the world now acknowledges our achievements," he said. Family members near the mortal remains of Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy during his last rites in Lucknow on Thursday.  ANI long process, the Supreme Court in 2012 upheld Sebi's directions, asking the firms to refund the money collected from investors with 15 per cent interest. The Sahara Group was asked to deposit an estimated Rs 24,000 crore with Sebi for further refund to investors. However, the group has been maintaining that it had already returned money to more than 95 per cent of investors directly. According to the regulator’s latest annual report, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) refunded Rs 138.07 crore over 11 years to investors of the two Sahara group firms. As of 2023, the amount available in the accounts for repayment has risen approximately to Rs 25,000 crore. Later, in September 2020, the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies sought a probe by Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) into investments by four cooperatives linked to Sahara group after it got 15,000 complaints. These cooperative societies were alleged to have raised about Rs 86,000 crore. The credit societies had refuted allegations of wrongdoing and said all their investments were made as per law. In February, the Supreme Court, on an application filed by the government, allowed the transfer of an amount of Rs 5,000 crore out of an unutilised amount of Rs 23,937 crore, lying in the “Sahara-SEBI Refund Account”, to be dis- bursed against the legitimate dues of depositors of Sahara Group Cooperative Societies. In July, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal' to facilitate the return of the money to investors. Around 18 lakh depositors have been registered on the portal. Later in August, the Centre started the process to refund an initial amount of Rs 5,000 crore to depositors whose funds are stuck in four cooperative societies of the Sahara Group. As per information provided to Delhi High Court in 202122, the Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Ltd had taken deposits of Rs 47,245 crore from approximately 4 crore depositors. Total deposits taken by four cooperative societies amount to approximately Rs 86,673 crore. In total, there are about 10 crore depositors who invested in schemes run by Sahara group companies. According to a press release by the Ministry of Cooperation dated 4 August, 33 lakh investors had registered on the portal, with the refunds being issued to 112 depositors of Rs 10,000 each. What after Roy’s death? A day after the death of Sahara chief Subrata Roy, SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said the Sahara India matter would continue even after the death of the group’s founder. “The matter was with the entity as a whole, the Sahara Group. The matter does not end if one person is alive or not. The investors of Sahara will get their money back going forward,” Ms Buch said. As SEBI and CRCS procedures are ongoing, any investors and depositors can continue to register on the web portal to claim a refund. How to claim the deposit? According to the rules laid down by the ministry, the genuine depositors have to submit their claims by filling out an online application form available on the portal. They will be verified through their Aadhaar card, and post verification of their claims and documents by the appointed Societies, Auditors, and OSDs, payment to the genuine depositors will be credited in their bank account within 45 days after filing their online claims, subject to fund availability. Also, they need to give details of their Aadhar-linked mobile number and bank account along with the requisite documents as proof of their claim and deposits. The investors need to give furnish their Membership Number, Deposited Account Number, Certificate/Passbook details to reclaim their deposit; their Aadhaar should also be linked with an active mobile number. PM, Aus Dy PM Marles to watch WC final STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 NOVEMBER Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles will watch the ICC Cricket World Cup final match at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, according to the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office. In view of the Prime Minister’s schedule, State Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel made a detailed review of security arrangements for the event. The State Chief Minister’s office said Mr Patel conducted “a comprehensive review of security-cleanliness-traffic management etc. During the World Cup cricket final match to be held on Sunday, November 19 in Ahmedabad by holding a high-level meeting.” (See Pg12)