THURSDAY 30 MAY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR US ACTIONS PUSHING CHINA AND RUSSIA CLOSER P7 P3 SENSEX 74,502.90667.55 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. HEAT WAVE CONDITIONS AT A FEW PLACES. POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORM/DUSTSTORM WITH VERY LIGHT RAIN/DRIZZLE ACCOMPANIED WITH GUSTY WINDS. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 65 % TEMPERATURE Max: 46.8 °C (6) SUN RISES 05:24 hrs MOON RISES 00:28 hrs THUMBNAILS Indian Army Deputy Chief (IS&C) Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor lays a wreath at the National War Memorial on the 76th anniversary of UN Peacekeepers Day, in New Delhi on Wednesday.  ANI S&P revises India’s outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘positive’: Standard & Poor (S&P) on Wednesday announced a revision in the outlook for the Indian economy from ‘stable’ to ‘positive‘, while affirming the overall rating at ‘BBB-’. The agency said that the transfer and convertibility assessment remains 'BBB+'.The positive outlook reflects expectations of sustained policy stability, deepening economic reforms, and high infrastructure investment, which are anticipated to support long-term growth prospects. (Pg8) NEW DELHI, 29 MAY A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday among the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and CSC eGovernance Services India Limited to create a synergy between CSC, Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) & MEA to provide the eMigrate services through CSCs in the country. The eMigrate project is undertaken to assist mainly the bluecollar workers going to Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries. The project was conceptualised to address issues faced by the migrant workers by making the emigration process online seamless and also to bring foreign employers and registered recruitment agents and insurance companies on one common platform aimed at promoting safe and legal migration. Over the years, the number of Indians going abroad for employment has been increasing as well as the contribution of remittances sent by them has been significant. Under this MoU, eMigrate Portal of MEA would be integrated with CSC’s portal, to provide following eMigrate services to the citizens through Common Services Centres (CSCs): --Facilitate registration of applicants on eMigrate portal through CSCs; --Facilitation of uploading and processing the required documents for the applicants on eMigrate portal through CSCs; --Facilitate and supporting booking for medical and other services required by migrant workers or applicants registered on eMigrate portal through CSC; and -Creating awareness about eMigrate services amongst citizens across India. GOLD 67,100250 ` vs $ 83.13 Mungeshpur in Delhirecorded its highest-ever maximum temp of the season so far at 52.9 Celsius 0 S evere heat wave conditions prevailed over most parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab and Delhi on Wednesday, with Mungeshpur in the national capital almost touching 53 degrees Celsius. However, Delhi experienced a brief respite from the heatwave with a short spell of rainfall in the Delhi NCR region towards evening, providing some relief from the sweltering conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mungeshpur in Delhi recorded its highest-ever maximum temperature in this season so far at 52.9 degrees Celsius, 13 notches above the normal. The maximum temperature recorded in Najafgarh in the national capital was 49.1 degrees Celsius, 9 notches above the normal. Meanwhile, taking note of the scorching heat in the national capital, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has asked the Delhi Development Authority to give three hours paid break to labourers between 12 pm The Met Department said heatwave to severe heatwave conditions prevailed in many parts of West Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, HP and also in some parts of West Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan A woman pours water on her head to cool herself in New Delhi. (R) People walk on Kartavya Path while covering themselves to protect from the scorching heat. ANI to 3 pm, till the temperature subside below 40 degrees Celsius in the city. Warm night conditions were observed in isolated pockets of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and East Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday, the highest maximum temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius was reported at Churu (West Rajasthan) over the country. The IMD has predicted that the ongoing heatwave in Northwest and Central India is expected to reduce gradually from Thursday. "Prevailing heat wave to severe heat wave conditions over Northwest & Central India likely to reduce gradually from 30th May, 2024," the IMD said in its forecast The Met Department said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions prevailed in many parts of West Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and also in some UP: 2 killed after SUV in convoy of Brij Bhushan Singh’s son rams into bike parts of West Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan. Heat wave conditions prevailed in isolated pockets of Jammu, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh. "Heat wave conditions have been prevailing over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, Rajasthan since 17th and over Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh since 18th May, 2024," the IMD said. "Yesterday, maximum temperatures were in the GONDA, 29 MAY Police vehicle of BJP candidate from Kaiserganj, Karan Bhushan Singh mowed down three people, leaving two bike-riding youths dead on the spot and one woman seriously injured here on Wednesday. Karan Bhushan Singh is the son of six-time Lok Sabha MP and former Wrestling Federation of India president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh against whom a criminal case was filed by female wrestlers. The condition of the woman injured in the accident is critical and she has been referred to the Gonda medical college. Police here said the accident took place this morning near Baikunth Degree College located at Chhataipurwa on Colonelganj-Huzurpur road when a SUV carry- ing security personnel hit the people. After the accident, security personnel of the convoy left the SUV and fled the spot leaving behind the vehicle. As soon as the information was received, a crowd of villagers gathered at the spot and protested on the road. The agitated people also tried to burn down the car. There was a jam on Colonelganj-Huzurpur road for about an hour. After collective efforts of the SDM, Additional Superintendent of Police, CO Colonelganj and CO City and assurance of a lawsuit, the protestors cleared the jam. The police SUV traveling in the convoy of Kaiserganj MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's son and BJP candidate Karan Bhushan Singh crushed to death two bike-riding youths. The deceased were identified as Rehan Khan (21) and Shahzad Khan (20), residents of Nindura, Gonda who died on the spot. Sita Devi (60) who was walking on the roadside, was also hit. Eyewitness said the SUV which was carrying security personnel in the convoy, had a head-on collision with the motorcycle. range of 46-50 degrees Celsius in many parts of Northwest India; 42-46 degrees Celsius in many parts of West, Central & East India. These were above normal by 3- 6 degrees Celsius over many parts of Northwest India and in some parts of Central & West India. Gradual fall in maximum temperatures by 3-4 degrees Celsius is very likely over Northwest & Central India during next 3-4 days," the IMD said. "Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are very likely in most/many parts of Punjab, HaryanaChandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh on 29th and gradual reduction thereafter with heat wave conditions in isolated/some parts till 01st June, 2024," the IMD said. The Met Department said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to reduce gradually over Northwest & Central India from 30 May. The IMD predicted that heat wave to severe heat wave conditions were very likely in isolated pockets of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha on 29 & 30 May and isolated heat wave conditions on 31 May & 1 June. Cong files complaint with EC against PM’s meditation break STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MAY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Congress on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the wake of media reports claiming that he is scheduled to take a three-day meditation break in Tamil Nadu’s Kanyakumari, starting from 30th May. The party said the reported scheduled trip is “violation” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Notably, on Thursday evening on 30th May the campaigning for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 will conclude. A delegation of the Congress leaders comprising Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Randeep Singh Surjewala and Naseer Hussain met the ECI and apprised the matter. In its memorandum, the Congress said, “On 28th May, P12 SILVER 97,7001,200 North India on fire NEW DELHI, 29 MAY Min: 29.4 °C (3) SUN SETS 19:14 hrs MOON SETS 12:48 hrs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P4 NIKHIL VYAS Min. 22 % MoU to provide eMigrate services through Common Services Centres inked NIFTY 22,704.70183.45 KOHLI A DOUBTFUL STARTER FOR 1 JUNE WARM-UP TIE? PRAJWAL REVANNA MAY RETURN TO INDIA TOMORROW FIR REGISTERED AGAINST MUFTI FOR 'VIOLATING' MCC several new agencies reported on a trip that Narendra Modi would be taking to Kanyakumari, where he would undertake 48 hours of meditation at the Dhyan Mandapam, starting on 30th May. The said trip would be widely televised and would therefore during the 48 hour silence period in Varanasi, the constituency from which Modi is contesting.” “Through the meditation trip, Narendra Modi is attempting to circumvent 48 hour silence period and unfairly leverage the ethnocultural significance of the chosen location in an attempt to bolster his campaign and maximise his vote share in violation of the Representation of the People Act as well as MCC and the orders with respect to dos and don'ts during the election period that political parties and their candidates are required to adhere to,” the party said. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 84.820.60 Dynastic parties will disintegrate in 6 months, says PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting for the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls in Kendrapara, Odisha, on Wednesday.  ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 29 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Wednesday that the nation has decided to re-elect a strong and stable BJP-led government for a third term, citing the party's corruption-free ten-year rule compared to the scam-filled regime of the UPA. Addressing election rallies in Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Kendrapara districts, Modi predicted that within six months, the political landscape will change as familyrun dynastic parties will disintegrate. He stated that internal revolts and repeated failures would cause these parties to crumble, including Odisha's BJD. Highlighting infrastructure developments over the past decade, Modi contrasted them with the UPA era, mentioning the Statue of Unity, the largest office building, the Atal Setu, Atal Tunnel, and the new Parliament building. He criticized the Congress for failing to build a War Memorial in 70 years, which the BJP completed, along with the implementation of the New Education Policy and updates to British-era laws. Modi emphasized his government's achievements, stating that India is now exporting missiles like BrahMos, has made significant strides in space technology with the success of Chandrayaan, and hosted a very successful G20 meeting. He noted India's rise from the 11th to the 5th largest economic power in the world, the reduction in terrorism and city blasts, and the peace in J&K. He also highlighted the completion of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya after a 500-year wait. In Baripada, Modi noted the BJP for making Draupa- di Murmu, a daughter of Mayurbhanj district, the President, signifying women's empowerment. He pledged to create three lakh lakhpatti didis and underscored that the BJP was the first to create a separate ministry for tribals, with a five-fold increase in the budget for tribal development. Modi accused the BJD government of facilitating the grab of tribal land by outsiders. He promised significant transformation in India over the next five years, with the country becoming the thirdlargest economic power and achieving self-reliance in various sectors. The PM claimed that the people of Odisha have decided to elect a BJP government in the state, ending 25 years of what he termed the corrupt misrule of the BJD. He alleged that the BJD has betrayed the people, pointing to missing keys from the Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple and the unpublicized inquiry commission report. The natural resources of the state – minerals have been looted , there is rampant corruption . Funds allocated under various central schemes are siphoned off and the poor are deprived of benefits, he charged.Elect a BJP government in the state and it will bring to book all those who have looted the state and stashed money abroad. Each penny will be recovered and they will be sent to jail, he said. The BJP government in Odisha will be sworn in on 10 June and a Odia speaking, Odisha born person will be the chief minister, he said. At all the three meetings, he requested a personal favor from the gathering saying they should go to places of worship and pray for Viksit Bharat. RudraM-II air-to-surface PM hints at conspiracy behind Odisha CM’s deteriorating missile successfully health at a poll rally , Patnaik insists ‘he is in perfect health’ flight-tested by DRDO STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MAY The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flighttested the RudraM-II airto-surface missile from Su30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force off the coast of Odisha at around 1130 hours on Wednesday. The flight-test met all the trial objectives, validating the propulsion system and control and guidance algorithm. The performance of the missile has been validated from the flight data captured by range tracking instruments like electro-optical systems, radar and telemetry stations deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur at various locations, including the onboard ship. RudraM-II is an indige- BHUBANESWAR, 29 MAY The flight-test met all the trial objectives, validating the propulsion system and control and guidance algorithm. nously-developed solid-propelled air-launched missile system meant for Air-toSurface role to neutralize many types of enemy assets. A number of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories have been incorporated in the missile system. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF and industry on the successful test-flight of RudraM-II. The successful test has consolidated the role of the RudraM-II system as a force multiplier to the Armed Forces, he said. Making a startling charge on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said several long time associates of chief minister Naveen Patnaik suspect that there may be a conspiracy behind the "sudden" deterioration of the health condition of Odisha CM. Modi addressing poll rallies at Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara parliamentary constituencies said the BJP Government, if comes to power in Odisha, will constitute a special committee to ascertain the deterioration of his health in the last one year. Now-a-days, all well-wishers of Naveen Babu (CM Naveen Patnaik) are concerned about his falling health in the last one year. Whenever they meet they discuss Naveen Babu’s health. They feel that he is unable to PM Narendra Modi during a public meeting for the Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls in Mayurbhanj on Wednesday.  ANI do anything by himself, he said at the election rallies. The question lies whether there is conspiracy in it. Odisha people have the right to know about it. Is there the involvement of the lobby enjoying power in Odisha in the name of CM Naveen?, said Modi. Hours after the PM's remark on his health, CM Patnaik dismissed the statement saying that “let me assure the PM that I am in perfect health and I have been campaigning in our state for the last month..." "I understand that the PM, in a public meeting, has stated that I am in bad health and he wants to institute an inquiry into this matter”. “If he (PM) was so concerned about my health then all he had to do was pick up a telephone and ring me up and ask me about my health. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik during a press conference on PM's statement to form a special committee to investigate his deteriorating health in Bhubaneswar.  ANI There are a number of people in the BJP who have been spreading rumours about my health for the last 10 years, CM Patnaik added. Modi’s expression of concern on Mr. Patnaik's health came close on the heels of remarks by Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pertaining to the poor health of Patnaik. In a video posted on social media platforms, Patnaik was found shaking hands while speaking at an election meeting. “This is a deeply distressing video. Shri V.K. Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen babu." Assam CM Sarma stated in a post on X yesterday. It’s pertinent to note here that Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a poll rally on 21 May targeted Patnaik insinuating towards his falling health by saying that Naveen Patnaik, who is 77 years old, should retire due to his "advanced age and health issues".During the electioneering, BJP has all along raised the emotive Odia pride issue alleging that Patnaik has been held captive by an outsider Tamil Nadu-born bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian. Patnaik has groomed the ex-bureaucrat as his political successor.