FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P4 SENSEX 76,810.90204.33 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORM/LIGHTNING WITH DRIZZLE AT ONE OR TWO PLACES TOWARDS AFTERNOON/ EVENING. HEAT WAVE CONDITIONS AT FEW PLACES. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 44 AND 30 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. P5 NIFTY 23,398.9075.95 NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE A mid the allegations over irregularities in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 for admission to medical colleges, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the scorecards of 1,563 NEET-UG candidates who were given ‘grace marks’ for loss of time will be cancelled, and they will be given an option to take a re-test. Appearing for the NTA, advocate Kanu Agrawal, told a vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a decision was taken by the NTA to hold a re-test for those awarded “grace marks” due to loss of time. Reiterating that the counselling for admission to medical colleges across the country will not be put on hold, the bench said: “Counselling will go on and we will not stop it. If the exam goes then everything goes in totality so nothing to fear.” The NTA told the court that those candidates who choose to take the re-test, their present score card would be cancelled and their new score, after the retest, will be counted for admission to medical colleges. However, for those who choose not to take the retest, their original scores would remain but will not include the grace marks BJP likely to retain Speaker’s post in 18th Lok Sabha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE After the allocation of portfolios in the new BJP-led NDA government under Modi 3.0, the focus has now shifted to the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Sources suggest that the BJP is set to retain the key position in the Lower House of Parliament as a saffron party MP is expected to be elected for the important role. Sources further indicated that the name of the new Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha will be deliberated upon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from Italy. In the Modi government's first term, Sumitra Mahajan, a BJP MP from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, served as the Lok Sabha Speaker, while in the second term, Om Birla, a BJP MP from Kota, Rajasthan, held the STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE PARMOD KUMAR Four women among five killed in Nagpur explosives factory blast: At least five workers were killed, and another eight injured when a massive blast ripped through an explosives manufacturing company in Maharashtra's Waddhamna town on Thursday, officials said. The blast was reported at around noon from the Chamundi Explosives Co. Ltd., situated on the AmravatiNagpur Road, around 15 km from Nagpur. This is Nagpur's second major industrial (Pg 5) tragedy in the past six months. position. Dismissing media reports suggesting that BJP's allies had demanded the Lok Sabha Speaker's post, a senior party leader said the matter would be first considered internally before discussing it with NDA allies to reach a consensus. As the BJP does not hold a majority as it did in 2014 and 2019, speculation was rife that the TDP and a JD(U) MP were vying for the Speaker's post. If any suggestions or demands regarding the position arise from allies, the BJP will consider a new formula. During the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, starting on 24 June, the BJP will reach out to Opposition parties to ensure the Speaker is elected unanimously. If the Opposition agrees to the government's proposal, an election will not be necessary. However, if the Opposition fields its candidate, a vote for the new Speaker might take place on 26 June, with the new Speaker assuming office on the same day. On Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju posted on microblogging site X: “First Session of 18th Lok Sabha is being summoned from 24.6.24 to 3.7.24 for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members, Election of Speaker, President's Address and discussion thereon. 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will commence on 27.6.24 and conclude on 3.7.24.” Dismissing allegations of paper leak in medical entrance exam NEET-UG, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here on Thursday that no proof has been found of paper leak. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Pradhan pointed out that 24 lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. “I want to assure the students and their parents that the government of India and the NTA are committed to ensuring justice to them. Twenty-four lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. There is no paper leak, no proof has been found so far,” he said. “There is no corruption in connection with the NEET examination in which 24 lakh students appeared,” he said. awarded to them earlier. The court took into record the NTA’s statement that re-test of 1,563 students will be notified today itself and it would be held on 23 June and results would be declared prior to 30 June so that counselling, which is set to begin on 6 July, is not affected. The notification was issued later in the day. The bench was told that a committee has been constitut- ed to review the results of the 1,563 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” to compensate for loss of time suffered while appearing for NEET-UG 2024. “The Committee has taken a decision to cancel the scorecards of 1563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were given grace marks and these students will be given an option to take a re-test,” the NTA said. Ajit Doval stays as NSA; P K Mishra Principal Secy to PM Mr Ajit Doval will be handling national security, military affairs and intelligence while Dr PK Mishra will deal with administrative matters and appointments in the PMO. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Mr Ajit Doval and Dr P K Mishra were on Thursday reappointed as National Security Adviser (NSA) and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister respectively. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of these key confidants of Prime Minister Modi with effect from 10 June. Their appointments will be co-terminus with the term of the PM or until further orders, the Department of Personnel & Training said. Both Mr Doval and Dr Mishra have been assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence. Mr Doval has been India's NSA since 2014 after Mr Modi assumed office for the first time. An IPS officer from Kerala cadre, he was also Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief. Dr Mishra is a retired 1972 batch officer, who has been with PM Modi for the past decade after he retired as Union Agriculture Secretary. Mr Doval will be handling national security, military affairs and intelligence while Dr Mishra will deal with administrative matters and appointments in the PMO. Security personnel conduct a search operation after two suspected terrorists were seen by locals in the Hiranagar area of Kathua on Thursday. ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other senior officials, government sources said. The PM was given a full overview of the securityrelated situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the counter-terror efforts being undertaken. During the meeting, Mr. Modi emphasised the importance of deploying the full spectrum of India's counter-terror capabilities. He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the deployment of security forces and counter-terror operations. The Prime Minister told Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to take stock of the situation and was briefed on the efforts being undertak- AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE The Supreme Court on Thursday halted the screening of Bollywood movie 'Hamare Baarah' till the petition challenging its release is decided by Bombay High Court. Asking the high court to expeditiously decide the plea challenging the certification given by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a vacation bench of the apex court presided over by Justice Vikram Nath rejected the filmmakers’ contention that objectionable parts were taken away from the teaser. “We saw the teaser this morning. It continues with all those offensive dialogues,” added the Bench, also comprising Justice Sandeep Mehta. In an order passed on 7 June, Bombay High Court lifted the interim stay grant- Last week, the Karnataka government banned the release of the film in the state, stating that it may disturb communal harmony. ed on the release of the film after a panel formed by the CBFC on the court’s direction sought an extension of time to give an uninfluenced opinion on the film. Further, a bench of Justices Kamal Khata and Rajesh S. Patil of the high court noted that the filmmakers have voluntarily agreed to delete certain controversial dialogues. Last week, the Karnataka government banned the release of the film in the state, stating that it may disturb communal harmony. After the National Democratic Alliance's allies aired their grievances over the appointment of ‘Agniveers’ under the Agnipath scheme, the Centre has expressed its willingness to address the lacunaeand also promised to make amends in the shortterm recruitment to the Armed Forces. It is now learnt that the BJP-led NDA government has formed a panel of secretaries, from at least 10 ministries to review the scheme and also to deliberate on how to make it more lucrative and rewarding for the young recruits. The group of secretaries is expected to give their recommendations on making the short-term recruitment programme under the Agnipath scheme, more attractive. The scheme became a key election issue in the poll campaign with Opposition parties vowing to revoke it, if voted to power. The panel of secretaries is expected to give a final presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he returns from the G7 Summit in Italy. A detailed presentation may be made before the Prime Minister on 17 or 18 June, sources said. The committee may suggest tweaks in the recruitment process and recommend additional monetary benefits for the Agniveers, currently selected for a fouryear period. The Indian Army is also believed to be conducting an internal assessment of the scheme and is likely to submit its report before the government. As per those privy to the assessment, the Army is likely to suggest certain tweaks which include enhancing the training period for Agniveer recruits and also their retention percentage in the Armed forces. It may recommend retaining about 60-70 per cent of Agniveers, as against the existing 25 per cent. The Prime Minister's Office is likely to take a final call on the changes after taking into account all the recommendations and feedback from all stakeholders. The review of the Agnipath scheme is also included in the first 100-day agenda of the Modi government and therefore one can expect "necessary amends" in the scheme in the near future. The Agnipath scheme was implemented in June 2022 to reduce the pension bill of the Armed Forces and create a downsized but more lean and robust Army. However, India on Thursday rejected “unwarranted references” to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to Beijing. “We have noted unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan of 07 June 2024.” “We categorically reject such references. Our position on the issue is consistent and well known to the concerned parties. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Noting that the same statement also mentions activities and projects under the so-called ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), some of which are in India's sovereign territory under forcible and illegal occupation by Pakistan, the spokesperson said: “We resolutely oppose and reject any moves by other countries to reinforce or legitimise Pakistan's illegal occupation of these territories, impinging on India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." The joint statement said China and Pakistan oppose any “unilateral action” for the resolution of outstanding issues in South Asia after Mr Sharif 'briefed' the Chinese leadership on the situation in Kashmir. en by the local administration. The recent encounter follows a series of terror attacks in the Jammu and Kashmir region over the past few days. The Jammu and Kashmir region has been witnessing a surge in violence with three signif- icant attacks at Reasi, Kathua, and Doda. The incidents have come after the relative peace of several months which saw tourist arrivals going up, followed by good turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections. PM to discuss Global South issues at G-7 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Italy on Thursday to attend the G-7 Outreach Summit in its Apulia region on 14 June at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In a departure statement, he said he was glad that his first visit in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G-7 Summit. He warmly recalled his visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. “Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral Supreme Court halts Agnipath scheme under review, panel formed release of Annu Kapoor movie Hamare Baarah STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 81.050.36 India rejects reference to J&K in China-Pakistan joint statement No proof found of paper leak in NEET: Dharmendra Pradhan THUMBNAILS People fill their buckets from a water tanker as water crisis continues in the (Pg 2) Capital on Thursday. ANI SILVER 90,700600 GOLD 72,160 The candidates, who were awarded grace marks, will have the option of taking a re-test Min: 29.4 °C (+1) SUN SETS 19:20 hrs MOON SETS 00:52 hrs TEMPERATURE P12 NTA cancels scorecards Deploy all counter-terror of 1,563 NEET candidates capabilities in J&K,says PM Min. 15 % Max: 44.8 °C (+5) SUN RISES 05:23 hrs MOON RISES 12:23 hrs P10 ` vs $ 83.54 RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 58 % ‘DIFFERENT GAME’: PEMA KHANDU SWORN ROHIT ALL PRAISE IN AS ARUNACHAL FOR YADAV CM FOR 3RD TERM GST COUNCIL TO MEET ON 22 JUNE NON-BAILABLE WARRANT AGAINST YEDIYURAPPA it drew strong protests from Opposition parties who accused the Centre of shortchanging the youth and playing with their future. The scheme soon after its rollout drew strong protests in many states, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. It also became a focal point during the election campaign as many parties rebuked the Centre over what it called a flawed and disoriented policy in times of economic uncertainty. Ahead of government formation, the allies of the BJP, including JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas), expressed apprehensions over the Agniveers' appointment and urged the government to review it. Under the scheme, youth are inducted into all three branches of the Armed Forces, including Army, Navy and Air Force for four years. Out of all the recruits, 25 per cent of them are given a chance to continue for another 15 years under a permanent appointment. PM Narendra Modi departs for Italy from New Delhi on Thursday. At the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, PM Modi is attending the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. ANI agenda,” he said. “We remain commit- ted to consolidate the IndiaItaly strategic partnership, and bolster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Mediterranean regions,” the Prime Minister said. During discussions at the Outreach session, the focus would be on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, he said. “It will be an opportunity to bring greater synergy between the outcomes of the G20 Summit held under India’s Presidency and the forthcoming G-7 Summit, and deliberate on issues which are crucial for the Global South,” he said. “I am also looking forward to meeting other leaders participating in the Summit,” he said. Mumbai doctor orders ice-cream online, gets a cone with human finger AGENCIES MUMBAI, 13 JUNE A Mumbai doctor who ordered ice-cream online, was stunned to find what he alleged was a severed piece of a human finger in it. The shocker happened on Wednesday when Dr. Brendan Serrao, asked his sister to include some icecream in her online grocery purchase list. When the cones of Yummo ice-cream were delivered, he started savouring the treat but felt something rough and strange in his mouth. The doctor alleged that when he yanked it out, to his horror he found that it was a small piece of a severed human finger, around 2 cms long. Left with a bad taste in his mouth, Dr. Serrao immediately lodged a complaint with the Malad Police Station, which started a probe and sent Launched in 2012, Yummo Ice-creams was co-founded by Walko Food Co. Ltd., which has multiple brands of frozen desserts & other foodstuff. the finger bit for a forensic analysis. Despite repeated attempts by a news agency there was no response from the ice cream company, though a spokesperson said a statement will be issued soon. Launched in 2012, Yummo Ice-creams was cofounded by Walko Food Co. Ltd., which has multiple brands of frozen desserts and other foodstuff. Dr. Serrao told local media persons that given his medical expertise, he recognised the human body piece and saved it in an ice-pack to show the police while lodging his complaint.
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