FRIDAY 30 AUGUST 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 SEBI CHIEF CALLS FOR BETTER COMPLIANCE FROM MARKET PARTICIPANTS ‘SUSPECTS PLANNED TO KILL TENS OF THOUSANDS AT TAYLOR’S SHOWS’ P8 GUJARAT FLOODS: RADHA YADAV THANKS NDRF FOR AID P9 SENSEX 82,134.61p349.05 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT RAIN/THUNDERSTORM. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 24 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: 077.1 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE P6 ` vs $ 83.87 GOLD 74,120.00 Min: 23.0 °C (-3) SUN SETS 18:44 hrs MOON SETS 16:44 hrs THUMBNAILS An artist gives final touches to the idols of Lord Ganesha ahead of the upcoming Ganesha Chaturthi Festival, at a workshop in Jalandhar on Wednesday. n ANI Three Pak terrorists killed in Kashmir: Three Pakistani terrorists were killed on Thursday in two joint operations conducted in North Kashmir's Kupwara by the Indian Army and J&K Police. Police said the operations were launched based on inputs about simultaneous infiltration attempts in Machhal sector. At least two terrorists were killed in a gunbattle in Kumkadi area, while one died in an encounter in Karnah. (Page 5) BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 77.25p0.41 India, China agree to uphold peace at LAC and early resolution of oustanding issues The new SHe-Box portal serves as centralised repository of information The govt placed significant emphasis on women-led development over the past decade, recognising the pivotal role of women's leadership in driving inclusive economic growth. T he Ministry of Women and Child Development on Thursday launched the new SHe-Box portal, a centralised platform for registering and monitoring complaints of sexual harassment of women at the workplace. Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi also launched the new website of the ministry during the event. The new SHe-Box portal serves as a centralised repository of information related to Internal Committees (ICs) and Local Committees (LCs) formed across the country, encompassing both the government and private sectors. It offers a common platform to file complaints, track their status and ensure a time-bound processing of complaint by ICs. It provides assured redressal of complaints and streamlined process for all stakeholders. The portal, through a desig- The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development on Thursday launched the new SHe-Box portal. n AGENCIES nated nodal officer, will enable real-time monitoring of complaints. As India approaches its centenary in the next 25 years, the government has placed significant emphasis on women-led development over the past decade, recognising the pivotal role of women's leadership in driving inclusive economic growth. A cornerstone of this initiative to enhance women's participation in the workforce is ensuring that workplaces are safe and secure, enabling women to thrive and succeed. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, protects women from sexual harassment in the workplace and addresses their griev- ances. In line with this commitment, the new SHeBox portal represents a significant step forward in addressing and managing complaints of workplace sexual harassment. Speaking at the event, Mrs Annpurna Devi stated, “This initiative is a critical step forward in providing a more efficient and secure platform for addressing Disproportionate Assets case: Karnataka HC grants temporary relief to Shivakumar India now engages with world on equal footing: PM AGENCIES STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 AUGUST BENGALURU, 29 AUGUST The Karnataka High Court on Thursday granted temporary relief to Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D K Shivakumar by quashing the CBI's plea seeking to continue the probe against the leader in connection with the disproportionate assets case. A division bench, headed by Justice K Somashekar, said that the CBI can move the Supreme Court. “The Supreme Court should decide the matter between the state government and CBI. It would be more appropriate if the Supreme Court examines the matter, as the High Court's decision in this connection might be inappropriate,” it added. The bench, also comprising Justice Umesh M Adiga, quashed a related petition filed by BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. Earlier, a single-judge P12 SILVER 88,500 Govt launches portal to monitor complaints of sexual harassment STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 AUGUST Min. 95 % Max: 28.8 °C (-6) SUN RISES 05:59 hrs MOON RISES 03:10 hrs NIFTY 25,151.95p99.60 US-CHINA TIES bench had referred the case to a division bench stating that the case was a first-ofits-kind in the state and requires a larger bench. The CBI has questioned the Congress government's decision to withdraw the consent given to the CBI to investigate the disproportionate case against Shivakumar by the Yediyurappa-headed BJP government on 25 September 2019. The CBI claims that during 2013-2018, Shivakumar, as a minister in the Congress government amassed assets disproportionate to known sources of income. BJP MLA Yatnal had also filed a petition in this regard. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented Shivakumar. Earlier, the division bench headed by Justice Somashekar had reserved the matter for 29 August. Mr Shivakumar, before the court pronounced its order on Thursday, said he would accept the court's verdict as "God's will" in the disproportionate assets case. "In the case of disproportionate assets, whatever the court's verdict may be, I will accept it as God's will," the Deputy Chief Minister said. When asked about the case wherein the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a petition in the High Court seeking permission to investigate the disproportionate assets case, he maintained, "I have faith in God and in the judiciary." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, spoke proudly about how the perception of the country is changing on the world stage. India now engages with the world on equal footing, with mutual respect and dignity, he said when Officer Trainees of the 2023 Batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) called on him at his residence here. There are 36 IFS Officer Trainees in the 2023 batch from 15 states and Union territories. Mr Modi also talked about how India handled the Covid pandemic in comparison to other nations. He also mentioned the country’s onward march to become the third-largest economy. The Officer Trainees praised the success of foreign policy under the leadership of the prime minister and sought suggestions and guidance from him on their STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE workplace-related sexual harassment complaints. It furthers the government’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive working environment for women across India.” She expressed confidence that the portal will ensure that complaints can be safely registered without personal information being publicly accessible. In addition to the SHeBox portal, the ministry also launched a newly developed website tailored to meet the needs of the government. This website aims to establish a cohesive visual identity across digital platforms, enhancing the government’s engagement with national and global audiences. India and China on Thursday decided to jointly uphold peace and tranquility on the ground in border areas in accordance with relevant bilateral agreements, protocols and understandings reached between the two governments. It was reiterated that the restoration of peace and tranquility, and respect for LAC are the essential basis for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. The 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held this evening in Beijing. Mr Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation. NEW DELHI, 29 AUGUST SC rebukes Revanth Reddy for adverse comments on grant of bail to Kavitha PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 29 AUGUST upcoming new assignments. The PM suggested that they should always carry with them the culture of the country with pride and dignity and try to showcase it wherever they are posted. He talked about overcoming colonial mindset in all spheres of life, including personal conduct, and instead carrying themselves as proud representatives of the country. The PM also suggested the Officer Trainees expand their engagement with the Indian Diaspora when posted abroad. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Ocean Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as per reports. In line with the guidance provided by the foreign ministers of the two countries after their meetings in Astana and Vientiane in July to accelerate their discussion, and building on the WMCC meeting held last month, the two sides had a frank, constructive and forwardlooking exchange of views on the situation along the LAC to narrow down the differences and find early resolution of the outstanding issues. For this, they further agreed for intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Supreme Court on Thursday took exception to the adverse comments by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revantha Reddy on the grant of bail to BTS leader K. Kavitha in the now scrapped 2021-2022 Delhi excise policy case, stating that such comments were not expected from a person holding a responsible position of Chief Minister. Mr Reddy was quoted by a media outfit this morning as saying: “It is a fact that BRS worked for the victory of the BJP in the 2024, Lok Sabha polls. There is also talk that Kavitha got bail because of the deal between BRS and BJP.” Observing that such comments were not expected from a person holding a responsible position of Chief Minister, a bench of Justice B R Gavai, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice K V Viswanathan told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Mr Reddy, that such comments create apprehensions in somebody’s mind. “Just read what he has stated … that sort of statement by a responsible Chief Minister, that might rightly create an apprehension in somebody's mind...do we pass our orders in consultation with a political party? We are not bothered about politicians, or if anybody criticises our orders or not. We do our duty as per our own conscience, as per our oath,” Justice Gavai told Mr Rohatgi. The top court’s rebuke to Mr Reddy came in the course of the hearing of a plea seeking transfer of trial in ‘cash for vote’ case from Telangana to Madhya Pradesh. Mr Reddy is the main accused in the case. In the pre-lunch session, the court indicated that it would not transfer the trial outside the state but appoint an independent Special Public Prosecutor to inspire a sense of confidence in all concerned. The court said that it would pass order in the post lunch session. However, the tables appeared turned on Mr Reddy in the post lunch session and the focus of the hearing shifted to Mr Reddy's remarks on Kavitha's bail. Assam Assembly repeals 1935 Muslim Marriage Act Second Arihant class submarine STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE GUWAHATI, 29 AUGUST The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill to repeal a nearly nine-decade-old law that regulated the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces. The Assam Repealing Bill, 2024, introduced by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan on 22 August, seeks to nullify The Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935, along with the Assam Repealing Ordinance, 2024. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised that the objective behind the repeal is to eradicate child marriages and dismantle the Kazi system by integrating the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces into the government’s official framework. Mr Sarma observed that, according to a Supreme Court directive, all marriages must be formally registered and that the state should not endorse private entities like Kazis for this purpose. Mr Mohan pointed out that the 1935 Act permitted the registration of marriages for males below 21 years and females below 18 years, which could be exploited for underage and forced marriages. He also noted that the law lacked effective monitoring mechanisms, resulting in significant legal challenges. The Act’s informal registration process was seen as problematic, leading to its repeal. The Assam government has introduced The Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2024, as part of its efforts to ensure proper oversight and compliance with national marriage laws. Last month, the state Cabinet approved the Repealing Bill, citing concerns that the 1935 Act enabled underage marriages under specific conditions. However, Opposition parties have criticised the move, labeling it as discriminatory against the Muslim community and a strategy to polarise voters ahead of the upcoming elections. commissioned into Indian Navy STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 AUGUST The second Arihant-Class submarine, INS Arighaat, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Thursday at Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. In his address, the minister said the Arighaat will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to the Narendra Modi-led government’s unwavering resolve to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence. Mr Singh commended the Indian Navy, DRDO & the Industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of selfpower. He appreciated the fact that the country’s industrial sector, especially MSMEs, has received a huge boost through this project, and more employment opportunities have been created. Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with other nuclear weapon states, he said: “Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today's geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil”. The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.