WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR EX-PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE ARRESTED IN THE PHILIPPINES K’TAKA GOVT ORDERS CID PROBE INTO RANYA RAO GOLD SMUGGLING CASE P9 P4 SENSEX 74,102.32q12.85 WEATHER Generally clear. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36°C and 25°C respectively. ` vs $ 87.21 Modi, Gokhool vow to deepen close ties NEW DELHI, 11 MARCH Min: 25.1˚C SUN SETS 17:44 hrs MOON SETS 04:38 hrs P Full Moon on 14 March THUMBNAILS Devotees celebrate 'Masan Holi' (Holi of pyre ashes) at Manikarnika ghat, in Varanasi on Tuesday. n ANI Delhi court orders FIR against Kejriwal for 'misusing' public money on hoardings: In fresh trouble for AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, a Delhi court ordered the registration of an FIR against the former Delhi CM for misusing public money by putting up large hoardings in Dwarka. Asking the Delhi Police to file a compliance report on its direction by 18 March, the Rouse Avenue court accepted the plea filed by one Shiv Kumar Saxena alleging wastage of public money. rime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool on Tuesday vowed to further deepen the special and close ties between their two countries. Mr Modi arrived at Port Louis on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to Mauritius aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and the island nation. PM Modi called on Mau ritius President Gokhool at the State House where the two leaders exchanged views on deepening the special and close bilateral ties between India and Mauritius and recalled the shared history of the two countries, particularly the existence of strong people-to-people linkages. In a special gesture, PM Modi handed over Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) cards to President Gokhool and First Lady Vrinda Gokhool. President Gokhool hosted a State lunch in honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam visit the Ayurveda Garden in the State House, established in collaboration with the Government of India, on Tuesday. n ANI of PM Modi. At the lunch hosted by Mr Gokhool, Mr Modi said it is a privilege for him to once again participate in the National Day celebrations of Mauritius as the Chief Guest. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the President for this warm hospitality and honour. This is not just an occasion for a meal but a symbol of the vibrant and close ties between India and Mauritius,” PM Modi said. He added: “The Mauritian platter is not only rich in flavours but also reflects the country's diverse social fabric. It embodies the shared heritage of India and Mauritius. The warmth of Mauritian hospitality carries the sweetness of our friendship." Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid homage at the Samadhis of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, Pamplemousses. PM Modi was accompanied by Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam. Bill to streamline immigration laws introduced in Lok Sabha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MARCH A Bill seeking to consolidate and modernise existing laws dealing with foreigners, illegal immigrants and related matters was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 was piloted by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai amid protests from Opposition members who dubbed the Bill as violative of constitutional provisions. Rejecting the suggestions that Parliament lacked the legislative competence to introduce in the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, Minister Rai said the Central government has the right under the Union list to bring legislation on the subject. He asserted that while tourists were welcome in India, it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that peace and sovereignty of the nation remained intact. The Bill seeks to streamline various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit, and stay in the country. The draft law introduces, for the first time, threats to national security and sovereignty as grounds to refuse entry or stay to a foreign national in the country. It also has the provisions to bar the entry of a foreigner on the basis of his/her relations with a foreign state. The new Bill seeks to replace the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000, and replace them with a comprehensive legislation. Three of these laws, which govern the entry of foreigners into India, are from the pre-Independence era, brought in during the extraordinary times of the first and second world wars. “While there is an underlying continuity and commonality of objectives among the four Acts, there are some overlapping provisions among them," the Statement of Objects and Reason of the Bill said, explaining the “necessity" to repeal the four Acts and enact a new “compre- hensive" legislation. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 has penal provisions to punish those who help illegal migrants come to India. As per the proposed law, any person using or arranging a fake passport may face a jail term of up to seven years. Those using or supplying fake travel documents could face a jail term between two and seven years and a fine of Rs 1-10 lakh. At present, the punishment is 2-8 years and a fine of Rs 10-50,000. According to the draft legislation, a foreigner exceeding their stay in India could get a jail term of three years and a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh against the existing five years. Any person entering India without a valid passport, visa, and other travel documents could face a jail term between two and five years or a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh as against the existing jail term of 2-8 years and a fine. According to the Bill, the onus is on the carrier (aircraft or ship) to take back any foreigner whose entry has been refused. Later, addressing an Indian community event, Mr Modi said Mauritius is like a ‘Mini India’. He said the deep-rooted cultural connection between India and Mauritius is evident in the warmth of the diaspora. “Our forefathers were brought here from various regions of India. When we consider the diversity in language, dialects, and eating habits, this place truly represents a mini Hindustan—a miniature India!” the Prime Minister said. “Whenever I come to Mauritius, it feels like I am among my own.” He further said the decision has been made to extend the Overseas Citizen Of India (OCI) Card to the seventh generation of the Indian diaspora in Mauritius. Mauritius PM Ramgoolam, speaking at the same event, announced the country's highest civilian award, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India saw a seven per cent decline in PM2.5 levels in 2024, but six of the world's ten most polluted cities were still in the country, according to the IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report. India's annual PM2.5 average fell to 50.6 ug/m3 from 54.4 ug/m3 in 2023, yet it remained the fifth most polluted country globally. New Delhi continued to record extreme pollution, with an annual PM2.5 average of 91.6 ug/ m3 in 2024, almost unchanged from 92.7 ug/m3 in 2023. Severe pollution episodes persisted, especially in northern states, with Baddi in Himachal Pradesh recording a January PM2.5 average of 165 ug/m3 (2024). October saw air quality worsen in Manipur, while November witnessed extreme pollution in Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, mainly due to stubble burning, which contributed 60 per cent of PM2.5 levels during peak periods. “Air pollution remains a significant health burden in India, reducing life expectancy by an estimated 5.2 years. Severe pollution episodes persisted in 2024, particularly in northern states,” the report stated. The report found that 35 per cent of Indian cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines by over ten times. The major sources of pollution include vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, construction dust, and crop burning. While vehicular emissions remain a key driver in urban centers, stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana continues to push pollution levels to hazardous levels each winter. “Seasonal agricultural practices, particularly the burning of crop residues in states like Punjab and Haryana, further deteriorate air quality during winter months. Industrial emissions and construction activities also contribute significantly to pollution levels,” the report noted. Despite governmental measures, such as the National Clean Air Programme aiming to reduce pollution levels, challenges persist due to inconsistent policy implementation and inadequate infrastructure, the report noted. In October 2024, the Supreme Court of India reaffirmed that breathing clean air is a fundamental right, ordering Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 69.95p0.67 Militants attack train in Pakistan, take over a hundred hostages AGENCIES ISLAMABAD, 11 MARCH The targeted attack of a passenger train by militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) at Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, has now become a standoff between the security forces and the militants, who have taken over a hundred passengers as hostages. While the BLA claims that it has taken at least 100 Pakistani military officials and personnel hostage after derailing the Jaffar Express, Pakistani authorities said that the passenger train was carrying civilians and families, including women and children, who it says are under the custody of BLA militants after stopping the train in a tunnel. The Jaffar Express train was on its way from Quetta in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack. The BLA, in a statement, claimed to have killed 20 military personnel. “Terrorists have halted the train inside a tunnel to keep the hostages in control. Security forces have reached the area despite it being away from the roads. Terrorists are also in contact with their facilitators outside the coun- try,” stated sources in the security forces. Other sources said that Pakistani forces have conducted multiple attempts to carry out a rescue operation but have been forced to retreat after heavy clashes with the militants. “Pakistani helicopters and drones continue to hover over the area and, at times, have done airstrikes also,” said a local source. On the other hand, the BLA has warned the Pakistani forces that it will start executing the hostages if the airstrikes do not stop. The BLA claims that it has taken personnel from the Pakistan military, police, ISI and ATF, who were going on leave to Punjab, into their custody. BLA also claims that it has already released women and children. The BLA claims, however, have been rejected by the Pakistani forces, who say Ruckus in Rajya Sabha over Cong chief Kharge’s ‘unparliamentary’ remarks STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 MARCH Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday triggered an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over his 'unparliamentary' remarks, resulting in pandemonium in the House. He later expressed regret over his comment and underscored that his target was the central government and not the presiding officer. Mr Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, however, clarified that his “thokenge” (thrashing) remark was not addressed to the Chair. He said that he apologised if Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who was in the Chair, was hurt by his remarks. The Congress chief made the remarks shortly after the Chair asked his party MP Digvijaya Singh to speak on a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Education. Mr Singh refused India home to six of world's most polluted cities despite drop in PM 2.5 AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 11 MARCH P12 SILVER 1,07,000 GOLD 88,600.00 NIKHIL VYAS Min. 43% TEMPERATURE Max: 36.5˚C SUN RISES 05:48 hrs MOON RISES 16:10 hrs 22,497.90p37.60 P6 Mauritius is like a mini India, PM Modi tells the Indian community RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 71% NIFTY PRANNOY CRASHES OUT OF ALL-ENGLAND BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIP ISOLATE AMERICA Rajasthan to take stronger measures against pollution. However, in a November hearing, the Court sharply criticised Delhi officials for "serious lapses" in implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a multistage strategy for reducing pollution on hazardous air quality days. The IQAir report warned that air pollution remains the greatest environmental threat to human health, with 99 per cent of the global population living in areas that fail to meet WHO air quality standards. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 8.1 million deaths in 2021 were linked to air pollution, with 58 per cent attributed to PM2.5 exposure. The United Nations has declared clean air a universal human right, highlighting the urgent need for stronger policies and enforcement to tackle India's air pollution crisis. to speak, insisting that LoP Mallikarjun Kharge should be allowed to speak first. The Chair reminded Mr Kharge that he had already spoken in the morning, but Mr Kharge objected, stating that his remarks were incomplete as the Education Minister was not present at that time. “What is this dictatorship!” Mr Kharge said, as the Chair seemed hesitant on his request to speak again. “We have to speak. We are ready to speak, and whatever we need to hit, we will,” he said. These remarks triggered a war of words in the House. Strongly objecting to Mr Kharge’s remarks, Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda said the word used against the Chair is unpardonable. Mr Nadda said casting aspersions on the Chair by a seasoned politician like Mr Kharge was condemnable, and he should apologise for his remarks. “This is condemnable. This is to be condemned by one and all, including the Leader of Opposition. He should condemn and he should apologise. The word and the language used against the Chair is unpardonable,” Mr Nadda said. He said Mr Kharge should apologise and take his word back. As the House witnessed an uproar, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh appealed to members to maintain calm. that the BLA militants have targeted civilians and their families, who are still held as hostage. Tuesday's attack is one of the biggest carried out by the BLA Majeed Brigade (Suicide Unit), with STOS, Fateh squad and Zarb Unit actively coordinating and resisting any military incursion. The situation continues to remain highly critical, sources said. No commitment to US on reducing tariffs, talks still on: Government AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 11 MARCH The Government has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that India has not made any commitment to reduce tariffs on goods imported from the USA. In a briefing on the issue, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told the Parliamentary committee that negotiations between India and the USA were still ongoing and that no trade agreement had been finalised. The Commerce Secretary’s clarification came in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s statement that India has agreed to bring “way down” its tariffs on US goods. Mr Barthwal said: “One cannot go by the US President's claims and on media reports as the bilateral trade agreement talks between the two nations are still on. India has not committed to anything on trade tariffs to the US.” (Page 5) Bharti Airtel ties up with Musk’s SpaceX to offer Satellite internet connectivity STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, 11 MARCH Bharti Airtel officially announced on its X (Twitter) handle on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with American billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX to introduce Starlink’s satellite internet services to India. In a regulatory filing, Airtel stated that the deal is subject to regulatory approvals for SpaceX to sell Starlink services in the country. “Airtel announces an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet services to its customers in India. This is the first agreement to be signed in India, which is subject to SpaceX receiving its own authorizations to sell Starlink in India. It enables Airtel and SpaceX to further explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel’s offerings, and how Airtel’s expertise in the Indian market complements SpaceX’s direct offerings to consumers and businesses.” “Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel’s retail stores, Starlink services via Airtel to business customers, opportunities to connect communities, schools, and health centers, among many others, in even the most rural parts of India,” Bharti Airtel stated. As part of the agreement, Airtel may offer Starlink equipment in its retail stores and provide Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet to businesses. Beyond expanding connectivity, the partnership will explore how Starlink’s satellite technology can enhance Airtel’s existing network, while also allowing SpaceX to leverage Airtel’s ground infrastructure in India. This collaboration aligns with Airtel’s long-term strategy to provide advanced connectivity solutions nationwide, the company said in its statement. Presently, the Union Home Ministry is engaged in reviewing a security clearance application submitted by SpaceX. Industry professionals have clarified that Airtel's collaboration with SpaceX aims to provide consumer satellite services in the country, as Airtel's own service, OneWeb, is primarily business-oriented.