FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘11 years of energy reforms make India a data hub’ Page 12 BRIEFLY Luthra brothers to land in Delhi today: New Delhi: Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, the owners of North Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, are likely to arrive in Delhi from Thailand on Tuesday, the Goa Police said. The brothers will be taken into custody by the Goa Police immediately upon their arrival in the national capital. NIA files chargesheet in Pahalgam terror attack: Jammu: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday in a 1597 page chargesheet named as accused seven accused in the Pahalgam terror attack case, including the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) & The Resistance Front (TRF) terrorist organisation. The chargesheet was filed in the NIA Special Court here this afternoon. The chargesheet, which details Pakistan’s conspiracy, roles of the accused, and supporting evidence in the case, has charged the banned LeT and TRF as a legal entity for its role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack. Kabaddi tournament disrupted by shooting in Mohali: New Delhi: A kabaddi tournament in Mohali’s Sohana area was thrown into chaos on Monday after unidentified attackers opened fire during a live match. According to preliminary accounts, the assailants arrived in a Bolero vehicle and fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene. One person, identified as Rana Balachauria, sustained gunshot injuries to the head and face. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where his condition was described as critical. Act of antisemitic terrorism: Australian PM ‘Oppn wants key Bills referred to Standing Committees for scrutiny’ Page 5 PM Modi arrives in Jordan to boost ties with Arab nation ASHOK TUTEJA New Delhi, 15 December P PM Modi receives a rousing welcome from the Indian community upon his arrival, in Amman on Monday. AGENCIES and is focused on advancing bilateral relations between India and Jordan. During his stay, the PM is scheduled to hold discussions with King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein to review the entire range of India-Jordan ties and to exchange views on key regional developments. He will also interact with members of the Indian community in Jordan during the visit. Earlier, in his departure statement, the PM said, "I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the BJP gears up for 2026 TN, Assam elections Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilisational ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations." After concluding the Jordan leg, he will travel to Ethiopia from December 16 to 17, marking his first-ever visit to the African country. In Addis Ababa, he is expected to hold detailed talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on various dimensions of bilateral cooperation. Addis Ababa also hosts the headquarters of the African Union. Referring to the Ethiopia visit, he said, "I will pay my first visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa is also the headquarters of the African Union. In 2023, during India's G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20. In Addis Ababa, I will hold detailed discussions with H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali and also have the opportunity to meet the Indian diaspora living there." The PM is also scheduled to address a Joint Session of the Ethiopian Parliament. "I eagerly look forward to sharing my thoughts on India's journey as the 'Mother of Democracy' and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South," he said. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ethiopia visit will reaffirm the shared commitment of both countries, as partners in the Global South, to further strengthen friendship and bilateral engagement. The final leg of the tour will see the PM visit Oman from December 17 to 18 at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking his second visit to the country. Rodrygo, Mbappe earn vital La Liga win for Real Madrid Page 16 CM chairs high-level meeting on Gangasagar Mela preparations STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 15 December With only a few days remaining for the commencement of the Gangasagar Mela, one of the country’s largest religious congregations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday chaired a high-level meeting at Nabanna to ensure that no gaps remain in the preparations ahead of the arrival of lakhs of pilgrims and visitors. Just as in previous years, this year too she is personally monitoring the overall arrangements, according the fair the highest administrative priority. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, along with ministers and senior officials from key departments. With Public Health Engineering Minister Pulak Roy present, an extensive discussion was held on public health services, in the presence of officials from the health and sanitation departments. Representatives from the public works, transport, power, food and supplies, fire services, environment and disaster management departments also took part. Representatives of various voluntary organisations, including the Ramakrishna Mission and the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, were also present. At the meeting, the Chief Minister is supposed to have said that the Gangasagar Mela is not merely a religious event but also is intrinsically linked to Bengal’s culture, faith and humanitarian responsibility. According to administrative sources, she noted that lakhs of people travel from distant places for the holy dip, and ensuring their safety, health and dignity remains the government’s foremost duty. Placing special emphasis on public health and drinking water arrangements, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to further strengthen their preparedness. Clear instructions were issued to ensure uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water, adequate temporary toilets, health camps and emergency medical services for pilgrims. The existing status of drinking water supply and drainage systems was also reviewed in detail. On security, the Chief Minister made it clear that there would be no compromise. Over 100 flights cancelled across Delhi, B’luru, Mumbai & Hyd due to dense fog Five states/UTs set for draft voter roll release today, ECI kicks off ‘claims and objections’ phase STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The Election Commission (EC) announced Monday that the draft electoral rolls for five regions — West Bengal, Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep — will be off icially published on Tuesday, December 16. The publication is a major milestone in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an initiative by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to guarantee that voter lists are comprehensive, accurate, and current in preparation for future polls. To ensure widespread scr utiny and public participation, the poll body has mandated transparent distribution of the draft rolls: Chief Electoral Officers New Delhi, 15 December STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 15 December Gearing up for upcoming Assembly elections in 2026, BJP president J.P Nadda on Monday appointed union minister Piyush Goyal as the in-charge for Tamil Nadu and national vice -president Baijayant Panda for Assam. Ministers of state Arjun Ram Meghwal and Muralidhar Mohol will assist Goyal in Tamil Nadu; while in Assam J&K leader Sunil Kumar Sharma and former minister Darshana Ben Jardosh will help Panda in the party strategy building. The BJP is trying to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu—a state where it has aligned with the AIADMK to take on the ruling DMK. In Assam the saffron party will be defending BJP’s Himanta Biswa Sarma government against a resurgent Congress. Hazardous AQI in Delhi: SC advises lawyers to appear through hybrid mode PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 15 December With air quality in the national capital and the National Capital Region (NCR) turning toxic and hazardous, the Supreme Court has advised lawyers and litigants appearing in person to opt for the video-conferencing mode of hearing instead of attending court physically. A circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry on Sunday (December 14) stated: “In view of the prevailing weather conditions, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India has advised, if convenient, the Members of the Bar/Parties-in-Person to avail hybrid mode of appearance through video-conferencing facility in their matters listed before the Hon’ble Courts.” NATION Page 13 rime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Amman on Monday evening on the first leg of his three-nation tour of Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman. In a special gesture reflecting close ties between the two countries, the PM was received at the Amman Airport by Prime Minister of Jordan Jafar Hassan and accorded a ceremonial welcome. This two-day full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan is taking place after a span of 37 years, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Landed in Amman. Thankful to Mr. Jafar Hassan, Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for the warm welcome at the airport. I am sure this visit will boost bilateral linkages between our nations,’’ Modi wrote on ‘X’ shortly after his arrival. The visit to Jordan is taking place at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein Tuesday, 16 December 2025 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | Copies of the advisory were circulated to the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), and other stakeholders. The Registry has requested lawyers and parties-in-person to make appropriate use of the hybrid or video-conferencing facility in their respective cases, while complying with all technical and procedural requirements prescribed for virtual hearings. Ever since the Air Quality Index (AQI) began deteriorating with the onset of winter, Chief Justice Surya Kant has been considering the option of encouraging lawyers to appear through video-conferencing instead of exposing themselves to hazardous air while commuting to court. During the hearing of petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar on November 26, the Chief Justice expressed concern over the worsening air quality, noting that he was unable to go for his routine morning walks due to the toxic conditions. This prompted several senior advocates to request that the Supreme Court allow virtual appearances to minimise exposure to polluted air. Adverse weather conditions led to the cancellation of nearly 110 IndiGo flights on Monday, disrupting arrivals and departures at major airports like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. The airline said adverse weather conditions have disrupted flight schedules and asked passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. It also urged the passengers to leave earlier than usual since low visibility has affected road traffic and movement. At least 68 flights were cancelled and five were diverted at Delhi airport due to dense fog and low visibility. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICERS (CEOS) AND DISTRICT ELECTORAL OFFICERS (DEOS) ARE REQUIRED TO SHARE HARD COPIES OF THE DRAFT ROLLS WITH ALL RECOGNISED POLITICAL PARTIES. New Delhi, 15 December (CEOs) and District Electoral Officers (DEOs) are required to share hard copies of the draft rolls with all recognised political parties. This measure is intended to facilitate party-level verification and collaborative error rectification. For easy access, the complete draft rolls will be uploaded on the official websites of the respective CEOs and DEOs. This allows citizens to quickly verify their existing entries, correct any mistakes, and apply for fresh inclusion. The release follows the conclusion of the enumeration period for these five regions, which involved a comprehensive, house-to-house verification drive by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). With the draft publication on December 16, the crucial period for Claims and Objections will officially commence. Citizens are strongly encouraged to use this opportunity to: 8Check the Draft: Confirm their personal details and inclusion status. 8File Claims: Apply for inclusion if their name is missing (Form 6). 8Raise Objections: Challenge any incorrect entries or seek corrections (Form 7/8). Nitin Nabin takes charge as BJP national working president STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 15 December BJP’s surprise pick Nitin Nabin, on Monday, assumed his duties as the party’s national working president. Nabin received a grand welcome in Delhi as he arrived at the BJP's headquarters. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party president J P Nadda, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal were present to welcome Nabin amid rousing sloganeering by party’ workers. The newly appointed BJP national working president paid floral tributes to party ideologues Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Nabin was appointed by the BJP Parliamentary Board on Sunday. Nabin, 45, will function as the working president until the full election to appoint the next full-term BJP chief is formally held. Nadda, too, was initially made the party’s working president before his appointment as the full-time chief. The general convention has been that the working president eventually becomes the party president. Once formally elected, Nabin will be the youngest BJP president. Congratulating him, Shah expressed confidence that the party will expand even further under his leadership. “I am confident that under your leadership, the organisation will expand further, and you will take the policies of the Narendra Modi government and the party’s ideology to the people. I pray to God for your successful tenure,” the Home Minister said. Earlier, he was accorded a warm welcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, and other senior party leaders. Nabin, who currently serves as a minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, was appointed as the national working president with immediate effect on Sunday—seen as a part of a generational transition, placing him in line to succeed Nadda, who is on extension. At 45, he is the youngest leader to be elevated to the post of the party’s national working president. A five-time MLA from the Bankipur assembly constituency in Patna, Nabin currently serves as the Public Works Department minister in the Bihar government. Before leaving for Delhi, he expressed gratitude for the support and blessings of the people of Bihar and his constituency.