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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Page 8 Story of the Kaul amendment Page 11 Lok Sabha clears Bill making Amaravati official capital of Andhra Pradesh: New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday approved the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, formally designating Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Bill, aimed at amending the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, was passed after a brief discussion through a voice vote. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his Statement of Object and Reasons for the Bill, explained that the 2014 Act initially allowed Hyderabad to serve as a common capital for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for up to ten years. Shah highlighted the steps already taken to establish Amaravati as the administrative and legislative center, citing extensive infrastructural and policy measures. Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth assumes charge as Army Vice-Chief: New Delhi: Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth on Wednesday assumed charge as Vice-Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986. Over nearly four decades, he has built an exceptional operational profile across diverse terrain and conflict environments. He has commanded an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector, an Armoured Brigade in the developed sector, and a Counter Insurgency Force in Jammu & Kashmir. He commanded the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, and later served as General Officer Commanding, Delhi Area, before serving as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command and Southern Command. New Delhi, 1 April The price of commercial LPG cylinders were increased by Rs 195.50 on Wednesday, driven Page 16 LAW PAGE PM chairs CCS meeting to review West Asia crisis NIKHIL VYAS New Delhi, 1 April P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review the evolving situation in West Asia and his government’s efforts to navigate the crisis. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Modi chaired the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to review measures taken by various ministries and departments and to discuss further initiatives in response to the evolving situation. During the meeting, PM Modi assessed the availability of essential commodities for the common man. He also emphasised the need for the smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour-mongering. He directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures to mitigate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation. At the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary briefed the ministers on steps taken to ensure the supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG and LPG, and adequate power availability. Sources are being diversified for LPG procurement, with new inflows from different countries. Similarly, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is being sourced from multiple countries. He further informed that LPG prices for domestic consumers have remained unchanged, and anti-diversion enforcement drives are being conducted regularly to curb hoarding and black marketing. Apex court told 47 lakh ‘logical discrepancy’ cases adjudicated in West Bengal; remaining by 7 April PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 1 April The Supreme Court of India was informed that out of nearly 60 lakh claims and objections arising from the list of names categorised under “logical discrepancy” in Bengal, around 47 lakh had been adjudicated by the evening of 31 March 2026, and the remaining 13 lakh would be decided by 7 April. It was also stated that 19 Appellate Tribunals have been constituted to hear appeals against orders on these claims and objections. Heading a Bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, Chief Justice Surya Kant noted on Wednesday that a communication dated 31 March from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court indicated that over 46 lakh by a sharp rise in global oil and gas benchmarks amid the escalating situation in West Asia, according to state-owned oil marketing companies. Following the revision, a Initiatives have also been taken to expand piped natural gas connections. Measures such as exempting gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7–8 GW from the gas pooling mechanism and increasing rake availability to position more coal at thermal power stations have also been undertaken to ensure adequate power supply during the peak summer months. The meeting also discussed proposed interventions to address emerging challenges in sectors such as agriculture, civil aviation, shipping, and logistics. Various steps are being taken to ensure fertiliser supply, including maintaining urea production and coordinating with overseas suppliers for DAP and NPKS. State governments have been asked to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilisers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict enforcement measures. US could end Iran war in two to three weeks even without a deal: Trump Trump ‘strongly considering NATO pullout’ UNITED NEWS OF INDIA Washington, 1 April US President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that the war with Iran could be nearing its conclusion, asserting that Tehran does not need to strike a deal with Washington for hostilities to end. “We'll be leaving very soon,” Mr Trump told media at the Oval Office, adding that the exit could occur “within two weeks, maybe three.” Asked if a diplomatic agreement was necessary for ending 'Operation Epic Fury', Mr Trump replied: “Iran doesn't have to make a deal, no. No, they don't have to make a deal with me.” Mr Trump later in the day claimed on social media that “Iran’s New Regime President” was seeking a ceasefire, which he said would only happen once the Strait of Hormuz was “open, free, clear.” Mr Trump earlier said that the objectives of the US military campaign have largely been achieved. He claimed that the Iranian military has been significantly degraded, stating, “It will take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what we've done to them.” Mr Trump will address the nation on Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT (Thursday 6.30 a.m. IST) to provide a further update on the Iran situation, the White House announced. claims and objections had already been adjudicated, with the balance expected to be completed by 7 April. The Court was informed that nearly 700 former and serving judicial officers overseeing the process are collectively deciding close to two lakh cases every day. Of these 700 judicial officers, 500 are from Bengal, while 200 are from Odisha and Jharkhand. It was stated that the 19 Appellate Tribunals, to be headed by former Chief Justices and senior High Court judges, will commence hearing appeals arising from decisions on the “logical discrepancy” list. These tribunals will also be empowered to consider fresh documents in appeal after verifying their genuineness. The Appellate Tribunals for Kolkata region will function from offices located at the 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder will now cost Rs 2,078.50 in Delhi. The hike is expected to impact commercial establishments that rely heavily on bulk LPG supplies. However, the price of domestic LPG cylinders has been kept unchanged. A 14.2-kg household cylinder continues to be priced at Rs 913, while beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana will continue to receive cylinders at Rs 613. In a statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that prices of commercial LPG cylinders are deregulated and market-determined, and are revised on a monthly basis. It attributed the price hike to a steep 44 per cent increase in the Saudi Contract Price (CP), which rose from USD 542 per metric tonne in March to USD 780 per metric tonne for April. The Ministry, meanwhile, announced a 25 per cent increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic scheduled carriers. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee National Institute of Water and Sanitation. Addressing concerns raised by senior advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay regarding the bulk submission of Form 6 applications for the enrolment of new voters, the Court observed that such developments are not unusual and occur regularly, adding that political parties, including the Trinamul Congress, are free to raise objections. London: US President Donald Trump says he’s strongly considering pulling the United States out of NATO, ratcheting up his criticism of European allies and exposing a wider rift in the trans-Atlantic alliance. In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper in the UK, Mr Trump, asked if he would reconsider the USA’s membership of the alliance after the conflict in West Asia, Mr Trump said: “Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by Nato. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.” Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused NATO of being a “one-way street” as he hit out at the USA’s allies for not allowing access to their military bases. • Related reports: Pg 11 Mamata gives call to resist BJP’s ‘communal divide’ tactics STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 1 April Commercial LPG price hiked by `195.50, domestic rates unchanged PANKAJ JAIN IPL 2026: After enduring winless starts, KKR, SRH aim to reset at Eden Gardens Page 14 Mediator’s Mirage NASA prepares to launch Artemis II mission in return to the moon BRIEFLY Thursday, 02 April 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL | Chief Minister and Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee today urged people to resist any attempt by the BJP to divide Bengal by playing the communal card. Addressing a gathering at Baroan in Murshidabad this afternoon, she noted that of the 22 Assembly seats in the district, Trinamul Congress holds 20 while the BJP has two. The TMC candidate from Baroan, Pratima Rajak, and Bharatpur candidate Mustafaji Rahaman were present on the dais. Miss Banerjee alleged: “The BJP is anti-Muslim. Names of minority community members have been arbitrarily dropped from the rolls. They forced you to stand in queues, and now they will try to show that you are not voters. Then they will send you to detention camps. Names have been deleted without reason. Take a pledge not to cast a single vote in favour of the BJP. Make this your one-point programme. Migrant workers in BJP-ruled states were abused and beaten for speaking Bengali. The BJP talks of infiltration, but they are the biggest infiltrators ~ it is their duty to guard the border.” She added: “Forget who is contesting. I am contesting in all 294 seats because I must fight against conspirators like the BJP. They want to take control of Bengal by hook or by crook. Resist any attempt to divide Bengal.” Coming down heavily on the BJP, she said: “The party does not believe in development. Their sole purpose is to divide Hindus and Muslims. Their leaders will come and give speeches to break our society, our cherished traditions, and communal harmony. Do not fall into their trap. Think of their audacity ~ they want to decide what food we eat. If they come to power, they will prevent us from eating fish and meat. Food is an individual’s choice, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian.” Miss Banerjee alleged that, unable to face Trinamul Congress, the saffron party is resorting to “nasty tricks” to win the election. “Rest assured, the BJP will be defeated handsomely. Trust me and vote for our candidate. Remember our symbol and vote for uninterrupted development,” she said. Criticising the Centre, she said: “No steps have been taken to prevent erosion along the Bhagirathi in Murshidabad, which is a formidable problem. Leaders come to lecture but never act. They give false assurances and disappear after the polls.” • Related report: Page 3 ‘Congress would bring in law to protect infiltrators in Assam’ UNITED NEWS IF INDIA Dhemaji (Assam), 1 April Alleging that the Congress would enact a law to protect infiltrators if it was voted to power in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday promised that the BJP would implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) if it formed the government again in the state. Addressing a massive public rally at Gogamukh in Assam’s Dhemaji district, Mr Modi accused the Congress of harbouring plans to “make the majority community into a minority in its bid to establish a permanent vote bank of infiltrators”. As against this, Modi said, the BJP was committed to protecting the identity of tribals and giving them safeguards under the Sixth schedule of the Constitution to protect Assam's identity. “Congress leaders have been publicly saying that they will introduce new legislation in Assam to protect infiltrators and are openlybsupporting them," the PM alleged. He also charged the Congress with attempting to " divide the country, just like what the Muslim League did during the partition”. Continuing his attack on the Congress, the principal Opposition party in the north-eastern state, Mr Modi invoked the name of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, considered the father of the Indian Constitution, and alleged that the Congress has “stabbed” the Constitution prepared by the Dalit icon. Mr Modi pledged that the BJP administration would enforce the UCC once the party again formed the government in the state. The BJP manifesto unveiled on Tuesday has promised to implement the UCC within three months of forming the government again in the state. Exuding confidence that the BJP would make a hat-trick of wins in the state by emerging victorious in the single-phase Assembly elections slated to be held on 9 April, he said: “And for the Congress, it will be a hat-trick of electoral defeats in the state.” The BJP had come to power in 2016, when Sarbananda Sonowal took over as Chief Minister. The party retained power in the 2021 polls, after which Himanta Biswa Sarma became the CM. Ridiculing the Congress, the PM said the Grand Old Party would soon complete a century of electoral defeats in the country. Speaking about developmental issues, Mr Modi said the BJP's ten-year rule has ushered in a new dawn of seva (service) and sushashan (good governance) in Assam.