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 | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | SPORTS WORLD NATION Vijay blames police, former DMK govt for Karur stampede France advance behind Mbappé brilliance Mediators intensify efforts to revive US-Iran talks amid fighting SATURDAY INTERVIEW India, Oman review strategic partnership: New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (EAM) held key bilateral talks with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat on Friday, during which the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of the strategic partnership between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two Ministers, during the interaction, also discussed about trade, investments, connectivity, maritime, technology, defence and cyber and AI domains. The EAM, who paid an official visit to Oman on Friday, held bilateral talks with the Oman’s Foreign Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. During the meeting, Mr Jaishankar conveyed India’s appreciation to the Oman Government for the prompt assistance extended to Indian seafarers during the recent regional developments. Top court to hear PILs over Ram Temple Trust irregularities on Monday: New Delhi: The Supreme Court is slated to hear, on Monday a batch of public interest litigations (PILs) seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged financial irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings received by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is scheduled to take up the petitions for hearing on 13 July. The matters include a writ petition filed by advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami in person, a criminal writ petition filed by Ajay Kumar Rai and another against the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust and others, and a separate petition moved by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. Page 12 Page 9 PM arrives in NZ on first bilateral visit in 40 years STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 July P rime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Auckland on Friday on a historic bilateral visit to New Zealand, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country in four decades, with both sides expected to hold wide-ranging discussions to further deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon personally received Mr Modi at the airport. Calling the visit a landmark occasion, the Prime Minister said in a post on X: “This visit is historic, being the first Prime Ministerial visit to New Zealand in four decades. I look forward to holding talks with Prime Minister Luxon and discussing the complete range of the India-NZ friendship. I will also be addressing a commu- nity programme tomorrow in Auckland.” On Friday evening, members of the Indian diaspora welcomed the Prime Minister with resplendent cultural performances at his Auckland hotel. In a post on X, the PM underlined how the performances showcased the cultures of Punjab, Tamil Nadu, a fusion of Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and a New Delhi, 10 July The Centre on Friday acknowledged that petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20) may lower fuel efficiency by around 3-5 per cent in certain vehicles, but maintained that the trade-off is compensated by multiple performance, environmental and energy security benefits. In a detailed questionand-answer (Q&A) document issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the government defended the nationwide rollout of E20 fuel, describing it as a cleaner and higher-quality alternative to conventional petrol. The clarification comes amid criticism over the impact of higher ethanol blending on vehicle performance, compatibility and fuel costs. The ministry said E20 offers a higher octane rating, improved anti-knock properties, faster combustion, smoother acce- stirring rendition of Vande Mataram. He praised the community and said: “I compliment our diaspora for keeping India’s cultural heritage vibrant across generations and continents and for strengthening the enduring peopleto-people bonds between India and New Zealand." “The love and affection of the New Zealand’s Indian community touched me deeply. Man creates ruckus in Supreme Court, hurls papers, abuses CJI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 July An unusual scene unfolded at the Supreme Court on Friday, 10 July, during the hearing of an appeal filed by a petitioner-in-person. According to LiveLaw, the petitioner engaged in disorderly conduct before the Bench and was seen hurling case papers in the courtroom, besides using foul language against the Chief Justice of India. The individual, Prabal Pratap, appeared before the bench of Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice Alok Aradhe against the dismissal of his write petition by the Allahabad High Court. Pratap was approaching the apex court against the conversion of his application under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik E20 can lower fuel economy by 3-5 pc but offers cleaner combustion: Oil Ministry STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Page 16 ‘No anti-incumbency in Uttarakhand’ Page 10 BRIEFLY Saturday, 11 July 2026 leration and better engine performance. It also highlighted cleaner engine operation and lower lifecycle carbon emissions as key advantages of the fuel. Responding to concerns over reduced mileage, the ministry said some vehicles may witness a 3-5 per cent decline in fuel economy because ethanol contains lower energy per litre than petrol. However, it argued that the overall benefits of the programme outweigh this drawback. The government also rejected claims that the transition to E20 had been rushed. It pointed out that India’s ethanol blending programme began with pilot projects in 2001, followed by the introduction of 5 per cent ethanol-blended petrol in select regions by 2006. Blending levels remained subdued at around 1.5 per cent until 2014 before accelerating after the National Policy on Biofuels was introduced in 2018 and additional feedstocks beyond sugarcane were approved for ethanol production. According to the ministry, India achieved 10 per cent ethanol blending in 2022 ahead of its original target and subsequently reached the 20 per cent blending milestone during the 2025-26 ethanol supply year after significant investments in ethanol production capacity, storage infrastructure and fuel distribution networks. Addressing apprehensions regarding older vehicles, the ministry said E20 underwent extensive validation before being introduced across the country. The testing covered engine durability, emissions, drivability, corrosion resistance, material compatibility and fuel system performance. The ministry added that automobile manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp, have not reported instances of corrosion, excessive engine wear or reduced component life linked to E20 use under normal operating conditions. Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) into a private complaint case, the report stated. As the matter was called up for hearing, the petitioner started making an extraordinary remark to the bench. “Mr Judicial Servant, I order you to order the registration of FIR against ACP Vikas Nagar, Lucknow,” he said, according to LiveLaw. After this, Justice Viswanathan said: “You are ordering me? You are ordering us?” Soon after, the petitioner, without any provocation, started hurling the case papers in the court room. He is even believed to have used abusive language towards the Chief Justice. Later on, the person was detained by the Supreme Court security personnel and escorted out. They have waited four decades for the visit of an Indian Prime Minister and their extraordinary enthusiasm and warmth were visible today. Their bond with India remains unwavering,” PM Modi said in another post on X. New Zealand’s iconic Sky Tower was lit in the colours of India’s national flag as Prime Minister Modi began his historic visit to the country. During the visit, Mr Modi and Mr Luxon are expected to hold comprehensive discussions on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, education, technology, clean energy, agriculture and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders are also likely to review the progress of bilateral ties and identify new areas of collaboration as India and New Zealand seek to strengthen their partnership. Sheikh Hasina says she will return to B’desh in December STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 10 July Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that she, alongside other exiled leaders of the Awami League, intends to return to Bangladesh voluntarily around December, despite facing the prospect of arrest or death upon her arrival. In an interview with the Reuters news agency, the 78-year-old leader, who fled to India following a student-led uprising that unseated her administration in August 2024, stated that she plans to surrender before the judicial courts upon her return. She further clarified that there has been no communication with the current authorities in Dhaka concerning her planned homecoming. “They may arrest me on my return, they may even kill me,” Sheikh Hasina told the news agency. “Still, I have to go.” Expressing deep concern over the ongoing situation of her political supporters back home, the former Prime Minister emphasised her resolve to face the consequences on her home soil. “My party leaders and workers are being subjected to tremendous repression. If death comes, I want it to come on my own soil, where my parents are buried and where their blood was shed,” she added. Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal had earlier sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death after convicting her of crimes against humanity. The charges were tied to the state crackdown on the 2024 student-led demonstrations that ultimately led to the fall of the Awami League government, with the tribunal holding her accountable for ordering or failing to stop the fatalities of demonstrators during the political unrest. In the same verdict, the tribunal handed a death sentence to former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and a five-year prison sentence to former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The judicial body additionally directed the state to confiscate the properties of both Sheikh Hasina and Kamal. (With input from agencies) Anti-Hooliganism Act to come into force on Monday; UCC panel constituted: Bengal CM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Berhampore, 10 July West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced that the state’s newly enacted AntiHooliganism Act will come into force from Monday, while the process of constituting a committee to prepare the framework for the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been completed. The announcements were made after a high-level administrative review meeting held in Berhampore during his visit to Murshidabad district, where law and order, border security, river erosion and measures to curb human trafficking figured prominently in the discussions. Addressing reporters after the meeting, the Chief Minister said the state Cabinet has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to examine and prepare the roadmap for introducing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. “The UCC committee has already been formed by the Cabinet. It is headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. We are hopeful that the committee will submit its report at the earliest, following which the government will introduce the UCC Bill in the Assembly,” he said. Government sources indicated that the administration intends to place the proposed legislation before the Assembly soon. The government has, however, already indicated that tribal communities, including Scheduled Tribes and Kurmis, are likely to be kept outside the purview of the proposed law. The Chief Minister also announced that the AntiHooliganism Act has received the Governor’s assent after being passed by the Assembly and will become operational across the state from Monday. The legislation has been introduced to deal with organised criminal activities, including extortion, vandalism and bomb-related violence. Stressing the need for strict enforcement, Mr Adhikari said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards anti-social elements. Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation theft: Trust reviews bylaws to create CEO post, revamp banking system VIBHA SHARMA New Delhi, 10 July In the wake of the alleged theft of Ram Mandir donations, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is reviewing its bylaws to create the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and strengthen its banking arrangements. The proposals are expected to be placed before the Trust’s meeting in Ayodhya on 22 July, sources familiar with the developments in the temple town said. The meeting is also expected to consider new trustees to fill vacancies created by the resignations of general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra. The proposed amendments seek to address governance gaps exposed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe by establishing clearer administrative accountability, strengthening financial oversight and improving safeguards for handling temple donations. Treasurer Govind Dev Giri and trustee K. Parasaran, a senior Supreme Court advocate who drafted the Trust's bylaws when it was constituted in February 2020, are said to have already discussed the proposed changes, the sources added. The existing deed ~ the legal instrument that establishes a Trust and lays down its objects, powers, governance structure and rules ~ contains no provision for appointing a CEO. Therefore, the bylaws will have to be amended before the post can be created and the proposed administrative and financial reforms implemented. The Trust has constituted a three-member committee comprising Justice (Retired) Pramod Kohli, Lieutenant General Vishnukant Chaturvedi (Retired) and former NIT Raipur chairperson Suresh Haware to recommend candidates for the CEO’s post. The Trust currently maintains accounts with banks such as the State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda. The cash collected from temple donation boxes was reportedly largely deposited with SBI. The Trust is now exploring alternatives, including engaging another bank or distributing deposits among multiple eligible banks. In this connection, Govind Dev Giri has also met senior officials of a private-sector bank, the sources said. The proposed changes follow the SIT’s preliminary findings, which flagged serious procedural lapses in the cash-counting process. In his statement to the SIT, Champat Rai reportedly alleged that SBI failed to enforce mandatory safeguards, including frisking counting staff, providing pocketless uniforms and implementing other security protocols for high-value cash operations. Govind Giri, too, blamed the SBI for “shirking” its responsibility in his interaction with the media following the last Trust meeting. “Since the work was carried out in collaboration with SBI, it also bears responsibility, and we have had to suffer the severe consequences of its lack of oversight. In my view, the FIR should actually have been filed by SBI, not by our Trust, though the wellintentioned members of our Trust went ahead and filed it themselves. The responsibility truly lies with SBI. We will take appropriate measures, seek guidance from all concerned, and fully restore the reputation of the Ram Mandir, which has been tarnished,” he had said.