SATURDAY 04 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ANTI-CORRUPTION BUREAU SUMMONS KTR IN TELANGANA S KOREA’S IMPEACHED PRESIDENT DEFIES WARRANT P9 SENSEX 79,223.11q720.60 WEATHER SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 21 AND 08 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE Max: 21.2 °C (+2) SUN RISES 07:15 hrs MOON RISES 11:02 hrs P8 NIFTY 24,004.75q183.90 ` vs $ 85.79 GOLD 79,770.00 THUMBNAILS People gather around a bonfire to keep themselves warm on a cold winter morning in Gurugram on Thursday. ANI CBI court sentences 10 Kerala CPM workers to double life imprisonment over Periya twin murder case: A Special CBI Court in Kochi on Friday sentenced 10 CPI-M workers to double life imprisonment for the murder and conspiracy in the killings of Youth Congress workers Kripesh (21) and Sarathlal P K (24) in the Periya twin murder case. They were also found guilty of unlawful assembly, rioting, and wrongful restraint and also fined Rs 2 lakh each. N. Seshadrinathan, Special Judge, CBI Court, Kochi, ordered that the punishment would run concurrently. (Page 8) SILVER 1,00,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 76.23p0.30 Delhi's voters have decided they will not tolerate this 'AAP-DA', says PM Narendra Modi P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its supremo Arvind Kejriwal, saying they have looted the people of Delhi in the last 10 years and expressed confidence that the BJP will dislodge them from power in the coming Assembly election. Virtually launching the BJP's election campaign in the national capital, Mr Modi, without directly naming Mr Kejriwal, blasted the former chief minister for building a ‘Sheesh Mahal’ for himself but doing very little for the betterment of the people. “AAP-DA ko hatana hai, Bhajpa ko lana hai (AAP has to be defeated, BJP has to be brought (to power),” he said while addressing the public meeting in Ashok Vihar's Ramlila Ground. Mr Modi said Delhi has been surrounded by a major 'Aapda' (disaster) for the last 10 years and by bringing veteran social activist Anna Hazare forward, some 'Kattar Beimaan' (hardcore corrupt) people pushed the national capital into AAP-DA. The PM hit out at the AAP government in Delhi alleging that the past 10 years have been marked by corruption and scams in various sectors such as liquor contracts, school education, healthcare for the poor, pollution control, and recruitment. “Some hardcore corrupt individuals, using Anna Hazare as a front, have pushed Delhi into this crisis," he said. Earlier, Mr Modi inaugurated the 1,675 newly constructed flats for the dwellers of JJ clusters and also handed over keys to eligible bene- ficiaries at Swabhiman Apartments in Ashok Vihar here. He also virtually inaugurated two urban redevelopment projects - the World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar and GPRA TypeII Quarters at Sarojini Nagar, CBSE's Integrated Office Complex at Dwarka and also laid the foundation stone of Veer Savarkar College at Roshanpura, Najafgarh. Addressing the public meeting in Ashok Vihar's Ramlila Ground, Mr Modi said Delhi has always envisioned good governance but the ruling state government has failed to deliver on its promises and has only worsened the situation. India lodges protest with China over announcement of two new counties STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has "never accepted" the illegal Chinese occupation of the Indian territory in Ladakh. tion regarding our sovereignty over the area nor lend legitimacy to China's illegal and forcible occupation of the same. We have lodged a solemn protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” the spokesperson added. On China's mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Tibetan name for the Brahmaputra), the spokesperson said: “We have seen the information released by Xinhua (China's official news agency) on 25 December 2024 regarding a hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.” As a lower riparian state with established user rights to the waters of the river, India has consistently expressed, through expertlevel as well as diplomatic channels, its views and concerns to the Chinese side over mega projects on rivers in its territory, he said. “These have been reiterated, along with the need for transparency and consultation with downstream countries, following the latest report. The Chinese side has been urged to ensure that the interests of downstream states of the Brahmaputra are not harmed by activities in upstream areas. We will continue to monitor and take necessary measures to protect our interests,” he added. As a result, the people of Delhi are determined to fight against this crisis, vowing to bring change and rid the city of this corruption. “Scams in liquor contracts...scams in schools for children...scams in healthcare for the poor...scams in the name of fighting pollution... scams in recruitments...These people talked about the development of Delhi, but instead, they became the 'AAPda' and struck Delhi,” he said. Mr Modi further targeted the AAP government, saying that the AAP has descended upon Delhi like an 'Aapda' (disaster). “These (AAP) people MEA declines to comment on Sheikh Hasina extradition plea STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY A spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday declined to say anything on Bangladesh's request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina “A week back, I had confirmed that we had received a communication from the Bangladesh authorities in respect to former PM Sheikh Hasina. Further than that, I have nothing to add at this point in time,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Bangladesh submitted an extradition request through a Note Verbale on 21 December 2024, via its High Commission in New Delhi. India has always stood by Maldives: EAM Jaishankar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mr Jaishankar noted that the two countries have signed the framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions. The two neighbours have also increased their engagements in various sectors. NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India has always stood by the Maldives, adding the Indian Ocean archipelago is a concrete expression of New Delhi's ''Neighbourhood First'' policy. There have been some important positive developments in India-Maldives relations in recent months but the two nations need to do much more, he said in talks with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel. The Maldivian minister arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit to explore ways to bolster bilateral ties in several key areas, including maritime security, trade and investment. Mr Jaishankar noted that the two countries have signed the framework to promote the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions. P12 AAP-DA ko hatana hai, Bhajpa ko lana hai: Modi targets Kejriwal NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY Min: .07.0 °C (0) SUN SETS 17:38 hrs MOON SETS 22:12 hrs India has lodged a "solemn protest" with China over the announcement of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture as parts of these regions fall in the Indian Union territory of Ladakh, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday. At a media briefing here, he said: “We have seen the announcement pertaining to the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture of China. Parts of jurisdiction of these so-called counties fall in India's Union Territory of Ladakh.” He said India has "never accepted" the illegal Chinese occupation of the Indian territory in Ladakh. “Creation of new counties will neither have a bearing on India's longstanding and consistent posi- P7 NIKHIL VYAS Min. 61 % SYDNEY TEST: INDIA SUFFER YET ANOTHER BATTING COLLAPSE ON DAY 1 ‘PEDAGOGY MUST BE FLEXIBLE’ The two neighbours have also increased their engagements in various sectors. The Maldivian minister said he wanted to be in India on his first overseas visit during the new year. He said Male desires a dynamic and meaningful agenda with India for the year ahead. “It is an important year for Maldives-India relations. We are celebrating 60 years of establishment of formal diplomatic relations. Our partnership dates back to centuries. Our partnership is built on mutual understanding, respect and a shared commitment,” he said. Mr Khaleel said the India-Maldives relationship, rooted in decades of trust and friendship, will continue to thrive. “As a beneficiary of India's Neighbourhood First policy, the Government of Maldives deeply values the significant importance India placed in its relationship with the Maldives. We have many examples where the Government of India has consistently stood by the Maldives as an immediate responder in times of need,” he said. Ties between India and the Maldives came under strain after Mr Mohamed Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, became president of the island in November 2023. Soon after taking charge of his office, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. However, there was a breakthrough when Mr Muizzu visited India in October last year to reset ties with New Delhi. openly engage in corruption and even celebrate it. AAP, the 'Aapda', has befallen Delhi. That's why the people of Delhi have launched a war against this disaster,” Mr Modi said. Delhi's voters have decided they will not tolerate this 'AAPada' and will bring about change, he said. “Delhi is saying in unison, 'Aapda Ko Nahi Sahenge, Badal Kar Rahenge',” Mr Modi said. Alleging that the high expenses were undertaken on refurbishing at the Delhi Chief Minister's official residence when Arvind Kejriwal was holding the Chief Minister's post, the Prime Minister said India knows that Modi has never built a house for himself, but over the past 10 years, he has fulfilled the dreams of more than 4 crore people. "I could have built a 'Sheesh Mahal' for myself, but my dream was to provide pucca houses for my fellow countrymen. I urge all of you, whenever you interact and meet with slum dwellers, to ensure them on my behalf that they will definitely get pucca houses, if not today, then tomorrow!" the Prime Minister said. Two men set themselves on fire over Union Carbide waste disposal STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHOPAL, 3 JANUARY The bandh in Pithampur city of Madhya Pradesh on Friday – called in protest against the planned incineration of 337 metric tons of the Bhopal gas tragedy waste from the union carbide factory in Bhopal – turned tense, as two men poured some inflammable liquid and set themselves afire. Police and rescue workers rushed the two persons, both aged around 40 years, to a hospital at Pithampur. Later, they were sent to a private hospital at nearby Indore, some 30 km away. Authorities said both men remained hospitalised but they were out of danger. Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra and SP Manoj Kumar Singh appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm in the district, and particularly in the Pithampur industrial town. Both officials requested people not to take the law in their hands as the government and the authorities were sensitive towards their concerns. The officials, nonetheless, said that anyone who still tried to create any disturbance would be dealt with strictly. (Details on Page 5) Nothing to be alarmed about: Health Ministry on reports of HMPV in China STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY: Amid the outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China, the Union Health Ministry on Friday said there was nothing to be alarmed about. The Ministry, however, appealed to the people to take precautions against all respiratory infections. Talking to reporters, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Atul Goel said: “There has been news doing the rounds about the metapneumovirus outbreak in China. Metapneumovirus is like any other respiratory virus which causes a common cold. In the very old and in the very young (age group) it could cause flu-like symptoms.” Informing that the data of the respiratory outbreaks within the country have been analysed, he said: “There is no substantial increase in December 2024 data. No cases have been reported in large numbers from any of our institutions.” The DGHS pointed out that during the winters, there is an increased outbreak of respiratory virus infections, and added that the hospitals are usually prepared with the necessary supplies and the necessary beds to deal with the situation. “I would like to convey to the public, to take general precau- tions that we use against all necessary respiratory infections which means if somebody has a cold and cough issue, they should avoid coming in contact with a lot of people so that the infection does not spread,” he said. Emphasising on using a handkerchief or towel for coughing and sneezing and taking normal medicines which are required, Dr Goel said: “(There’s) nothing to be alarmed about the present situation.” Dramatic decline in India’s rural poverty from 25.7 pc to 4.86 pc in last 12 years: SBI report AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 3 JANUARY India's rural poverty ratio has registered a dramatic decline to 4.86 per cent in the financial year 2023-24 from 25.7 per cent in 201112 while urban poverty has fallen to 4.09 per cent from 4.6 per cent during this period, according to an SBI Research report released on Friday. “At an aggregate level, we believe poverty rates in India could now be in the range of 4 per cent-4.5 per cent with almost minimal existence of extreme poverty,” the report said. “The sharp decline in the rural poverty ratio is on account of higher consumption growth in the lowest 0-5 per cent decile with significant Government support and such support is important as we also find that change in food prices has significant impact on not just food expenditures, but overall expenditure in general,” the report states. Based on 2023-24 fractile distribution, the sample proportion for poverty in rural areas is 4.86 per cent and 4.09 per cent in urban areas in FY24. This is also significantly lower than FY23 estimates of rural poverty at 7.2 per cent and urban poverty at 4.6 per cent, according to the report. “It is possible that these numbers could undergo minor revisions once the 2021 census is completed and the new Rural-Urban population share is published. We believe Urban poverty could decline even further,” the report said. One of the reasons for the increasingly shrinking horizontal income gap between rural and urban and the vertical income gap within rural income classes is the enhanced physical infrastructure is scripting a new story in rural mobility, according to the report. “The difference between rural and urban monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) is now at 69.7 per cent, a rapid decline from 88.2 per cent in 2009-10. This is mostly due to the initiatives the Government has taken in terms of Direct Benefit Transfers, building rural infrastructure, augmenting farmers' income and improving rural livelihood significantly,” the SBI report pointed out. It said that food inflation dampens consumption demand more in lower-income states as compared to higher-income states, reflecting that rural people are comparatively more risk-averse in low-income states than in high-income states.