THURSDAY 09 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR KTR’S QUIZZING: T’GANA HIGH COURT PERMITS LAWYER’S PRESENCE ‘AVOID ANY PHYSICAL CLASH DURING YOON'S ARREST’ P9 SENSEX 78,148.49q50.62 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SMOG/SHALLOW TO MODERATE FOG LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 21 AND 06 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE Max: 21.5 °C (2.5) SUN RISES 07:15 hrs MOON RISES 13:21 hrs P4 NIFTY 23,688.95p18.95 THUMBNAILS The President's traditional horse-drawn buggy during rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. n ANI Pritish Nandy passes away: Indian journalist turned director Pritish Nandy passed away due to cardiac arrest on Wednesday at his residence in Mumbai. The news was confirmed by veteran actor Anupam Kher. The actor took to his X, and shared a note in memory of the late director. He shared two monochromatic images of the late director from decades apart. Pritish Nandy, who was born in Bhagalpur in the state of Bihar to a Bengali family, identified as an agnostic. He was a multi-faceted personality as he was also a painter, a poet, and a producer. He also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, representing Maharashtra. He was elected as part of the then-united Shiv Sena. I NDA government is committed to developing Andhra Pradesh as a modern and prosperous state,” said Modi. He added, “Andhra Pradesh has set a target of developing a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047. To realize this, the government of Chandrababu Naidu has started an initiative Swarna Andhra 2047. In this, the NDA government at the Centre is walking shoulder to shoulder with the Andhra Pradesh government. Hence, the Centre is particularly prioritising Andhra Pradesh in the projects of lakhs of crores.” BPSC exam can be cancelled if probe finds lapses: Bihar minister IMRAN MOJIB PATNA, 8 JANUARY a re-examination for the 70th Combined Competitive Exams (preliminary). The students' protest gained significant attention as it gained support from various opposition parties. Election strategist-turnedpolitician Prashant Kishor is on a hunger strike. Independent MP Pappu Yadav has called for Bihar Bandh on January 12 to put pressure on the state government. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has also targeted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not taking proper action in this case. Amid growing political pressure, the minister also appealed to the BPSC aspirants to have confidence in the state government and the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). However, he also criticized opposition leaders for using the students' protest for political mileage. Meanwhile, Patna Police issued a clarification regarding the arrest of the Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor. It said Kishor was not taken to Beur jail, instead he was taken to the Beur Police Station as the court premises got overcrowded. Later, he was released upon furnishing a personal bail bond to the tune of Rs 25,000. He said now was the time “for Andhra to become a centre for new futuristic technologies.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the South Coast Railway Zone (ScoR) headquarters at Visakhapatnam which was a longcherished dream of the people of the state, particularly North Andhra. It was also promised during the bifurcation of the state. He also laid the foundation stone for NTPC Green Energy Limited’s Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Anakapalle district. This will be worth Rs 1.85 lakh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 8 JANUARY mission, the Aditya L1 observatory, and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. He noted the transformative scale of UPI transactions and India's thriving ecosystem of over 90,000 startups and 100-plus unicorns, calling initiatives like "Drone Didi" and "Atal Tinkering Labs" emblematic of New India's progress. The Minister stressed the need to invest in youth, securing their future and unlocking their full potential. He highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties with the diaspora, urging them to explore India’s tourism opportunities and cultural heritage. For the first time, a media personality , Newsweek CEO Dev Pragad is the chief guest , he noted while encouraging the media to promote tourism. Dr. Jaishankar praised Odisha’s rich cultural, religious, and archaeological heritage, describing it as a testament to India's identity as a civilizational society. He also lauded the energy and optimism of Odisha’s youth, which reflect the state’s developmental progress. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya addressed the critical role of youth in achieving India's vision of a developed nation. He noted that forums like the Youth Pravasi Divas allow the Indian diaspora to crore with a capacity of 20 gigawatts of renewable energy to produce 1500 tonnes per day of green hydrogen. The Prime Minister said, “In 2023 the country started the National Green Hydrogen mission. Our target is that by 2030 we must produce 5 million MT. In the first phase, two Green Hydrogen Hubs will be established. One of these will be at Visakhapatnam.” This will help in the creation of more job opportunities and develop “the manufacturing ecosystem” in AP. Several roads and railway projects worth Rs19500 crore were launched. The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a bulk drug park at Nakkapalli in Anakapalle district at the cost of Rs 1438.89 crore. This is one of the three such parks that are currently being set up in the country. It is located near the VisakhapatnamChennai industrial corridor and the Visakhapatnam - Kakinada Petrochemical and Investment Region. P12 SILVER 1,00,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 77.34p0.29 'Sheesh Mahal' row: It’s AAP vs BJP over media tour of CM’s residence Hitting out at AAP, BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi said with the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the elections in Delhi, the truth of corruption is gradually being uncovered before the public. NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 8 JANUARY Amid ongoing row over 'Sheesh Mahal', the AAP leaders on Wednesday got into a standoff with police outside the Delhi CM's residence with the BJP dubbing it as a "clear display of anarchy". Labelling the CM's bungalow as 'Sheesh Mahal', the BJP had claimed that the Delhi Chief Minister's residence had swimming pools and a golden commode. The saffron party had alleged that the high expenses were undertaken on refurbishing at the Delhi Chief Minister's official residence when Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal was holding the Chief Minister's post. The AAP leaders including Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh marched to the Delhi CM's residence to refute the claims of 'Sheesh Mahal' made by the BJP. Bharadwaj and Singh sat on a 'dharna' outside the CM's residence after being denied entry by the police. They also got into heated arguments with the police personnel deployed outside the bungalow. Bharadwaj accused BJP of "running away" from the claims of extravagant amenities being present at the bungalow, saying that the public should see the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well. "We should also search for these things in the Prime Minister's residence. BJP says that the CM's residence was built for Rs 33 Crores. It is also being said that the PM house is being built for Rs 2700 crore. We will see both the CM residence and the PM house. Let the public see both," Bharadwaj told reporters. Hitting out at the AAP, BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sudhanshu SC to hear petitions challenging law on selection of CEC, ECs PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 8 JANUARY The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, posted for February 4 a batch of petitions challenging validity of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023, that excludes the Chief Justice of India from a panel for the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners and gives majority to the government in the selection process. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said they would hear the challenge to the validity of the law governing the selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners after advocate Prashant Bhushan in a mentioning, seeking an Youth at the core of Viksit Bharat vision: Jaishankar External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar emphasized the pivotal role of the younger generation in shaping the world and India's journey towards a "Viksit Bharat" at the inauguration of the Youth Pravasi Divas here on Wednesday. Highlighting the global impact of youth in fields like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, startups, space technology, and sports, Dr. Jaishankar stated, “The future is being defined by the younger generation. A significant part of our efforts is to inspire and empower them to accelerate development.” He underscored the importance of balancing technology with tradition, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “The way forward is to advance on two legs—technology and tradition.” Dr. Jaishankar also spotlighted India's achievements, such as supplying vaccines and medicines globally during the COVID-19 pandemic, the success of the Chandrayaan GOLD 79,760.00 PM unveils multiple projects worth ` 2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh terating his commitment to making the state prosperous Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to Andhra Pradesh since the NDA came to power both at the Centre and the state, launched projects worth Rs two lakh crores including the long-cherished dream of a new railway zone, the modern technology based Green Hydrogen Hub and the Kris City project. The Prime Minister held a massive road show with key allies - chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan on his two sides before holding a public rally at the Andhra University grounds. In his address, the Prime Minister mentioned several times his commitment towards developing Andhra Pradesh and promised to support his key ally N Chandrababu Naidu in his endeavour to transform the state into a “golden Andhra” by 2047. “The KONSTAS SHARES DETAILS OF CONFRONTATIONS WITH KOHLI, BUMRAH P7 Centre firmly behind Naidu govt: PM Modi HYDERABAD, 8 JANUARY Min: .07.4 °C (0.5) SUN SETS 17:42 hrs MOON SETS 03:38 hrs As the students movement intensifies, Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal on Wednesday assured students that the 70th Combined Competitive Exams (preliminary) conducted by the BPSC on December 13, 2024, can be cancelled if any irregularity is found. Talking to the media here, he said the Bihar government has not said ‘no’ yet. An inquiry is on and if any irregularity is found, the exam can be cancelled. The minister's statement has come at a time when a common perception was gaining ground that the state government and BPSC would not cancel the prelims at any cost. The students’ protest started on a small scale with BPSC aspirants demanding ` vs $ 85.87 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 58 % SOCIAL POLICY WILL BE TRUDEAU’S LEGACY exchange ideas and adopt best practices from around the world. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the event as a confluence of ideas, cultures, and achievements showcasing the strength of the global Indian identity. He hailed the Indian diaspora as cultural ambassadors, adding, “When you excel abroad, we rejoice here.” Majhi highlighted Odisha’s transformation as a leader in mining and industries like steel and aluminum, while emerging as a hub for sports, IT, and skill development. He emphasized the state’s timeless heritage and natural beauty, inviting the diaspora to explore Odisha and carry a piece of it back to their adopted homelands. Welcoming cultural exchanges, business ventures, educational collaborations, and investments, Majhi concluded, “Together, we can build a Viksit Odisha and a Viksit Bharat.” PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here on Thursday. early hearing, said by excluding the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel, the government has acquired control over the selection and appointment of CEC and the ECs, which he said was a threat to the electoral democracy. The bench said it understands the importance of the matter, but important matters also require a good amount of time for hearing. The bench asked the advocates appearing in the matter to remind the court about the case on February 3 to be taken up on the following day. Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for one of the petitioners – the Association for Democratic Reforms. Earlier on December 3, 2024, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna had recused from hearing the challenge to the 2023 law. The order said, “List the matter before a bench of which I am not a part of” and directed that the matter be listed in the week commencing on January 6, 2025. Prior to that on January 12, 2024, a bench of Justice Khanna (now CJI) and Justice Dipankar Datta had issued notice to the Central government on the petitions, but refused to stay the operation of the law. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill 2023, was brought to ineffectuate March 2, 2023, a five-judge constitution bench judgment that had ruled that the panel for the selection of Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners would include the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of Indias. India conveys readiness to Maldives to support its capability enhancement for defence preparedness STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 8 JANUARY Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday reiterated India’s commitment to assisting the Maldives in enhancing its defence capabilities, including providing defence platforms and assets to bolster its preparedness. This assurance was made during bilateral discussions with Maldives' Defence Minister Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon. The talks highlighted India’s unwavering support for the Maldives in line with New Delhi's 'Neighborhood First' policy and the vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). The meeting covered a wide range of topics related to bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, a key aspect of the growing strategic ties between the two nations. A statement from the Ministry of Defence claimed that Minister Maumoon expressed appreciation for India's historical role as the ‘First Responder’ for the Maldives and thanked New Delhi for its assistance in modernising the country’s defence infrastructure and training its security personnel. On the Maldives government’s request, India also handed over defence equip- ment and supplies to aid in the country's security efforts. Minister Maumoon, who is on his first official visit to India, noted that the engagement further deepened the defence and security ties between the two countries. This visit is part of the continued high-level exchanges aimed at strengthening bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of both nations and enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region. Trivedi said with the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the elections in Delhi, the truth of corruption is gradually being uncovered before the public. At the same time, it is becoming clear how political decorum can be shattered and how political ethics can be compromised to shield one's corruption, the BJP national spokesperson said. "The reality of the monument of corruption is coming before the people.The sequence of events unfolding today and the characteristics being showcased by AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, no matter what they do, they will not be able to save Arvind Kejriwal's museum of corruption, the 'Sheesh Mahal'. Whatever they have done today, is a clear display of anarchy," Dr. Trivedi said. The BJP leader further said, "Today, whatever the AAP has done is a glaring example of their irresponsible, insane and anarchic behaviour." Four killed in stampede at Tirupati temple; CM Naidu orders relief AGENCIES AMARAVATI 8 JANUARY Four people were killed in a stampede that broke out at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday evening, officials said. According to officials, the incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam at the Tirumala The incident occurred near Vishnu Niwasam at the Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara ticketing counter during the distribution of 'darshan' tokens. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deep shock over the death of four devotees in the stampede that took place near Vishnu Niwasam in Tirupati for 'darshan' tokens at Tirumala Srivari Vaikuntha Dwara, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement. As per the statement, CM Naidu said that he was deeply disturbed by the loss of four lives in the incident that took place when devotees had gathered in large numbers for tokens. The CM spoke to officials over the phone about the treatment being provided to the injured in the incident, the CMO said. The CM is keeping abreast of the current situation by speaking to district and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials from time to time. The CM has ordered higher officials to go to the scene of the incident and take relief measures to ensure that the injured get better treatment, the CMO added in its statement.