SATURDAY 18 JANUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘POLLUTION DOWN IN DELHI’ GOYAL ENCOURAGES FIRST-TIME VEHICLE BUYERS TO CHOOSE EVS P10 SENSEX 76,619.33q423.49 WEATHER Partly cloudy. Rain likely in the afternoon. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 26°C and 15°C respectively. NIFTY NO ARRESTS MADE IN ACTOR SAIF ALI KHAN STABBING CASE P7 23,203.20q108.60 P5 ` vs $ 86.58 The CBI has sought the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the lone accused STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Max. 79% Min. 69% KOLKATA, 17 JANUARY Max: 26.2˚C SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 21:18 hrs Min: 15.3˚C SUN SETS 17:34 hrs MOON SETS 09:29 hrs T TEMPERATURE New Moon on 29 January THUMBNAILS A sadhu blows a conch at Triveni Sangam during the Mahakumbh 2025, Prayagraj. n ANI IsraelÊs security Cabinet clears Gaza ceasefire: Israel’s security Cabinet recommended approval on Friday of a ceasefire deal after PM Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza and release dozens of hostages held by militants there. The deal now goes to the full Cabinet of ministers for final sign-off. It is expected to OK the ceasefire, which could start as soon as Sunday. (Page 9) he verdict in the trial of the accused for the brutal rape and murder of a 31 year-old woman post graduate trainee (PGT) doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College Hospital on 9 August last year will be delivered on Saturday. The verdict will be delivered by the additional chief judicial magistrate (ACJM), Sealdah court, where the trial of the case concluded on 9 January, probably in the afternoon, five months and nine days after the incident. Fifty witnesses, including the father of the raped and murdered doctor, investigating officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the incident and Kolkata Police (KP), forensic experts and colleagues of the victim, were examined in the case. A day before the court is set to deliver its verdict in the case, meanwhile, the parents of the victim doctor alleged that the investigation is only halfdone as others involved in the crime are roaming free. Her parents said they will continue to fight until justice is delivered for their daughter, whose body was found in the seminar room of the staterun hospital on August 9 last year, sparking nationwide outrage and prolonged protests. Kolkata Police, which had initially investigated the case had arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the city police, for the crime within 24 hours of the victim’s body being found in the seminar room of the chest medicine department housed in the fourth floor `2,500 for women, pension for senior citizens among key promises in BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY BJP national president JP Nadda on Friday launched the first part of the party's manifesto for the 5 February Delhi assembly polls, with several key promises, including Rs 2,500 monthly monetary assistance to poor women, medical insurance of up to Rs 10 lakh to every resident, Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens and Rs 500 subsidy on LPG cylinders. Mr Nadda also assured that no scheme of public interest would be stopped if the BJP is voted to power after the Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference here while launching BJP’s Sankalp Patra Part - I for the Delhi Assembly polls, Mr Nadda said: “The points I am going to make today are going to lay the foundation of a developed Delhi. Today we will discuss those points on how to take forward a developed Delhi.” The saffron party has prom- ised to provide Rs 2,500 as financial assistance to every poor woman in Delhi every month through 'Mahila Samridhi Yojana'. “This scheme will be passed in the cabinet in the first instance,” Mr Nadda said while addressing the press conference. The BJP has also promised that every pregnant woman in Delhi will get financial assistance of Rs 21,000 and 6 nutrition kits. Mr Nadda further said all existing welfare schemes currently operational in Delhi will continue to be implemented even after the BJP forms the government. “These schemes will be executed more effectively and further strengthened to benefit the people. Additionally, we are committed to eradicating every avenue of corruption, which has been a hallmark of the AAP-led administration," he said. Mr Nadda said that the new BJP government will approve the Union government's flagship health scheme Ayushman Bharat in letter and spirit in the first cabinet meeting and will also enhance the limit from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. “Apart from the Centre's Rs 5 lakh medical insurance under Ayushman Bharat, the new city dispensation will give additional benefits of Rs 5 lakh, together, taking it to a total of Rs 10 lakh,” Mr Nadda said. The BJP has promised that the pension of senior citizens will be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per month, while that of senior citizens of above 70 years, widows and destitute women will be hiked from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per month. of the nine-storeyed casualty building of the hospital in north Kolkata. Subsequently, Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the CBI. The CBI has sought the death penalty for Sanjay Roy. The victim’s parents, alleging the involvement of other individuals in the crime, have filed an application seeking further investigation and expressed hope that all perpetrators will be arrested and brought to justice. “Sanjay Roy is guilty, and tomorrow's verdict will be against him. But what about other criminals who are still not caught? I can see them roaming freely. I have seen them loitering in the hospital. So, the investigation is half-done,” the victim's parents told media. They also stated that biological evidence proved Sanjay guilty but the administration has been shielding several others involved in the crime. All the evidence was either lost or erased. A large number of people were present when (the then) Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the crime scene. It was looking like a fish market, they alleged. The deceased doctor's father also claimed that the investigation was incomplete. The victim’s parents said they have faith in the judiciary and will be in the court when the verdict is passed on Saturday. If Roy is convicted, the court may sentence him either to death or life imprisonment. Asked whether they want death penalty for Roy, the mother said: “I want punishment for the guilty.” P12 SILVER 1,04,000 GOLD 81,600.00 Verdict in RG Kar rape & murder case today RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY BCCI ANNOUNCES STRINGENT GUIDELINES FOR TEAM INDIA BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 80.85q0.44 Twelve Indians killed in service of Russian armed forces, MEA confirms MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing on Friday that India had made its position clear to Dhaka recently when it called the Bangladesh acting high commissioner to the foreign office. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY At least 12 Indian nationals have died while serving the Russian Army in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. At a media briefing here, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there were a total of 126 Indian nationals working in the Russian armed forces. Of them, 96 have returned to India, having been discharged from the Russian armed forces. A total of 18 Indian nationals still remain with the Russian forces. The whereabouts of 16 of them are not known. The Russian side has categorised them as "missing", the spokesperson said, adding New Delhi is in touch with their families. The spokesperson said India has asked Moscow to discharge all those Indians still working with the Russian forces and repatriate them as early as possible. The spokesperson condoled the recent death of Binil Babu from Kerala while working for the Russian Army. "We have conveyed our condolences to the family. Our embassy is in touch with the Russian authorities so that his mortal remains could ‘India committed to ensuring crime-free border with Bangladesh’ NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY come back to India as soon as possible. Another person, who was injured, is receiving treatment in Moscow. Hopefully, he will also be returning to India soon after his treatment is completed," he added. Talking about Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Mr Jaiswal said that India will be hosting the annual summit between the two nations this year and the dates will be worked out later. "This year we have to host the annual summit in India...Each year we have annual summits with Russia...The dates will be worked out through diplomatic channels," he said. Notably, the Kremlin has confirmed that Mr Putin's visit to India this year, the dates for which are yet to be announced. This will be Mr Putin's first visit to India since the beginning of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia in 2022. India on Friday reiterated that it is committed to ensuring a crime-free border with Bangladesh, emphasising the need for enhanced security measures and adherence to bilateral accords. ''Effectively addressing cross-border criminal activities, smuggling and trafficking, barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices, and cattle fences are measures that are aimed at securing the border. We expect all earlier understandings in this regard will be implemented by Bangladesh in a cooperative approach towards combating such crimes," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing. The spokesperson said India had made its position clear to Dhaka recently when it called the Bangladesh acting high commissioner to the foreign SNS office. Budget Session of Parliament from 31 Jan to 4 April Indo-US ties will be more tech-based now than ever before: EAM Jaishankar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY The Budget Session of Parliament will commence from January 31 and will continue till 4 April, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said on Friday evening. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on 1 February. President Droupadi Murmu will address a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on 31 January. The first part of the Budget session will last from 31 January to 13 February. The second part of the Budget session will commence from 10 March and will continue till 4 April, subject to exigencies of government business. “The Fourth Session of Eighteenth Lok Sabha will commence on Friday, the 31st January, 2025. Subject to exigencies of Government Business, the Session is likely to conclude on Friday, the 4th April, 2025,” the Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a statement. The Indo-US relationship will be based on technology more than ever before in the years to come in this era of AI, EVs, space and drones, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. The relationship will have a much bigger space component because the space domain is just beginning to open up, he said as he opened the US Consulate in Bengaluru along with outgoing US Ambassador Eric Garcetti. Mr Jaishankar's comments came on the eve of his visit to the US to represent India at the inauguration of Mr Donald Trump as America's 47th president. He also announced that India will soon be opening a new consulate in Los Angeles. "Bengaluru is such an important place, it was for me an imperative that there is a permanent resident pres- ence of American diplomats this time. It has been something long in waiting. I told him (US Ambassador Garcetti) you get Bengaluru done and I'll get you Los Angeles done, which is his hometown. So we will be opening our consulate in Los Angeles also. A consulate serves many purposes. A big part of it is to facilitate travel," the EAM said. He highlighted several aspects of the India-US ties and said that the opening of the consulate was long due. "Today it is within our grasp, within the realm of possibility, that we realise the potential of India-US relations. It is important that Bengaluru too, realises its potential in the relationship. As a country, today we are encouraging the opening of more embassies in the capital. It's part of our deeper engagement with the world. But along with that, we are also encouraging more embassies to open consulates. I hope that there will be more occasions where more countries will open more consulates in Bengaluru. It would serve India's interests, Karnataka's interests and Bengaluru's interests better," the minister said. Speaking about the IndiaUS ties, Mr Jaishankar remarked that defence is a crucial area of cooperation. Two decades ago, there were virtually no American weapons in the Indian inventory and very little defence collaboration. ''Today we fly the C17s, the C130s, the Chinooks, the Apaches," he remarked. He also highlighted the importance of the education and research sector between the two countries. "I hope to see collaborative campuses, exchange of students and a stronger American education presence in this region. Today, the formal opening of this consulate is one more sign that we are overcoming the hesitations of history," he added. S’pore President’s visit boosts Odisha-Singapore collaboration India has the need and aspirations for the growth of auto industry: PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BHUBANESWAR, 17 JANUARY The President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by a business delegation, visited the World Skill Center in Bhubaneswar on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the growing partnership between Singapore and Odisha. In his presence, eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, underscoring the strengthening ties between the two Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that President Tharman specifically chose to visit Odisha, making it the only state he will spend two days in during his trip to the country. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed optimism about the deepening collaboration, stating, “There is tremendous potential for partnership between Singapore and Odisha.” Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja presented a detailed briefing that showcased Odisha's initiatives and opportunities for collaboration in key sectors such as skill development, industrial parks, master planning, ports, renewable energy, semiconductors, IT, data centres, culture, and connectivity. The presentation highlighted the state’s robust infrastructure, mineral wealth, and skilled workforce, positioning Odisha as a prime destination for investment. President Tharman toured the Vertical Transportation Lab and Travelator Lab at the World Skill Center, interacting with students and instructors, and expressed admiration for Odisha’s efforts in advancing skill development and innovation. A series of MoUs were signed between the Government of Odisha and leading Singaporean entities to foster collaboration across critical sectors, including: Industrial Parks and Green Hydrogen Corridor: Signed between Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Sembcorp Singapore; Petrochemical and Petroleum Investment Region (PCPIR): Inked between IDCO and Surbana Jurong; New City Development: Signed between Bhubaneswar Development Authority and Surbana Jurong; New Energy Collaboration: MoUs exchanged between Nanyang Technological University, Gridco, and IIT Bhubaneswar; FinTech Ecosystem: Agreement between the Electronics & IT Department, Odisha, and Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore; and Advanced Skilling in Semiconductors: Signed between the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Odisha, and ITE Education Services (ITEES), Singapore. Chief Minister Majhi highlighted Odisha’s recent achieve- ments in attracting investments, crediting the proactive efforts of the state’s “double-engine government”. He remarked: “In just seven months since assuming office, we have positioned Odisha as a preferred investment destination.” Mr Majhi also emphasised the success of his November 2024 visit to Singapore, where he invited Singaporean industrialists to invest in Odisha. He noted: “Our bilateral discussions today have culminated in the signing of eight MoUs. This is a testament to our state’s potential and growing reputation.” The Chief Minister mentioned that the upcoming Utkarsha Odisha Conclave on 28-29 January is expected to attract further investments. He also highlighted his recent roadshows in Delhi and Mumbai to engage with potential investors, reiterating Odisha’s advantages, including its rich mineral resources, strategic location, and skilled manpower. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 17 JANUARY Underscoring the importance of the need and aspirations for the growth of the auto industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on Friday that India possesses both. He emphasised that India would remain the world's youngest country for many decades with the youth being the largest customer base. Speaking at the inauguration of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the largest mobility expo in India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Modi noted that the large youth demographic would create significant demand. Additionally, he pointed out that another major customer base is India's middle class and over the past decade, 25 crore Indians have risen out of poverty, forming a neo-middle class that is purchasing their first vehicles. He added that as the progress continues, this group would upgrade their vehicles, benefitting the auto sector. He said the journey of Viksit Bharat is set to be one of unprecedented transformation and exponential growth in the mobility sector. The prime minister emphasised that several fac- tors drive the future of mobility in India, including the country's large youth population, the expanding middle class, rapid urbanisation, modern infrastructure development, and affordable vehicles through the Make in India initiative. He added that these factors collectively push the growth of the auto sector in India. Reminiscing about late industrialist Ratan Tata and former chairman of Japan's Suzuki Motor Osamu Suzuki during the grand event of the Indian Auto sector, he said the contributions of both the stalwarts were immense in the growth of the Indian Auto sector as well as fulfilling the dreams of middle-class families of India. He expressed the confidence that their legacy would continue to inspire the entire mobility sector of India.