WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WILL LEVERAGE AI TO TACKLE MULE ACCOUNTS’ UNRESOLVED CRISIS P5 SENSEX 76,293.60q1,018.20 WEATHER SMOG/MIST LIKELY IN THE MORNING. MAINLY CLEAR SKY. OCCASIONAL STRONG SURFACE WINDS(SPEED 20-30 KMPH) LIKELY DURING THE DAY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 27 AND 11 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY NIFTY P6 23,071.80q309.80 ` vs $ 86.82 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Max: 29.7 °C (+6.3 ) SUN RISES 7:01 hrs MOON RISES 18:00 hrs Min: 09.8˚C (-0.4) SUN SETS 18:09 hrs MOON SETS 07:31 hrs hile observing that the world is at the dawn of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) age that will shape the course of humanity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon the global community to address concerns related to cyber security, disinformation, and deep fakes. “We must build quality data sets, free from biases. We must democratise technology and create people-centric applications. We must address concerns related to cyber security, disinformation, and deep fakes. And, we must also ensure that technology is rooted in local ecosystems for it to be effective and useful,” he said while addressing the AI Action Summit in Paris. The Indian leader was cochairing the summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Modi observed that AI can help transform mil- US VP backs Modi’s AI Action Summit remarks NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY THUMBNAILS A serene view of houseboats anchored in the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Tuesday. n ANI Two soldiers killed in IED blast along IndiaPakistan border in Akhnoor Sector: Two soldiers of the Indian Army were on Tuesday killed in an IED blast along the border fence on the India-Pakistan border, in the Akhnoor area of the Jammu district. "White Knight Corps salutes and pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of two gallant soldiers", the Army said. It is yet to be confirmed whether the IED was planted by terrorists or by Pakistani agencies. (P3) W STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY lions of lives by improving health, education, agriculture and so much more. It can help create a world in which the journey to Sustainable Development Goals becomes easier and faster. “To do this, we must pool together resources and talent. We must develop open-source systems that enhance trust and transparency,” he added. Pointing out that the loss of jobs is AI’s most feared disruption, he said history has, however, shown that work does not disappear due to technology. Its nature changes and new types of jobs are created. “We need to invest in skilling and re-skilling our people for an AI-driven future,” he added. Emphasising that the high energy intensity of AI needs to be looked into, the PM said this would require green power to fuel its future. “India and France have worked together for years through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance to harness the power of the sun. As we advance our partnership to AI, it is a natural progression from sustainability to innovation to shape a smarter and responsible future,” he added. Suspense over Furore in Rajya Sabha over original pics missing in newer editions of Constitution new CM of STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY The Rajya Sabha witnessed a furore on Tuesday over new editions of the Constitution of India being published without 22 illustrations found in the original edition. However, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar assured the members of the Upper House that if any change has to be made in the Indian Constitution, it could come only from Parliament with President’s assent. He said: ''I am categorical that the Constitution signed by the Founding Fathers, carrying 22 miniatures, is the only authentic one and it can include amendments by Parliament. If there is any change effected by the judiciary or any institution, it is not acceptable to this House.” Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP Member Radha Mohan Das Agrawal demanded the inclusion of 22 original illustrations, including those of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and King Vikramaditya in new editions of the Constitution. He said important portions of the Constitution were removed from the new editions in an unconstitutional manner. The illustrations referred to, implemented by artist Nandalal Bose and his team from Santiniketan, appear in the original editions of the Constitution kept in Parliament, but many versions of the Constitution are sold with only the text, minus thd illustrations and the signatures of the framers. Chairman Dhankhar appealed to the leader of the House to ensure that only the authentic version of the Indian Constitution was published. “I will appeal to the leader of the House to ensure that in the country only the authentic version of the Indian Constitution be promulgated. Any violation of this should be taken quite seriously by the government and severe action taken," he added. “I have no doubt and I am categorical. The Constitution signed by the founding fathers of the Constitution carrying 22 miniatures is the only authentic one and can include amendments by Parliament,” he said. Mr Agarwal later said the copies of the Constitution on MPs’ computers had been updated with the illustrations he had mentioned earlier that sparked a row. He thanked the government, after which Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar told him that he had done the work. Delhi persists NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY The suspense over the chief ministerial pick in Delhi persisted on Tuesday. 10 newly-elected BJP MLAs met party’s National President JP Nadda. The BJP MLAs, including Anil Sharma, Shikha Roy, Satish Upadhyay, Arvinder Singh Lovely, Vijender Gupta, Ajay Mahawar, Rekha Gupta, Kapil Mishra, Kulwant Rana, and Dr. Anil Goyal paid a courtesy call to the BJP president in Parliament. The BJP secured a landslide victory in the Delhi assembly elections on 8 February, winning a two-thirds majority by bagging 48 seats in the 70-member assembly. However, the party is yet to announce the chief ministerial face for the national capital. The swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister is likely to be held after 13 February India invites global partners to join in co-development and co-production of advanced defence systems STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the global community to partner with India in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence systems, stressing that the current global security landscape demands innovative solutions and stronger international partnerships. Speaking at the Defence Ministers’ Conclave titled ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE),’ held during the 15th Aero India in Bengaluru, Mr Singh emphasised the need for resilience in response to emerging global challenges. The conclave saw participation from over 162 delegates from 81 countries, including 15 Defence Min- GOLD 87,985.00 Co-chairing AI summit in Paris, Modi also emphasises on the need to democratise technology and ensure it is rooted in local ecosystems Min. 30% isters, 11 Deputy Defence Ministers, 15 Permanent Secretaries, and 17 Service Chiefs. The defence minister highlighted the evolving security threats, including hybrid warfare, disruptive technologies, and the increasing role of non-state actors, which have led to a more fragile global order. He pointed out that technologies like AI, quantum computing, hypersonic weapons, and directed energy are transforming warfare, creating new vulnerabilities that require an urgent reassessment of military capabilities. Explaining India’s vision of a peaceful, secure, and prosperous world, guided by the dynamic principles of "Samman" (Respect), "Samvaad" (Dialogue), "Sahyog" (Cooperation), "Shanti" (Peace), and "Samriddhi" (Prosperity), Mr Singh said that these principles serve as the foundation for India’s global engagements, focusing on mutual trust, equality, and adherence to international law. He also elaborated on India’s “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), highlighting India’s commitment to fostering partnerships that promote maritime security, economic development, and a sustainable blue economy. India's approach, he said, is rooted in building equitable partnerships based on mutual capacity-building, rather than transactional relationships or imposing solutions. THIRD ODI: INDIA EYE SERIES WHITEWASH AGAINST ENGLAND P8 PM raises concerns about cybersecurity, deep fakes Max. 97% TEMPERATURE ALLAHBADIA, SANMAY SUMMONED BY NCW US Vice President J D Vance on Tuesday supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that AI is not going to replace human beings at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris. "I appreciate Prime Minister Modi's point. I believe AI will facilitate and make people more productive. It is not going to replace human beings. Itwillneverreplacehuman beings," Mr Vance said while addressing the summit. Mr Vance's statement came two days before PM Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. AI is likely to be among the issues that will figure during their meeting. P12 SILVER 1,07,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 77.15p1.28 ‘Capex outlays haven’t come down, using entire borrowings in FY26 towards capex’ The government is using almost the entire borrowing in 2025-26 towards financing capital expenditure, Mrs Sitharaman said. She said the effective capital expenditure in FY'26 is Rs 15.48 lakh crore, which is 4.3 pc of GDP. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the capital expenditure outlays had not come down, but gone up. The amount going to states was also has not reduced and Rs 25.01 lakh crore will be transferred in FY'26, she said. The government is using almost the entire borrowing in 2025-26 towards financing capital expenditure, Mrs Sitharaman said. She said the effective capital expenditure in FY'26 is Rs 15.48 lakh crore, which is 4.3pc of GDP. The Finance Minister’s response came in the Lok Sabha on a discussion on the General Budget 202526. “The world's scenario in last 10 years turned 180 degrees; making a Budget is more challenging than ever before,” she said. “Government is using 99 per cent of borrowings for capital expenditure, which is 4.3 per cent of GDP.” “This Budget has come at a time of immense uncertainties, and the change in global macroeconomic environment makes it challenging. So, if there are challenges which have actually (saddled) the Budget preparation with a lot more uncertainties, I have to at least put in front of the august House, that there are issues which are of global concern, which also have an impact on our own Budget making," she said. “The government is focusing on bringing prosperity to the villages along with making agriculture, MSME, investment and export the growth engines,” added Mrs Sitharaman. On Capex, the minister said the effective capital expenditure is 4.3 per cent and the fiscal deficit is 4.4 per cent of the GDP for 202526. “It indicates that govt is using entire borrowed resources for financing effective capital expenditure, creating capital assets,” she said. The sectoral allocations for the year 2025-26 include agriculture which gets Rs 1.71 lakh crore, rural development which gets 2.67 lakh crore, urban development and transport gets Rs 6.45 lakh crore, health and education get Rs 2.27 lakh crore, defence (which excludes defence pension) gets Rs 4.92 lakh crore, Nirmala Sitharaman said.