WEDNESDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘WILL LEVERAGE A.I. TO TACKLE MULE ACCOUNTS’ P5 SENSEX 76,293.60q1,018.20 WEATHER Partly cloudy. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 31°C and 22°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 84% P8 23,071.80q309.80 ` vs $ 86.82 PM raises concerns about cyber security, deep fakes Co-chairing AI summit in Paris, PM Modi also stresses need to democratise technology, ensure it is rooted in local ecosystems ‘India ready to host next AI summit’ W Full Moon on 12 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, including a captain, 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. The Army's Northern Command has identified those kiled as Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh. It is yet to be confirmed whether the IED was planted by terrorists or by Pakistani agents. 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- PARIS, 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 Political uncertainty in Manipur: Hectic talks on to choose new CM AGENCIES IMPHAL, 11 FEBRUARY Two days after the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, uncertainty over the formation of the next government prevails even as a section of political leaders frantically make queries about the prospects of President’s Rule in the state. The possibility of President’s Rule dominated the headlines after the Governor declared the Budget Session of the Manipur assembly ‘null and void’ hours after Biren Singh quit on Sunday. The Budget session of the Manipur Assembly was scheduled to start on Monday (10 February) with the customary speech of the Governor and it would have continued till 24 February. A top official said that the last session of the Manipur Assembly was held in August last year and as part of the constitutional mandate another session must be held within Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, Housing and Urban Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand, and Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba are said to be the frontrunners for the chief ministerÊs post. six months. “By 12 February, the Assembly session has to be started,” the official clarified while talking to IANS. Meanwhile, hectic parleys were going on to choose an alternate leader of the ruling BJP legislature party who would lead the new government. The BJP's north-east in-charge Sambit Patra held dozens of meetings since Sunday night with the caretaker Chief Minister Biren Singh, other ministers, MLAs and leaders of the BJP and other allies to take their views before selection of the new legislature party leader. Sources said the BJP MLAs are currently split into two different groups, and a consensus was yet to be reached to elect a new leader. The source further said all the BJP MLAs may meet in New Delhi on Wednesday to choose a new leader. Mr Patra, a Lok Sabha member from Puri (Odisha), also held meetings with the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. According to a top BJP leader, state Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and Municipal Administrations, Housing and Urban Development Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and Rajya Member from Manipur Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba are the frontrunners for the chief minister’s post. “The party is trying to choose a leader who will be acceptable both among tribals – Kuki-Zo-Hmar and Naga and non-tribal Meitei communities,” a leader told IANS. 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that in order to build on the momentum of the AI Action Summit here, India would be happy to host the next Summit. In his concluding address, PM Modi said that today’s discussions have brought out one thing – there is unity in vision and unity in purpose across stakeholders. “I welcome the decision to set up the AI Foundation and the Council for Sustainable AI,” the Prime Minister said. Mr Modi said to make the "Global Partnership for AI” truly global in nature, “it should be more inclusive of the Global South and its priorities, concerns and needs” adding that India would be happy to host the next summit. AGENCIES P16 SILVER 1,07,000 GOLD 87,985.00 NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY Min: 22.1˚C SUN SETS 17:31 hrs MOON SETS 06:01 hrs THIRD ODI: INDIA EYE SERIES WHITEWASH AGAINST ENGLAND P6 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 63% TEMPERATURE Max: 31.6˚C SUN RISES 06:10 hrs MOON RISES 17:23 hrs NIFTY ALLAHBADIA, SANMAY SUMMONED BY NCW UNRESOLVED CRISIS BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 77.15p1.28 Furious response from TMC after FM’s allegations of graft in welfare schemes STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 11 FEBRUARY Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday used the floor of the Lok Sabha to attack the ruling Trinamul Congress in Bengal, alleging it had institutionalised corruption in the state. In a stinging response, the party said the Union minister was lying through her teeth. Mrs Sitharaman, replying to the debate on the Union Budget for 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha, rejected the claims of the TMC that the Centre was discriminating against Bengal, instead maintaining that while the Centre had been allocating funds under social welfare schemes, corrupt TMC cadres have been siphoning away the funds. She said that like every other state, PMAY-G is being implemented in West Bengal since 2016-17. The government has released Rs 25,798 crore as Central share, but there are complaints of irregularities in the implementation of PMAY-G, she claimed. She also charged that 25 lakh fake job cards had been detected in MNREGA, and funds meant for people at the grassroots have been looted by TMC cadres, and further claimed that a Rs 100 crore Mid-Day Meal fraud had taken place. Mrs Sitharaman also attacked the state over the health of its economy, claiming that capital formation has crashed from 6.7 per cent in 2010 to 2.9 per cent in recent years, “a direct result of your hostility to investment”. “There are no jobs, no factories, no vision,” Mrs Sitharaman said. The Trinamul Congress came out with a strong rebuttal of the Union finance minister’s statements in a series of posts on its official X-handle. “Today, FM @nsitharaman stood on the floor of Parliament and lied through her teeth, claiming that 25 lakh job cards were deleted in West Bengal. “Let’s set the record straight: According to MoS @SadhviNiranjan’s Parliament response, only 5,651 fake job cards were deleted in Bengal across FY 2021-22 and FY Furore in Rajya Sabha over original pics missing in newer editions of Constitution 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 can 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 India invites global partners to join in co-development and co-production of advanced defence systems 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 Indi- an 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. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, disputing Mr Agarwal's claim, said he had read the Constitution but never heard of the illustrations the BJP MP was talking about. 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 del- egates from 81 countries, including 15 Defence Ministers, 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. Chandrima to present state budget today STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 11 FEBRUARY Chandrima Bhattacharya, the Minister of State (Independent charge) for Finance, will present the budget for 202526 in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly tomorrow. This will be the last fullfledged budget of the present government before the Assembly election, which is scheduled to be held in 2026. In 2026, the government will present a vote on account. The deprivation of the state by the Centre by withholding funds has become a major issue. In an unprecedented move, the Governor, in his address at the beginning of the budget session on Monday, spoke about the deprivation by the Centre. The government is likely to stress rural development in the budget and Mrs Bhattacharya is expected to announce some schemes for rural development. (Details on Page 3) Lottery distributors not liable to pay service tax to Centre, states alone can impose taxes: SC PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 11 FEBRUARY 2022-23. Compare that to: Uttar Pradesh – 3,64,401, Odisha – 1,65,150, Madhya Pradesh – 1,23,068, Bihar – 1,07,265. “So why is Bengal being singled out and targeted? Why was Bengal’s MGNREGA funding halted while states with far higher deletions continue receiving funds? “@BJP4India is starving the poor, destroying livelihoods, and spreading lies to justify their ECONOMIC BLOCKADE,” the TMC said. In another post, the party said: “Since FM @nsitharaman went to great lengths to point out the 'supposed' corruption in the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, here's a reminder that: Your own Education Ministry officials, in a Secretary-level meeting in Delhi, (Turn to Page 2) The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that lottery distributors are not liable to pay service tax to the Central government and it is the state government alone which can impose taxes on the lotteries and not the Centre. Dismissing the Central government’s appeal against a Sikkim High Court judgment, Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh in a ruling today said: “The detailed analysis of the relevant provisions of the Finance Act, 1994, and amendments made (2012, 2015 & 2016) thereto in light of the clauses of the Agreements highlighted during the course of submissions as well as the judgments of this Court, would not persuade us to take a different view from what the Sikkim High Court has taken.” Noting that 2012, 2015 and 2015 amendments to the 1994 Finance Act to impose service tax on the sole distributors of the lotteries by the central government were unsuccessful, Justice Nagarathna speaking for the bench said: “In the circumstances, we find that at each stage, the amendments made to the Finance Act, 1994, in order to impose service tax on the sole distributor/purchaser of the lottery tickets (respondents-assessees herein - (Future Gaming Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and others), ) have been unsuccessful. ” Justice Nagarathna further said: “We have reasoned that the amendment to the said definition would in no way detract from the substance of the relationship between the State Government and the sole distributor or purchaser of the lottery tickets which is one of principal to principal and not of principal-agent.” The top court added: “There being no agency and no service rendered by the respondents-assessees herein as an agent to the Government of Sikkim, service tax is not leviable on the transactions between the purchaser of the lottery tickets (respondents-assessees herein) and the Government of Sikkim.” Dismissing the appeal by the central government, the top court said: “we find no merit in the appeals filed by the Union of India and others. Hence these appeals are dismissed. The appeal filed by the assessee is disposed accordingly.”