MONDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC SINCE 1818 X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘DELHI'S ARROGANCE WILL BE MET WITH THE REAL FACE OF TAMILS’ RUBIO SAYS HAMAS MUST BE ERADICATED P9 WEATHER SMOG/SHALLOW FOG LIKELY IN THE MORNING. PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 29 AND 11 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE POLITICS HEATS UP AS BJP CONG WARN EACH , OTHER OF LEGAL BATTLE P8 P4 NDRS stampede toll up to 18, most victims women & kids Scene chaotic, crowd was unprecedented and beyond control, say eyewitnesses Cong demands Vaishnaw’s resignation Min. 33 % Max: 28.6 °C (+4.2) SUN RISES 06:57 hrs MOON RISES 22:32 hrs Min: .09.9 °C (-1.1) SUN SETS 18:13 hrs MOON SETS 9:49 hrs AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY Tourists visit the replica of the Taj Mahal at the Seven Wonders Park in Ajmer. n ANI KKR, RCB to play IPL 2025 opener, Eden Gardens to host final on 25 May: The 'Mecca of Indian Cricket', Eden Gardens will mark both the commencement and the conclusion of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League 2025, by hosting the tournament opener between Defending Champions, Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 and the final on 25 May. Eden Gardens, the home ground of KKR will also play host to Qualifier 2 on 23 May. (Page 12) T he death toll in Saturday night’s stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station stood at 18, officials said on Sunday, even as a political firestorm erupted over the incident. The deceased included eleven women and five children. Northern Railway officials said that last night when passengers were waiting on Platform 14 for Prayagraj Express, an announcement was made about the arrival of a Special Train on Platform 12, and people started moving towards Platform 12 in large numbers, during which a passenger slipped and fell on another, which resulted in a stampede. “There was surge in crowd to board the trains heading for Prayagraj for the ongoing Mahakumbh. Seeing the surge in crowd for Prayagraj, a special train was announced for Prayagraj from Platform No. 12. The incident took place around 9.15 p.m. on the staircase of Platforms 14 and 15,” the Railways said in a statement. So far, the deceased have been identified as Asha Devi, Pinky Devi, Sheela Devi, Vyom, Poonam Devi, Lalita Devi, Suruchi, Krishna Devi, Vijay, Neeraj, Shanti Devi, Pooja Kumar, Sangeeta Malik, Poonam, Mamta Jha, Riya Singh, Baby Kumari and Manoj. According to sources, the majority of the injured sustained lower limb injuries, and a few have bone injuries. Some of them are still under observation, while some had been discharged, the sources said. Eyewitnesses said that the scene was chaotic as people slipped from stairs, falling on each other amid the heavy crowd. They Adhering to pacts is central to stability in Indo-Pacific, says EAM Jaishankar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mr Jaishankar observed that changes in the global order may be expressed through new ideas and concepts. But they are also reflected in the evolving landscape. The Indian Ocean region is no exception to that rule. NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday asserted that adhering to agreements and understandings is a central element to ensuring stability and predictability in the Indo-Pacific. His comments are significant against the backdrop of India's repeated contention that China has violated various border pacts between the two countries from time to time. The Indo-Pacific, Mr Jaishankar said, has been witnessing deeper tensions and sharper contestations. “The scenario is intrinsically maritime in nature, involving respect for and observance of international law. There are other concerns, some related and some autonomous. Stronger assertions of interests is one issue; concern about unilateral changes to the status quo another. From India’s own experience, we can say that adhering to agreements and understandings is a central element to ensuring stability and predictability,” he said, delivering the keynote address at the Indian Ocean Conference 2025 : Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership conference in Muscat. Mr Jaishankar observed that changes in the global order may be expressed through new ideas and concepts. But they are also reflected in the evolving landscape. The Indian Ocean region is no exception to that rule. “And this matters not just to us as inhabitants of this community, but given our salience in so many dimensions, to other regions and nations as well. After all, as we heard from previous speakers, the Indian Ocean is veritably a global lifeline. Its production, consumption, contribution and connectivity is central to the manner in which the world runs today,” he said. Speaking about West Asia, he said there is a serious conflict underway with the potential for further escalation and complication. At the same time, longstanding issues are being revisited, sometimes with a radically different approach. Its maritime consequence is visible in a serious disruption of global shipping, with considerable cost to economies. “There are questions which arise from our ability and willingness to respond, as indeed from the partnerships relevant to that task,” he noted. said that the crowd was unprecedented and beyond control despite the presence of the administration. A compensation of Rs 10 lakh has been announced by the Indian Railways for the families of the deceased who lost their lives in the tragic incident. Additionally, the Railways announced a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured in the incident and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the stampede and extended their condolences to the bereaved families. (More reports on Page 5) The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk has announced the cancellation of a $22 million funding intended for "voter turnout in India" on Saturday (local time). In a post on X, the official DOGE handle listed the number of spendings by the US taxpayer that have been cancelled, including “USD 21M for voter turnout in India.” BJP's Amit Malviya took to his X to react to the announcement. “$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” his post read. “It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India's institutions by forces opposed to the nation's interests - those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity,” he wrote. Once again, he alleged, it was the billionaire US-based investor George Soros, a “known associate” of the Congress party and the Gandhis, “whose shadow looms over our electoral process”. “Those questioning the ‘transparent and inclusive’ process of appointing India's Election Commissioner had no hesitation in handing over the entire Election Commission of India to "foreign operators,” he added in another swipe at the Congress. Other funding cancelled by the US department included, USD 10 million for “Mozambique voluntary med- ical male circumcision.” The allocation for ‘voter turnout’ in India was part of a total of USD 486 million allocated to the 'Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,' which also included USD 22M for an 'inclusive and participatory political process' in Moldova, according to the DOGE post. A USD 29 million intended for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" and a USD 39 million for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal was also cancelled. Similarly, USD 1.5 million for “voter confidence” in Liberia, USD 14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali, USD 2.5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa,” USD 2.3 million for "strengthening independent voices in Cambodia", USD 32 million to the P12 Two-member commitee set up to investigate stampede at Rly station STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY The Railways constituted a two-member committee on Sunday to probe the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that claimed 18 lives and left several others injured on Saturday night. The panel was constituted following Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's order to initiate a high-level inquiry into the tragic incident. Besides the formation of the committee, the Railways announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident, Rs 2.5 lakh each to seriously injured and Rs one lakh each to those with minor injuries. According to the Railways, Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM) of Northern Railway and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Safety Commissioner (PCSC) Northern Railway, are the members of the panel. The committee has started its probe and has directed procuring of all the video footage of the New Delhi Railway Station. Chief Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, said: “The Railway Minister announced an exgratia of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs one lakh to those with minor injuries.” Referring to the committee, he said, “A committee of the Indian Railways is investigating the matter. CCTV footage and facts are being investigated.” According to the Railways, the unfortunate stampede occurred at the station on Saturday night resulting in the deaths of 18 people and 15 were injured. “At New Delhi station, Prayagraj Express was about to be placed at Platform No. 14. There was a surge in crowd to board the trains heading for Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh. Seeing the surge in crowd for Prayagraj, a special train was announced for Prayagraj from Platform No. 12. BJP likely to hold legislative party meeting today STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE On Saturday, BJP National President JP Nadda chaired a meeting of the party's general secretaries' at the headquarters in New Delhi. Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva had hinted that the new CM will be named after the appointment of observers by the central leadership of the party, who will then chair a meeting of the legislature party, where the leader will be elected. NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY As the suspense on the name of Delhi's new CM continues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to hold a meeting of the legislative party on Monday where the decision regarding the formation of the new government may be taken, sources said. The name of the CM is likely to be finalised in the legislative party meeting. According to sources, high level meetings had been underway in Delhi over the past several days to speed up the process of new government formation, but the party leadership has refrained from naming anyone. Meanwhile, in the wake of the tragic incident that happened at New Delhi Railway Station last night, the Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, party MPs in the national capital and other senior leaders have postponed all their political events which were to take place on Sunday. According to the state Elon Musk-led DOGE cancels $ 22 million intended for ‘voter turnout in India’; BJP targets Congress AGENCIES WASHINGTON, 16 FEBRUARY The Congress party on Sunday demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the New Delhi railway station stampede, which killed 18 people including three children, saying that he had no "moral right" to continue in his position. Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said the Railway Minister must take responsibility for the mishap and called on the central government to dismiss him. “The Railway Minister should take responsibility for this accident and resign from his post immediately, or the government should dismiss him. In view of yesterday's mismanagement and massacre, the Railway Minister has no moral right to remain in his post,” Ms Shrinate asserted. CHAMPIONS TROPHY: BATTING-SORTED INDIA LOOK FAVOURITES FOR TITLE Prague Civil Society Centre, USD 40 million for “gender equality and women empowerment hub”, USD 14 million for “improving public procurement” in Serbia and USD 47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia” were also cancelled by DOGE. This comes as DOGE has continued to outline significant changes in government spending over the last few weeks. During PM Narendra Modi's recent visit he held a meeting with Mr Musk. The two discussed strengthening collaboration between entities in India and the US in innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. PM Modi and Elon Musk also spoke about opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance. BJP national president JP Nadda chairs the BJP national general secretaries’ meeting at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. n ANI unit of the saffron party, events like workers or public felicitation programmes and other such events scheduled for the day have been postponed. On Saturday, BJP National President JP Nadda chaired a meeting of the party's general secretaries' at the headquarters in New Delhi. On Saturday, Delhi BJP president Virender Sachdeva had hinted that the new CM's will be named after the appointment of observers by the central leadership of the party, who will then chair a meeting of the legislature party, where the leader will be elected. Replying to a question over governments formation on the sides of a press conference on Saturday, Mr Sachdeva had said: “Once the central leadership appoints observers, the legislature party meeting will take place and likely in a couple of days the good news will be shared." Delhi BJP chief's remarks came on Saturday when three councillors of AAP joined the saffron party ahead of the MCD mayoral election which is scheduled to take place in the month of April. Our target is three-fold increase in textile exports to ` 9 lakh crore by 2030: PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 FEBRUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India's textile exports have reached Rs three lakh crore and the target is to take it to Rs 9 lakh crore by 2030. Speaking at Bharat Tex 2025, PM Modi said it is emerging as a mega global textile event. "Today, we are the sixth largest textile exporter in the world. Our textile exports have reached three lakh crores of rupees. Now, our target is to take it to nine lakh crores of rupees by 2030...But I want to say that after seeing the enthusiasm of people today, I feel you all will prove my target wrong, and the work will be completed before that," PM Modi said at the event being held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. "Bharat Tex is now emerging as a mega global textile event. This time, the entire spectrum of the value chain is participating here together, in which twelve segments are involved...Bharat Tex is becoming a strong platform for engagement, collaboration, and partnerships for policymakers, CEOs, and industry leaders across the world," he added. India is the sixth largest textile and apparel exporter in the world. People linked to the entire spectrum of the textiles sector--from chemicals to yarns to garments--are participating in Bharat Tex 2025. PM Modi said Bharat Tex is becoming a strong platform for engagement, collaboration, and partnership among policymakers, CEOs, and industry leaders globally. "It is a matter of satisfaction for the country that the seed we have planted is today growing rapidly on the path of becoming a banyan tree. Bharat Tex is now becoming a mega global textile event. I commend the efforts of all stakeholders involved in this programme and heartily congratulate everyone associated with it," he said. PM Modi said FDI into India's textile sector doubled over the past decade and attributed the success to hard work and consistent policy.