TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR CHANDRASEKHAR TAKES CHARGE AS BJP KERALA CHIEF MURMU LAUDS CHHATTISGARH’S DEMOCRATIC LEGACY P8 SENSEX 77,984.38 p1,078.88 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 37 AND 17 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 89 % TEMPERATURE ` vs $ 85.58 Min: 15.2 °C (-2.1) SUN SETS 18:35 hrs MOON SETS 14:11 hrs THUMBNAILS A dog with his owner takes part in the third edition of 'Snowtales Lahaul' hosted by Manali Strays in Lahaul and Spiti on Monday. nANI Ajay Seth appointed Finance Secretary: Ajay Seth, a 1987 batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, was designated as the new Finance Secretary on Monday, according to an official order. Seth is currently the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Finance Ministry. Close shave for Himachal Deputy CM, DGP as plane hits unpaved strip: It was a close shave for Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Director General of Police Atul Verma on Monday as an aircraft they were onboard with nearly 30 passengers missed the runway at Jubbarhatti on the outskirts of the state capital. (P4) P9 GOLD `90,750.00 Rijiju alleges that Cong is trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations 'Constitution amendment' row NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH T he reported statement by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar that 'the Congress will amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims' rocked Parliament on Monday, with both the Houses being adjourned multiple times while the Rajya Sabha, without transacting any business. When the Upper House met for theday,ParliamentaryAffairsMinister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue, accusing the Congress of trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations. Following this,treasuryandOppositionbenches sparred over the issue of reservations to Muslims in Karnataka public contracts, leading to the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha till 2 pm. BJP's National President and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha JP Nadda strongly criticised the Congress, alleging that its efforts to introduce reservations based on religion contradict the principles set by Dr B R Ambedkar in the Constitution. Launching a fierce attack over the issue, the Rajya Sabha leader said,''Congressisplottingtodismantle and rewrite the Constitution for political gains.''He accused the grand old party of brazenly pushing religion-based reservation, endangering secularism and national unity. He said, "Congress party’s attempt to introduce religionbased reservations goes against the very principles laid down by Dr B R Ambedkar in the Constitution. In Karnataka, Congress has already passed a 4 per cent reservation Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reportedly said that Congress would amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims, sparking a political uproar in Parliament. BJP’s strong opposition: BJP leaders, including JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju, accused Congress of attempting to subvert the Constitution by pushing for religion-based reservations, calling it a threat to India's unity and secularism. Parliament disruptions and adjournments: Both Houses faced multiple adjournments due to heated debates and protests over the issue, with the Opposition and Treasury Benches clashing. Congress’ defense: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge countered BJP's allegations, stating that it is the BJP that is undermining the Constitution, while Congress is working to protect it, citing initiatives like the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra.’ DK’s clarification & legal threat: DK Shivakumar denied making any statement about changing the Constitution, calling the BJP’s claims false propaganda. He asserted that his remarks were misrepresented and threatened legal action against BJP leaders for twisting his words. based on religion in public contracts. Even more concerning is that their Deputy CM has openly stated that they would even change the Constitution to fulfill their divisive agenda. This blatant attempt to divide the nation for political gain poses a threat to India’s unity.'' He stated that ''DK Shivakumar has again said that the Constitution has been given by the Congress and the work of changing the Constitution will also be done by the Congress. There is no repentance..." Nadda said the Congress is making a mockery of the Constitution and demanded an answer from Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju said the Congress is trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations. Mr Kharge responded by saying it is the BJP that is subverting the Constitution to divide the country, the Congress is trying to protect it. His speech was disrupted by BJP members' protest. Loud protests erupted as LoP Kharge said his party took up the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' across the country to protect the Constitution. Mr Rijiju, however, accused the Congress of having sullied the prestige of the Constitution while raising the issue of Muslim reservation. He also demanded Shivakumar's resignation. He said a “senior Congress leader holding a constitutional post has made a statement that they (Congress) are going to change the Constitution of India to provide reservation to the Muslim community. We can not take this state- P12 SILVER `1,01,000 K’taka Dy CM’s alleged remarks on constitution rock Parliament STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 17 % Max: 36.0 °C (+4.5) SUN RISES 06:18 hrs MOON RISES 04:15 hrs P5 NIFTY 23,658.35 p307.95 TITANS AIM FOR WINNING START AGAINST PUNJAB USA HOLDS SEPARATE CEASEFIRE TALKS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ment lightly.” The upper house saw several adjournments before finally being adjourned for the day as ruckus prevailed in the house. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju took up Shivakumar's remarks in the Lok Sabha also. He accused the Congress leader of saying Muslims will be granted reservation by amending the Constitution. DK Shivakumar threatened legal action against the BJP bigwigs for twisting his remarks and carrying out a false propaganda and disinformation campaign against him. When mediapersons caught up with the deputy chief minister at his residence, Shivakumar stoutly denied that he ever said: “We would change the Constitution”. “The BJP is carrying out a propaganda. I will fight it legally,” he said. (SEE Page 8) SC Collegium recommends repatriation of Justice Varma to Allahabad HC PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH In a day – March 24, 2025, after the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, withdrew judicial work from Justice Yashwant Verma - embroiled in the controversy of alleged recovery of huge cash from his official residence here on March 14, 2025, following the outbreak of a fire – the Supreme Court collegium has recommended his transfer back to the Allahabad High Court - his parent High Court. A brief statement issued by the Supreme Court on Monday said, “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meetings held on 20th and 24th March 2025 has recommended repatriation of Mr. Justice Yashwant Varma, Judge, High Court of Delhi, to the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad.” The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (AHCBA) has raised objections over the Supreme Court Collegium’s decision to transfer Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court. The AHCBA has said that Allahabad High Court could not be treated as a dumping ground for such a judge. The Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna on March 22, 2025, had asked the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, not to assign, for the time being, any judicial work to Justice Yashwant Varma. Karnataka honey trapping: SC to Political slugfest over Kunal hear PIL seeking CBI or SIT probe Kamra rocks Maharashtra STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a PIL seeking an independent probe by the CBI or a Special Investigation Team into alleged honey trapping of legislators, public servants and judges in Karnataka. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna heading a bench agreed to list the PIL for hearing today or tomorrow after advocate for the PIL petitioner mentioned the matter for an early hearing. The PIL by a Jharkhand resident Binay Kumar Singh sought an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a Special Investigation Team composed of police officers who are not subject to control or influence of the Karnataka government. The PIL petitioner has also sought the monitoring of the investigation by the top court or by a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. “The monitoring committee should also inquire into the role played by all author- Govt hikes salaries, allowances, pensions of MPs amid ongoing budget session of Parliament STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH The Union government has hiked the salaries, allowances and pensions of Members of Parliament with effect from April 1, 2023. The revision in salaries, allowances and pensions for the MPs has been announced amid the ongoing budget session of the Parliament. The earlier revision of the salary and allowances paid to sitting and former MPs was announced in April 2018. As per the gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on Monday, the salary of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members has been increased to Rs 1.24 lakh per month from Rs 1 lakh at present, whereas the daily allowance has been raised to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 earlier. The notification further said the pension paid to former MPs has also been increased to Rs 31,000 per month from Rs 25,000 at present, as per the notification. The additional pension for every year of service in excess of five years has been increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 2,000 earlier, it said. The base pay for an MP announced in the revision in 2018 was Rs 1,00,000 per month. The purpose of setting this amount was to bring their salary into line with the rates of inflation and the growing cost of living. ities/persons who directly/ indirectly benefited from the incident. To direct prosecution of the person found guilty upon investigation,” says the PIL. Last week, the Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna alleged that 48 people have fallen victim to “honey traps” in the State and their obscene videos have been circulated. The Congress leader claimed that the list of those honey-trapped was across party lines, including state and national leaders. The PIL says, “There were very serious and troubling allegations made on the floor of the Karnataka State legislature that a person aspiring to be the Chief Minister of the state has been successful in honey trapping several DGCA instructs airlines to inform passengers about rights via SMS, WhatsApp STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed all airlines to actively inform passengers about their rights and passenger-centric regulations. Airlines must share the online link to the passenger charter, available on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's website, via SMS or WhatsApp when a ticket is booked. This information should be prominently displayed on airline tickets and websites to ensure passengers are aware of their rights, the DGCA said. persons, amongst whom are judges. The allegations have been made by a sitting minister who has claimed himself to be a victim, thereby lending credibility to the serious allegations.” The PIL further states, “Not only that, another minister of the government has not only echoed the allegations made by the first minister, rather alleged that the scale and proportion of the scandal is at least ten times than what is currently visible.” The judges getting compromised by means like honey trapping poses a serious threat to judicial independence and gravely undermines public confidence in the institution., states the PIL flagging concern over the independence of judiciary in the State. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, 24 MARCH A political slugfest has broken out in Maharashtra after CM Devendra Fadnavis himself demanded an apology from stand-up comic Kunal Kamra on Monday, even as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition leaders began to support Kamra. Fadnavis said, "Even though there is freedom to do stand-up comedy, he (Kunal Kamra) cannot speak whatever he wants. The people of Maharashtra have decided who the traitor ("gaddaar") is. Kunal Kamra should apologise. This will not be tolerated. There is a right to do comedy, but if it is being done to defame our Deputy CM Eknath Shinde deliberately, then it is not right". In a related development, Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam said on Monday, that the location of stand-up comic Kunal Kamra, who allegedly made unsavoury references about Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is being tracked by the police and strict action will be taken against Kamra as per the law. "Kamra's location is being traced. Strict action will be taken as per the law. One must understand both sides of the coin," he said. During his performance at the Habitat Studio at the Unicontinental hotel in Mumbai's Khar area, Kamra had allegedly referred to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a "gaddaar" (traitor) in his parody song, though Shinde's name was never mentioned anywhere in the song. Kmara had sung a parody version of 'Bholi Si Surat', a popular song from the 1997 film 'Dil To Pagal Hai' after which multiple FIRs were filed against Kamra, including one based on a complaint by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, stand-up comic Kunal Kamra has stated that he does not regret his remarks, according to Mumbai police sources. N Hariharan elected Delhi HC Bar Association president, Sacchin Puri as vice president STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Hariharan, replaces senior advocate Mohit Mathur and will now lead the bar. Puri created history by emerging as the firstever candidate to secure more than 4,500 votes, and won by a whopping margin of 2,620 votes. NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH Senior advocates N Hariharan and Sacchin Puri were elected president and vice president of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, the results of which were declared on Sunday. Puri created history by emerging as the first-ever candidate to secure more than 4,500 votes, and won by a whopping margin of 2,620 votes. Hariharan, replaces senior advocate Mohit Mathur and will now lead the bar. He secured 2,967 votes and defeated senior advocate Kirti Uppal by a margin of 87 votes. Puri’s opponents, advocate Shyam Sharma and senior advocate Inderbir Singh Alag secured 1,895 and 1,080 votes, respectively. Puri, a seasoned lawyer, holds a degree in Political Science from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi and a Law degree from Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He was designated as Senior Advocate in 2016 and was one of the youngest advocates to be designated by the High Court of Delhi. The post of Secretary was secured by Advocate Vikram Singh Pawar obtaining 4389 votes, defeating his opponents advocate Mohit Gupta and advocate Anil Kathuria. Advocate Kanika Singh was elected as the treasurer of the Executive Committee, BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 72.35 a post reserved for women for the first time. Senior advocate Premlata Bansal as member executive - Lady (designated senior advocate), Kajal Chandra elected as member executive (25 years of standing) and Vidhi Gupta secured the post of member executive (woman). Reports relating to the recovery of huge cash from the residence of Justice Yashwant Verma said, a fire at the judge's house on March 14, 2025, had inadvertently led to the recovery of cash by the firefighters. Cracking the whip, the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday (March 22, 2025) had constituted a three-member committee to probe into the alleged recovery of huge unaccounted cash from the official residence of Justice Yashwant Verma. The three-member committee that will probe into the alleged recovery of the cash includes - the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana, High Court Justice Sheel Nagu, the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and a judge of Karnataka High Court, Justice Ms. Anu Sivaraman. On the other hand, Justice Yashwant Varma in his reply had said that no cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by him or any of his family members and said he strongly denounced the suggestion that the alleged cash belonged to them. CAG report highlights DTC’s losses, operational inefficiencies STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday tabled the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) in the legislative assembly. The report pointed to operational inefficiencies and financial losses incurred during the previous AAP government’s tenure in the national capital. According to the report, the review covered key aspects of the transport corporation, including fleet management, revenue generation, operational sustainability, and adherence to public transport policies. The report highlighted that DTC’s operational efficiency, particularly in terms of fleet utilization and vehicle productivity, was below the all-India average. BJP MLA Harish Khurana criticized the previous AAP government following the report’s presentation, accusing it of mismanaging the public transport system. He pointed out that, despite AAP's promise of new buses in 2013-15, the fleet size actually declined from 4,344 in 2015 to 3,937, even as the city’s population grew. The legislator also alleged that DTC’s financial losses worsened under the AAP administration. The CAG report recommended that the transport department formulate shortand long-term plans with clear benchmarks, incorporating industry best practices to enhance the corporation’s operational efficiency and sustainability.