TUESDAY 25 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR MURMU LAUDS CHHATTISGARH’S DEMOCRATIC LEGACY CHANDRASEKHAR TAKES CHARGE AS BJP KERALA CHIEF P4 SENSEX 77,984.38 p1,078.88 WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 34˚C and 23˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm Min. 45% Min: 22.1˚C (-2.0) SUN SETS 17:49 hrs MOON SETS 12:35 hrs New Moon on 29 March THUMBNAILS A dog with his owner takes part in the third edition of 'Snowtales Lahaul' hosted by Manali Strays, in Lahaul & 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. 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, ''Congress is plotting to dismantle and rewrite theConstitutionforpoliticalgains.''He accused the grand old party of brazenly pushing religion-based reservation, endangering secularism andnationalunity.He said, "Congress party’s attempt to introduce religion-based 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 based on religion in public contracts. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH 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 CM to attend Indian High Commission event today mar Karnata Deputy CM DK Sh aka hivakum reportedly said that ution to provide reservations Congress would am mend the Constitu e for Mus slims, spark king a political upr roar in Parliament. BJP’s stro opposition: BJP leade including JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju, ong n ers, accused Congress of attempting to subvert the Constitution by pushing for a t religion-b based reserva ations, callin it a thre to India's unity and secularism. ng eat Parliament disruptions a and adjournmen Both Ho nts: ouses faced multiple adjo multiple ournments s due to heated debates and prote ests over the issue, with the Oppos h sition and Trea asury Benc ches cla ashing. 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. 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 clarific cation & leg threat: DK Shivakumar denied gal m making any statemen about changing the Constitution, y nt calling the BJP’s claim false propaganda. He asserted ms that his remarks wer misrepresented and threatened re legal actio against BJP leaders for twisting his words. on 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 statement lightly.” The upper house Karnataka honey trapping: SC to hear PIL seeking CBI/SIT probe 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 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 72.35 'Con nstitution a ndment' row t amen NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH SUN RISES 05:37 hrs MOON RISES 01:47 hrs P12 SILVER `1,01,000 GOLD `90,750.00 DK’s alleged remarks on constitution rock Parl STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE TEMPERATURE Max: 32.6˚C (-2.1) ` vs $ 85.58 P9 Rijiju alleges that Cong is trying to subvert the Constitution by bringing religion-based reservations RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 93% P5 NIFTY 23,658.35 p307.95 TITANS AIM FOR WINNING START AGAINST PUNJAB USA HOLDS SEPARATE CEASEFIRE TALKS WITH RUSSIA AND UKRAINE 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 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. 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 PG 4) DGCA instructs airlines to inform passengers about rights via SMS, WhatsApp PARMOD KUMAR STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 MARCH KOLKATA, 24 MARCH Despite the biting cold in London, chief minister Mamata Banerjee adhered to her daily routine of taking a morning walk. Amid her packed schedule, she is set to attend a crucial meeting at the Indian High Commission in London on Monday afternoon. The following days will be marked by back-to-back engagements, including a trade summit on Tuesday and government-level discussions on Wednesday. The highlight of her visit, however, will be on Thursday, 27 March, when she will deliver a speech at Oxford University on the theme of "Social Development." Oxford students have shown keen interest in learning about Mamata Banerjee’s widely-discussed development model. Adding to the significance of the event, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly is also expected to share the stage with her. This is not the first time Mamata Banerjee and Mr Ganguly will be SC Collegium recommends repatriation of Justice Varma to Allahabad HC 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. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE 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 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. 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. Political slugfest over Kunal Kamra rocks Maharashtra 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. Meanwhile, stand-up comic Kunal Kamra has stated that he does not regret his remarks, according to Mumbai police sources. According to police sources, Kunal Kamra who is presently in Tamil Nadu, also denied allegations that he had been paid by the opposition to tarnish Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's reputation. However, the opposition supported Kunal Kamra and criticised the BJP-led Mahayuti government for deteriorating law and order after Eknath Shinde-led Sena leaders vandalised the venue where Kunal Kamra had performed. Interestingly, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar of the NCP said that he favoured dissent, adding that "There need not be police involvement in this matter. Nobody should go beyond law, constitution and rules. They should speak within their rights. There can be differences, but it should be noted that there need not be any police involvement". Leaders from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena condemned the attack on Kamra and criticised the Fadnavis government. Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut called Fadnavis "a weak home minister" while sharing footage of vandalism by functionaries of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Congress leader Nana Patole called the Kunal Kamra venue attack as an attempt to "destroy Maharashtra". He also criticised the Fadnavis government and said that there was "no law and order" in the state. seen together at public events. Recently, Ganguly's name has been linked with West Bengal's industrial initiatives. Speculation about their growing association intensified last month when Ganguly made an unannounced visit to Nabanna, the state secretariat, for a 45-minute closed-door meeting with Mamata Banerjee. Mamata Banerjee embarked on her four-day visit to London on Saturday, 22 March, flying out from Kolkata. She arrived in the UK on Sunday and is staying at St. James' Court Hotel, near Buckingham Palace. A video of chief minister Mamata Banerjee jogging in London while wearing a saree and slippers has surfaced online, sparking buzz and leaving netizens in awe. Moving at a brisk pace, a trademark of her energetic style, she was heard urging her entourage to keep up during a jog in the famous Hyde Park, ensuring no one lagged behind. Known for her fitness and stamina, the CM is often seen walking long distances during political rallies and events. Delhi: 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.