FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | Monday, 25 August 2025 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS CII urges reforms in economy, energy, jobs, cities IADWS maiden test a success: New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight-tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), Advanced Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). During the flight tests, three different targets including two highspeed fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle targets and a multi-copter drone were simultaneously engaged and destroyed. Akhilesh to join INDIA bloc’s rally, ‘not Rahul’s’, in Bihar Page 8 Bills on tainted ministers: TMC, SP, AAP to shun JPC STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE IN A BLOGPOST PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY, TMC RAJYA SABHA MP DEREK O'BRIEN HAD SAID HIS PARTY AS WELL AS THE SAMAJWADI PARTY HAVE DECIDED NOT TO NOMINATE ANY MEMBERS TO THE JPC. HE HAD CALLED THE JPC A FARCE. New Delhi, 24 August A fter the Trinamul Congress and the Samajwadi Party, the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday announced that it will not join the Joint Committee of Parliament examining the Bills providing for the removal of Prime Ministers, state Chief Ministers, and Union and state ministers accused of serious crimes and in jail for a consecutive period of 30 days. Announcing the decision, AAP Rajya Sabha floor leader Sanjay Singh (photo), said the three Bills are "unconstitutional" and their purpose is to put Opposition leaders in jail, topple the Opposition-led governments and end democracy in the country. “We will not join the Joint Committee. The purpose of this Bill is not to end corruption because the BJP loves corruption and the corrupt," Mr Singh said. Reacting to the AAP decision, Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O'Brien said: "it is a valueless committee." “More parties calling out Modi coalition's stunt to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Valueless JPC," Mr O’Brien said on X. The TMC had announced on Saturday that it would not nominate any member to the JPC to look into the Constitution 130th Amendment Bill, and Cheteshwar Pujara announces retirement NATION Page 9 Page 10 BRIEFLY Bangladesh seeks apology, Pakistan says 1971 settled had called the panel a "farce". The Samajwadi Party (SP) is also unlikely to nominate any member to the JPC, according to a party source. In a blogpost published on Saturday, Mr O'Brien said his party as well as the SP have decided not to nominate any members to the JPC. He said that the committees are skewed towards the ruling party because of its numbers in both Houses of Parliament. The decision is expected to put pressure on other Opposition parties, including the Congress, which are inclined to join the panel. Amid vociferous Opposition protests, Home Minister Amit Shah had last Wednesday introduced The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2025 in Lok Sabha seeking the removal of Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and central and state ministers if they are arrested and remain in custody for 30 days in a row on offences that attract a jail term of at least five years. Page 12 Shah calls out tendency to hamper House functioning for ‘personal political gain’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 24 AUGUST Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that deliberation and discussion in the country’s legislatures are the most effective means to address public issues in a democratic system, as he criticised the recent disruptions in Parliament for stalling the functioning of the country’s highest legislative body. Mr Shah, while addressing the All India Speakers Conference 2025 held at the Delhi Vidhan Sabha on Sunday, said whenever an assembly lost its dignity in the country's history, people had to face its consequences. "Preventing the House from functioning for personal political gain is not a productive discussion. While it's acceptable to oppose something, it's important to exercise patience. Using opposition as an excuse to stall proceedings is not right. Disruptions in discussions limit the House's role in contributing to the country's development," Mr Shah said. Stressing the need to enhance the dignity of the House and respect for the post of the Speaker, the Union home minister said it is the responsibility of every legislator to ensure that the functioning of the House is carried out according to rules, and the discourse must be towards people and the nation's interest. Holding discussions rising above the party interest and promoting the interest of the nation is the path that takes us to the greatest heights of democracy, Mr Shah said. “We ought to aim to provide an impartial platform to highlight the concerns of our nation's citizens. Both the government and the opposition must present a fair argument. The operations of the House must adhere to the regulations of the specific House," he said.