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 Ban on money-based online games ignites debate BRIEFLY Poll panel denies large-scale duplication in Bihar draft rolls Russia, China oppose sanctions: Putin Who calls the shots on US Federal rates Page 7 Page 12 Thaw in ties with China as Xi backs India's fight against terror SHAHID K ABBAS We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity. After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created. New Delhi, 31 August C New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected allegations made in a recent media report of large-scale duplication in Bihar’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar clarified that the draft rolls published under the SIR 2025 are provisional in nature. “Any alleged duplication at this stage cannot be construed as a final error,” the CEO said in a statement. Addressing the figure of 67,826 “dubious duplicates” cited in the report, the CEO said that it “is based on datamining and subjective matching of name/ relative/ age combinations”. “These parameters, without documentary and field verification, cannot conclusively prove duplication,” it said. Hockey Asia Cup: India advance to Super 4s PERSPECTIVE Page 9 Page 6 Monday, 01 September 2025 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL PAGE | hina extended support to India in its fight against terror during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday. "All I will say without going into specifics is the issue was discussed, raised by the Prime Minister. He outlined his understanding very crisply and specifically. He outlined the fact that this is the scourge that India and China are both victims of," foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters. “He asked for China's support on this issue ~ the Chinese have expressed their support,” Mr Misri said. Both PM Modi and President Xi welcomed the steady progress in their bilateral ties since they last met in Russia for the BRICS summit. They noted that they are partners, and not rivals, and that their differences should not turn into disputes. Mr Modi emphasised that PM NARENDRA MODI the interests of the people of India and China are closely tied to mutual cooperation. He made these remarks during his bilateral talks with Mr Xi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China. This is his first visit to China in seven years. The prime minister said that the two countries should pursue strategic autonomy, and their relations should not be seen through a third country's lens. "The two leaders deemed it necessary to expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues and challenges, like terrorism and fair trade in multilateral platforms," the MEA statement said. Both sides agreed to reopen border trade following foreign minister-level talks earlier this month, which would help in diversifying trade at a time of severe tariff uncertainties. China also assured India that it would address its need for rare earth minerals, fertilisers, and tunnel boring machines. The two leaders noted with satisfaction the successful disengagement last year and the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the border areas since then. “They expressed commitment to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable resolution of the boundary question proceeding from the political perspective of their overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples. They recognized the important decisions taken by the two Special Representatives in their Talks earlier this month, and agreed to further support their efforts,” a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after the talks said. In his opening remarks posted on social media, PM Modi said both countries had been moving in a positive direction since last year. “We are committed to taking our relations forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect and sensitivity,” he said, asserting: “After the disengagement on the border, an atmosphere of peace and stability has been created.” Mr Xi said that both nations need to handle their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. "We must also step up to our historic responsibilities to uphold multilateralism, a multipolar world, and more democracy in international institutions and work together for peace and prosperity in Asia and around the world," he said. “China and India are two of the most ‘civilisational’ countries. We are the world’s two most populous countries and part of the Global South … It is vital to be friends, a good neighbour, and [for] the ‘dragon’ and the ‘elephant’ to come together,” Mr Xi said. Mohta’s company in dock as HC orders demolition Promoter, NKDA officials to face criminal action STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 31 August In a ruling that shakes the foundations of Kolkata’s real estate sector and evokes memories of the Supertech demolition in Noida a few years ago, a Division Bench of Calcutta High Court has ordered the demolition of a 26-storeyed tower comprising 233 apartments, 269 car parking spaces and a commercial plaza in a residential housing project in New Town promoted by Sushil Mohta (photo) of the Merlin group and others. The court has further directed that officials of the promoter and engineers/officials of the New Kolkata Development Authority who connived in the fraud be proceeded against, both departmentally and under criminal laws. Sushil Mohta is the Managing Director of Elita Garden Vista Private Limited which promoted the complex while Prakash Bachhawat is a Whole Time Director. The judgment came on a petition filed by some of the original owners of flats in the Elita Garden Vista complex. Holding that the promoters had obtained permission to construct the tower through fraud, corruption and muscle power, a bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta ordered them to demolish the illegal structure within two months, during which occupants were given a month to remove their effects. Should the promoters fail to do so, the court has directed the New Kolkata Development Authority to carry out the demolition at the cost of the promoters. The court ordered the promoters to refund the sums paid by purchasers with 7 per cent interest. The Court also rejected a prayer made by Mr Abhrajit Mitra, Senior Advocate, appearing for the promoter, to stay operation of its judgment. In a comprehensive, 94-page judgment written by Justice Mantha, the Court rejected virtually all the prayers made by the promoters and held that a revised sanction plan given in 2015 for construction of the tower was obtained by fraud and suppression of facts. The court noted: “Various other provisions of the NKDA Act have been violated by the promoter, consequent upon violations of the WB Apartment OwnershipActandWBPromoters Act. The said revised plan dated 20 August 2015 is therefore illegal and is liable to be revoked/ cancelled under Section 81 of the NKDA Act and is hereby cancelled.” Sanction for Elita Garden Vista was initially obtained by its original promoter, Keppel Magus Private Limited, in 2007 and envisaged construction of 15 towers of 23 floors each, comprising 1278 flats, 1688 car parking spaces and several other facilities. The undivided share of each flat owner was 0.1 per cent of the land and common areas. Title of the flats was conveyed along with undivided share in land and common areas to buyers in 2010, and the registration process was completed in 2012. In 2014, the original promoter sold its rights to Elita Garden Vista Private Limited, a consortium of city builders led by Sushil Mohta, who is also President of Credai ,West Bengal, affiliated to the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India. The other builders involved in Elita are Pradeep Sureka of the Sureka group and Prakash Bachhawat of the JB Group. The judgment records: “Without the knowledge or consent or concurrence of the existing land and flat owners, the new promoter…on 20th August 2015 applied for and obtained a revised sanction plan for construction of an additional tower comprising 26 floors…in a part and portion of an open landscape area. Sanction was also obtained for the construction of a new commercial complex within the said building complex.” The original flat owners only came to know of the revised sanction plan in 2017, when they learnt that the complex now had 16 towers and 1,588 flats, while their proportionate share of the land and common areas had been reduced to 0.08 per cent. “The pathways came to be reduced by 600 sq. m. and the landscape and open areas consequently came to be substantially reduced.” On 19 April and 20 May 2018, the original flat owners wrote to NKDA asking for cancellation of the revised sanction plan and stoppage of construction work. However, both NKDA and the promoter refused to act, forcing the aggrieved owners to move the High Court. While a single bench of the High Court initially found that the appellants had made out a prima facie case regarding the illegality of the revised sanction plan issued by the NKDA dated 20 August 2015, as well as the illegality of the construction of the 16th tower in the apartment complex, it dismissed the writ petition, which forced the flat owners to prefer a Letters Patent Appeal before the Division Bench. Discussing the conduct of the promoter, the Division Bench has noted that it acted both “fraudulently and illegally” and “clearly defrauded the owners of the 15 towers as well as those of the 16th tower.” It held that the promoter had “illegally and surreptitiously” obtained sanction of the modified plan for construction of the 16th power. The Court held that NKDA failed to discharge its statutory duties despite specific notice of the illegality committed by the promoter. Assembly Spl session: Focus on SIR, migrant workers’ harassment AGENCIES Kolkata, 31 August The three-day special session of the West Bengal Assembly begins from Monday, with the ruling Trinamul Congress planning to introduce a resolution against the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and a censure motion on the alleged attacks on Bengali migrant workers in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states. The BJP, on the other hand, has decided to highlight the ‘corruption’ in the state government after the names of relatives and close aides of Trinamul Congress leaders featured in the list of tainted and ineligible candidates, which was published by the West Bengal School Service Commission on Saturday. The special session in Assembly will be held on 1, 2 and 4 September. 3 September is a state holiday on account of Karam Puja. According to Trinamul Congress sources, the state government will table a resolution condemning the harassment of Bengalis outside the state. The government also is likely to bring a resolution against the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar and the possibility of conducting the same exercise in Bengal as well. The government is also likely to discuss the 'Aparajita Bill' and condemn the Centre for sending it back to the state. On 3 September 2024, the West Bengal Assembly had unanimously passed the Aparajita Bill, introducing DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, THE TRINAMUL CONGRESS IS PLANNING TO INTRODUCE A RESOLUTION AGAINST THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA'S SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION (SIR) AND A CENSURE MOTION ON ALLEGED ATTACKS ON BENGALI MIGRANT WORKERS IN BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP)-RULED STATES. stringent punishment in cases involving sexual assault. The Bill was sent to President Droupadi Murmu by West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on 6 September 2024. The legislation, which was passed 25 days after the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, provides for the death penalty in five categories of offences -- rape, rape by a police officer or public servant, rape causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state, gang rape, and repeat offenders. Raising concerns over the death penalty provisions in The Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose last month returned the legislation to the state government for further consideration. The BJP, on the other hand, will highlight the alleged corruption of Trinamul leaders and protest against the state government's move to bring a resolution against SIR. A meeting of the BJP Legislature Party will be held on the state Assembly on Monday where the party’s MLAs will discuss their course of action. 197 glacial lakes in Kishtwar pose looming flood threat: Report SP SHARMA Jammu, 31 August The 197 glacial lakes in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir are a looming threat to the region as a latest report on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) has warned of flash flooding that could put to grave danger villages, infrastructure and the fragile ecosystem. The glaciers in the Kishtwar Himalayas are retreating at an accelerated pace due to rising temperatures, leading to the creation of new glacial lakes. Existing lakes are also expanding, increasing the water volume held behind unstable moraine dams, the report warns. Kishtwar district is notable for having the highest number of glacial lakes in Jammu & Kashmir, with a total of 197 lakes which accounts for 36.08% of all glacial lakes in the Union Territory. These lakes cover an area of approximately 392.64 hectares, representing 13.63% of the total lake area in the district. According to the GLOF Management Plan for Kishtwar 2024-25, the tehsils of Padder, Machail, Dachhan, Marwah, and Warwan are in peril of being the worst-affected due to their proximity to glacial lakes. The Padder area recently witnessed the death of 67 pilgrims due to a flash-flood. About 40 people are still missing and 115 were injured in the incident on 14 August. The official report says that four of these glacial lakes caused due to ice melt, Mundiksar and Hangu lake have been categorised as “High Risk”, while Unnamed lake and Patla Pani Lake have been categorised as “Moderate Risk”. “The presence of multiple glacial lakes at varying elevations and their proximity to each other heightens the risk of outburst floods, which could be triggered by factors such as rapid ice melt, landslides, or seismic activity. The potential for a GLOF in this region poses a severe threat to downstream communities and infrastructure, necessitating close monitoring and risk management strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of such natural disasters”, the report says. The ongoing hydroelectric projects under CVPPL Limited—such as Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Dangduru are also at high risk from GLOF events. Rising water levels or potential dam breaches could threaten project infrastructure, disrupt operations, and increase downstream flood risk. Environmental impacts are also a concern, particularly for the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, where ecosystem disruption, habitat loss, and biodiversity threats are potential outcomes. The Chenab River, fed by glaciers and glacial lakes, is sensitive to changes in the region's hydrology. As lakes expand, there is an increased risk of sudden outflows, which could impact the river's course and flood surrounding areas. Changes in the water balance of these glacial lakes are continuously monitored, but sudden shifts in water volume due to rapid melting or lake outbursts could lead to devastating floods, the report says. Suggesting long term ways to prevent further damage to ecology, the report says “The escalating risk of GLOFs in Kishtwar, exacerbated by global warming and accelerated glacier melting, underscores the need for robust long-term climate change adaptation strategies tailored to the region’s unique geography”. “Kishtwar’s high-altitude terrain, combined with operational hydroelectric projects such as Pakal Dul and Kiru, demands focused interventions to mitigate the heightened GLOF risks. Regular monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes through satellite technology and field assessments is critical for detecting early signs of ice melt and water level fluctuations”. The Kishtwar Himalayas host significant glaciers, including the Brahma Glacier and the Metwan Glacier. These glaciers serve as crucial water sources for the region, feeding into the local streams that eventually flow into the Marwah River, a major tributary of the Chenab River.