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 | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR Page 5 Perils and promises Page 9 One-year-old boy dies on Air India flight after emergency landing: Bhopal: A one-year-old boy died on an Air India flight from Jaipur to Bengaluru, even as the aircraft made a medical emergency landing at Indore airport on Tuesday evening. According to officials, the incident occurred on Air India flight IX1240, which took off from Jaipur at 5.30 p.m. and was scheduled to reach Bengaluru later that night. During the journey, the pilot requested a medical emergency landing at Indore. The flight landed at Indore airport at around 8 p.m. A team of doctors attended to the child, identified as Mohammad Abraar. Officials said the child experienced severe breathing problems during the flight. After landing at Indore, he was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. PM Modi and Netanyahu reaffirm strategic ties amid West Asia volatility JAYANTA ROY CHOWDHURY Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu spoke over the telephone on Wednesday to exchange New Year greetings and reinforce the India-Israel Strategic Partnership for 2026. Set against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, the dialogue served as a platform for both leaders to reiterate their “shared resolve” to combat global terrorism with increased vigor and a zero-tolerance approach. Taking to X, PM Modi expressed his warmth for the bilateral bond, stating: “Glad to speak with my friend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convey New Year greetings to him and the people of Israel. We discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in the year ahead.” During the conversation, PM Netanyahu briefed the Indian leader on the current implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s consistent stance, advocating for efforts that lead to a “just, durable and lasting peace” in the region. According to an official release, the leaders identified shared priorities to deepen cooperation, guided by democratic values, mutual trust, and a forward-looking vision. New Delhi, 7 January I ndia will remain the fastest growing major economy in the world during the financial year ending March 2026, with its economy projected to grow 7.4 per cent, according to the first advance estimates released Wednesday by the National Statistics Office.Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 8.0 per cent in FY 2025-26, it said. This fast paced growth is expected to give the government headroom to splurge more on infrastructure and undertake larger-than-before modernisation of its defence forces in an uncertain world, according to top finance ministry officials. The forecast released today, exceeds last year's growth of 6.5 per cent and is above earlier projections for fiscal 2025-26 that ranged between 6.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent. The estimates, published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, are preliminary and will be revised as additional data become available. Top North Bloc officials told UNI “the GST cuts announced late last year will expand Jaishankar calls out Western hypocrisy over Operation Sindoor: New Delhi, 7 January In his first public comments on the US action in Venezuela, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that India is concerned over the developments in the South American country and would like to see that the Venezuelan people come out well from the crisis. "Yes, we are concerned about developments in Venezuela. We would urge all parties to sit down and come to the position of well being and safety of the people of Venezuela because at the end of the day that is our concern and we Page 12 EDITORIAL PAGE India retains fastest-growing tag, 7.4 pc growth projected Jaishankar: India hopes Venezuelan people come out well from the crisis STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Bethell hits maiden Test ton, Stokes suffers worrying injury Page 6 Nehru opposed Somnath temple’s reconstruction: BJP Hadi’s murder ‘politically motivated’, conspiracy hatched in Singapore: Police BRIEFLY Luxembourg: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday took a swipe at Western nations, criticising their double standards during India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, while simultaneously emphasising the deepening partnership between India and Luxembourg. While interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in Luxembourg, Mr Jaishankar called out countries that was delivering lectures to India on regional tensions while ignoring violence in their own regions. “Sometimes you hear people say, like it happened during Operation Sindoor. Now if you ask them, say, oh really you’re worried, why don’t you look at your own region? And ask yourself, what are the levels of violence there, how much risks have been taken, how much worry the rest of us have about what you are doing. But that’s the nature of the world. People, what they say is not what they do. And we have to accept it in that spirit as well,” he said. would want Venezuela the country with whom over many many years we had very good relations. So we would like the people to come out well," Mr Jaishankar said. He made the remarks last night on the sidelines of his meeting with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel. The Indian minister is currently on a week-long visit to France and Luxembourg. consumption-led growth and we can look at a larger budget, more spending on infrastructure.” Policy announcements in several key sectors ranging from “chip making, rare earths and nuclear plants will also give a push to both budgetary outlays as well as the real economy,” they said. The importance of this data release is that India's budget, expected to be released on 1 February, will be based on this growth projections. India’s union Budget for 2025-26 had pegged total expenditure at about Rs 50.65 lakh crore, underscoring a continued push toward growth-led consolidation, allocating more than Rs 11 lakh crore to capital expenditure. India’s defence spending in last year’s budget was raised by nearly 10 per cent. “More money is expected to be spent this year” as the air force modernises its fleet and India looks to update its armed forces with more drones and cyber warfare capabilities “in the face of a more uncertain global environment with many small wars cropping up as the world slides towards multi-polarity,” said officials. India had engaged Pakistan with air and missile strikes earlier during May 2025. NMC withdraws MBBS approval to Vaishnodevi Shrine Board-run medical college SP SHARMA Jammu, 7 January Amid the ongoing row over the admission of 46 Muslim students, out of a total of 50 seats, in the maiden batch for MBBS course at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) here, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has withdrawn its approval for the MBBS course citing “gross deficiencies” in infrastructure, faculty, and teaching standards. The issue had triggered protests, with local residents and several Hindu organisations demanding reservation for Hindu candidates as the institute was being run with the donations at the Vaishnodevi Shrine. They argued that the Rs 600 crore medical institute was built out of the funds of the Vaishnodevi Shrine. These protests had put the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, who is the chairman of the Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, and also the BJP in a tight spot. Trapped in the unseemly controversy, it’s being said both appear to have found an escape route in shutting down the medical institute. After the closure of the institute, the students will be relocated to other government medical colleges within the Union Territory. Reacting sharply to the development, senior Congress leader Ravinder Sharma questioned the BJP over the closure of what he termed a “premier medical institute”. (PAGE 03) ‘Can’t Lok Sabha proceed with Justice Yashwant Varma’s impeachment if Rajya Sabha rejects the motion?’ SC seeks clarity PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 7 January The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed reservations over the contention that impeachment proceedings initiated in the Lok Sabha against Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma must automatically fail if a similar motion moved in the Rajya Sabha on the same day is rejected. A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice S C Sharma expressed doubts over the submission that proceedings before the Lok Sabha would fall if the impeachment motion is not admitted by the Rajya Sabha, while hearing Justice Varma’s petition challenging the decision of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to constitute a three-member Thursday, 08 January 2026 SPORTS WORLD NATION | inquiry committee under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, to examine allegations against him. Justice Varma has assailed the Speaker’s action on procedural grounds, arguing that since impeachment notices were submitted in both Houses of Parliament on the same day, the Speaker could not have unilaterally constituted the committee without awaiting the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s decision and without joint consultation, as envisaged under the proviso to Section 3 of the Act. Appearing for Justice Varma, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi contended that the inquiry proceedings were vitiated by procedural irregularities. Referring to the proviso, he submitted: “Proviso says when notices are given on the same day (in both Houses of Parliament), no committee shall be constituted unless a motion is admitted in both the Houses and the Speaker, in consultation with the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, forms a joint committee.” Mr Rohatgi pointed out that while the impeachment notice was moved on July 21, 2025, the Rajya Sabha Chairman resigned later that day and the motion was subsequently rejected by the Deputy Chairman on 11 August. “In this case, (Lok Sabha Secretary General’s affidavit says) that the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha has rejected the motion on August 11, 2025,” he said. However, the Bench questioned whether rejection of the motion by the Rajya Sabha would legally bar the Lok Sabha from proceeding independently. Justice Datta observed that the proviso only mandates a joint committee if both Houses admit the motion. “If one motion fails and one succeeds, then what happens? You said it will fail. But now let us read the proviso. If both Houses admit (the motion), then there is a joint committee. But if one rejects it, then where is the bar for Lok Sabha to appoint (a probe committee)? If one motion is not accepted, why should the motion of the other House fail,” the Court asked. Justice Datta further indicated that the statute requires a purposive interpretation. “Rules of construction require the proviso to be read as a part of the section. It says no joint committee can be formed unless the motion is admitted in both Houses. If (the motions are) not admitted (in both Houses), it is silent. So, we have to read it purposively to give meaning to the intention of the legislature,” he said. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 7 January Apex court flags rising dog bite incidents, pulls up local bodies The partnership, which has seen a steady upward trajectory since diplomatic ties were formalised in 1992, remains anchored by several central pillars including defense, innovation, and sustainability. Defence and security cooperation continue to be the bedrock of the relationship, with Israel serving as a key partner in military technology, intelligence sharing, and homeland security. This modern alignment received its most significant boost during PM Modi’s historic 2017 visit to Israel ~ the first by an Indian Prime Minister ~ which effectively moved the relationship beyond a buyer-seller dynamic into a comprehensive strategic alliance. As the two leaders agreed to remain in close touch, officials noted that the dialogue reflects a seamless continuity in the New Delhi-Tel Aviv relationship. By jointly addressing common security challenges and exploring high-tech sectors like AI and advanced water management, both nations signal a shared intent to advance their cooperation despite the volatile regional situation. BJP’s tie-up with Congress, AIMIM in Maha local elections draws Fadnavis & Shinde's ire UNITED NEWS OF INDIA New Delhi, 7 January The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the increasing number of dog bite incidents across the country and strongly criticised municipal authorities and local bodies for failing to effectively implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules. A three -judge Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N.V. Anjaria was hearing detailed arguments in a suo motu case initiated by the Court on the issue of stray dogs and other animals in public places. The hearing in the matter will continue on Thursday. “We are conscious that these things are happening. Children, adults are getting bitten, people are dying,” the Bench observed, underlining the gravity of the situation. The Court further noted that in the last 20 days, there had been two animal-related road accidents involving judges, one of whom continues to suffer from serious spinal injuries. “It’s a very serious issue,” the Bench said. The issue of stray dogs had attracted nationwide attention last year after a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan directed Delhi municipal authorities to round up and shelter stray dogs, triggering protests from animal rights groups. DURING THE CONVERSATION, PM NETANYAHU BRIEFED THE INDIAN LEADER ON THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GAZA PEACE PLAN. PM MODI REAFFIRMED INDIA’S CONSISTENT STANCE, ADVOCATING FOR EFFORTS THAT LEAD TO A “JUST, DURABLE AND LASTING PEACE” IN THE REGION. ACCORDING TO AN OFFICIAL RELEASE, THE LEADERS IDENTIFIED SHARED PRIORITIES TO DEEPEN COOPERATION, GUIDED BY DEMOCRATIC VALUES, MUTUAL TRUST, AND A FORWARD-LOOKING VISION. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai, 7 January Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday directed the BJP to break its alliances with the Congress and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in two municipal councils, saying the tie-ups were “not acceptable”, even as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde lashed out against the BJP allying with the Congress to defeat his Sena's candidate in the municipal election in the Ambernath Municipal Council. “The BJP must explain how such alliances came about. You (the media) should ask the BJP how these alliances get formed. Their leaders may have taken these decisions for power. Senior BJP leaders should take action against this,” Mr Shinde told media persons here. Meanwhile, the Congress party officially announced that it has suspended 12 municipal councillors from Ambernath who had formed local level alliances with the BJP in Ambernath. The Congress suspended its Ambernath ward president Pradeep Patil, informing him in a letter that his ward unit itself has been dissolved. The letter stated that all corporators elected on the Congress symbol have been suspended from the party for forming an alliance with the BJP in the local body, without informing the party's Maharashtra state leadership. Shortly thereafter, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told media persons here: “Such an alliance should not have been formed in the first place. Discussions were underway with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Ambernath, but if local BJP leaders went ahead and formed an alliance with the Congress, this should not have happened. Any alliance with the Congress in any form is wrong. I will be asking questions to my workers," Mr Fadnavis said. Meanwhile, it became known that the BJP also struck a similar alliance with the All India Majlis- e -Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and other parties in the Akot Municipal Council in Akola district, which led to more criticism and allegations against the BJP, prompting Mr Fadnavis to step in to break up the alliance between BJP and the AIMIM in Akot Municipal Council, but not before the damage had already been done. Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson Sanjay Raut told media persons: “The BJP has double standards. What happened in Akot and Ambernath shows the frivolous behaviour of the BJP, which can forge an alliance with anyone to grab power.”