FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 BRIEFLY ‘We welcome every step that leads to peace’: | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI | Saturday, 18 April 2026 Bill to tweak women’s quota law defeated in Lok Sabha VIBHA SHARMA Congress denied delimitation in 1976, opposing it again, says Amit Shah: New Delhi, 17 April New Delhi: India on Friday welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, saying it welcomes every step that leads towards peace. Addressing his weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated: “We welcome the ceasefire. We welcome every step that leads towards peace.” In response to another media query about Israel requesting India to designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation and India's policy about disarming Hamas, Mr Jaiswal stated: “We have a process in place, and those issues are addressed under that process.” Page 5 | O pposition MPs on Friday stuck a spanner in the Narendra Modi government’s move to fast-track the Women’s Reservation Bill ~ the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam ~ by defeating the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which required more than a two-thirds majority for passage ~ a special majority comprising twothirds of members present and voting, and more than 50 per cent of the total membership of the House. Following the defeat of the main bill required to implement the women’s quota by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju withdrew the other two related bills ~ the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 received 298 votes for and 230 votes against. The government needed 352 votes to get the legislation passed. “The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill did not pass as it did not achieve a twothirds majority during voting in the House,” Speaker Om Birla said. “The other two Bills cannot be viewed in isolation,” Rijiju said, telling the Opposition that it missed an opportunity to support the rights of women. NDA leaders also protested in the Parliament premises as the Constitution amendment New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition parties during his reply to a marathon Lok Sabha debate on three landmark bills, accusing the Congress of repeatedly denying citizens their right to delimitation ~ first in 1976, and now again by opposing it today. "In 1972, the Indira Gandhi government increased Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545 and then froze them. In 1976, to protect its grip on power during the Emergency, Congress pushed through the 42nd Amendment, imposing a ban on delimitation," Shah said. “Then it was the Congress that deprived the people of delimitation, and today, it is Congress doing the same.” Mr Shah also clarified that the Narendra Modi Cabinet had decided to conduct a caste census alongside the 2026 census, saying the announcement was intended to cut through the “confusion being spread in the minds of 140 crore Indians. Addressing concerns from southern states about losing political influence after an expansion of Lok Sabha seats, Mr Shah presented state-wise data to argue that southern representation would actually improve. bill failed to pass the Lok Sabha’ test. Earlier, the Lok Sabha witnessed an intense debate, replete with high drama and sharp exchanges, over the issue of delimitation and women’s reservation, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah warning the Opposition that they would have to face the anger of the “matra shakti” and the Opposition accusing the government of trying to “reshape the electoral map of India". Prime Minister Narendra Modi also made a last-minute appeal to all Members of Parliament, urging them to support the bill. “Crores of women are watching us,” he said in a message on X earlier in the day. Reality has turned out differently: CM targets BJP after SC directive on voter rolls MANAS R BANNERJEE Siliguri, 17 April Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, welcoming the Supreme Court's position on ensuring the right to vote of 'excluded' voters who are cleared by adjudication tribunals, on Friday hit out at the BJP over the issue. “Manush bhabe ek, hoy areak” (people think one thing, but reality turns out differently), she said at an election rally in Cooch Behar. Miss Banerjee framed the tribunal’s decision as a turning point in the ongoing electoral process. She said that nearly 2.7 million “under consideration” and “under adjudication” individuals would now be included in the voters’ list in accordance with the tribunal’s directive, even up to two days before polling. Calling it a restoration of democratic rights, she instructed party workers to reach out to these voters directly and ensure that voter slips are delivered to their homes. Miss Banerjee alleged that there had been a deliberate attempt to exclude large sections of voters in order to influence the outcome of the election. “They thought they could capture power by striking off names from the voters’ list and using brute force,” she said, addingthatthecourt'sintervention had altered that equation. “Now that these people have regained their voting rights, we must stand by them.” • Details on Page 2 Probe into Merlin Group ‘land scam’ in Kolkata widens as I-T jumps in, while ED continues raids STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata,17 April The Enforcement Directorate on Friday carried out fresh searches at four locations linked to the Merlin Group in Kolkata, while the Income Tax Department too raided premises associated with the embattled real estate company, intensifying the ongoing probe into alleged illegal land deals. I-T officials also raided premises linked to TMC MLA Debasish Kumar. The twin action by central agencies comes less than a week before the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on 23 April, pushing the land-grab probe into the centre of a political storm. According to the ED, searches under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are being carried out at multiple premises in Kolkata in connection with its ongoing investigation into the Merlin Group. The locations include residences linked to Sushil Kumar Dhandhania and Vijay Kumar Dhandhania at Middleton Street, premises of DC Paul Group Construction Private Limited in Salt Lake, and residences of its director Kamlini Paul and former director Shanti Ranjan Paul. The agency is probing allegations of money laundering linked to suspected land grabbing and irregular real estate transactions. Earlier, ED searches in the case had flagged a pattern of land acquisition through forged documentation and alleged investor fraud, with funds routed through real estate projects. The case traces back to multiple FIRs registered across West Bengal against the group that is accused of duping investors with promises of high returns from disputed land deals. Investigators have indicated a “systematic modus operandi” involving forged powers of attorney to facilitate land grabbing. Documents recovered during earlier searches reportedly brought Mr Kumar under the scanner. As news of Friday’s action spread, Trinamul Congress supporters gathered near Mr India slips to sixth-largest economy in IMF list due to weakening rupee STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 17 April India loses its place in the list of top 5 economies, as the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook estimates puts it as the world’s sixth-largest economy in nominal GDP terms. The shift reflects currency-driven changes rather than structural weakness, with projections suggesting India could regain lost ground in the coming years. Based on the IMF’s April 2026 World Economic Outlook, the latest estimates place the United States at over $30 trillion, followed by China at around $19-20 trillion while Germany is estimated at about $5 trillion, and Japan and the United Kingdom are both in the $4-4.5 trillion range. India, at just over $4 trillion, now sits just below this group. The Iran war has hit the Indian economy hard as the country imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil, higher prices widen the import bill and increase dollar outflows, putting direct pressure on the currency. The geopolitical tensions have also triggered bouts of risk aversion in global markets, leading to volatile foreign portfolio flows India continues to be one of the fastest-growing major economies, with growth projected in the 6.4–6.5 per cent range over the next two years. Recently, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva had praised India's growth story saying the growth rate is more than two times higher than the average global growth. "Look at India today. India's growth rate is more than two times higher than the average global growth. That is happening because the country has strong fundamentals," Ms Georgieva had said. Ms Georgieva attributed India’s resilience to factors such as macroeconomic stability and robust domestic demand, which continue to support momentum. The IMF chief said there are no signs of a sharp slowdown in India’s growth path, even as the global economy faces headwinds from geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict. Income Tax sleuths raid places linked to TMC candidate Debasish Kumar, two other party leaders: Kumar’s residence, alleging a political vendetta by the BJP-led Centre. The Enforcement Directorate had conducted searches at seven locations linked to the Merlin Group in Kolkata on 8 April, as part of its ongoing probe, including the residences of promoter Sushil Mohta and his son Saket Mohta. Properties on Prince Anwar Shah Road and in Salt Lake were also covered during the operation. The case stems from an FIR registered at Anandapur police Kolkata: The Income Tax Department on Friday raided multiple premises including the residence of Trinamul Congress MLA Debasish Kumar as also the homes and offices of two other leaders of the party, triggering political tension of the Assembly elections. Kumar is seeking re-election from the Rashbehari constituency. Sources said officials began the searches early in the morning at Kumar’s residence on Manoharpukur Road in south Kolkata. The TMC candidate was present when the raid started. Simultaneously, searches are being carried out at his election office located nearby, as well as at a party office on Motilal Nehru Road. Meanwhile, another team of I-T Department officials searched the residence of Trinamul Congress leader Kumar Saha at Kalighat. The IT officials also reached the Elgin Road residence of local Trinamul leader Miraj Shah, one of the four proposers of the candidature of Trinamul Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee from Bhowanipore. Meanwhile, several other locations in the city, including Salt Lake and Middleton Street, also witnessed I-T raids during the day. station in January this year. The Mohtas, along with several others, have been accused of fraud, forgery, organised criminal activity and criminal conspiracy. These offences carry penalties ranging from five years’ imprisonment to life. The FIR also names senior functionaries of the group, including Dilip Chaudhary, Vikash Memani, Saurav Majumdar and Ranjan Chakraborty. • Turn to Page 3 India, China hold talks South Korean President Lee to visit India; for cooperation in trade semiconductors, shipbuilding on agenda under SCO framework STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 17 April STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 17 April Amid their efforts to normalise bilateral ties, India and China concluded a two-day intensive dialogue in New Delhi on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian intergovernmental organisation which focuses on regional security, counter terrorism and economic cooperation. The talks were led by India's SCO National-Coordinator, Ambassador Alok A. Dimri and China's NationalCoordinator, Ambassador Yan Wenbin. ‘’The two sides exchanged views on implementation of SCO Leaders’ Decisions, and the future-course of the organisation. Both sides agreed to continue and consolidate mutual-cooperation and consultations in SCO matters,’’ the Ministry of External Affairs said. The two delegations reviewed cooperation within the SCO framework, including in the areas of security, trade, connectivity, and peopleto-people ties. The SCO brings China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan under one umbrella. Afghanistan, Belarus and Mongolia are SCO observers while Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey are its dialogue partners. With South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visiting India on 19 April for a three-day state visit, New Delhi called Seoul an 'important technology partner,' stressing that semiconductors and shipbuilding will be discussed. This is the first visit by a South Korean leader to the country in eight years. The main day of engagements is on 20 April. "Korea is an important technology partner. Semiconductors and shipbuilding will be discussed," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing on Friday. The visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to deepen the two countries' Special Strategic Partnership, with shipbuilding, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and defence cooperation topping the agenda. President Lee will be accompanied by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung and a high-level delegation of ministers, senior officials and around 200 business executives. Leaders from Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Group are among those expected to participate in a CEOs' roundtable aimed at exploring new investment and business opportunities. At the core of the summit will be a bilateral meeting between Modi and President Lee, where the two leaders are expected to discuss trade, investment, critical minerals, green hydrogen and supply chain resilience. President Lee will also hold separate meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Shipbuilding is set to feature prominently. India is keen to leverage South Korea's world-leading expertise in the sector, particularly as disruptions to global shipping routes have underscored the need for stronger maritime supply chains. Bilateral trade between India and South Korea stood at $21.5 billion between January and October 2025, with South Korea ranking among India's top foreign investors. Earlier, PM Modi and President Lee last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2025, where they agreed to collaborate across commerce, technology and shipbuilding. Also in February 2026, the two sides held their sixth Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul.