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 | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Page 6 ‘Builder-KMC nexus will go’ Page 9 14 Indians dead; DGS advises against seafarer deployment in Hormuz: New Delhi: A total of 14 Indians have died while two are missing in the West Asia conflict that broke out on 28 February, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. At a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at least seven Indian-flagged vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf. He reiterated India’s stand that civilian infrastructure should not be targeted at any cost in a conflict. Meanwhile, amid the repeated attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, India’s shipping regulator, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), has told shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders. Is Lord’s the beginning of another Rohit Sharma chapter, or the final page? Page 7 Trade beyond tariffs Andy Burnham declared leader of UK’s Labour Party, will become PM on Monday BRIEFLY Page 12 SATURDAY INTERVIEW PM launches India’s first hydrogen train STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi/Jind, 17 July P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train, describing it as a landmark in the country’s transition towards green mobility and self-reliance. The PM also laid the foundation stone for and dedicated to the nation development projects worth around Rs 14,700 crore in Haryana, including rail, road, healthcare and cultural infrastructure projects. Addressing a public gathering in Jind, the Prime Minister said the launch of the country’s first hydrogen-powered train had given both Jind and Haryana a permanent place in India’s history. “Today, Jind and Haryana have permanently etched their names in the Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers passes away at 89 pages of history. From here today, the nation has been gifted its first hydrogen train,” Mr Modi said, adding that just as the first train between Bombay and Thane occupies a special place in India’s railway history, the Jind-Sonipat hydrogen train would be remembered whenever clean mobility is discussed. The Prime Minister inaugurated the 90-km hydrogen train service between Jind and Sonipat, saying the project marked India’s entry into next-generation railway technology. He said the hydrogen train, powered by a 3,200-horsepower engine and comprising 10 coaches, was among the most powerful of its kind in the world. “Besides being completely emission-free, India’s hydrogen train stands as a remarkable testament to the success of the Make in India initiative,” he said, noting that the train had been designed by Indian engineers and manufactured by domestic companies. Mr Modi said hydrogenpowered rail technology had emerged globally only seven to eight years ago and that only a handful of countries currently operated such trains. He said India’s decision to introduce a 10-coach hydrogen train reflected the country’s growing technological capabilities. He also underlined that hydrogen rail systems require dedicated infrastructure and specialised support facilities, which would create new industries and employment opportunities, particularly for Haryana’s youth. Mejia (Bankura)/ Kolkata, 17 July Bridgetown, 17 July Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers the game has ever produced and arguably its finest all-rounder, passed away at his home in Barbados on Friday. He was 89. The legendary West Indies icon leaves behind a remarkable legacy that transformed the sport across two decades, excelling with both bat and ball while setting standards of all-round excellence that remain unmatched by many. Confirming the news, Cricket West Indies paid tribute to the cricketing great on X, writing, “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.” Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, amassing 8,032 runs at an outstanding average of 57.78, including 26 centuries. With the ball, the left-arm all-rounder claimed 235 Test wickets at an average of 34.03, showcasing his rare ability to bowl left-arm fastmedium, orthodox spin and wrist spin with equal effectiveness. His brilliance extended beyond batting and bowling, with Sobers also earning a reputation as one of cricket’s finest fielders and close-in catchers. One of the defining moments of his illustrious career came in 1958 when he scored an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan, then the highest individual score in Test cricket. The landmark innings remained the world record for 36 years before it was surpassed in 1994. • Related report: Page 12 ‘Insulting Vande Mataram may attract imprisonment’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 17 July Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha during the upcoming Monsoon Session. The proposed legislation seeks to make insulting or intentionally obstructing the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence, carrying imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday urged industries in the state to combine investment with environmental responsibility and workers’ welfare, saying the state’s improved business climate had restored investor confidence and encouraged companies such as Shyam Steel to expand rather than relocate elsewhere. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for Shyam Steel Group’s Rs 15,000-crore expansion project at Mejia in Bankura district, Mr Adhikari said industrial growth must not come at the cost of the environment or employees’ well-being. Praising Shyam Steel for maintaining extensive greenery and investing in pollutioncontrol systems despite operating a steel plant, the Chief Minister urged other industries to follow its example. Referring to an industrial unit in West Midnapore, he said one factory there was causing extensive pollution and warned that industries must ensure their operations do not harm the environment. “I came here by helicopter and could see the greenery in and around the Shyam Steel plant. This is a steel plant where pollution is inevitable, but they have taken excellent measures to control it. Every industry must plant trees, create green cover and ensure pollution does not affect the people,” he said. He also called upon industrialists to place workers’ welfare at the centre of their operations, saying employees were the backbone of every factory. “Provident fund contributions must be deposited on time. Workers should receive medical insurance, regular safety training and high-quality safety equipment, including helmets and protective gear. A good working environment is essential,” Mr Adhikari said. The Chief Minister revealed that senior officials of Shyam Steel had considered shifting their business to neighbouring Odisha during the previous Trinamul Congress (TMC) government because of the prevailing business climate. However, he said, the company decided to remain in West Bengal and significantly expand its investments after the BJP came to power in the state. “If this government had not been formed, they had decided to move to Odisha. Today they are expanding their investment in Bengal because they have confidence in this government,” he said. Launching a sharp attack on the previous TMC administration, Mr Adhikari alleged that corruption, extortion and political interference had discouraged industrial investment and weakened the state’s finances. He claimed that nearly 80 per cent of revenue from stone quarries was siphoned off under the previous regime. According to him, the state had received only around Rs 60 crore from stone quarries earlier, whereas the same sector generated Rs 83 crore during May and June after the BJP assumed office. He further alleged that in one mining unit, where the government should have received nearly Rs 1,200 crore, only Rs 100 crore reached the state exchequer while the remaining Rs 1,100 crore “went into someone else’s pockets”. “That is why West Bengal’s economic condition became so poor,” he said. The Chief Minister reiterated that his government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards extortion and political interference in industry. Sharad Pawar-led NCP to join NDA but tussle on for Maharashtra Finance Ministry STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Mumbai, 17 July The Sharad Pawar-led NCP is all set to join the BJP-led Maharashtra cabinet as well as the Union cabinet in a few days, sources said here on Friday. The names of senior Sharad Pawar-led NCP leaders Jayant Patil and MLA Jitendra Awhad have been tipped to get positions in the Devendra Fadnavis Cabinet, while the party's National Working President and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, is expected to join the Union Cabinet as a minister, as part of the BJP-led NDA government, sources said. The name of former Health Minister and Sharad Pawar NCP leader Rajesh Tope is also in the lead in the race for a ministerial post in the state cabinet, sources said. Sources said that the formula for this political realignment was developed in great secrecy over the past few days, both in Delhi as well as Mumbai. Two days ago, Sharad Pawar confidant Jayant Patil had gone to to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ ‘Varsha’ residence and held discussions with him, sources said, adding that it was only after this visit that discussions about sharing power with the BJP-led Mahayuti government in the The amendment would extend to Vande Mataram the same legal protection currently available to the National Anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. At present, intentionally preventing the singing of Jana Gana Mana or causing a disturbance during its rendition is punishable with up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. If passed by Parliament, the Bill will place Vande Mataram, India’s National Song, on par with other protected national symbols, including the National Anthem, the National Flag and the Constitution. The move follows recent directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. In a letter to states, the Ministry reportedly asked for strict compliance with its instructions that Vande Mataram be played before Jana Gana Mana whenever both are performed at official functions. The communication also reiterated the occasions on which the National Song and the National Anthem are to be sung or played at the beginning, end, or both, of official events. Earlier, the Ministry advised states and government bodies that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung or played at official events. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first published in his 1882 novel Anandamath, Vande Mataram was accorded the status of India’s National Song on 24 January 1950. Industries must protect workers, curb pollution Deletion from electoral and invest with confidence: Suvendu Adhikari rolls does not result in loss STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Saturday, 18 July 2026 SPORTS WORLD EDITORIAL | state cabinet gained official momentum. As reported earlier, most of Sharad Pawar’s MLAs and MPs are in favour of joining the BJP-led NDA as well as the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra headed by CM Devendra Fadnavis. According to sources, another big development took place on Thursday night, when Jayant Patil and MLA Jitendra Awhad met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official Nandanvan bungalow in Thane to take him into confidence. However, the real reason behind meeting Mr Shinde was kept hidden and it was claimed by both parties that the meeting was in connection with the disqualification of the Ishwarpur Mayor. During this meeting, Mr Shinde was formally informed that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP will join the BJP-led Mahayuti government and Mr Shinde's consent was taken. Significantly, even before this meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had returned to Mumbai after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had already briefed Mr Shinde in Delhi. According to sources, during the meeting in Delhi, there was a detailed discussion about the entry of the Sharad Pawar faction to the NDA and simultaneously activities in Mumbai accelerated as soon as the green light was received from Mr Shah. of citizenship: Apex court PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 17 July Stating that there was no confusion in law, the Supreme Court on Friday clarified that the Election Commission of India, under the Constitution, is not an authority to determine the citizenship of a person and has only a limited role in examining the citizenship of a voter for the purpose of inclusion in or exclusion from the electoral rolls. The clarification came during the hearing of a matter in which senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that persons whose names had been deleted from the electoral rolls of West Bengal were being denied access to government welfare schemes, including the Public Distribution System, women cash transfer schemes, the Annapurna Yojana and even verification of caste certificates. Referring to the Court’s 27 May judgment on the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana observed that it had already made the legal position clear that the ECI was not the authority to determine whether a person was a citizen of India. “We indicated in our Bihar SIR judgment that if the Commission is doubtful about the citizenship of a voter, it can delete the name from the electoral rolls, but it has a corresponding responsibility to refer the matter to the competent authority for adjudication under the Citizenship Act, 1955,” the court said. The Court observed that those affected could approach the Calcutta High Court. It further clarified that until the competent authority under the Citizenship Act adjudicates the issue, the person’s status as a citizen continues for the purpose of availing benefits and entitlements available to citizens, including welfare schemes. Elaborating on the role of the ECI, Justice Bagchi observed that there was no confusion in law and that the Election Commission exercises control and superintendence over the preparation and maintenance of the electoral rolls. Dealing with the question of citizenship during the SIR exercise, the Supreme Court, in its May 27 judgment, had said: “…in cases where the Commission is not satisfied that a person meets the statutory conditions for inclusion in the electoral roll, it would be incumbent upon it to refer such an individual to the competent authority within the Central Government for adjudication in accordance with law. The Commission’s determination, being confined to electoral purposes, cannot assume finality on the question of citizenship. Any deletion effected on this ground shall, therefore, remain subject to the outcome of such adjudication by the appropriate authority.” The clarification came during the hearing of petitions relating to the functioning of the 19 appellate tribunals that are examining over 33 lakh appeals filed by persons whose names were deleted from the electoral rolls during the West Bengal SIR, primarily on account of “logical discrepancies” arising from variations in the spelling of names within the same family.