SATURDAY 06 JANUARY 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR HM STRESSES LINKING DATABASE WITH AI-DRIVEN ANALYTICS ‘CULTURE IS IN BENGAL’S BLOOD’ P7 SENSEX 72,026.15178.58 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. MODERATE TO DENSE FOG IN THE MORNING. COLD DAY CONDITIONS AT A FEW PLACES. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 15 AND 09 DEGREE CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY TEMPERATURE Min: 9.4°C (+3) SUN SETS 17:39 hrs MOON SETS 13:10 hrs ` vs $ 83.202 PAISE GOLD 47,45090 Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra on his arrival, at the airport, in Jaipur on Friday. ANI P12 SILVER 76,600 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 78.000.41 Indian economy to grow 7.3 pc in 2023-24: Govt The Finance Ministry has also projected the growth to exceed its forecast of 6.5pc I THUMBNAILS ndia's gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to grow by 7.3per cent in 2023-24, up from 7.2per cent in 2022-23, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said on Friday. Real GDP is estimated to attain a level of Rs 171.79 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 202223 of Rs 160.06 lakh crore, released on 31st May, 2023. Nominal GDP in 202324 is estimated at Rs 296.58 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2022-23 of Rs 272.41 lakh crore, released on 31st May, 2023. The growth in nominal GDP during 2023-24 is estimated at 8.9per cent as compared to 16.1per cent in 2022-23. Real GDP is estimated to attain a level of Rs 171.79 lakh crore, as against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 202223 of Rs 160.06 lakh crore, released on 31st May, 2023. The statistics ministry's first advance estimate of growth this year is even higher than the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recently revised forecast of 7per cent. The Finance Ministry has also projected the growth to exceed its forecast of 6.5per cent. The Advance Estimates of National Income are indicator-based and are compiled using the benchmark-indicator method i.e. the estimates available for the previous year (2022-23) are extrapolated using the relevant indicators reflecting the performance of sectors. The manufacturing sector is set to grow to 6.5per cent from 1.3per cent in 2022-23, and is set to drive growth higher this year, with the construction sector posting an even more impressive growth rate of 10.7per cent on top of a 10per cent expansion in 2022-23. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also released data saying India's forex reserves jumped by $2.759 billion to $623.2 bil- lion in the week ended December 29. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves had increased by $4.471 billion to $620.441 billion. For the week ended December 29, the foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, increased by $1.869 billion to $551.615 billion, as per the data from the RBI. United Nations through its UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2024 report further said in 2024, India is projected to grow at 6.2per cent supported by robust domestic demand and strong growth in the manufacturing and services sectors. This growth is slightly lower than the 6.3per cent estimate for 2023, amid robust domestic demand and strong growth in the manufacturing and services sectors, the report said. EC dismisses Jairam’s concern over VVPAT WINTER DELIGHT STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JANUARY Children wearing warm clothes seen at Kartavya Path on a cold winter evening in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI Dismissing Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s concern over the voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT), the Election Commission (EC) on Friday reiterated its full faith in the use of the electronic voting machine (EVM) in elections. In his 30 December letter to the EC, Ramesh, who is the Congress general secretary incharge of communications, had sought an appointment with the poll panel for the leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to put forward their point of view on the VVPAT. In its reply to Ramesh’s letter, the poll panel categorically said it has no new assertions or reasonable and legit- imate doubts which require further clarifications. “The letter dated 30th December 2023, however, does not mention any specific issues on VVPAT. It is, once again, requested to refer to EVM resources, including further updated FAQs, which covers all possible aspects. The letter said to be in sequence of the earlier letters, has no new assertions or reasonable and legit- Bengal: ED team attacked in Sandeshkhali Parl security breach: 5 out of 6 accused give consent to undergo polygraph test STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JANUARY AGENCIES KOLKATA, 5 JANUARY A team of officers of the Enforcement Directorate(ED) were attacked on Friday morning during a raid on a Trinamul Congress leader’s residence at Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas district. Five officials were injured and admitted to hospital among them three are critical. The ED officers accompanied by a few personnel of central forces were conducting raids on the house of Shahjahan Sheikh, a local Trinamul leader and matsa prani sampad karmadhakshya (chief of zila parishad fisheries and animal husbandry), when hundreds of locals overpowered them. P8 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JANUARY Max.93% Min. 86% Max: 14.6°C (-5) SUN RISES 07:15 hrs MOON RISES 02:57 hrs P5 NIFTY 21,710.8052.20 AUS LEAPFROGS INDIA TO REGAIN NO.1 TEST RANKING ADANI BACK AS ASIA'S WEALTHIEST PERSON AFTER SC’S DECISION Five of the six accused persons in the 13 December Parliament security breach case on Friday gave their consent before a Delhi court to undergo a polygraph test. Delhi Police had moved an application seeking permission to conduct a polygraph test of the six accused persons~ Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Amol Dhanraj Shinde, Neelam Devi Azad, Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat -- who have been arrested in connection with the case. Excluding Neelam Devi, the other five accused gave their consent to undergo a polygraph test before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeeep Kaur of the Patiala House Courts. The judge also extended their police custody by eight days after they were produced before the court amid tight security on the expiry of their police remand. The police had moved an application for conducting a polygraph test of the accused, saying the investigators needed to get more details to make the case strong and gather more evidence to unearth the entire conspiracy. The police have also sought permission to conduct brain mapping and Narco tests of Manoranjan and Sagar. The duo had burst yellow smoke canisters inside the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, after jumping from the visitors’ gallery before they were overpowered by the MPs present in the House. Two others -Neelam Azad and Shinde -also burst smoke canisters and raised slogans outside Parliament. Jha is believed to be the mastermind of the entire plan, he reportedly fled with the mobile phones of the four others. A polygraph test, commonly known as a lie detector test, involves recording physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, and respiration while the individual under scrutiny responds to a series of questions. imate doubts which requires further clarifications,” read the letter signed by Pramod Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary, EC. Referring to the August 9, 2023 memorandum submitted to the poll panel on the EVMs, Sharma said, “Memorandum dated 9th August, 2023 has already been duly replied on 23rd August. Further, para-wise reply to issues raised due to incorrect and inadequate appreciation of material available in the public domain in follow up letter dated 2nd October 2023 by Omar Hooda, in individual capacity, is duly replied to this letter covering all aspects of EVMs like nontampering, non- hacking, micro controllers, end-toend verifiability, legal provisions, counting, technical competency, manufacturing, source code, etc.” The EC stated that material available in the public domain on EVMs, including the latest updated FAQs, adequately and comprehensively cover all reasonable and legitimate aspects of use of the voting machines in Indian elections. The principal secretary further said, “It is stated that current EVMs in use in Indian election are compliant to the extant legal framework created and strengthened by the successive Union Governments of the day and jurisprudence evolved over more that 40 years by the Constitutional Courts of India. Anything beyond existing legal framework and established jurisprudence is beyond the singular domain of the Commission.” Indian Navy thwarts attempt to hijack bulk carrier in Arabian Sea STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JANUARY The Indian Navy's Mission Deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident in Arabian Sea involving a hijacking attempt onboard Liberia Flagged bulk carrier. The vessel had sent a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by 5-6 unknown armed personnel on Thursday evening. Responding swiftly to the developing situation, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to assist the vessel. The aircraft overflew the vessel early Friday morning and established contact with the vessel, ascertaining the safety of the crew. The aircraft continues to monitor movement and INS Chennai is closing the vessel to render assistance. The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies/MNF in the area. “The Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring safety of merchant shipping in the region along with international partners and friendly foreign countries,'' an official release said. Modi shares another Ram ‘bhajan’ in run-up to consecration event STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JANUARY Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared another devotional song in praise of Lord Ram as the holy city of Ayodhya sets the stage for the Ram temple consecration ceremony on January 22. In a social media post, he shared the 'bhajan' (devotional song) of Lord Ram sung by Jubin Nautiyal, music composed by Payal Dev and penned by Manoj Muntashir. "On the auspicious occasion of the consecration of Lord Shri Ram, the entire country along with Ayodhya is celebrating 'Rammay'. This welcome bhajan of Jubin Nautiyal ji, Payal Dev ji and Manoj Muntashir ji, filled with devotion to Ram Lalla, is heart touching…#ShriRamBhajan," Modi wrote on X. He also posted the video link of the song along with the post. The prime minister had shared a bhajan of Lord Ram sung by Hansraj Raghuvanshi on Thursday and one sung by Swati Mishra on Wednesday. Modi is expected to arrive in Ayodhya a day ahead of the Ram Lalla consecration ceremony. Sources said he could reach Ayodhya on January 21 evening. He will have a night's stay in the temple town and the next day on January 22, he will take bath in River Saryu in the morning, they said. It is reported that Modi would fast on the day of pran pratistha as mandated by the tradition for the main host of the tradition. It is believed that Lord Hanuman is seated as the king of Ayodhya. No auspicious work is done here without his permission. Due to this belief, the PM will first pay obeisance at the Hanumangarhi temple, take permission and then will leave for Ram Janmabhoomi to consecrate the Ram Lalla temple. It is mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana too that Lord Shri Ram had coronated Hanuman ji before going to Saket Dham. Though the rituals of Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav will start from January 16, the temple consecration on January 22 will start with PM Modi first taking a pledge and dedicating it to the country. Then, he will do 'Shodashopachar' puja of Ramlala. According to Trust officials, for 'Shodashopachar' puja and Mahapuja -- the total puja time in the sanctum sanctorum will be 40 minutes. On January 22, there will be a very subtle Muhurat of 84 seconds for the consecration of Ram Lalla, which will be from 12:29 minutes 8 seconds to 12:30 minutes 32 seconds. Only 11 people will be allowed in the sanctum sanctorum during the consecration ceremony. A week earlier, the Prime Minister has inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 15,700 crore at Ayodhya Dham. These include projects worth about Rs 11,100 crore for development of Ayodhya and its surrounding areas and projects worth about Rs 4,600 crore related to other projects across Uttar Pradesh. He had inaugurated the redeveloped Ayodhya Railway Station and flagged off new Amrit Bharat trains and Vande Bharat trains. He also dedicated several other railway projects to the nation. Union Cabinet declares Ayodhya airport as int’l airport: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved a proposal to declare Ayodhya Airport as an International Airport and naming it as “Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhyadham.”