WEDNESDAY 14 FEBRUARY 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 P6 SENSEX 71,555.19482.70 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. SHALLOW TO MODERATE FOG IN THE MORNING. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 24 AND 08 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE Max: 22.8 °C-1) SUN RISES 7:00 hrs MOON RISES 10:27 hrs P7 NIFTY 21,743.25127.20 P10 ` vs $ 83.012 PAISE GOLD 62,840110 Min: 08.3 °C (-2) SUN SETS 18:10 hrs MOON SETS 23:09 hrs THUMBNAILS Devotees carry an idol of Goddess Saraswati toward their residence through a mustard field on the eve of Saraswati Puja in South ANI Dinajpur on Tuesday. IAF trainer jet crashes in Bengal, both pilots eject safely: An AJT Hawk aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with an accident soon after takeoff from the Air Force Station at Kalaikunda in West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon, forcing both pilots to bail out. Before leaving the aircraft though, the pilots ensured that it crashed into an uninhabited site, causing no damage to life or property on the ground. A spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence in Kolkata confirmed the crash and said that both pilots are safe. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY PM launches Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana P rime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday on an official visit to the UAE. He was received at the airport by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The two leaders shook hands and hugged each other. Prime Minister Modi also received a guard of honour. He posted on X: “Immensely grateful to my brother, HH @MohamedBinZayed, for taking the time to receive me at Abu Dhabi airport. I look forward to a productive visit which will further strength the friendship between India and UAE.” The two leaders held one-on-one and delegation level talks. They reviewed the bilateral partnership and discussed new areas of cooperation. Among the agreements the two countries signed is an Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor. This would build on previous understandings and cooperation on this matter and foster India and the UAE cooperation furthering regional connectivity. The two leaders wel- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY PM Narendra Modi meets with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.  ANI comed the deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across sectors, including trade and investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure, culture and people-to-people ties. Their discussions covered regional and global issues also. In his remarks during his meeting with Mohamed binZayed, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for an enthusiastic and warm welcome to him and his team. “Whenever I am with you, I feel that I am among my family members,” he said. “Our deep relations are evident from the fact that in the last seven months we have met five times, and I came here seven times,” he said. “This shows our close relations. In every field, we have moved ahead. India and the UAE are together in several fields. Even today, we are going to arrive at many important agreements,” he said. The Prime Minister said “a new era of fintech is about to start with UPI and Jaywan Cards. I am thankful that you came to my home State and gave stature to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit by attending it; the prestige of the event has gone up in the world. People remember the inspiring speech you gave.”PM Modi is also to address the Indian diaspora at the “Ahlan Modi” event BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 81.430.39 Farmers face tear gas, water cannons as Central govt indecisive on MSP demand Modi in UAE, reviews bilateral partnership STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY P12 SILVER 75,500 India, UAE sign framework pact on India-Middle East Economic Corridor Min. 45 % KULDEEP CONFIRMS JADEJA’S AVAILABILITY FOR RAJKOT TEST JAYA BACHCHAN NOMINATED TO RS FOR 5TH TIME AN ELECTION FOR AND AGAINST IMRAN KHAN CHINA'S CONFIDENCE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the launch of rooftop solar scheme for free electricity, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Prime Minister posted on X: "In order to further sustainable development and people’s wellbeing, we are launching the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.” He said “This project, with an investment of over Rs 75,000 crores, aims to light up 1 crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month.” later in the day, which over 65,000 Indian expatriates living in the UAE have registered to attend. Mr Modi will also inaugurate the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. "The BAPS temple will be an enduring tribute to the values of harmony, peace and tolerance, which both India and the UAE share," the PM said before his departure from New Delhi. The Centre on Tuesday tightened security at Delhi’s borders as protesting farmers from the agrarian states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan marched towards the national capital to press for their demand for Minimum Support Price for their produce. Amidst the protest, Union agriculture minister Arjun Munda said a law guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue. He also cautioned the protesting farmers to be "aware and alert" about some elements which could defame their protest for political benefits. The government had held talks with Samyuka Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to resolve the farmers' concerns, but in vain. However, as the talks remained inconclusive, farmers' groups started their 'Delhi Chalo' march. There was chaos at the Shambhu border as the police tried to stop the protesters from entering the national capital. The farmers were seen attempting to break the multi-layered barricades using their tractors  SUBRATA DUTTA Amidst the protest, Union agriculture minister Arjun Munda said a law guaranteeing MSP on crops cannot be brought in a hurry without consulting all stakeholders and urged the protesting farmer groups to have a structured discussion with the government on the issue. and hand weapons. Haryana police detained several protesting farmers as they marched towards Delhi. The farmers were seen running towards nearby farmland on the sides of the road as police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Lending support to the agitataion, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said demands for law on MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Committee report and debt waiver concern all farmers. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised to provide MSP if his government is voted to power. "This is the first guarantee Sharad Pawar moves SC against ECI ‘It is a new innings for me’: Ashok Chavan joins BJP order favouring Ajit Pawar faction STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY The Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court challenging 6 February, 2024, Election Commission of India (ECI) decision recognizing the breakaway faction of the party led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as the ‘real’ Nationalist Congress Party. The poll panel had recognised the faction led by Ajit Pawar as the real NCP based on the majority of the lawmakers backing him in the state legislature. The Election Commission noted that out of 81 MLAs belonging to NCP in Maharashtra Assembly, 57 were with him (Ajit Pawar) and only 28 with Sharad Pawar. As a consequence, the poll panel permitted the Ajit Pawar fac- tion to use NCP’s 'clock' symbol. “The faction led by petitioner Ajit Anantrao Pawar is the Nationalist Congress Party and is entitled to use its name and reserved symbol ‘clock’ for the purposes of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment), Order 1968,” the Commission had said while recognising Ajit Pawar faction as real Nationalist Congress Party. A day after being recognised as the real Nationalist Congress Party, the Ajit Pawar faction filed a caveat in the Supreme Court in anticipation of the Sharad Pawar faction knocking on the top court’s doors challenging the Election Commission’s order recognising the Ajit Pawar faction as a real NCP and allotting it the party symbol. Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan on Tuesday joined the BJP, a day after he parted ways with the Congress. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed him to the party. "Chavan told me that he wanted to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work of development for the people. He said he did not want any plum post," he said. Talking to the waiting media, Chavan (65) said, “I have joined the BJP with the wish to contribute to the development work of the central government led by Narendra Modi. It is an unconditional move without asking for any post. It is a new innings for me after serving in politics for 38 years." "It was my personal decision to join the saffron party. I believe a new beginning Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule welcome former Congress leader Ashok Chavan into the party fold as he joins the party, at the ANI BJP office in Mumbai on Tuesday. has to be made. I see a future in the party," he added. He, however, maintained that he has not contacted any Congress worker or his supporters to join him during his induction into the BJP. Asked about the Congress' prospects, he said, "No comments." -Chavan is the third big exit from the Maharashtra Congress after former South Mumbai MP Milind Deora and MLA Baba Siddique left the party. The leader belongs to an influential political family based in Nanded district of Maharashtra. He is the son of former chief minister Shankarrao Chavan. He represented the sNanded Lok Sabha constituency in 1987 and 2014, but lost the election in 2019 when he was defeated by BJP's Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar. Chavan won the Mudkhed Assembly constituency in 1999 and 2004 and Bhokar in 2009 and 2019. According to sources, the newly-inducted leader is likely to get a Rajya Sabha ticket and may file his nomination on Wednesday. The former chief minister’s resignation from the Congress also comes ahead of the elections to six Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The last date of filing of nomination is February 15. The elections are scheduled to take place on February 27. Government launches pilot project for digital empowerment in rural India This UP constable owns `5 cr house with swimming pool, BMW & Audi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KANPUR, 13 FEBRUARY NEW DELHI, 13 FEBRUARY Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh on Tuesday inaugurated a landmark initiative at Paprour Gram Panchayat under Barauni Block of Begusarai district, signalling a significant leap towards digital empowerment in Grameen Bharat (rural India). The pilot project titled ‘Smart Gram Panchayat: Revolution towards Digitization of Gram Panchayat’ was launched with the aim to extend PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Service in all Gram Panchayats across Begusarai district in Bihar. Begusarai has now become the first district in Bihar t equip all Gram Panchayats with Wi-Fi services under the PM-WANI Scheme. In his address, Mr Giriraj Singh emphasised the importance of leveraging technology for the betterment and development of rural communities. He highlighted var- ious schemes introduced by the Central Government, aimed at empowering rural areas through digital initiatives. He also emphasised the necessity for Panchayat representatives and functionaries to embrace technology for empowerment, growth and holistic development of Gram Panchayats. He urged every- one, irrespective of age or background, to adopt technology as an integral part of their lives, highlighting the transformative impact it can bring. With the launch of WiFi services in Gram Panchayats, the positive change envisioned by the Government will manifest across various aspects of rural life. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive growth and empowerment, including the ambitious goal of making three crore women ‘Lakhpati Didis’. He called upon local residents and Panchayat representatives to work cohesively towards the all-round development of their villages with the use of technology. AGENCIES He has a sprawling 12-room house built over two floors, with a swimming pool and a huge parking lot where he parks his BMW, Audi and a Toyota Fortuner, among other sedans and hatchbacks. All the premium vehicles have VIP registration numbers ~ all ending with 0078 – matching the city’s vehicle registration code (UP78). The only discordant note in this fairytale existence is the fact that the owner of these luxuries is just a constable in the UP Police. Shyam Sushil Mishra, 58, a dismissed constable of UP Police’s AntiCorruption Wing (ACW), has now been booked following Shyam Sushil Mishra, 58, a dismissed constable of UP Police’s Anti-Corruption Wing (ACW), has now been booked following a complaint by his department. a complaint by his department. Mr Mishra joined service as a constable in 1987 on a meagre salary and was first posted at the very police station where an FIR was registered against him on Monday ~ Chakeri. He was earlier booked in connection with the murder of former BSP functionary Pintu Sengar in 2020 and was arrested and sent to jail. He is currently out on bail. Graft cases against him were frequent throughout his career. He faced several departmental probes and was suspended several times. ACW Inspector Chatur Singh, who lodged the FIR against Constable Mishra at Chakeri police station said, “He was also booked in 2019 in a Disproportionate Assets case in Lucknow on a complaint filed by one Ramakant. “Thereafter, Kanpur’s ACW investigated the matter and found that Mishra had amassed assets that were disproportionate to his known sources of income.” Mishra’s wealth runs into several crores and according to the circle rate, his house alone is worth around Rs 5 crore. of Congress on the path of justice. The move will change the lives of 15 crore farmer families by ensuring their well being," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. Mr Gandhi, who was on the Chhattisgarh leg of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, abruptly flew back to Delhi by a special flight from Ambikapur, which some sections interpreted as linked to the farmers’ protest. Addressing a gathering as in Ambikapur earlier, Mr Gandhi charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with using GST and demonetisation as weapons to ruin small businessmen in the country. (SEE PAGE 02) Murmu gives assent to Bill aimed at checking malpractices in entrance examinations NEW DELHI , 13 FEBRUARY President Daroupadi Murmu has given her nod to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means), Bill, 2024, which aims to check cheating in government recruitment exams. The Bill was passed by the two Houses of Parliament in the Budget session which concluded on February 10. It seeks to prevent the use of "unfair means" in public examinations and bring "greater transparency, fairness and credibility". It got the President's approval on Monday and shall come into force on a date decided by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette. The Bill, which has become an Act now with the President's nod, defines several offences in relation to public examinations. The public examinations in the Act refer to examinations conducted by authorities notified by the central government. These include UPSC, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and Departments of the central government and their attached offices for recruitment. It prohibits collusion or conspiracy to facilitate indulgence in any unfair means. It specifies unfair means to include unauthorised access or leakage of question paper or answer key, assisting a candidate during a public examination, tampering with computer network, tampering with documents for shortlisting or finalising of merit list or rank, and conducting fake examination, issuing fake admit cards or offer letters to cheat, for monetary AGENCIES gain.