SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Twitter.com/thestatesman Facebook.com/thestatesman KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR VETERAN BRS LEADERS JOIN EXODUS; KTR SLAMS THEM P4 WEATHER Generally clear with some cloudy intervals. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36°C and 26°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 81% Max: 36.4°C SUN RISES 05:30 hrs MOON RISES 22:25 hrs P6 Min: 26.7°C SUN SETS 17:51 hrs MOON SETS 08:22 hrs I-T Dept serves notice of over `1,800 cr to Cong STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH he Income Tax Department (I-T) has served a notice to the Congress of nearly Rs 1,823 crore, including penalty and interest, for the assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-2021, the party claimed on Friday. Adding to the party’s woes, the notice comes after the High Court rejected its plea challenging earlier tax notices. The Congress accused the BJPled government of hatching a conspiracy and squeezing its funds, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The grand old party equated the I-T notice to "tax terrorism" and alleged that it was a blatant attempt to cripple the party financially ahead of the elections. "The systematic process to thwart Indian Democracy by the BJP proceeds at an alarming rate. Yesterday, we received fresh notices from the I-T department to pay Rs 1823.08 crore. Already, the I-T department has forcibly Congress to hold nationwide protest today T New Moon on 8 April THUMBNAILS Teachers with their faces painted in the colours of the national flag participate in an event to raise awareness among people to vote for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, in Chennai.  ANI KKR make light work of RCB challenge: Kolkata Knight Riders crushed Royal Challengers Bengaluru by seven wickets in their Indian Premier League match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. Asked to bat first, RCB posted 182 for 6 with Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 83 off 59 balls. KKR openers Philip Salt (30) and Sunil Narine (47) added 86 runs in just 6.3 overs. Later Venkatesh Iyer (50) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (39) helped complete the task with 19 balls to spare for KKR's second win in three games. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH: taken away Rs 135 crore from our bank account," the party said in a Press note. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh said: “The notices are being sent to cripple us financially. This is tax terrorism, and this is being used to attack the Congress, This has to stop." He asserted that the Congress's campaign for the upcoming parliamentary polls will continue and the party will take its guarantees to the people of the country. “We will not be scared of these notices. We will be more aggressive and fight Temperature may be above normal, heat wave conditions expected in April and May: IMD AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH The India Meteorological Department has predicted that temperatures may be above normal and heat wave conditions are expected in the months of April and May. IMD Senior Scientist Dr Naresh Kumar said that there is a forecast of heavy rainfall today in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The IMD said that very light rainfall is expected in Delhi in a in a few days. Responding to a question relating to summer this year, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said that it will be too early to say anything now but he expected that the temperature will be above normal and heat wave conditions are expected in the months of April and May. "We are expecting abovenormal temperatures as we are approaching April. In April, we will experience heat wave conditions over the P7 ‘Tax terrorism’: Party says BJP-led govt conspiring to squeeze its funds Min. 66% TEMPERATURE central part of the country," he said. "May is the warmest month of the seasons and the country may experience heat waves over northwest and central India," he further said while adding that "as per our long-term predictions, there will be abnormal temperatures and heat wave conditions may prevail over the central part of the country for the next two-three months." While forecasting the temperature for next few days, the IMD official said that there is an active Western disturbance that is likely to influence Northwest India from today. "Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal may experience heavy rainfall today and adjoining planes will experience light to moderate rainfall, even thunderstorm activity, even hailstorm activity," he said There is light rain expected in Delhi-NCR, the official said. "At present, temperatures in northwest India are abnormal and as Western disturbances are affecting this region today, the temperature will fall gradually, so it will become slightly comfortable. However, this is a summer season, so the temperature is likely to be above 35°C over Northwest India," the official said. The IMD official made a forecast that the heat wave or warm light conditions are prevailing over Maharashtra and nearby regions. AIFF FORMS COMMITTEE TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH IGOR STIMAC ‘CONG WILL BOUNCE BACK IN UTTAR PRADESH’ TEST OF PHILIPPINES these polls,” he added. As per reports, Congress lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said that the party will further challenge the notices, terming it ‘undemocratic and unreasonable’.Addressing a Press conference, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said: “I-T dept snatched Rs 135 crore from Congress accounts for alleged violation of Rs 14 lakh but closed its eyes on a similar violation of Rs 42 crore by BJP Notably, the ." tax department has already recovered Rs 135 crore from the Congress’s Delhi bank accounts towards tax arrears and interests for the assessment year 2018-19. The Congress on Friday announced it would hold a nationwide protest against the BJPled government on Saturday, after the Income Tax (I-T) department issued a fresh notice to it to pay Rs 1,823 crore. In a circular issued to all the Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs), Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal said the systematic process to thwart Indian democracy by the BJP proceeding at an alarming rate. The senior Congress leader asked all state units to hold massive public demonstrations at the state and district headquarters in their respective states tomorrow. (Details on Page 4) P12 Jaishankar discusses ramifications of conflict in Europe with Ukrainian FM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday discussed the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict and its wider ramifications with visiting Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, who favoured deeper cooperation between India and Ukraine in the larger interest of “global development and security architecture”. At his meetings with Mr Jaishankar, Mr Kuleba, who arrived here on Thursday on a two-day visit amidst the ongoing war in Europe, said he looks forward to discussing new areas and projects of cooperation between the two countries “because I do believe that this relationship has a strategic perspective”. “India and Ukraine have been traditional friends. But I think there is much more that we can do and should do," he said and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have spoken to each other on the phone several times and Mr Zelenskyy had always instructed the foreign minister to push the relationship further. In his remarks, the Indian minister said he assured his Ukrainian counterpart of India's commitment to strengthen the overall relationship, including bilateral cooperation. "Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict and its wider ramifications. Exchanged views on various initiatives in that context. Spoke as well on global and regional issues of interest to both of us," Mr Jaishankar wrote on microblogging site 'X'. At the meeting between the two ministers, Mr Jaishankar said the two countries in recent months have had interactions at various levels. "I'm glad to see that some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met. I think this has created a certain momentum in our bilateral relationship. And today, after this discussion Trinamul moves ECI, accuses BJP of using agencies to hamper campaign B’luru cafe blast: NIA announces `10L reward AGENCIES STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE The delegation, including Derek O’ Brien, Saket Gokhale, Dola Sen and others, has sought an appointment with the Chief Election Commissioner and hopes that an appointment will be given on Monday. KOLKATA, 29 MARCH A five-member delegation of Trinamul Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi on Friday seeking its intervention to stop the highhandedness of Central law enforcement agencies before the Lok Sabha elections. The delegation included Derek O’ Br ien, Saket Gokhale, Dola Sen and Sagarika Ghosh, all Rajya Sabha MPs and Dr Shashi Panja, state minister for women and child development and social welfare. The delegation has sought an appointment with the Chief Election Commissioner and hopes that an appointment will be given on Monday. Talking to newsmen after submitting the memorandum Dr Shashi Panja said the in the afternoon, we look forward also to the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC). Your visit gives us an opportunity, obviously, to understand the situation in your own region," he said. The two ministers later co-chaired the IGC meeting at which Mr Jaishankar said the two countries were looking at getting their bilateral trade back to earlier levels in the immediate future. India has been doing a delicate balancing act ever since hostilities erupted between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022. While favouring dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict, New Delhi has maintained its traditional ties with Russia even as it continues to send humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. declaration of the ECI to ensure free and fair election has become a farce because of the highhandedness of the Central agencies. She said the security agencies at the instruction of the BJP were harassing Trinamul leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The ED and CBI had conducted raids at the flat of the party’s nominee from Krish- nanagar, Mohua Moitra. Ms Moitra was asked to meet ED officials in Delhi though the ED has an office in Kolkata. “This has affected her campaigning schedule very badly,” Dr Panja said. ED officials raided the house of state minister Chanderanath Sinha in Birbhum. The houses of party workers have been raided. “These raids have been con- ducted on the instructions of the saffron party,” Dr Panja alleged. "Other than the CBI and ED, other agencies such as the NIA and the Income Tax Department have also been unleashed (against Trinamool leaders). And all this is happening only in West Bengal. We feel the ECI has the authority to control this since it is the poll panel's duty to ensure that elections are held in an unbiased manner in the country," Dr Panja said. BENGALURU, 29 MARCH The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday released new photographs of the man suspected of carrying out an IED blast at the Rameshwaram Cafe here on 1 March, an official said. The photographs of the suspect's accomplice was also released, the official said, adding a reward of Rs 10 lakh for clues on each of them was also announced by the NIA. The suspected bomber has been identified as Mussavir Hussain Shazib a.k.a. Shazeb. His other aliases are Mohammand Junai Hussain and Mohammed Juned Sayed. He is 30 years old, around 6 feet 2 inches tall, with black and straight hair, the NIA said. It had also identified another conspirator, Abdul Matheen Taahaa, who is also wanted by the agency in other cases. Both are on the run, the NIA said. (Details on Page 4) India democratised digital tech, achieved revolution: PM to Bill Gates Higher education linked to higher unemployment rates in India: ILO data STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India was able to achieve a digital revolution because the government “democratised” digital technology, ensured there was no monopoly over it, and that it was accessible to common people so that they could add value with their talent. The Prime Minister made the remarks in a free-wheeling interaction with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates at his residence, recalling what he had told G20 leaders in Indonesia, who were curious to know about India’s digital success. Mr Modi told Mr Gates that he was keen to bring technology into health, agriculture and education. “I opened two lakh Ayushman arogya mandirs in villages across the country and they are linked to best hospitals by technology. People have developed faith that doctors sitting hundreds of kilometres away are listening to their problems and can give advice. This is the achievement of the digital platform,” the Prime Minister said.He said: “I also want the best education for children; shortcomings in teaching are being met through technology. What is of children’s interest is found and content is adapted accordingly.” Similarly, Mr Modi said in agriculture too, he was attempting a revolution and a change in mindset. Mr Gates said technology is available to all; India is trying, and this is lifting up those who need it the most. The Prime Minister said he was determined that there should be no digital divide in the country. Women accept changes, he said, and this was his experience. “I want technology to suit their needs; I want three crore women to become “Lakhpati Didis” in villages,” he said. His plan was to give tech- nology into the hands of the women, Mr Modi said: “I want to modernise agriculture, take technology to villages; the women need not just look after cattle. I talked to the Drone Didis, they are excited. They said they could not run bicycles but are pilots now, flying drones.” Mr Modi said he had offered African governments help in digital technology. This would democratise, give equal opportunity to all, he said. During Covid, many countries could not give vaccination certificates. India developed the Cowin app, which could not only inform people where vaccinations were available and at what time but also give certificates in minutes. This benefited people a lot, he said. Mr Modi said India missed the first few industrial revolutions but did not want to miss the fourth one where digital technology plays the key part. Mr Gates said the key point is digital infrastructure is getting nurtured in India, people know about the identity system and payment systems. The government is digitizing many things, and it will save a lot of money and give equal access. “Now you are getting into new areas like advice for farmers, registering lands, tutoring kids and health records,” he said. The Prime Minister said there are challenges in Artificial Intelligence which demand utmost attention. From countering deepfakes to preventing misuse, uniform labelling of AI-generated content is crucial, he said. To improve ease of living for people, the Prime Minister said, the government had reduced compliances, facilitated that all university certificates are put on the cloud. Technology has been used for ease of living, after services. Advancing his vision for a Viksit Bharat, Mr Modi emphasized the elimination of Cervical Cancer as his forthcoming mission, aiming to safeguard the Nari Shakti through extensive vaccination campaigns. CMYK STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 29 MARCH As per the International Labour Organization (ILO), in India, higher educated young people are more likely to be unemployed than those without any schooling. The data highlighted that the jobless rate for graduates was almost nine times higher at 29.1 per cent than 3.4 per cent for those who can’t read or write. “Unemployment in India was predominantly a problem among youths, especially youths with a secondary level of education or higher, and it intensified over time,” the ILO said. The unemployment rate for young people with secondary or higher education was six times higher at 18.4 per cent. The figures suggest a sharp mismatch between the skills of the labour force and the jobs being created in the market. It also underscores warnings by well-known economists like former central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan that India’s poor schooling will hinder its economic prospects over time. “The Indian economy has not been able to create enough remunerative jobs in the nonfarm sectors for new educated youth labor force entrants, which is reflected in the high and increasing unemployment rate.” However the ILO data also highlighted that while the share of young unemployed Indians aged between 15 to 29 dropped to 82.9 per cent in 2022 from 88.6 per cent in 2000, the share of educated youths climbed to 65.7 per cent from 54.2 per cent in the period. The ILO data also reported the performance of women in India. It said that women are hard hit, and accounted for 76.7 per cent of the educated unemployed youths compared with 62.2 per cent for men. India has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in the world, at about 25 per cent, the ILO said. The rate improved during the pandemic after a “significant increase” in subsistence employment, it said. Further, the report highlighted that the joblessness was higher in urban areas than in rural parts. In China, the jobless rate for young people aged 16-24 climbed to 15.3 per cent in the first two months of the year, about three times higher than the 5.3 per cent rate for the urban population.