SATURDAY 06 APRIL 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 PUTIN’S TRIUMPH ‘JUDICIARY’S CREDIBILITY AT STAKE’ P7 SENSEX 74,248.2220.59 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Hot and discomfort Weather very likely. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 36 °C and 28 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 89 % TEMPERATURE Min. 55 % Max: 35.8°C (+1) Min: 28.2°C (+3) SUN RISES SUN SETS 05:25 hrs 17:53 hrs MOON RISES MOON SETS 02:56 hrs 14:22 hrs New Moon on 08 April THUMBNAILS A man drinks water to get respite from the heat in Bhubaneswar on Friday.  ANI Prof Shoma Sen gets bail :The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Bhima Koregaon case accused Professor and women's rights activist Shoma Sen, in view of her advanced age and medical condition. Prof. Sen, a former head of department at Nagpur University, was in jail after being booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in connection with the 2018 caste-based violence that broke out at Bhima Koregaon in Pune, and for having alleged links with the banned outfit,Commu(Pg5) nist Party of India (Maoists). P6 NIFTY 22,513.700.95 P4 GOLD 69,980490 ` vs $ 83.37 Mamata challenges PM to bring out a white paper on corruption in BJP-led states hief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comments on the issues of corruption and the Sandeshkhali agitation while addressing a public meeting in Cooch Behar yesterday. Speaking at an election rally at Tufanganj, part of Alipurduar Lok Sabha seat, Miss Banerjee challenged Mr Modi and dared him to bring out a white paper on corruption in the BJP-led states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and other issues on which the BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits have come under fire, Replying to Mr Modi’s remarks on Sandeshkhali, Miss Banerjee said: “There is no death of a mother and sisters. We have arrested those who committed crimes, including Sheikh Shajahan. We have returned all lands grabbed by them and taken action against them.” Challenging Mr Modi, Miss Banerjee said: “Have C you lodged an FIR against your partymen who are involved in corruption and the even Bilkis Bano case. Have you visited Hathras? Why did wrestlers return Padma Shree honours? Were you sleeping that time?” “How many people have you killed in Gujarat? A total of 85 lakh corruption cases have been registered in Uttar Pradesh. Where is Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi? You have crushed democracy.You have passed 39 Bills by suspending 147 MPs. You are a tyrant, immoral and eating honey. Your whole body is covered with black money,” Mamata Banerjee said, adding, “I challenge you, publish a white paper on it.” She also claimed that there was a conspiracy behind the commencement of the Lok Sabha elections from 19 April. “Two day before the election Ram Navami rally will be organised on 17 April for rioting. We respect Ram but if they start rioting I will take stern action against them,” she added. Miss Banerjee said: “Modi’s guarantee is zero, nothing. But our guarantee is ‘Maa Maati Manush’. Our guarantee is the people. What have yo given to the people? You have given only your speeches, false promises, atrocities, attacks on women, CAA and NRC. You have maligned the prestige of Bengal by send- ing 355 teams for enquiries. You hate Bengal, you ignore Bengal and you are antiBengal.” Miss Banerjee alleged that BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari held a meeting with NIA officials to hatch a conspiracy. Miss Banerjee particularly targeted BJP candidates Nisith Pramanik (Cooch Behar), Debashis Dhar (Bolpur) and former judge Abhijit Ganguly, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Tamluk. “BJP is controlling the court. This has become evident from the judgments of a judge who is contesting from Tamluk. I have fielded a student leader Debangshu there. That judge has thrown many individuals out of service through his judgments. Now you are in the people’s court. Fight, Debangshu, fight… take him on,” the Trinamul Congress chairperson said. She also branded ISF, a Muslim organisation, as a partner of the BJP and urged people not to vote for ISF, CPM and Congress candidates who are helping the BJP . RBI MPC keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5per cent STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 APRIL Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das at the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Friday announced the policy rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. This was the first MPC meeting of the RBI for the Financial Year 2025, and this was the seventh consecutive time that the MPC decided to keep the repo rate unchanged. The MPC decided by 5 to 1 majority to keep the policy rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. The committee also decided to maintain the withdrawal of accommodation stance. “Since the last policy, the growth-inflation dynamics have played out favourably. Growth has continued to sustain its momentum surpassing all projections. Headline inflation has eased to 5.1 per cent during January and February 2024 from 5.7 per cent in December 2023, with core inflation declining steadily over the past nine months to its lowest level in the series,” he said. Further, the RBI kept Marginal Standing Facility rate and bank rate constant at 6.75 per cent while the Standing Deposit Facility rate ws constant at 6.25 per cent. The Governor said the CPI Inflation for the current year 2024-25 is projected at 4.5 per cent. CPI Inflation for Q1 202425 is projected at 4.9 per cent, Q2 at 3.8 per cent , Q3 at 4.6 per cent and Q4 at 4.5 per cent. The six-member MPC led by Governor Shaktikanta Das observed the impact of global headwinds on economic determinants such as India’s GDP growth and the inflation trajectory. “As the uncertainties in food prices continue to pose challenges, the MPC remains vigilant to the upside risks to inflation that might derail the path of disinflation. Under these circumstances, monetary policy must continue to SC stays HC order scrapping madrassa board in UP, relief to 1.3million students STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI, 5 APRIL Around 1.3 million students studying in madrassas of Uttar Pradesh will no longer have to search for other options this academic session after the Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court order scrapping the UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004. The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court had on 22 March last declared the Madarsa Education Act unconstitutional. The apex court said that the high court's finding that the board violates the secular principle of the Constitution may not be correct. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has also issued a notice to the Central government and the Uttar Pradesh government in this matter and fixed the next date of hearing in the case in July. Stating that the High Court judgment striking down the UP 'Board of Madarsa Education Act 2004 would affect 17 lakh students, the court said that it is of the view that the direc- The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad HC had on 22 March last declared the Madarsa Education Act as unconstitutional tion for relocating the students to other schools was not warranted. On 22 March, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court had directed the state government to admit the students studying in madrassas of the state in other schools. “The object and purpose of Madarsa board is regulatory in nature and Allahabad High Court is not prima facie correct that establishment of the board will breach secularism. It (High Court judgement) conflates Madarsa education with the regulatory powers entrusted with the Board... The impugned judgment shall remain stayed.” The SC noted that the High Court appears to have misconstrued the provisions of the Madarsa Act, since it does not provide for religious instruction and the purpose and nature of the Act is regulatory in nature. On 22 March, the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court had directed the state government to admit the students studying in madrassas of the state in other schools. The division bench of the high court comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said in its order that the government does not have the power to constitute a board for religious education or to establish a school education board for any particular religion. Earlier, state officials said here that the children studying in the madrassas will be admitted to government-run primary and secondary schools. There are about 16,000 madrassas in UP where a total of 13.57 lakh students are studying. Of them, 560 of the madrassas are subsidised, with 9,500 teachers. RBI to enable UPI for cash deposit facility TATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 APRIL Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday proposed to enable UPI for cash deposit facility. Notably, the deposit of cash through Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) is primarily being done through the use of debit cards. “Given the experience gained from card-less cash withdrawal using UPI at the ATMs, it is now proposed to also facilitate deposit of cash in CDMs using UPI,” the RBI Governor announced. be actively disinflationary to ensure anchoring of inflation expectations and fuller transmission of the past actions,” he said. Real GDP growth has been projected at 7 per cent for 2024-25. Giving the quarterly GDP breakup, the Governor said the real GDP growth for Q1 2024-25 is projected at 7.1 per cent , for Q2 at 6.9 per cent , Q3 at 7 per cent and Q4 at 7 per cent, the risks are evenly balanced. “The strong growth momentum together with GDP forecast for FY25 give us policy space to unwaveringly focus on price stability,” he said. Strengthening of rural demand, moderation inflation and sustained momentum in manufacturing and services sector should boost investment and boost private capital expenditure, he added. Further, he highlighted that the Current Account Deficit (CAD) for FY25 is expected to remain at a level that is both viable and eminently manageable. P12 SILVER 81,7003,600 CM hits back at Modi over Sandeshkhali comments STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE SILIGURI, 5 APRIL RR LOOK TO MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN AGAINST RCB DHANKHAR DEFENDS CAA, SAYS NOT DISCRIMINATORY BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 90.73.080 Caste census, Agnipath scheme abolition, legal status to MSP: Key guarantees of Cong manifesto SANTU DAS NEW DELHI, 5 APRIL The Congress on Thursday launched a manifesto titled ‘Nyay Patra’ for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 with a slew of promises, including nationwide caste census, minimum support price (MSP) for farmers, and 30 lakh new government jobs. The manifesto also promises the abolition of the Agnipath scheme and assures Rs 1 lakh dole to every poor woman per year if voted to power at the Centre. The ‘Nyay Patra’covering 25 guarantees under five ‘Nyay’ (Yuva Nyay, Kisan Nyay, Nari Nyay, Shramik Nyay and Hissedari Nyay) was released by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the presence of Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former party president Rahul Gandhi, and senior party leader P Chidambaram and KC Venugopal. Party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also present on the occasion among others. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kharge said the ‘Nyay Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, flanked by party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, P. Chidambaram and KC Venugopal, releases the party's manifesto at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Friday.  SUBRATA DUTTA Patra’ will be remembered as a ‘document of justice’ in the history of the country’s politics. “We will take the social and economic momentum of the country forward. We will open the closed doors of ‘development’ for farmers, the poor, labourers, women, and deprived sections. This is our pledge,” he asserted. Referring to the five pillars of the ‘Nyay Patra’, Mr Kharge said that there are 25 guarantees under it and everyone will be benefited. Taking a jibe at PM Narendra Modi, the Congress chief said: “Narendra Modi always criticises the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government led by Man- mohan Singh. But, in those 10 years, Congress took many steps, including MGNREGA, RTI, and the Food Security Act. In comparison, Mr Modi could not do even a single work during his 10-year tenure.” Echoing similar sentiments, Rahul Gandhi said: “This election is about those who are trying to destroy the Constitution and protect democracy in this countryVs those who are trying to protect the Constitution and protect democracy in this country.” Mr Chidambaram said: “The Congress guarantees are concrete guarantees. In contrast, Modi’s guarantees are only meant to ensure that he is guaranteed a third term.” FESTIVE MOOD Devotees after offering 'Alvida Jummah' namaz on the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan, at Jama Masjid in New Delhi on Friday.  ANI ICG rescues 27 stranded Ayodhya now the most popular Bangladeshi fishermen global religious tourism destination STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 APRIL In a swift operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Friday rescued 27 Bangladeshi fishermen, stranded on their fishing boat at sea. At about 1130 hrs, the ICG Ship Amogh, during patrol at the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), sighted a Bangladeshi fishing boat Sagar II, adrift inside Indian waters. The ICG ship launched a boarding team to investigate. During investigation, it was revealed that the boat had a steering gear breakdown for the last two days and had been adrift since then, which led to the boat drifting inside Indian waters. The fishing boat had 27 crew onboard. The ICG technical team tried to identify and rectify the defect, but it was observed that the rudder of the boat was completely damaged and could not be repaired at sea. As the sea state and weather conditions were conducive, it was decided that At about 1130 hrs, the ICG ShipAmogh, during patrol at the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Border Line, sighted a Bangladeshi fishing boat Sagar II, adrift inside Indian waters. the distressed boat will be towed to the IndoBangladesh IMBL and handed over to another Bangladeshi fishing boat operating across IMBL or to the Bangladesh Coast Guard, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ICG and the Bangladesh Coast Guard. In the meantime, ICG regional headquarters at Kolkata established communication with Bangladesh Coast Guard and informed them about the incident and plan of action. Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship (BCGS) Kamaruzzaman was deployed by BCG for towing of the fishing boat. BCG Ship Kamaruzzaman arrived near the IMBL at about 1845 hrs. CMYK STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE AYODHYA, 5 APRIL Ayodhya has turned into the most popular religious tourism destination of the world surpassing even Mecca and Vatican City. After the consecration of Ram Lalla, as many as 1.70 crore devotees have visited the city till 3 April. No religious place in the world boasts of such a large number of pilgrims. Though authorities have requested devotees not to reach Ayodhya on Ram Navami to avoid undue rush amid the prevalent heat-wave conditions in the birthday of Lord Ram, the officials were expecting a surge of pilgrims on 17 April. The Ram Temple Trust expects around 5 million people to visit Ayodhya during Navratri starting from 9 April and culminating on Ram Navami. According to trust officials, every day, around two lakh devotees arrive for darshan and worship. "Between  Ayodhya has turned into the most popular religious tourism destination of the world surpassing even Mecca and Vatican City.  After the consecration of Ram Lalla, as many as 1.70 crore devotees have visited the city till 3 April. No religious place in the world boasts of such a large number of pilgrims. January 22 and April 3, over 1.70 crore devotees visited the Ram Lalla temple. Over 50 lakh devotees are likely to reach Ayodhya for the Ram Navami fair during Navratri," said Dr. Anil Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. According to reports about 90 lakh people visit the Vatican City, seat of the Pope, every year. Mecca, the most sacred place for Muslims, witnessed the arrival of around 1.35 crore pilgrims this year. However, in Ayodhya, where a mere 5,000 people used to visit every day in 2019, two lakh people are landing here every day this year, the Trust officials said. After the consecration of Ram Lalla, the economy of Ayodhya has gained wings. The land rate here has increased 10 times. About 700 people have converted their houses into homestays which was nearly 100 in the last two years Similarly, star hotels are coming up while small businesses are employing people, the officials said.