WEDNESDAY 15 MAY 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 TO MAKE A STATE VISIT TO CHINA THIS WEEK ‘BJP LEVELING FALSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OPPOSITION’ P9 P10 SENSEX 73,104.61328.48 WEATHER Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 37 °C and 28°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 78% Max: 28.3°C SUN RISES 04:56 hrs MOON RISES 11:15 hrs Min: 20.5°C SUN SETS 18:09 hrs MOON SETS 23:25 hrs ` vs $ 83.51 THUMBNAILS A monkey drinks water on a hot summer day, in New Delhi on Tuesday.  ANI WPI inflation for April shoots to 1.26 per cent: For the month of April, the annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is 1.26 per cent (Provisional) over April, 2023, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday. Positive rate of inflation in April 2024 is primarily due to increase in prices of food items, electricity, crude petroleum and natural gas, manufacture of food products, other manufacturing etc. SC refuses to entertain plea seeking disqualification of PM Modi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a public interest plea seeking to restrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi from seeking votes in the name of religious deities and places of worship and disqualify him from contesting elections for six years for allegedly making hate speeches and invoking religion during his campaign rallies. P12 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.900.46 PM stone-hearted, has vindictive PM files nomination from Varanasi LS seat attitude towards Bengal: Mamata A ruthless dictatorship will prevail if BJP returns to power, says CM in Serampore hief Minister Mamata Banerjee, addressing a packed Serampore stadium ground on Tuesday, lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “vindictive attitude” towards Bengal. Miss Banerjee, who was campaigning in favour of sitting MP and Trinamul Congress candidate from Serampore, Kalyan Banerjee, said: “I have met Prime Minister Modi many times. Every time I pressed the rightful demand for central assistance for the progress and development of Bengal. It is really shocking that the PM has never kept his promises. For the last three years the hard-earned money of MGNREGA workers has been withheld. The workers have worked under the heat of the sun and under heavy downpour... There is nothing above humanity.” “Modiji is a stone hearted Prime Minister and remains indifferent towards the distress of hardworking workers and labourers,” she said. The BJP itself in its working manner reflects the qualities of cruelty and inhumanity. A ruthless dictatorship will prevail if BJP returns to power by mistake, she said. In every sector the Pr ime Minister has deprived Bengal and its people. Never before has the nation had a Prime Minister with such a vindictive attitude towards a state, she said, adding that by stopping central financial assistance for Bengal, Mr Modi cannot subdue the people of Bengal. “The people of Bengal are well know for their bravery, patriotism and sacrifice,” she said. “The Sandeshkhali incident has opened the eyes of the people of the nation that a political party like the BJP can cross all limits of shame to misuse the matri sakti for their dirty vote politics,” she went on to say. “Modi’s dream to win the election by appealing to religious sentiments and emotions will not work. The Modi wave have come to an end. The INDIA coalition will come to power with a majority of seats. I am not power hungry, the people of Bengal will play a major role in taking the nation ahead. A patriotic prime minister can never deprive any state within the country. The BJP ideology of divide and rule will hasten the end of its regime,” Miss Banerjee stated. “My Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee is equal to a hundred BJP MPs. When Kalyan stands up in Parliament BJP leaders come under great pressure since their misdeeds are exposed one by one,” Miss Banerjee added. (See also Page 3) Amit Shah challenges Mamata over CAA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 14 MAY Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday took aim at state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Mr Shah, while addressing a gathering in Bongaon, bastion of the Matua community, accused Miss Banerjee of misleading the public regarding the CAA. He contended that 90 pc complaints disposed of, says EC; some cases involving star campaigners pending STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 MAY cal parties have been promptly allocated time even at short notice and their grievances patiently heard.” “Approximately 425 major complaints, excluding canvassing related or clarificatory complaints have been filed by various political parties and candidates at the level of ECI and CEOs. Of these, action has been taken (or matter disposed of) in 400 cases. Approximately 170, 95 and 160 complaints were filed by Congress, BJP and others respectively. Most of these complaints have been acted upon,” it said. The ECI said a few complaints of the Congress and BJP against each other are pending alleging violation of MCC broadly in the genre of divisive statements by top star campaigners on communal, caste, regional language divide, or on sanctity of the Constitution of India. The poll panel said that a total of 4,22,432 complaints have been filed on C-Vigil App/Commission’s portal on violations for citizens as on 14 May. Of these, action has been taken in 4,22,079 cases. those eligible will receive citizenship without any hindrance. “Mamata Banerjee is misleading the people by saying that applying for CAA will attract trouble. I want to assure all of you that no one will be in trouble. You will get citizenship and stay in the country with dignity. No power in the world can stop Hindu, Sikh, and SC grants bail to Gautam Navlakha in 2018 Bhima Koregaon case PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 14 MAY In a big relief to the Bhima Koregaon case accused Gautam Navlakha, the Supreme Court onTuesday granted him bail, lifting its stay on the December 2023 Bombay High Court order that had granted bail to the activist. A bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice S V N Bhatti lifted the stay on the Bombay High Court order that had granted bail to Navlakha, noting that he has already undergone incarceration for four years and the charges in the case have not been framed and it would take years for the trial to conclude. (See Page 5) Jain refugees from becoming citizens of the country,” Mr Shah said. “I want to remind Mamata Banerjee that grating citizenship is within the authority of the Union government and the state government,” he added. Mr Shah addressed two public rallies in his visit to the state, the first of them in the Matua stronghold of Bongaon in STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 14 MAY and Poonch. Director General Border Roads (DGBR) Lt General Raghu Srinivasan reviewed the breakthrough ceremony, which signifies a major breakthrough in construction activity of the tunnel. The breakthrough underscores the importance of this project signifying a major step forward in enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation along the National Highway. Akhnoor-Poonch, “The Golden Arc Road” is a very old and highly strategic 200 Km stretch which connects South Kashmir and Jammu region to the West of Jammu & Kashmir. It connects important border districts of Akhnoor, Rajour i and Poonch. There are four major tunnels in this stretch viz Kandi Tunnel, Sungal Tunnel, Naushera Tunnel and Bhimber Gali Tunnel. This year on 28 January, breakthrough of Naushera Tunnel was achieved signifying the efforts of BRO towards providing connectivity across the areas of Rajouri and Poonch. The progress of National Highway has taken pace and the project is expected to be completed by 2026. During his address, DGBR Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan mentioned that BRO was spearheading crucial road projects to connect remote areas with major centres in the Jammu-Poonch region. The Jammu-Poonch link, support of BJP MP candidate Shantanu Thakur and the second at Uluberia in Howrah. At Uluberia, Mr Shah said that the NDA has already secured the requisite number of seats ~ 270 ~ to secure a majority in Parliament. “From the fifth phase, we will achieve our target of 400 seats,” the Union minister said STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE VARANASI/ NEW DELHI, 14 MAY Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat for the third time on Tuesday. Before filing his nomination papers, the Prime Minister offered prayers to Maa Ganga and Kashi Kotwal Kaal Bhairav. Mr Modi filed his nomination in the District Electoral Officer's office at the Collectorate during ‘Pushya Nakshatra’ at around 11.45 a.m. Mr Modi was accompanied by Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, one of his proposers, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the DM's office during the nomination process. Along with Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, the other proposers for Mr Modi were Jan Sangh worker Baijnath Patel, BJP worker Lalchand Kushwaha and Varanasi BJP district general secretary Sanjay Sonkar. In a show of strength, top leaders of the BJP-led NDA, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, former Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, and LJP's Chirag Paswan, gathered outside the Varanasi Collectorate as Mr Modi filed his nomination papers. The PM was also accompanied by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other NDA leaders. On the auspicious day of Ganga Saptami, the Prime Minister first performed Ganga puja at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the morning at around 9.30. The Prime Minister also went on a cruise from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Adi Keshav Ghat and then disembarked at Namo Ghat. From Namo Ghat, the Prime Minister went to Kashi's Kotwal Kaal Bhairav for darshan, puja, and aarti. Subsequently, he proceeded to the Collectorate. Today is the last day for filing of nominations for the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha polls where polling is scheduled on 1 June. The PM is contesting against Congress' Ajai Rai and Bahujan Samajwadi Party's Athar Ali Lari. In the 2019 elections Mr Modi won the seat by nearly 4.8 lakh votes, a big jump from his 3.72 lakh winning margin in 2014. "Our strength is our unity. Today, the entire NDA participated in the nomination process of PM Modi. This unity will help us achieve our target of winning more than 400 seats," Mr Paswan said. Jan Sena chief Pawan Kalyan said he was fortunate to be an NDA partner. "I've been fortunate to be an NDA partner. I adore and respect Modi ji. Andhra Pradesh is a clean sweep for the NDA," Mr Kalyan said. CJI to take call on listing of plea seeking SIT probe into electoral bond scandal PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 14 MAY The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud will take a call on the listing of a petition by NGOs Common Cause and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) seeking direction for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an independent and court-monitored probe into the alleged instances of quid pro quo involving the funding of several political parties through electoral bonds by different corporate entities, including shell and loss-making companies, and the alleged consequential gains accruing to them. Both the NGOs have said BRO achieves breakthrough for tunnel on strategic Akhnoor-Poonch highway The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Tuesday achieved breakthrough for the 2.79 km-long Sungal Tunnel on the strategic Akhnoor (Jammu district) Poonch highway that links the militarily sensitive areas along the Line of Control (LoC) with the Pakistanoccupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). A defence spokesman said that the construction of the pivotal infrastructure project National Highway 144A connecting Akhnoor to Poonch reached a significant milestone as the breakthrough ceremony for the Sungal Tunnel took place. The tunnel spanning an impressive 2,790 meters is a crucial link connecting Akhnoor SILVER 87,200 GOLD 74,520.00 C Full Moon on 23 May The Election Commission on Tuesday said it disposed of 90 per cent of complaints filed by political parties over alleged violations of the model code of conduct, which came into effect following the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls on 16 March. Providing an update on the status of action taken under the model code of conduct (MCC), it said: “So far, 25 delegations from 16 political parties have met the Commission to lodge their grievances/complaints on alleged violations of Model code. Apart from this, many delegations have met at the level of Chief Electoral Officer in the States. All politi- P4 HEMANT JACOB HOOGHLY, 14 MAY Min. 61% TEMPERATURE NIFTY 22,217.85113.80 NEERAJ IN A DOMESTIC TOURNAMENT FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 2021 HD REVANNA WALKS OUT OF JAIL advancing rapidly, is on track for completion in the next few years. On being asked about defence infrastructure along LoC, the DGBR mentioned that development of Defence Infrastructure is a continuous process and Border Roads Organisation is committed towards strengthening it by building and upgrading strategic roads all along the international border, LoC and Line of Actual Control (LAC). BRO and Project Sampark is steadfast in its commitment to "Create, Connect, Care" and save lives of the citizens of its area of responsibility. It believes in the adage “Roads Build Nation” and rededicated itself to the construction of border roads infrastructures to spur socioeconomic progress. CMYK that the alleged scam amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees through electoral bonds can be unravelled only through an independent probe by the SIT under the supervision of the Supreme Court. “Don't worry, that matter is with the CJI, Secretariat, they will be fixing a date,” said Justice Sanjiv Khanna heading a bench before which advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the plea for an early hearing.The plea by the NGOs - Common Cause and the Centre for Public Interest Litigation - had sought direction to the authorities to investigate the source of funding of the shell and loss-making companies that made donations to various political parties, as has emerged from the data of the electoral bonds. The NGOs have sought the recovery of the amount donated to the political par- ties by the corporates as a part of the give-and-take arrangement where the donations are found to be the proceeds of crime. The petition says that the data which has come into the public domain after it was disclosed to the Election Commission of India by the State Bank of India in pursuance of the top court's direction reveals that the bulk of the bonds appears to have been purchased and given by certain corporates to different political parties by way of an alleged quid pro quo arrangements either to secure government contracts or licences, or to secure protection from investigations by the CBI, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate; and as consideration for favourable policy changes. MHA warns against blackmail, ‘digital arrest’ by cyber criminals posing as govt agency officers STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 14 MAY The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday alerted citizens against extortion and ‘Digital Arrest’ by cyber fraudsters posing as officials of State/Union Territory Police, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other law enforcement agencies. The MHA said a large number of complaints have been reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Across the country, several victims have lost large amounts of money to the fraudsters.This is an organised online economic crime and is learnt to be operated by cross-border crime syndicates, the MHA said. The ministryu said a large number of complaints have been reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The fraudsters typically call a potential victim,“informing” that the victim has sent, or is the intended recipient of a parcel, which contains illegal goods, drugs, fake passports or any other contraband item. Sometimes, they also claim that a near or dear one of the victim has been found to be involved in a crime or an accident and is in their custody. Thereafter, a demand for money is made to compromise the “case”. In certain instances, unsuspecting victims are made to undergo “Digital Arrest” and remain visually available over Skype or other video conferencing platform to the fraudsters, till their demands are met. The fraudsters are known to use studios modeled on Police Stations and government offices and wear uniforms to appear genuine. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, coordinates activities related to combating cybercrime in the country. The MHA is closely working with other Ministries and their agencies, RBI and other organisations to counter these frauds. I4C is also providing inputs and technical support to police authorities of States/UTs for identifying and investigating the cases.