FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P4 SENSEX 76,810.90204.33 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky. Possibility of rain/thundershower towards night. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 35 °C and 27 °C respectively. P5 NIFTY 23,398.9075.95 Max: 35.0°C (+0.5) SUN RISES 04:52 hrs MOON RISES 10:50 hrs STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE THUMBNAILS PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE mid the allegations over irregularities in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 for admission to medical colleges, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the score-cards of 1563 NEET-UG candidates who were given ‘grace marks’ for loss of time will be cancelled, and they will be given an option to take a re-test. Appearing for the NTA, advocate Kanu Agrawal, told a vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that a decision was taken by the NTA to hold a re-test for those awarded “grace marks” due to loss of time. Reiterating that the counselling for admission to medical colleges across the A country will not be put on hold, the bench said: “Counselling will go on and we will not stop it. If the exam goes then everything goes in totality so nothing to fear.” The NTA told the court that those candidates who choose to take the re-test, their present score card would be cancelled and their new score, after the re-test, will be counted for admission to medical colleges. However, for those who choose not to take the retest, their original scores would remain but will not include the grace marks awarded to them earlier. The court took into record the NTA’s statement that re-test of 1,563 students will be notified today itself and it would be held on 23 June and results would be declared prior to 30 June so that counselling, which is set to begin on 6 July, is not affect- Dismissing allegations of paper leak in medical entrance exam NEET-UG, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said here on Thursday that no proof has been found of paper leak. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Pradhan pointed out that 24 lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. “I want to assure the students and their parents that the government of India and the NTA are committed to ensuring justice to them. Twenty-four lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. There is no paper leak, no proof has been found so far,” he said. “There is no corruption in connection with the NEET examination in which 24 lakh students appeared,” he said. ed. The notification was issued later in the day. The bench was told that a committee has been constituted to review the results of the 1,563 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” to compensate for loss of time suffered while appearing for NEET-UG 2024. “The Committee has taken a decision to cancel the score-cards of 1563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were given grace marks and these students will be given an option to take a re-test,” the NTA said. The vacation bench was also informed that the National Testing Agency would hold the retest for these 1,563 students on 23 June and after the announcement of the results on 30 June. The counselling for admission to medical colleges would begin from 6 July onwards. The top court was informed this during the hearing of a batch of petitions questioning the grant of grace marks, and irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical admissions. No BGBS this year, announces Mamata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Instead a ‘Showcase West Bengal’ exhibition would be held from 20 September to 6 October at the Biswa Bengal Convention Centre. KOLKATA, 13 JUNE Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today said at a meeting with captains of industry held at Nabanna Sabhaghar today that there would be no Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) this year. Instead a ‘Showcase West Bengal’ exhibition would be held from 20 September to 6 October at the Biswa Bengal Convention Centre. Announcing this at the meet, the chief minister said that the exhibition would showcase the pride of Bengal like handicrafts, textiles and food items and would streamline the buyers-sellers interaction. Miss Banerjee is also said to have assured the industrialists that the state government would extend its full cooperation to ensure the success of the event, and reiterated that nothing would come in the way of investment in the state. The chief minister, at the meeting, also stressed on the need to put more thrust on core sectors like food processing. The state would set up four to five economic corridors to expand its industrial footprint, Miss Banerjee was reported as saying. She also said there is no problem of land, pointing out that the state has a land bank to provide land for industry. Buoyed by her party’s success in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, in which the state-sponsored flagship schemes, particularly Lakshmir Bhandar, played their part in scripting a continued success story for the ruling Trinamul Congress, Miss Banerjee met the captains of industry at Nabanna Sabhaghar in a bid to attract more investment for the state. The meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours, was attended by industrialists like Harsh Neotia, Sanjay Budhia and many more leaders of industry. Security personnel conduct a search operation in the Hiranagar area of Kathua on Thursday.  ANI STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and other senior officials, government sources said. The PM was given a full overview of the securityrelated situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the counter-terror efforts being undertaken. During the meeting, Mr. Modi emphasised the importance of deploying the full spectrum of India's counter-terror capabilities. He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the deployment of security forces and counter-terror operations. The Prime Minister told Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE After the allocation of portfolios in the new BJP-led NDA government under Modi 3.0, the focus has now shifted to the election of the Lok Sabha Speaker. Sources suggest that the BJP is set to retain the key position in the Lower House of Parliament as a saffron party MP is expected to be elected for the important role. Sources further indicated that the name of the new Speaker for the 18th Lok Sabha will be deliberated upon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from Italy. In the Modi government's first term, Sumitra AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE The Supreme Court on Thursday halted the screening of Bollywood movie 'Hamare Baarah' till the petition challenging its release is decided by Bombay High Court. Asking the high court to expeditiously decide the plea challenging the certification given by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a vacation bench of the apex court presided over by Justice Vikram Nath rejected the filmmakers’ contention that objectionable parts were taken away from the teaser. “We saw the teaser this morning. It continues with all those offensive dialogues,” added the Bench, also comprising Justice Sandeep Mehta. In an order passed on 7 June, Bombay High Court Last week, the Karnataka government banned the release of the film in the state, stating that it may disturb communal harmony. lifted the interim stay granted on the release of the film after a panel formed by the CBFC on the court’s direction sought an extension of time to give an uninfluenced opinion on the film. Further, a bench of Justices Kamal Khata and Rajesh S. Patil of the high court noted that the filmmakers have voluntarily agreed to delete certain controversial dialogues. Last week, the Karnataka government banned the release of the film in the state, stating that it may disturb communal harmony. After the National Democratic Alliance's allies aired their grievances over the appointment of ‘Agniveers’ under the Agnipath scheme, the Centre has expressed its willingness to address the lacunaeand also promised to make amends in the shortterm recruitment to the Armed Forces. It is now learnt that the BJP-led NDA government has formed a panel of secretaries, from at least 10 ministries to review the scheme and also to deliberate on how to make it more lucrative and rewarding for the young recruits. The group of secretaries is expected to give their recommendations on making the short-term recruitment programme under the Agnipath scheme, more attractive. The scheme became a key election issue in the poll campaign with Opposition parties vowing to revoke it, if voted to power. The panel of secretaries is expected to give a final presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he returns from the G7 Summit in Italy. A detailed presentation may be made before the Prime Minister on 17 or 18 June, sources said. The committee may suggest tweaks in the recruitment process and recommend additional monetary benefits for the Agniveers, currently selected for a four-year period. The Indian Army is also believed to be conducting an internal assessment of the scheme and is likely to submit its report before the government. As per those privy to the assessment, the Army is likely to suggest certain tweaks which include enhancing the training period for Agniveer recruits and also India on Thursday rejected “unwarranted references” to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement issued by China and Pakistan during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to Beijing. “We have noted unwarranted references to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the joint statement between China and Pakistan of 07 June 2024.” “We categorically reject such references. Our posi- tion on the issue is consistent and well known to the concerned parties. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. No other country has the locus standi to comment on the same,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. to take stock of the situation and was briefed on the efforts being undertaken by the local administration. The recent encounter follows a series of terror attacks in the Jammu and Kashmir region over the past few days. The Jammu and Kashmir region has been witnessing a surge in violence with three significant attacks at Reasi, Kathua, and Doda. PM to discuss Global South issues at G-7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Italy on Thursday to attend the G-7 Out- reach Summit in its Apulia region on 14 June at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In a departure statement, he said he was glad that his first visit in his third consecutive term as Prime Minister was to Italy for the G-7 Summit. He warmly recalled his visit to Italy for the G20 Summit in 2021. “Prime Minister Meloni's two visits to India last year were instrumental in infusing momentum and depth in our bilateral agenda,” he said. BJP likely to retain Speaker’s post in 18th Lok Sabha Mahajan, a BJP MP from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, served as the Lok Sabha Speaker, while in the second term, Om Birla, a BJP MP from Kota, Rajasthan, held the position. Dismissing media reports suggesting that BJP's allies had demanded the Lok Sabha Speaker's post, a senior party leader said the matter would be first considered internal- Supreme Court halts Agnipath scheme under review, panel formed release of Annu Kapoor movie Hamare Baarah STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 81.050.36 India rejects reference to J&K in China-Pakistan joint statement No proof found of paper leak in NEET: Dharmendra Pradhan New Moon on 22 June 4 women among five killed in Nagpur explosives factory blast: At least five workers were killed, and another eight injured when a massive blast ripped through an explosives manufacturing company in Maharashtra's Waddhamna town on Thursday, officials said. The blast was reported at around noon from the Chamundi Explosives Co. Ltd., situated on the AmravatiNagpur Road, around 15 km from Nagpur. Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravinder Singhal told the media that at least five persons including 4 women, lost their lives in the tragedy and police teams have (PG 5) rushed to the site to probe. SILVER 90,700600 GOLD 72,160 The candidates, who were awarded grace marks, will have the option of taking a re-test Min: 27.9°C (+0.7) SUN SETS 18:22 hrs MOON SETS 23:37 hrs People fill their buckets from a water tanker as Delhi’s water crisis continues, in New Delhi on Thursday.  ANI P12 NTA cancels score-cards Deploy all counter-terror capabilities in J&K,says PM of 1,563 NEET candidates Min. 66 % TEMPERATURE P10 ` vs $ 83.24 RAINFALL: 0.1 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 87 % ‘DIFFERENT GAME’: PEMA KHANDU SWORN ROHIT ALL PRAISE IN AS ARUNACHAL FOR YADAV CM FOR 3RD TERM GST COUNCIL TO MEET ON 22 JUNE NON-BAILABLE WARRANT AGAINST YEDIYURAPPA their retention percentage in the Armed forces. It may recommend retaining about 60-70 per cent of Agniveers, as against the existing 25 per cent. The Prime Minister's Office is likely to take a final call on the changes after taking into account all the recommendations and feedback from all stakeholders. The review of the Agnipath scheme is also included in the first 100-day agenda of the Modi government and therefore one can expect "necessary amends" in the scheme in the near future. The Agnipath scheme was implemented in June 2022 to reduce the pension bill of the Armed Forces and create a downsized but more lean CMYK and robust Army. However, it drew strong protests from Opposition parties who accused the Centre of shortchanging the youth and playing with their future. The scheme soon after its rollout drew strong protests in many states, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. It also became a focal point during the election campaign as many parties rebuked the Centre over what it called a flawed and disoriented policy in times of economic uncertainty. Ahead of government formation, the allies of the BJP , including JD(U) and LJP (Ram Vilas), expressed apprehensions over the Agniveers' appointment and urged the government to review it. Under the scheme, youth are inducted into all three branches of the Armed Forces, including Army, Navy and Air Force for four years. Out of all the recruits, 25 per cent of them are given a chance to continue for another 15 years under a permanent appointment. ly before discussing it with NDA allies to reach a consensus. As the BJP does not hold a majority as it did in 2014 and 2019, speculation was rife that the TDP and a JD(U) MP were vying for the Speaker's post. If any suggestions or demands regarding the position arise from allies, the BJP will consider a new formula. During the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, starting on 24 June, the BJP will reach out to Opposition parties to ensure the Speaker is elected unanimously. If the Opposition agrees to the government's proposal, an election will not be necessary. However, if the Opposition fields its candidate, a vote for Ajit Doval stays as NSA, PK Mishra Principal Secretary to PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 JUNE Mr Ajit Doval and Dr P K Mishra were on Thursday reappointed as National Security Adviser (NSA) and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister respectively. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of these key confidants of the Prime Minister with effect from 10 June. Both Mr Doval and Dr Mishra have been assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence. Mr Doval has been India's NSA since 2014 after Mr Modi assumed office for the first time. Mumbai doctor orders ice-cream online, gets a cone with human finger AGENCIES MUMBAI, 13 JUNE A Mumbai doctor who ordered ice-cream online, was stunned to find what he alleged was a severed piece of a human finger in it. The shocker happened on Wednesday when Dr. Brendan Serrao, asked his sister to include some ice-cream in her online grocery purchase list. When the cones of Yummo ice-cream were delivered, he started savouring the treat but felt something rough and strange in his mouth. The doctor alleged that when he yanked it out, to his horror he found that it was a small piece of a severed human finger, around 2 cms long. Left with a bad taste in his mouth, Dr. Serrao immediately lodged a complaint with the Malad Police Station, which started a probe and sent the finger bit for a forensic analy- Launched in 2012, Yummo Ice-creams was co-founded by Walko Food Co. Ltd., which has multiple brands of frozen desserts and other foodstuff. sis. Despite repeated attempts by a news agency there was no response from the ice cream company, though a spokesperson said a statement will be issued soon. Launched in 2012, Yummo Ice-creams was co-founded by Walko Food Co. Ltd., which has multiple brands of frozen desserts and other foodstuff. Dr. Serrao told local media persons that given his medical expertise, he recognised the human body piece and saved it in an ice-pack to show the police while lodging his complaint.