THURSDAY 20 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 RUSSIA, NORTH KOREA SIGN MUTUAL DEFENCE PACT PRUDENT PAUSE P6 SENSEX 77,337.5936.45 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. DUST STORM/THUNDERSTORM/LIGHTNING WITH VERY LIGHT RAIN ACCOMPANIED WITH GUSTY WINDS (SPEED 40-50 KMPH). THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 42 AND 33 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Min. 31 % Max: 43.6 °C (+5) SUN RISES 05:24 hrs MOON RISES 18:01 hrs Min: 35.2 °C (+8) SUN SETS 19:22 hrs MOON SETS 04:15 hrs THUMBNAILS Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at his residence in Mcleodganj, Kangra, on (See also page 3) Wednesday.  ANI` Delhi court extends CM's judicial custody till 3 July: A Delhi court on Wednesday extended Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's judicial custody in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam, till 3 July. Vacation Judge Nyay Bindu passed the order. While the judge continues to hear the arguments on his bail plea, the CM’s judicial custody has been extended. (Pg 3) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi celebrates his 54th birthday with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others in New Delhi on (Pg 5) Wednesday. SNS ` vs $ 83.441 PAISE Amid unrelenting heatwave conditions, Nadda directs hospitals to set up special units India likely to get below normal rain in June as monsoon slows: IMD A s northern India continued to suffer under the grip of an unrelenting heatwave, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Wednesday issued directions to set up special heatwave units in Central government hospitals. The Minister’s direction came during a meeting chaired by him to review the preparedness of the Central government hospitals to treat patients affected by heatwave. The national capital Delhi on Wednesday saw no respite from heat wave conditions with power and water demand peaking and hospitals reported an influx of patients with complaints of heat stroke. At least ten people have reportedly lost their lives in Delhi-NCR due to suspected heatstroke in the recent past. In a post on microblogging site X, the Union Health Ministry wrote: “Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reviewed the heatwave situation and preparedness of the central government hospitals, today. He has directed the officials to ensure that all hospitals are prepared for providing the best healthcare to the affected.” The minister has also directed for special heatwave units to be started in the Central government hospitals. AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 19 JUNE A worker sprays water on another worker to beat the heat in New Delhi.  ANI Delhi on Wednesday saw no respite from heat wave conditions with power and water demand peaking and hospitals reported an influx of patients with complaints of heat stroke. The IMD said that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over many parts of North India on Wednesday and gradually abate thereafter due to an approaching western disturbance towards northwest India. There is a severe heat wave across North India and Delhi is facing one of the hottest summers. The maximum temperature in Delhi on Wednesday was recorded at 43.6 degree Celsius and minimum temperature at 35.2 degree Celsius. The Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on Wednesday reported five deaths due to suspected heatstroke while at least 12 people, mostly daily wage labourers, are in critical condition, battling for their lives on ventilator support. LNJP hospital reported one death on 16 June. Altogether, at least 20 deaths have been reported in three major hospitals in the national capital this summer. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 JUNE don, was lost over the Atlantic Ocean on 23 June 1985 after a bomb planted on board blew up. There were no survivors. The bombing was mainly attributed to the ‘Khalistani’ terror group Babbar Khalsa. 'India in Vancouver', the official Twitter (X) account of the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, in a post on Wednesday said: “India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat.” It said: “A Memorial Service is scheduled at 1830 hrs on June 23, 2024 at the Air India Memorial at Stanley Park's Ceperley Playground area. @cgivancouver encourages members of the Indian Diaspora to join the event in a show of solidarity against terrorism.” Nijjar, a 'Khalistani' terrorist of Indian origin, was killed in Surrey in Canada’s British Columbia by masked men outside a gurudwara on 18 June last year. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused agents of the Indian government of involvement in Nijjar's killing. Earlier this month Dr Atul Goel, DGHS, Union Health Ministry held a virtual meeting with States and Union Territories to assess heatwave preparedness. The States and UTs were urged to conduct follow-up reviews for ensuring dedicated Heat Stroke rooms, ORS corners and strengthening surveillance through Integrated Health Information Platform. The directives issued to the State Health Departments include guidelines on strengthening health systems preparedness for heatrelated illnesses. Earlier, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed that The average rainfall for the country as a whole is most likely to be below normal in June as the progress of the monsoon has slowed, according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on Wednesday. While normal to above normal rainfall is expected in the southern states and northeast states, below normal rainfall is likely in June in the northern and central states, which have been reeling under a heat wave. Rainfall over the country as a whole for the month of June 2024 (till 18 June) was 64.5 mm which was 20 per cent less than its Long Period Average (LPA) of 80.6 mm, the IMD said. “The normal to above normal monthly rainfall is most likely over most areas of the south peninsula India and some areas of Northeast India. Below normal rainfall is most likely over many areas of Northwest & adjoining Central India and some areas of Northeast India,” according to an IMD statement. During this month, 11 sub-divisions received normal to large excess and 25 received deficient to large deficient rainfall. The onset of the monsoon over Kerala this year was two days ahead of the usual date and over northeast India, 6 days in advance. there have been at least 56 deaths from heatstroke in multiple states. In May alone, 46 people have died due to heatstroke. Suspected heatstroke cases in May were 1,918. According to data shared by states, over 7 lakh people were admitted to emergency departments of primary care hospitals. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over many parts of North India on Wednesday and gradually abate thereafter due to an approaching western disturbance towards northwest India. (More reports on Pg 2) STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 JUNE Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first Cabinet meeting after assumption of office for his third term on Wednesday took major decisions for farm, ports, renewable energy, criminal justice and civil aviation sectors. The Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all mandated Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 2024-25. Two lakh godowns will also be built. Briefing newspersons, Information and Broadcasting and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the financial outgo for the MSP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 JUNE PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the new campus of Nalanda University in Bihar on Wednesday. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and others are also seen; (R) The new campus of Nalanda University. ANI his third term in office, as a happy omen for India’s development journey. The Prime Minister said the restoration of Nalanda near its ancient ruins will introduce India's strength to the world. Nalanda will say that nations which stand on strong human values, know how to lay the foundation of a better future by reviving history, he said. Mr Modi said Nalanda is not just revival of India's past. The heritage of so many countries of the world is linked to it. The presence of so many BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 82.710.16 India’s growth trajectory shifting from 7 to 8 pc: RBI AGENCIES MUMBAI, 19 JUNE There is an increasing evidence of a trend upshift taking shape, which is shifting India's growth trajectory from the 2003-19 average of 7 per cent to the 2021-24 average of 8 per cent or even more, powered by domestic drivers, according to the RBI's June bulletin released on Wednesday. More recent indicators suggest that private consumption is resuming its role as the main driver of demand and is getting broad-based to include rural consumers. The fast moving consumer goods sector is gearing up for a strong turnaround on expectations of pick-up in public welfare spending, the bulletin states. A drop in the walk-in clientele is being compensated for by e-commerce platforms, especially in heatwave conditions. Investment has maintained steady growth; some moderation in the more recent period could be on account of transitory uncertainty weighing on investment decisions but this too shall pass, it adds. The RBI bulletin also states that a strong revival in private investment has to become the most important factor driving growth in the years to come, especially as public finances consolidate. Government consumption spending picked up modestly towards the close of 2023-24, reflecting the sustained focus on capital expenditure which is a positive for the medium-term The RBI bulletin also states that a strong revival in private investment has to become the most important factor driving growth in the years to come, especially as public finances consolidate. prospects of the economy and investor sentiment. “In a pleasant surprise, net exports have improved their contribution to GDP, especially high-end manufacturing. The services sector is also witnessing a compositional change. GVC participation in services has shown a gradual maturing from low value-added business process outsourcing services to high value-added services such as those provided by global capability centres (GCCs) that have evolved from costsaving entities to hubs for innovation and high-value activities and are spreading to tier-II cities,”the bulletin observes. It also states that increasingly, the focus is likely to shift to export of services and the leveraging of skilled workforces. India's hospitality industry is seeking to expand the frontiers of tourism in the country. Higher MSP, mega development projects okayed in first Cabinet meet The Cabinet chaired by the PM approved the increase in the MSP for all mandated Kharif Crops for Marketing Season 202425. Two lakh godowns will also be built. decision will be Rs 2 lakh crore, which will be Rs 35,000 crore more than the previous season. In all 14 crops will be covered. The decision will ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their produce. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for oilseeds and pulses viz. nigerseed (Rs.983 per quintal) followed by sesamum (Rs.632 per quintal) and tur/arhar (Rs.550 per quintal). For paddy, the MSP will be Rs 2,300 and Rs 2,320 for two categories. Both are Rs 117 higher this year. The Cabinet approved setting up a Major Port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharastra. The total project cost will be Rs 76,220 crore, Mr Vaishnaw said. The project was Nalanda’s revival will usher in India’s golden age, says PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated a modern campus of the Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar and said India’s ancient university proved that fires can burn books, but cannot destroy knowledge, and the revival of the university will mark the beginning of a golden age for the country. Addressing a distinguished gathering, including heads of missions from 17 countries attending the inauguration ceremony near the ruins of the ancient university, he said Nalanda is not just a name; it signifies an identity, recognition, values, a mantra, glory and a saga. Mr Modi said he saw his visit to the university in the first 10 days of taking oath as PM for P12 SILVER 91,000500 GOLD 72,220 Surge in heatstroke cases; multiple deaths in Delhi India reminds world of Kanishka bombing as Canada honours Nijjar As the Canadian Parliament marked the first anniversary of the killing of 'Khalistani' terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by holding a moment of silence in the House of Commons, the Indian Consulate in Vancouver responded by reminding the world of the 39th anniversary of the “cowardly terrorist bombing” of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka). A total of 329 people, including 86 children, were killed in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation. The Air India Boeing 747, flying from Montreal to New Delhi via Lon- P5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 JUNE Max. 47 % TEMPERATURE P9 NIFTY 23,521.6036.30 ALL EYES ON KOHLI’S FORM AS INDIA FACE AFGHANISTAN TODAY RELOCATION OF STATUES: KHARGE WRITES TO RS CHAIRMAN, LS SPEAKER countries at the inauguration of the university campus is unprecedented in itself, he said. “Our partner countries have also participated in the reconstruction of Nalanda University. On this occasion, I congratulate all friendly countries of India, all of you. I also congratulate the people of Bihar. The way Bihar is moving forward on the path of development to bring back its glory, this campus of Nalanda is an inspiration for that,” the Prime Minister said. “We all know that Nalanda was once a living centre of India's tradition and identity. Nalanda means- 'Na alam dadati iti Nalanda' i.e., where there is a continuous flow of education and donation of knowledge. This is what India thinks about education. Education is beyond boundaries, beyond the perspective of profit and loss. It is education that shapes us, gives us ideas, and gives us shape,” he said. When education develops, the roots of the economy and culture also get strengthened, Mr Modi said. “If we look at developed countries, we will find that they became economic and cultural leaders when they became education leaders,” he said. Today, students and bright minds from all over the world want to go to those countries and study there, he said. A similar situation used to exist in places like Nalanda and Vikramshila. . Therefore, it is not just a coincidence that when India was ahead in education, its economic strength was also at new heights, he said. “This is a basic roadmap for the development of any nation. That is why India, which is working towards the goal of becoming developed by 2047, is transforming its education sector for this. My mission is that India should become the centre of education and knowledge for the world,” the PM said. The National Education Policy has given a new dimension to the dreams of the youth of India, he said. Indian universities have started collaborating with foreign universities, , he said. conceived 60 years back. The Project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), an SPV formed by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) with a shareholding of 74per cent and 26per cent, respectively. The Vadhavan Port will be developed as an all-weather Greenfield deep draft major port in Vadhavan, Palghar District, Maharashtra. It has potential for 12 lakh jobs. In the third decision, the Cabinet approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects at a total outlay of Rs 7453 crore, including an outlay of Rs 6853 crore for installation and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind energy projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu), and grant of Rs.600 crore for upgradation of two ports to meet logistics requirements for offshore wind energy projects. Mr Vaishnaw said India’s total potential of offshore wind energy is 70,000 megawatts. Undersea power cables will be required for the project. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for development of Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, including Construction of New Terminal Building, Apron Extension, Runway Extension, Parallel Taxi Track & Allied works. Reasi attack: Man who helped terrorists arrested STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, 19 JUNE In a major breakthrough, police on Wednesday arrested an individual who provided shelter to terrorists responsible for the terror attack on a bus in Reasi in which nine pilgrims were killed and 41 injured. The arrested terror associate has been identified by the police as Hakam (45). He is accused of having guided the terrorists to the attack spot. Senior superintendent of police (Reasi), Mohita Sharma, said that a major breakthrough has been achieved in the case pertaining to the terrorist attack on the pilgrim bus which was coming from Shiv Khori on 9 June with the arrest of Hakam from Reasi. Ms Sharma said the arrest- ed Hakam was involved in harbouring terrorists multiple times. Along with providing food and shelter, he also acted as a guide and helped them reach the spot of the incident. Further interrogation and investigation of the case is going on, she added. Police had earlier arrested 53 persons for questioning in the matter.