SATURDAY 06 JULY 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 ‘MANDATE SHOWS PEOPLE’S FAITH’ YECHURY, KARAT TO KEEP TIGHT REIN ON KERALA CPI-M P7 P4 SENSEX 79,996.6053.07 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Rain/ thundershower likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 32 °C and 27 °C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 94 % P10 ` vs $ 83.56 Labour had won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, Conservatives 121 Narendra Modi congratulates new UK PM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY New Moon on 06 July THUMBNAILS King Charles III shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government on Friday. AP AGENCIES LONDON, 5 JULY Preparation on in full swing for the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, at Puri on Friday.  SNS Bengal Assembly Speaker administers oath to two newly elected Trinamul MLAs: The Speaker of the state Assembly, Biman Bandyopadhyay, on Friday administered the oath to the two newly-elected Trinamul Congress MLAs, Sanyantika Banerjee and Reyat Hossain Sarkar, 31 days after they won the by-elections held in Baranagar and Bhagwangola Assembly constituencies, respectively. This was after state Governor C V Ananda Bose on Thursday assigned Dr Asish Banerjee, Deputy Speaker to administer the oath of the two (Page 3) MLAs. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 85.260.12 of Labour wins by landslide, Modi to raise issueforIndian nationals working Russian Starmer is new British PM Army with President Putin Min: 27.3°C (+0.5) SUN SETS 18:25 hrs MOON SETS 18:10 hrs TEMPERATURE P12 SILVER 93,200200 GOLD 73,090 Min. 77 % Max: 32.1 °C (-0.4) SUN RISES 04:57 hrs MOON RISES 03:55 hrs NIFTY 24,323.8521.70 SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS RAHUL GANDHI MEETS FAMILIES OF HATHRAS STAMPEDE VICTIMS eir Starmer, Britain’s new Prime Minister, said he would lead a “government of service” on a mission of national renewal in his first official remarks Friday after his Labour Party swept to power in a landslide victory after more than a decade in opposition. With results in for all but two seats, Labour had won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons and the Conservatives 121, the party’s worst performance in its two-century history. The Conservatives’ previ- K ous worst result was 156 seats in 1906. Mr Starmer acknowledged in his first speech outside 10 Downing Street that many people are disillusioned and cynical about politics, but said he and his colleagues would try to restore faith in government. “My government will fight every day until you believe again,” Mr Starmer said as supporters cheered him on outside 10 Downing Street. “The work for change begins immediately,” he said. “We will rebuild Britain.….Brick by brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.” Mr Starmer took over the Akshata Murty, wife of Britain’s outgoing Conservative Party PM Rishi Sunak, reaches out to him as they leave 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London. AP official residence about two hours after Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and his family left the home and the king accepted the Conservative leader’s resignation. “This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been prime minister of the best country in the world,” Mr Sunak said in his farewell address. Mr Sunak had conceded defeat earlier in the morning, saying the voters had delivered a “sobering verdict.” In a reflective farewell Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on his landslide victory in the UK elections while also lauding outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his “admirable leadership” and active contribution to deepening India-UK ties. In a post on X, Mr Modi said, “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to @Keir_Starmer on the remarkable victory in the UK general elections. I look forward to our positive and constructive collaboration to further strengthen the IndiaUK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all areas, fostering mutual growth and prosperity.” speech in the same place where he had called the snap election six weeks earlier, Mr Sunak wished Mr Starmer all the best but also acknowledged his own missteps. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take up with Russian President Vladimir Putin the issue of Indian nationals who were misled into working for Russian Army in its ongoing war with Ukraine when the two leaders meet in Moscow next week for extensive talks on bilateral issues as well as global developments. At a media briefing here on Friday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the PM will leave here on 8 July on a three-day visit to Russia and Austria. In Moscow, he will hold the 22nd Annual India-Russia Summit with President Putin. The last India-Russia Summit was held in 2021. Mr Kwatra said the PM will reach Moscow in the afternoon on 8 July. President Putin will hold a private dinner in his honour. Among other engagements the next day, Mr Modi will have an interface with the Indian community in Russia. This will be followed by his restricted talks with President Putin, followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries. A whole range of issues, including defence, trade linkages, culture, educa- Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand in September 2022.  ANI tion, civil nuclear cooperation, culture and peopleto-people contacts, will be on the agenda of the two leaders. They will also discuss global developments. Asked if the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict will also figure during the talks, the foreign secretary said the PM will speak about the issue in the context of its impact on the Global South and peace and stability in the world. Mr Kwatra said India's position on the war is wellknown: dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward. In response to a question, he said ten Indian nationals who were working for the Russian Army have been brought back to India while an estimated 30-45 Indians are still working for the force. India has strongly taken up the matter with the Russian authorities to ensure their speedy repatriation to India.At the end of his talks with President Putin, Mr Modi will travel to Austria in the afternoon of 9 July. This will be the first visit by an Indian PM to Austria in 41 years. He will call on President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The PM and the Chancellor will also address business leaders from India and Austria. The Prime Minister Modi will also interact with members of the Indian community in Vienna. Annual defence production hits record high in 2023-24 Scrapping NEET-UG 2024 exam would seriously imperil honest candidates: Centre to Supreme Court STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 5 JULY The Ministry of Defence has achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during 2023-24, on the back of successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the government focusing on achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’. As per the data received from all Defence Public Sector undertakings (DPSUs), other PSUs manufacturing defence items and private companies, the value of defence production in the country has gone up to a record-high figure ie, Rs 1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7 per cent over the defence production of the previous financial year. The value of defence production in 2022-23 was Rs 1,08,684 crore. Acknowledging the achievement through a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the ‘Make in India’ programme is crossing new milestones, year after year, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He voiced the government’s unwavering resolve to develop India as a leading global defence manufacturing hub. Of the total value of production (VoP) in 2023-24, about 79.2 per cent has been contributed by DPSUs/other PSUs and 20.8 per cent by the private sector. The data shows that in terms of absolute value, both DPSUs/PSUs and the private sector have recorded a steady growth in defence production. Mr Rajnath Singh congratulated the industry, including DPSUs, other PSUs manufacturing defence items and the private sector for taking defence production at an all-time high. The feat has been achieved due to the policy reforms/initiatives and ease of doing business brought in by the government in the last ten years with emphasis on attaining self-reliance. The indigenisation efforts have been pursued aggressively on a sustained basis, which resulted in the highestever VoP. Moreover, the spiralling defence exports have contributed tremendously to the overall growth in indigenous defence production. The Centre also stated that the CBI has been asked to conduct investigation into the entire gamut of allegations of irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust and other issues NEW DELHI, 5 JULY The Central government has told the Supreme Court that in the absence of any proof of any large-scale breach of confidentiality in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 examination held on 5 May 2024, it would not be rational to scrap the entire examination as it would “seriously jeopardise” the prospects of the lakhs of honest candidates who had attempted the question paper. The Central government also stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to conduct investigation into the entire gamut of allegations of irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust and other issues. In an affidavit that was filed today in response to Police personnel detain an SFI worker during a protest against the irregularities in the NEET and NET examinations, in Thiruvananthapuram.  ANI several petitions that have been filed before the top court, the Central government stated: “...In the absence of any proof of any largescale breach of confidentiality in a pan-India examination, it would not be rational to scrap the entire examination and the ‘Rath Yatra in Digha from next year’ Modi interacts with Paris STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 5 JULY Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced that Rath Yatra will be held from next year at Digha. The Digha Jagannath temple complex, being built at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore by the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) is nearing completion. The temple resembles the Jagannath temple in Puri. Unlike Puri where the idols are made of wood, the idols here are made of marble. Miss Banerjee wrote on social media platform X: “Happy to announce that, as in Puri, we in West Bengal are also erecting a prideinspiring temple complex of Lord Jagannath at Digha, The Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra will be worshipped here too.” She further wrote: “Despite some discussions otherwise, fact is that the Rathayatra will be performed at Digha This year, Miss Banerjee will offer puja at the ISKCON temple in the city and pull the rope of the Rath to mark the beginning of the festival. from next year only. Some works and processes are incomplete as of now, and they need to be concluded before the Lord’s wheels start moving next year onwards. The Rathayatra of Digha will be observed with fullest respect and solemnity. All are invit- ed there. Let the Lord’s abode at Digha emerge as the new place of amity for India.” Hectic work is on to complete the temple. Senior officials said final touches are being given. A huge chariot has been completed and will be pulled on the day of Rath Yatra from next year. Miss Banerjee does not want to inaugurate an incomplete temple. Senior state government officials felt that tourist flow in Digha will go up once the temple is completed. Digha has already become an important tourist destination and getting accommodation on weekends and holidays is difficult. A sea cruise will be operated soon, which will be another attraction for tourists. This year, Miss Banerjee will offer puja at the ISKCON temple in the city and pull the rope of the Rath to mark the beginning of the festival. Rath Yatra will also be held in Mahesh in Hooghly with due solemnity. Olympics-bound athletes TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 5 JULY Hours after hosting the newlycrowned T20 World Champions in a breakfast meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday opened his doors for the Paris Olympicsbound contingent for a lighthearted interaction. During the interaction, Mr Modi took stock of the athletes’ preparations and learnt about their previous Olympics experiences, and told them he would welcome them when they return after winning medals in the French capital. Reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra shared his fitness updates with the PM, while two-time Olympic medallist shuttler PV Sindhu spoke on the importance of self-belief as she seeks a third successive medal. World champion boxer Nikhat Zareen said she’s focussing on fulfilling the expectations of a billion Indians with a medal in her Olympic debut. The interaction also featured the men’s hockey team and the 21-strong shooting contingent in person, while some others, including Chopra, Sindhu, Zareen, Tokyo bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and race-walker Priyanka Goswami, joined online from their respective training bases abroad. Mr Modi advised the contingent to give their 100 per cent and stressed on the importance of good sleep. He emphasised that winning and losing are a part of any sport but the focus should remain in the talent which will produce the results.Wishing the contingent all the very best, Mr Modi also promised to invite the Olympic-bound athletes to this year’s Independence Day programme. CMYK results already declared. It is submitted that in any examination, there are competing rights that have been created whereby the interests of a large number of students who have taken the examination without adopting any alleged unfair means must not also NEET exam to be held on 11 Aug STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY Announcing the revised schedule for the conduct of the NEET-PG 2024 entrance examination, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on Friday said the exam will be held on 11 August in two shifts. The NEET-PG exam was to have been held on 23 June but was postponed as a “precautionary measure” amid allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam. The cut-off date for the purpose of eligibility to appear in the NEET-PG 2024 exam held for admission to postgraduate medical programmes in government or private medical colleges is 15 August. be jeopardised. Scrapping the exam in entirety would seriously jeopardise the lakhs of honest candidates who attempted the question paper in 2024.” The Central government’s affidavit comes in response to a batch of petitions which have alleged paper leak, malpractices and other irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024 and have sought direction for the recall of NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct the examination afresh. The petitions would come up for hearing on Monday ~ 8 July. Govt makes ISI mark mandatory for stainless steel & aluminium utensils STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 5 JULY The Union government has mandated conformity to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminium utensils, a move that aims to enhance kitchen safety, quality, and efficiency. According to the Quality Control Order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on 14 March 2024, the ISI mark would be compulsory for such utensils. Non-compliance is punishable, emphasising the government's commitment to consumer safety and product integrity. Stainless steel utensils have long been favoured in kitchens worldwide for their durability, versatility, and sleek appearance. Comprising an alloy of steel with chromium and other metals such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese, stainless steel is renowned for its enhanced corrosion resistance and robust mechanical properties. The BIS has codified these attributes in the Indian Standard IS 14756:2022, which specifies the requirements for various types of utensils used in cooking, serving, dining, and storage. The IS 14756:2022 standard encompasses safe composition of materials used in manufacturing, uniformity and practicality in utensil design, mandating high-quality crafts- manship and aesthetic appeal, tests like the staining test, mechanical shock test, thermal shock test, dry heat test, coating thickness test, nominal capacity test, flame stability test, and specific tests for utensils with tempered glass lids. Aluminium utensils are another cornerstone of both household and professional kitchens, valued for their lightweight nature, excellent heat conductivity, affordability, and durability. The BIS has also developed the Indian Standard IS 1660:2024, which outlines the specifications for wrought and cast aluminium utensils up to 30 litres in capacity including hard anodised and non-stick unreinforced plastic coating. This standard ensures that aluminium utensils meet the highest material quality and performance standards.