TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 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 ‘PM’S ABJECT FAILURE IN MANIPUR IS UNFORGIVABLE’ JAISHANKAR MEETS LAVROV IN RIYADH P5 SENSEX 81,559.54 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT RAIN/THUNDERSTORM. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 26 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Trace RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 98 % ` vs $ 83.95 Min. 63 % Min: 25.1 °C (-1) SUN SETS 18:32 hrs MOON SETS 22:35 hrs THUMBNAILS Devotees immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha on the third day of the ten-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival, at Kuakhai River, in Bhubaneswar on Monday. n ANI Two Pakistani terrorists killed on LoC, USmade M4 among recovery: The Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid by killing two heavily armed Pakistani terrorists at the LoC in the Nowshera area of the Rajouri district during the wee hours on Monday. A US-made M4 rifle with sight attachment, two AK47 rifles, a pistol and 8 hand grenades were among the cache of arms and ammunition recovered during a search operation at the encounter spot. The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said that based on inputs from intelligence agencies and J&K Police regarding a likely infiltration bid, an anti-infiltration operation was launched by the Indian Army on the intervening night of 8 and 9 September in the general area Lam in Nowshera. KANPUR, 9 SEPTEMBER A major train accident was averted due to the alert loco pilot of 14117 Kalindi Express train when some miscreants placed a LPG cylinder on the tracks near Barrajpur station on Sunday night. UP government has engaged ATS to investigate the incident. ATS IG Nilabja Chaudhary has reached the spot along with his team and was investigating the spot. He said an attempt was made to derail the train and ATS was looking at every aspect. According to police , the LPG cylinder was full filled with gas and the train hit the cylinder even after the drivers applied emergency brakes at around 8:30 PM on Sunday. GOLD 73,565 SILVER 85,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 71.77 Modi received the Crown Prince; the two leaders discussed the future areas of cooperation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P rime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday held discussions on the entire spectrum of India-UAE bilateral relations and avenues to broaden the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Mr Modi received the Crown Prince at Hyderabad House where the two leaders discussed the future areas of cooperation that lie ahead. The Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE. During the discussions, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the substantial progress achieved in recent years in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed opportunities to further widen and deepen the partnership in all areas of bilateral cooperation. The two leaders acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent entry into force of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide further impetus to the strong economic and commercial partnership between the two countries. They underscored the need to explore new areas of untapped potential, particularly in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technologies. The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President welcomed him and expressed deep appreciation for the historically close and friendly relations between the two countries, underpinned by strong people to people ties. After the delegation-level talks, the two countries signed five MoUs and agreements. These included an MoU between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and the Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited (NPCIL) on operations and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. An Agreement was signed for long-term LNG supply between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Another MoU was signed between ADNOC According to police,the LPG cylinder was fully filled with gas and the train hit the cylinder even after the drivers applied emergency brakes at around 8:30 PM on Sunday. Anwarganj Railway Station Superintendent, RPF and other officials reached the spot and investigated the spot. The accident happened about two and a half kilometers ahead of Barrajpur and five kilometers before Bilhaur station. Along with a filled cylinder, a glass bottle with wick, matchbox, candle and a suspicious bag were found near the spot. There was some material like gunpowder in this bag. If the cylinder of Indane which the conspirators had kept in the middle of the track, had burst, it could have derailed the train as well as set the engine on fire, investigators expressed. Police said broken sleepers were found lying on the track at a distance of about 50 meters from the spot. It is believed that after colliding with the Kalindi Express, which was running at a speed of about 100 kilometers per hour, the cylinder bounced in the middle of the track for about fifty meters. Because of this, wherever it fell, the sleepers were broken. However, the cylinder was eventually found lying on the side of the track. and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL). A Production Concession Agreement was signed for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat and ADNOC and an MoU was signed between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) on food parks development in India. The MoU on Nuclear Cooperation is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building. The Agreement for long-term supply of LNG is for one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is the third such contract signed in just over a year. Both IOCL and GAIL had previously signed long-term Agreements for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively, with ADNOC. These contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources. The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. This MoU builds on ADNOC’s existing involvement in crude storage at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL since 2018. The Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat Petro resources Ltd) and ADNOC is the first one for any Indian company operating in the UAE. The concession entitles Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, thus contributing towards the country’s energy security. ‘GivemorenominationsforPadma Awards’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged people to activelyparticipateinthenomination process for the prestigious Padma Awards. Modi stressed on the importance of recognizing grassrootslevel heroes who have made significant contributions to society. Emphasising the transparent and participatory approach of the nomination process, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness at the number of nominations already received and urged more people to nominate deserving candidates for the prestigious Padma Awards through the official portal at awards.gov.in. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 9 SEPTEMBER After the Supreme Court hearing on Monday, where it asked the protesting doctors to join work, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee too urged doctors to return to work. Amid protests throughout the state, she also denied offering money to the family of a deceased doctor, who was raped and murdered in Kolkata. During an administrative review meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar, Banerjee stated, "The Supreme Court has requested doctors to resume work immediately. I also request that they return to duty, and if they wish to meet me, they are always welcome." Banerjee encouraged people to "return to festivities" as Durga Puja approaches and requested junior doctors to resume duty as soon as possible. In his maiden address abroad after taking over as the leader of the Opposition, the Congress leader accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attacking the Constitution. to accept an attack on our Constitution, religion, and our states.” Accusing Narendra Modi of attacking the Constitution, he said, “The fight was crystallised in the elections when millions of people in India clearly understood that the prime minister of India is attacking the Constitution of India. Everything I said, includ- ing respect to religion, and caste, is in the Constitution. The foundation of modern India is the Constitution.” In an apparent reference to his election campaign for the general elections, Gandhi said, “When I used to raise (copy of) the Constitution, the people understood what I was saying. They understood that the BJP was attacking PARMOD KIMAR NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER The Supreme Court on Monday gave junior doctors in the West Bengal government hospitals and associated medical colleges two days’ time – by Tuesday 05.00 pm - to return to their work failing which the State government is free to initiate action against doctors staying away from their duties. Telling the West Bengal government not to take any action including punitive transfers against the doctors who return to work by 05.00 pm Tuesday, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heading a bench also comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that if doctors do not resume to work, then we cannot stop the state govt from taking disciplinary action against them. “Wedirectthatjuniordoctors have to be back to work by tomorrow by 05.00 pm, and no action should be taken against them till that time. We direct that if the doctors do Mamata refutes offering money to deceased doctor’s family She dismissed accusations of offering money to the victim's family as "slander" and a conspiracy involving the Centre and left parties. "I have never offered money to the deceased doctor's family, this is nothing but slander. I told the deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them. Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, offered to resign after R G Kar protests, but we need someone who knows law and Rahul says ‘fear’ of BJP vanished after LS polls, BJP hits back In his maiden address to the Indian Diaspora in Dallas, United States, after taking over as the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the fear of the ruling BJP vanished immediately after the Lok Sabha elections. “The fear of the BJP disappeared. We saw this that within minutes of the election results, nobody in India is scared of the BJP or the prime minister of India,” he said. Crediting the people of the country for the BJP not getting an absolute majority, Gandhi said, “So, these are the huge achievements, of not Rahul Gandhi or Congress party, but of the people of India who realised democracy, of the people of India who realised that we are not going P12 PM, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince SC asks W Bengal doctors to return to hold talks, five pacts signed work by 5 pm today Major rail accident averted near Kanpur STATEMAN NEWS SERVICE P9 NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER TEMPERATURE Max: 34.6 °C (+1) SUN RISES 06:04 hrs MOON RISES 13:21 hrs P10 NIFTY 24,936.40 FIRST DAY OF AFG-NZ TEST CALLED OFF TRUMP HUNTS FOR INFREQUENT VOTERS our tradition, language, states, and history. Most importantly what they understood is that anybody who is attacking the Constitution of India is also attacking our religion and tradition.” Countering the concept of India of the RSS with that of his party, Gandhi said, “The RSS believes that India is one idea. We (Congress) believe that India is a multiplicity of ideas. We believe that everybody should be allowed to participate, we believe every- body should be allowed to dream, and everybody should be given space regardless of their caste, language, religion, tradition, or history. This is the fight.” Reacting sharply to Gandhi's remarks, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, “Rahul Gandhi goes abroad only to defame India.” On his remarks on the RSS, he said, “Those who go abroad and criticise the nation won’t be able to understand the RSS. The RSS is born from the values and culture of India.” Echoing similar sentiments, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan accused the leader of the Opposition of tarnishing the image of the country. “He is a representative of the country. He is going abroad and tarnishing the image of the country which is equal to betraying the nation,” he said. order ahead of Durga Puja," she said. On Monday, the Supreme Court reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by tomorrow, 5 pm, while hearing the case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar hospital. However, the court noted that if they fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them. She further stated that if they have any demands, they need to put them forward to the health department, and it would be accepted. She further mentioned that, according to a complaint, two doctors were already suspended. Banerjee also accused outsiders of increased crime in the state and requested them to take "responsibility." Regarding the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, she said, "Aprajita Bill implementation is our priority; if the bill is approved, the bill will be implemented." Banerjee accused outsiders of increasing crime in the state and requested them to take responsibility. She alleged that the ongoing protests were a conspiracy by the Centre and CPM and that the Reclaim the Night movement was causing disturbance for senior citizens. Delhi govt bans firecrackers till 1 Jan to combat air pollution AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER The Delhi government has issued a notification imposing a ban on firecrackers till January 1, 2025 to mitigate air pollution in winter. Gopal Rai, Minister for Environment of Delhi, on Monday said, “As part of efforts to keep Delhi’s air clean, a notification has been issued to mitigate pollution caused by firecrackers by banning their use in the winter months. The ban will remain in effect till January 1, 2025, to help curb winter pollution." The ban also covers online sales and delivery of firecrackers in the national Capital. Pollution levels in Delhi have steadily decreased over the past 12 months said Gopal Rai and added, "However, pollution during the winter months, particularly in November and December, still peaks significantly." The Delhi Government is working on various Winter Action Plans to address pollution issues. Different departments have been assigned responsibilities to implement the required measures. "An action plan will be prepared in collaboration with Delhi Police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Revenue Department to strictly implement the cracker ban," he added. The BJP has criticised the Delhi government's decision to ban firecrackers during the festive season. (P2) not resume work, then we cannot stop the state government from taking disciplinary action against them. if they resume work then no action be taken against them as we are seized of the matter,” the court said in its order. Reminding the doctors that they are in the field of health care and render services, the court, while asking junior doctors to return to their work, reiterated “No adverse action will be taken against the doctors who join work. No punitive action, including transfers, will take place against the doctors, after they join their respective work.” The court also said that the West Bengal government must take steps to create confidence amongst the doctors and the concerns regarding their safety and security must be catered to. The State police shall ensure that necessary conditions are created for ensuring the safety of all the doctors including provisions for separate rest rooms, toilet facilities, installation of CCTV cameras. Centre issues advisory to states over monkeypox STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 9 SEPTEMBER The Central government on Monday issued an advisory to the States and Union Territories (UTs) over the Mpox (monkeypox), calling upon for the screening and testing of all the suspect cases of the viral disease. The latest advisory came a day after the Union Health Ministry informed that a young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing monkeypox transmission, has been identified as a suspect case. The patient has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable. India reports first mpox case: The Union Health Ministry on Monday informed that presence of Mpox (monkeypox) virus of West African clade 2 was confirmed in an isolated patient. The patient is stable and there is no immediate risk to the public, it said. In a statement, the Health Ministry said, “The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient. This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox.” “The individual, a young male who recently traveled from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission, is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility. The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities,” it said.