THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 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 ‘GOVT’S FOCUS ON BUILDING STRONG HEALTHCARE SYSTEM’ P3 SENSEX 81,501.36q318.76 WEATHER MAINLY CLEAR SKY. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 18 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 94 % TEMPERATURE P8 24,971.30q86.05 ` vs $ 84.07 GOLD 78,825.00 THUMBNAILS People wade through waterlogged streets following heavy rainfall in Bengaluru on Wednesday. n ANI Five die after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar: Five people died and several others were hospitalised after consuming spurious liquor in Bihar's Siwan and Saran districts. Siwan District Magistrate Mukul Kumar Gupta said people, exhibiting symptoms like vomiting, headache, and stomach pain in Kaudia Vaisy Tola Village on Tuesday evening, were rushed to the Primary Health Centre in Bhagwanpur for treatment. National Conference’s Surinder Choudhary inducted as Deputy CM The oath-taking ceremony is slated to be held at Panchkula at 10 a.m. at Dussehra Ground in Sector 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present, along with senior leaders from the BJP. ‘Centre will work closely with Omar’ I n a surprise move, the Congress on Wednesday opted out of the Omar Abdullah ministry that was sworn in on Wednesday, marking the return of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of six years. Mr Abdullah was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in a ceremony at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of the Dal lake. The Congress had contested the Assembly election in a pre-poll alliance with the NC but it decided to support Omar Abdullah’s government from outside for the time being. Top Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those present in the swearing-in ceremony. This is the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and the downgrading of the erstwhile state as a Union Territory in 2019. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER United States. The ''Five Eyes'', comprising the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, is one of the most close-knit intelligence forums in the world, where the member states share a wide range of intel in a coordinated manner to shield their national interests. The diplomatic row between India and Canada over the murder of Nijjar escalated after Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner Mike Duheme claimed they had information on certain criminal activity carried out by agents of the Indian government. "Over the past few years Government increases MSP for all mandated rabi crops for 2025-26 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the increase in minimum support prices (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for marketing season 2025-26. The absolute highest increase in MSP has been announced for rapeseed and mustard at Rs 300 per quintal followed by lentil (Masur) at Rs 275 per quintal. For gram, wheat, safflower and barley, there is an increase of Rs 210 per quintal, Rs 150 per quintal, Rs 140 per quintal and Rs 130 per quintal, respectively. The increase in MSP for mandated Rabi Crops for Marketing Season 2025-26 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.20q0.05 Nayab Saini chosen as BJP legislature party leader, to take oath as CM today JAMMU, 16 OCTOBER Another surprise was NC’s Surinder Choudhary being inducted as deputy chief minister to give representation to the Jammu region. Mr Choudhary had defeated BJP president Ravinder Raina in Nowshera constituency of Rajouri district. He was earlier in the PDP and BJP before joining NC last year. Others who joined the ministry were Sakina Ittoo, Javed Rana, Javed Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma. Mr Sharma had won the election as an Independent and defeated senior Congress leader and former deputy CM Tara Chand in the border constituency of Chhamb. Mr Sharma is among the four Independents who have joined the NC. Giving representation India's cooperation with Canada's legal process in Nijjar case right step, says UK The United Kingdom on Wednesday said it is in contact with the Canadian government about ''serious developments'' outlined in the ''independent investigations'' in the killing of Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. ''The UK has full confidence in Canada’s judicial system. Respect for sovereignty and the rule of law is essential,'' the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said in a statement. The statement said the Government of India's cooperation with Canada's legal process was the "right next step" in the matter. The statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country has shared all the information it possesses regarding allegations of Indian officials' involvement in the killing of Nijjar last year with its ''Five Eyes'' partners, particularly the SILVER 97,000 P12 Omar sworn in as J&K CM, Cong opts out of ministry JAMMU, 16 OCTOBER Min: 19.0 °C (1) SUN SETS 17:49 hrs MOON SETS 07:08 hrs MARSH HOPING TO FILL GREEN’S VOID IN BGT SERIES AGAINST INDIA P9 SP SHARMA Min. 36 % Max: 35.4 °C (+2) SUN RISES 06:24 hrs MOON RISES 17:41 hrs NIFTY ZELENSKYY’S ‘VICTORY PLAN’ INCLUDES A BIG HURDLE FOR THE WEST ‘REVANTH’S MUSI PROJECT IS LIKE DEMONETISATION’ and more recently, law enforcement agencies in Canada have successfully investigated and charged a significant number of individuals for their direct involvement in homicides, extortions and other criminal acts of violence. In addition, there have been well over a dozen credible imminent threats to life which have led to the conduct of duty to warn, by law enforcement with members of the South Asian community and specifically, members of the pro-Khalistan movement," he said. The RCMP Commissioner further claimed that investigations have revealed that Indian diplomats and consular officials based in Canada leveraged their official positions to engage in clandestine activities, such as collecting information for the Government of India, either directly or through their proxies; and other individuals who acted voluntarily or through coercion. to the Jammu region was a major challenge before Mr Abdullah and he has met this by inducting two Hindus, Mr Chaudhary and Mr Sharma. Besides, he has also given representation to the Gujjar community by inducting Javed Rana in his ministry. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra, in a statement, said his party has decided not to join the ministry for the time being as it is unhappy that the demand for restoration of statehood has not been met. However, there were reports that the local Congress leadership was annoyed over the NC offering them only one ministerial berth whereas the former wanted at least two slots. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated Omar Abdullah on his becoming the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and assured that the Centre will work closely with him and his team for the progress of the region. In a post on X, Mr Modi wrote: “Congratulations to Shri Omar Abdullah Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Wishing him the very best in his efforts to serve the people. The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K's progress”. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “We will fight to get statehood for J&K. Democracy has returned in J&K after many years of Central rule”. SNS Nayab Singh Saini was on Wednesday chosen as the leader of Haryana BJP Legislature Party in a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Chandigarh. Mr Saini will now take oath as Haryana Chief Minister for the second time on 17 October. The oath-taking ceremony is slated to be held at Panchkula at 10 a.m. at Dussehra Ground in Sector 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present, along with senior leaders from the BJP and Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states. At the BJP meeting, Mr Shah said that the party’s Haryana victory is the result of the developmental narrative carried by the Prime Minister across the country. “This is a triumph of BJP's ASHOK TUTEJA NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER Alluding to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday launched an indirect attack on the two neighbouring nations for going ahead with the controversial project ignoring India's sovereignty and territorial integrity concerns. Addressing the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad, he said the cooperation among SCO nations must be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. It should recognise territorial integrity and sovereignty. “It (cooperation) must be built on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas. It cannot progress if we cherry-pick global practices, especially of trade and transit,” the Indian minister said as Pakistan Prime Minister She- hbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang listened. The summit is also being attended by the leaders of other SCO countries ~ Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. Mr Jaishankar’s remarks about the CPEC came after the Pakistan Premier suggested that the ambitious project should be expanded and made a part of a “robust SCO connectivity framework”. New Delhi has been opposed to the CPEC project on the ground that it passes Proud to become the first active member of the BJP: PM Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the BJP’s nationwide 'active membership campaign' and became the first active member of the party. Mr Modi launched the party's 'Sakriya Sadasyata Abhiyan' ('active membership campaign') in presence of BJP National President JP Nadda and Vinod Tawde, the convener of the National Membership Campaign. The event marks the next phase of the BJP’s 'Sangathan Parva Membership Campaign-2024'. In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Adding momentum to our endeavour of making a Viksit Bharat! As a @BJP4India Karyakarta, proud to become the first Sakriya Sadasya and launch the Sakriya NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER „This is a triumph of BJP's policies. Since the 1980s, no party has seen a Chief Minister reelected for a third consecutive term, and if it happens, it happens with BJP,‰ Amit Shah said. policies. Since the 1980s, no party has seen a Chief Minister re-elected for a third consecutive term, and if it happens, it happens with BJP,” he said. “I want to tell the opposition that if there is any state which buys all 24 crops, then it is the BJP-ruled Haryana state. If anyone has made the most purchases at MSP, it is PM Modi,” he said. The Union Home Minister further slammed the Opposition over Agniveers and said that they left no stone unturned in instigating Cooperation in SCO must be based on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas: Jaishankar NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER is in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of the all-India weighted average Cost of Production. The expected margin over all-India weighted average cost of production is 105 per cent for wheat, followed by 98 per cent for rapeseed and mustard; 89 per cent for lentil; 60 per cent for gram; 60 per cent for barley; and 50 per cent for safflower. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the decision to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all mandated Rabi crops for the marketing season 2025-26, saying that the government is constantly taking big decisions for the welfare of farmers in the country. AGENCIES Sadasyata Abhiyan today in the presence of our national President, Shri @JPNadda Ji. This is a movement which will further strengthen our Party at the grassroots and ensure effective contribution of our Party Karyakartas for national progress.” The Prime Minister said in order to be an active member, a Karyakarta has to register 50 members either at a single booth or in a Vidhan Sabha seat. “Such Karyakartas will be eligible to contest elections for a Mandal Committee and above. At the same time, they will get many opportunities to work for the party in the times to come,” Mr Modi further said. PM Modi also shared photos of the event in the post on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also renewed his membership as an active member of the BJP. On 2 September, Mr Narendra Modi launched the BJP's 2024 membership drive 'Sanghatan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' by renewing his membership and urging party workers to make special efforts to connect with the youth. through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a territory which India says belongs to it. Mr Jaishankar is the first Indian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in nine years. In December 2015, Mrs Sushma Swaraj had visited the country for the 'Heart of Asia' meet. Mr Jaishankar has, however, made it clear that he is not in Islamabad to hold bilateral talks with the Pakistani leadership, firmly maintaining that India won't resume dialogue with the neighbouring country until it stops supporting terrorism. Mr Jaishankar was forthright in stating that the endeavours of SCO nations will progress only when their commitment to the organisation's Charter remains firm. “It is axiomatic that development and growth requires peace and stability. And as the Charter spelt out, this means being firm and uncompromising in countering the ‘three evils’. If activities across borders are characterised by terrorism, extremism and separatism, they are hardly likely to encourage trade, energy flows, connectivity and people-topeople exchanges in parallel,” he added. The Indian minister pointed out that the SCO meet is taking place at a difficult time in world affairs since two major conflicts were going on in West Asia and Europe, each with its own global repercussions. India’s trade deficit eases to $20.78 billion in September STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER India’s trade deficit eased to $20.78 billion in September as merchandise imports growth slowed to 1.6%, data by Ministry of Commerce and Industry said. The merchandise exports grew 0.5 per cent due to muted global demand amid geopolitical challenges. Merchandise exports during September 2024 were USD 34.58 billion as compared to USD 34.41 billion in September 2023. Merchandise imports during September 2024 were USD 55.36 billion as compared to USD 54.49 billion in September 2023. The cumulative value of merchandise exports during April-September 2024 was USD 213.22 billion, as compared to USD 211.08 billion during April-September 2023, registering a positive growth of 1.02 per cent. India’s total exports, Merchandise and Services combined, for September 2024 is estimated at USD 65.19 billion, registering a positive growth of 3.76 per cent vis-à-vis September 2023, Commerce Ministry said. While the total imports for September 2024 is estimated at USD 71.68 billion, registering a positive growth of 3.79 per cent vis-à-vis September 2023. them. “This is not a scheme of injustice towards the youth, but one that will rejuvenate the army with young blood. BJP promises that every individual who returns from Agniveer will secure a pensionable job in the Indian Government or the Haryana Government," Mr Shah said. The BJP is set to form its third successive government in Haryana after it won 48 seats in the 90-member assembly as per the results announced last week. The Congress won 37 seats. MHA seeks reports on series of bomb hoax calls to airlines AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday sought a report from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the series of bomb threats to various airlines across the country. In the last 48 hours, at least 13 bomb threats have been received by various airlines on domestic and international routes, all found to be hoaxes. On Wednesday, two more flights, a Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight and Delhibound IndiGo flight received bomb threats. News agencies, meanwhile, reported that Mumbai police have detained a 17-year-old in Chhattisgarh for allegedly issuing hoax bomb threat calls to three flights. The minor is said to have made threatening posts on social media using his friend’s name after a dispute between them over money. Police are investigating if this case is connected to several other incidents of hoax bomb threats received by some flights recently. A senior official has confirmed that the MHA has instructed the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Bureau of Civil Aviation, National Investigation Agency (NIA) and IB to submit a report on the bomb threats that have been received recently. “Senior officials of MHA have instructed all concerned security agencies in the aviation sector to prepare a report on the matter and submit it at the earliest. The investigation will be monitored by the central intelligence agency to find out if it was a conspiracy to damage the reputation Indian aviation sector," said the official.