THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 |LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR FADNAVIS AFFIRMS EKNATH SHINDE AS MAHAYUTI’S CM FACE ZELENSKYY’S ‘VICTORY PLAN’ INCLUDES A BIG HURDLE FOR THE WEST P9 SENSEX 81,501.36q318.76 WEATHER Generally cloudy sky. Thundershower very likely to occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 32 °C and 26 °C respectively. Max: 32.6˚C SUN RISES 05:12 hrs MOON RISES 09:51 hrs 24,971.30q86.05 Min: 26.3˚C SUN SETS 18:11 hrs MOON SETS 21:34 hrs ` vs $ 84.07 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. P12 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.20q0.05 Cong opts out of ministry, MHA seeks report after 13 hoax bomb threats rattle airlines Omar sworn in as J-K CM AGENCIES National Conference’s Surinder Choudhary inducted as Dy CM 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 Intelligence Bureau (IB) to submit a report on the ‘Centre will work closely with Omar’ 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. 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 next step: UK STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER the 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 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. Nayab Saini chosen as BJP legislature party leader AGENCIES CHANDIGARH, 16 OCTOBER 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. 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 meanwhile, said: “We will fight to get statehood for J&K. Democracy has returned in J&K after many years of central SNS rule”. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 16 OCTOBER 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 visà-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. Exports of non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery in September 2024 were USD 27.03 billion compared to USD 24.76 billion in Sep- tember 2023. While the imports in September 2024 were USD 36.49 billion compared to USD 34.21 billion in September 2023. Government data said the estimated value of services export for September 2024 is USD 30.61 billion as compared to USD 28.42 bil- 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. The official added that they have also alerted cyber units to be on alert and track the social media accounts posting threats. Most of the accounts that have posted threats were found to be operated from outside the country. They have got these accounts suspended as soon they come to notice. A senior MHA official also said the government has decided to double the number of air marshals posted on flights originating from airports across the country in view of the growing number of hoax bomb calls targeting commercial flights in the recent past. “The fresh batch of air mar- shals will be deployed on new international routes added in sensitive category based on intelligence report. The decision was taken after several rounds of meetings will all stakeholders in aviation security," the official said. Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation held a highlevel meeting after more than 10 bomb threats were received on social media on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, two more flights received bomb threats and they were turned back and diverted for security clearance. An Akasa Air spokesperson said: “Akasa Air flight QP 1335, flying from Delhi to Bengaluru on October 16, 2024, and carrying 174 passengers, 3 infants and 7 crew members on board, received a security alert. The Akasa Air Emergency Response teams are monitoring the situation and have advised the pilot to divert the flight to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi with abundant precaution. The Captain is following all required emergency procedures for a safe landing in Delhi and the estimated time of arrival is approximately 14:00 hrs. Akasa Air will continue to monitor the situation in coordination with the local authorities. The Akasa Air teams are on the ground and prepared to assist all passengers to ensure their safety and comfort." Cooperation in SCO must be based on genuine partnerships, not unilateral agendas: Jaishankar 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- India’s trade deficit eases to $20.78 billion in September 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 SILVER 97,000 GOLD 78,825.00 I Full Moon on 17 October 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 P4 JAMMU, 16 OCTOBER Min. 84 % TEMPERATURE P5 SP SHARMA RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 93 % NIFTY MARSH HOPING TO FILL GREEN’S VOID IN BGT SERIES AGAINST INDIA ‘REVANTH’S MUSI PROJECT IS LIKE DEMONETISATION’ lion in September 2023. The services imports for September 2024 is USD 16.32 billion as compared to USD 14.58 billion in September 2023. Services exports is estimated to grow by 9.81% during April-September 2024 over April-September 2023, the Commerce Ministry predicted. As per the ministry data, the top 5 export destinations, in terms of change in value, exhibiting positive growth in September 2024 are Netherland (38.6 per cent), U Arab Emts (23.75 per cent), USA (4.98 per cent), Brazil (41.98 per cent) and Japan (36.35 per cent). Top 5 import sources, in terms of change in value, exhibiting growth in September 2024 are UAE (49.22 per cent), China (14.46 per cent), Germany (32.52 per cent), Japan (25.72 per cent) and Taiwan (38.17 per cent). 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 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. Government increases minimum support prices 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 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. "We are constantly taking big decisions for the welfare of our farmer brothers and sisters. In this direction, today our government has increased the MSP of mandatory Rabi crops, including wheat and gram, for the marketing season of 2025-26. This will make the life of our food providers easier," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X. Separately, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners.