FRIDAY 08 NOVEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 14 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘INTENT OF THOSE OUT TO DESTROY DMK WILL NOT SUCCEED’ FORD TO MUSK, AND THE BUSINESS OF POWER P4 P7 SENSEX 79,541.79 q836.34 WEATHER Mainly clear sky. Mist in the morning. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 31˚C and 24˚C respectively. GOLD 78,560.00 q1,790 ` vs $ 84.32 NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER Min: 24.3˚C (+3.1) SUN SETS 16:56 hrs MOON SETS 21:38 hrs Full Moon on 16 November THUMBNAILS Women participate in the 'Saree Walkathon' on the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day, in Jabalpur on Thursday. n ANI Govt doubles penalties for stubble burning amid increase in pollution levels: Amid the rising pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR, the Union government has doubled the penalties for farmers engaging in stubble burning. The Centre's decision is aimed at discouraging the farmers from resorting to burning farm residues in their farmland. According to the government's notification, farmers with less than two acres of land will have to pay Rs 5,000, those with 2-5 acres will have to pay Rs 10,000, and those with more than five acres will have to pay up Rs 30,000 for burning stubble. The decision to double the penalties by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change comes a day after the Supreme Court termed the Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 and existing fines as 'toothless'. (Page 5) U nion Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the government will frame a National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy to tackle terrorist attacks and conspiracies, which operate in a borderless and covert manner. Addressing the inaugural session of the Anti-Terror Conference-2024, Mr Shah said: “Terrorist attacks and conspiracies target us in a borderless and invisible manner. Our young officers must be equipped with the most advanced technology and undergo specialised training to deal with it effectively. We will make it an important part of their training in the coming days.” Mr Shah said that the government is advancing the proactive approach taken by the Union Home Ministry to fight terrorism, terrorists, and the ecosystem that supports them. He said: “We will introduce a National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy... But as I said, policing is a state subject, and the fight will have to be carried out by the state police only. All the (central) agencies will support you, from providing information to taking action..." He noted that 75 years have passed since Independence, during which 36,468 police personnel have sacrificed their lives to uphold internal security and protect the country's borders. He paid tributes to all the martyrs for making the supreme sacrifice and also thanked their families on behalf of the country. Mr Shah said: “Within 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER Amid the ongoing chill in IndiaCanada ties, the Indian Consulate in Toronto announced the cancellation of some of its scheduled consular camps after the Canadian authorities failed to provide minimum security protection. In a social media post on X, the Indian Consulate said: “In view of the security agencies conveying their inability to provide minimum STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER security protection to the community camp organisers, the consulate has decided to cancel some of the scheduled consular camps." Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at a media briefing on Thursday, confirmed this. “You would have seen the message posted by our consulate in Toronto that they have had to cancel the consular camp that they were planning to organise over the weekend because they did not get adequate security Kashmir. Ms Irani accused the INDI Alliance of attempting to undermine the Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir, despite having pledged to uphold it. She condemned the actions of the Opposition bloc, alleging that they trampled on the rights of tribals, Dalits, and women in Jammu and Kashmir. An awakened India will not tolerate such actions, she said. The senior BJP leader said that the abrogation of Article 370 passed by the Parliament will not be reversed and the INDI Alliance's efforts to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India will not succeed. Ms Irani said the resolution on Article 370 is against the Constitution and the directions of the Supreme Court. “Today, I stand as an Indian outraged at the attempt by the Congress-led INDI alliance to bring to the floor of the House a resolution that is against the Indian Constitution. A resolution that stands against the Indian Constitution and the opinion of the Supreme Court of India,” she said. “The resolution brought by the INDI alliance led by Congress brings to the fore RG Kar case: SC declines to transfer trial outside Bengal AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER The Supreme Court on Thursday said that it would not pass any direction to transfer the trial of the ghastly rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital outside the state of West Bengal. A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, turned down the oral prayer made by a lawyer seeking transfer of the rape and murder trial outside West Bengal. “Yes, we have transferred cases (of gender violence) in Manipur. But we are not doing anything like that here,” it remarked. The bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, perused the 6th status report filed by the SILVER 93,000 q3,000 assuming office, the Government of India adopted a solid strategy against terrorism. The PM's slogan of zero tolerance against terrorism is now acknowledged not only within India but globally. A strong ecosystem to fight against terrorism has been created within India.” The Anti-Terror Conference, which is being organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Ministry of Home Affairs, primarily focuses on fostering coordination among various stakeholders to tackle terrorism through a unified, 'whole-ofgovernment' approach. The annual conference, which aims to shape future counterterrorism policies and strategies, has over the years emerged as a meeting point for operational forces, technical, legal, and forensic experts, as well as agencies engaged in counter-terrorism, to deliberate on issues impacting national security and emerging terrorism threats. India cancels consular camps in Toronto over security issue or security assurance from the government.” He noted that there’s a large Indian diaspora in Canada many of whom, especially around November and December, need documentation for continuation of their pensions and other activities in India. He said the consular camps would be conducted in other parts of Canada, including Vancouver. Mr Jaiswal also drew attention to the blocking of an Australian social media outlet for Indian diaspora, Australia Today, by Canadian Abrogation of Article 370 passed by Parliament will not be reversed: BJP Condemning the Congressled INDI Alliance for the passage of a resolution seeking to reinstate Article 370 of the Constitution in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, the BJP on Thursday reiterated that the abrogation of Article 370 will not be rolled back and “the INDI Alliance's efforts to separate Jammu and Kashmir from India will not succeed”. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Smriti Irani challenged the Congress leadership, particularly the Gandhi family, to clarify whether they support terrorism or the development of Jammu and P14 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 74.83 Centre to frame National Counter-Terrorism Policy STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Min. 56% TEMPERATURE Max: 31.0˚C (0.0) SUN RISES 05:45 hrs MOON RISES 10:50 hrs P9 HM said the policy will help states and central agencies to work in close coordination RAINFALL: 0.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 93% NIFTY 24,199.35 q284.70 INDIA GEARS UP FOR T20I SERIES AGAINST PROTEAS HARRIS SAYS NATION MUST ACCEPT ELECTION RESULTS CBI and said that it would refrain from making any observations since the investigation is underway. The court noted that the trial will commence from 11 November in a special court in Kolkata after charges were framed against the sole prime accused in the case, Sanjay Roy. The process of the framing of charges was completed on Monday, exactly 87 days after the body of the woman junior doctor was discovered at a seminar hall within the premises of the state-run R.G. Kar on the morning of 9 August this year. In the charge sheet, the CBI did not rule out the possibilities of a larger conspiracy behind the macabre crime, raising the possibility of tampering and altering of evidence during the initial phase of the investigation which was carried out by Kolkata Police. The top court asked the CBI to file a fresh status report before the next date of listing. Further, it ordered that the report prepared by the National Task Force (NTF), set up by the Union government pursuant to its order in the aftermath of the R.G. Kar incident, be made available to Chief Secretaries of all state and Union Territories and other stakeholders, including the doctors’ associations. The bench noted that the NTF has formulated recommendations in two categories ~ first, prevention of violence against medical professionals and providing safe working conditions, and, second, prevention of sexual violence against doctors. many questions. Does it stand against the rights of Dalits, tribals, children and women?... Congress leadership, particularly the Gandhi family, needs to answer ~ do they stand for terrorism and stand against the development of Jammu and Kashmir? Do they stand against the Constitution of India,” she added. Ms Irani said the resolution passed by the INDI Alliance yesterday shows their intent to challenge the Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir. She questioned the leaders of the INDI Alliance, asking who gave Congress and the National Conference the authority to disrespect and undermine the decisions of the Indian Parliament and the Supreme Court. (Another report on Pg 5) authorities soon after it showed the press conference of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart in Canberra. The action, he said, reflects Canada's hypocrisy towards freedom of speech. In the press meet, Mr Jaishankar has slammed Canada for making allegations without any specific evidence, termed “surveillance of Indian diplomats” unacceptable and also noted that “political space has been given in Canada to anti-India elements”. India asks Bangladesh to rein in extremist elements targeting Hindu minority STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER India on Thursday again asked Bangladesh to take steps against extremist elements indulging in violence against the minority Hindu community and ensure adequate security for the community. At a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that incendiary posts on social media by extremist elements in Chittagong had resulted in violence there. Reports from Bangladesh said tensions erupted in Chittagong on 5 November, following a controversial social media post that sparked violent clashes between the Hindu community and Bangladesh security forces. The unrest began after Osman Ali, a member of the radical Islamic group Jamaat-e-Islami, posted derogatory comments targeting the Hindu religion and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). In response, local Hindus gathered outside Ali's shop to protest, resulting in violent confrontations between protesters and security forces. Bengal will always uphold tradition of communal peace & harmony: Mamata STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 7 NOVEMBER Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that Bengal will always uphold its longcherished tradition of communal peace and harmony. “This is Bengal. The highest number of revolutionaries from Bengal took part in the Freedom movement. We respect all the leaders. We should not forget that when India was celebrating its Independence on 15 August 1947 Gandhiji stayed in Beliaghata to stop recurrence of communal riots,” Miss Banerjee said while inaugurating a Chhath Puja organised by Dahi Ghat Chhath puja committee this evening. She said those who come from other states and stay in Bengal “should consider Bengal to be their home. We believe in inclusivity. Those who come from other states live in Bengal happily and peacefully. We believe that religion is personal but festival is for all." She said more Chhath Pujas take place in Bengal than in Bihar. Miss Banerjee said 126 ghats have been renovated across the state. The civic authorities have installed lights to facilitate those who take part in the puja. “It is difficult to perform the puja. The women observe fast for three days and then go to the river to offer pray to the Sun God.” Miss Banerjee said that she also observed Chhath Puja in the past and her puja will be offered at Gangasagar tomorrow. Miss Banerjee, during her address, also made a somewhat cryptic statement, asking people not to misunderstand her on the basis of what some people may have said. She, however, did not elaborate. A song composed by Miss Banerjee, “Chhath Maiah ko Pranam, Ganga Maiah ko pronam” was played at the ghats. Miss Banerjee offered puja at the Dahi ghat and the priest tied a piece of holy thread on her left wrist. They also prayed for her good health. Supreme Court orders liquidation of Jet Airways AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 7 NOVEMBER The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the liquidation of the cash-strapped Jet Airways, saying that the resolution plan, approved five years ago, is no longer capable of implementation. A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, allowed the lenders' plea against the transfer of ownership of the grounded airline to Jalan Kalrock Consortium (JKC). The bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj, invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution "for doing complete justice" between the parties and ordered the appointment of a liquidator forthwith. Further, it ordered the forfeiture of Rs 200 crore infused by the JKC and directed lenders to invoke a Rs 150 crore Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG). In the plea filed before the Supreme Court, the Committee of Creditors (CoC), led by the State Bank of India, has said that the proposed revival plan was not in the best interest of the lenders and questioned the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order upholding the resolution plan. In January this year, the Supreme Court ordered JKC, the successful resolution professional bidder for the cashstrapped airline, to deposit Rs 150 crore in an escrow account jointly held by the State Bank of India and JKC. It had cautioned that legal consequences would follow if the JKC failed to furnish the bank guarantee. It had also asked the NCLAT to decide by the end of March 2024 on the lenders' plea challenging the transfer of ownership of the grounded Jet Airways to JKC. The consortium had undertaken an infusion of Rs 350 crore equity per the courtapproved resolution plan to assume ownership of Jet Airways. A three-member Bench of the NCLAT had agreed to an adjustment of Rs 150 crore from the PBG towards the payment of Rs 350 crore. The appellate tribunal had also accepted an undertaking given by the consortium committing to pay Rs 100 crore by 31 August last year and another Rs 100 crore by September 30, 2023. Due to severe financial distress, Jet Airways, once one of India's largest and most popular airlines, entered the corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in June 2019. The Supreme Court directive has created uncertainty about the fate of around 1.48 lakh retail shareholders who hold around 20 per cent stake in the beleaguered Jet Airways. At the current market capitalisation of Jet Airways at Rs 386.69 crore, retail shareholding in the airline is around Rs 74.6 crore. Other major shareholders include Etihad Airways (24 per cent) and the erstwhile promoters (25 per cent). The stock of Jet Airways, locked in a 5 per cent lower circuit following the court order, ended at Rs 34.04 apiece on Thursday. The share hit a high of Rs 63.15 in March but has lost more than 46 per cent since then.