TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 12 |` 5.00 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR UP GOVT SPENDS `40,000 CR ON WELFARE SCHEMES IN 6 YEARS YAMANDÚ ORSI BECOMES URUGUAY’S NEW PRESIDENT P9 SENSEX 80,109.85p992.74 WEATHER Generally clear. Foggy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 28°C and 18°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 71% Min. 58% NIFTY 24,221.90p314.65 New Moon on 1 December THUMBNAILS A thick layer of snow blanketed the Bhaderwah area, in Doda on Monday.n ANI S&P revises estimate for India's growth to 6.7 pc for FY26, 6.8 pc for FY27: S&P Global Ratings revised down its estimate for India's economic growth in the next two financial years as high interest rate and lower fiscal impulse temper urban demand. The rating agency projected a 6.7 pc GDP growth rate in 2025-26 financial year and 6.8 pc in the following fiscal year. (P10) GOLD 79,165.00 This was decided at the meet of national working committee of TMC 15-member delegation, comprising Trinamul Congress women MPs and MLAs will meet President Draupadi Murmu and request her to give assent to the Aparajita Bill on security of women, which was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly recently, informed state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, this evening. This was decided at the meeting of the national working committee of Trinamul Congress, which was held at the residence of party's chairperson Mamata Banerjee at Kalighat. She presided over the meeting, which lasted for nearly two hours. Mrs Bhattacharya said the party will seek the appointment of the President. A special session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly was held which discussed issues relating to women security and passed a bill unanimously. The Bill STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 25 NOVEMBER has proposed to expedite punishment of the accused within three months after commencement of the crime. The issue was raised following the rape and murder of a doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August. Mrs Bhattacharya said it was decided at the meeting that the MPs will also take up some burning issues at the ongoing session of the Parliament, including the Manipur issue. These issues are pricerise. The Centre has miserably failed to check the that the future of the Palestinian people be addressed. India favours a two-State solution,'' the Minister said at the ''Rome Mediterranean Dialogue 2024'' in the Italian capital. He said that as far as Lebanon is concerned, there is an Indian contingent like Italy, that is part of UNIFIL. ''With regard to the Gulf of Aden and the northern Arabian sea, Indian naval ships have been deployed since last year to protect commercial shipping. Given our capacity to engage various parties, we are always willing to contribute meaningfully to any international diplomatic endeavours,'' he added. On the conflict in Ukraine, he noted that it is well into its third year. The continuation of this conflict has serious destabilising consequences, including for the Mediterranean. ''What is clear is that no solution is going to emerge from the battlefield. India has consistently held the view that disputes in this era cannot be settled by war. There must be a return to dialogue and diplomacy; the sooner the better. This is a widespread sentiment in the world today; especially in the Global South,'' he added. Mr Jaishankar pointed out that since June this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally engaged leaders of both Russia and Ukraine to this end. This has included his visiting Moscow and Kyiv. spiralling price rise of essential commodities. The price rise has affected the pocket of the middle class and they find it difficult to run the household. The Centre has not done anything to control the price of essential commodities, she alleged. The MPs have asked to raise this issue at the Parliament. The mounting unemployment has hit the youths badly. The Centre is silent on the issue. Trinamul Congress will raise the issue in the Parliament to draw the attention of the ruling party. The Cen- Tension prevails in Sambhal as toll climbs to 5; internet snapped MANOJ BHADRA SAMBHAL, 25 NOVEMBER A curfew-like situation prevailed in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday following the violence over a court-ordered survey of Shahi Jama Masjid which left five people dead. The entire area near the Jama Masjid has turned into a fortress even as the internet services have been snapped. Moradabad Commissioner Anjaneya Kumar said the situation in Sambhal is under control, adding that all shops are open except in the Jama Masjid area. He said an FIR has been registered against Sambhal MP Zia ur Rehman Barq and the local MLA's son Shail Iqbal in connection with the incident. (Details on Page 5) BGT 2024-25: New-look India silence Aus with record-shattering win in Perth TRIDIB BAPARNASH NEW DELHI, 25 NOVEMBER Unlike the tours of Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21, India’s arrival for the 2024-25 fiveTest Border-Gavaskar trophy Down Under was marred by a 3-0 upset to New Zealand at home. Cricket experts were skeptical of India’s chances, more so because the Kangaroos were unbeaten in their four appearances at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit Sharma’s absence and an injury to No.3 Shubman Gill escalated India’s concerns, but stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah led a spirited turnaround to knock off the hosts by 295 runs in a one-sided result set to cause aftershocks in the latest tussle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India has regained the top spot in the World Test Championships standings, although entering a third straight final P6 TMC to press for Aparajita Bill, meet Prez Murmu ‘India in touch with Israel, Iran to advocate restraint’ Expressing concern over the widening of conflict in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India has been in regular touch with both Israel and Iran at the highest levels to advocate restraint and enhance communication. He said the situation in the region is concerning not only in the context of what has happened and what may still come. ''India unequivocally condemns terrorism and hostage taking. It also regards large scale civilian casualties in military operations to be unacceptable. International humanitarian law cannot be disregarded. In immediate terms, we should all support a ceasefire. India has also extended relief directly and through UNRWA. In the longer term, it is imperative ` vs $ 84.31 A Min: 18.8˚C SUN SETS 16:51 hrs MOON SETS 13:42 hrs will depend on performances in the remaining four Tests. The win is India’s biggest by margin of runs against Australia in Australia. The previous biggest win dates back to 1977, when India won their first Test Down Under in Melbourne. It is also their 10th Test victory in the country. The result seemed a mere formality on the penultimate day. Debutant Harshit Rana rubber-stamped the triumph by dismissing Alex Carey just after tea to trigger celebrations ROHIT SHARMA JOINS TEAM INDIA PRACTICE IN PERTH P5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 25 NOVEMBER TEMPERATURE Max: 28.4˚C SUN RISES 05:56 hrs MOON RISES 01:34 hrs TRUMP'S AG in the Indian camp. While Bumrah claimed eight wickets for the match, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli produced outstanding second innings centuries to leave Australia searching for cover. For India, the misfiring top order has been their major concern, especially No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne who managed just five runs to continue a lengthy form slump. With Australia reeling at 12/3 late on day three, India looked in firm control on Mon- day. Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith to reduce Australia to 104/5 after one session. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh made batting look relatively easy post-lunch with a speedy 81-run partnership before a Bumrah delivery caught Head’s edge on 89. Marsh was out on 47 he chopped on to allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who capped an impressive debut with his first Test wicket. Washington Sundar ended Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc’s resistance just before tea as Dhruv Jurel pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at short leg to dismiss Starc. Sundar struck again, deceiving Nathan Lyon with a peach of a delivery. Harshit Rana sealed the win with a brilliant slower delivery that bowled Carey. In the second innings, Jaiswal and Kohli led India's charge with centuries, leaving the hosts a mountain to climb. tre has also hiked the price of fertilizers and there is no attempt to bring down the price. This has resulted in a hike in the cost of production of the paddy, which ultimately is hitting the pockets of common people. Despite repeated requests, the Centre has not cleared the payments for the Aawas Yojana and 100 days’ work. The state government has decided to pay on its own the money needed to set up houses. It has also prepared a scheme to engage the workers and give them work. It has also cleared their dues. The MPs have been asked to utilise the Question Hour and raise as many issues as possible that have affected the interest of common people. Mrs Bhattachjarya said on 30 November, members of the Trinamul Congress Mahila Congress will hold rallies across the state, demanding early implementation of Aparajita Bill into law. On 1 December, dharna will be held across the state from 2pm to 4pm on the same demand. P12 SILVER 1,01,000 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 73.75q1.42 First Day, No Show: Both Houses of Parl adjourned There will however be no session on Tuesday, 26 November – the Constitution Day. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 25 NOVEMBER The Winter Session of Parliament began on a stormy note on Monday with the Opposition parties forcing adjournment of both Houses without transacting any business, demanding an immediate discussion on issues like bribery allegations levelled against the Adani Group by the US and the Manipur violence. As soon as the Lok Sabha met on the opening day of the session, Congress and other Opposition members shouted slogans, demanding a discussion on the fresh wave of violence in Manipur and the bribery charges against the Adani Group. Amid the din, Speaker Om Birla read out the obituary references and then adjourned the House till 12 noon. There was no change in the situation when the House reassembled, leaving the Speaker with no choice but to adjourn it for the day. PM accuses Opp of not allowing Parl to function STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 25 NOVEMBER In a stinging attack on the Opposition, Prim e Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said those who have been repeatedly rejected by the people do not allow Parliament to function even as he hoped the Winter Session of the two Houses will be highly productive and strengthen the country's global stature. Speaking to reporters ahead of the beginning of the Winter Session of Par- liament, he said it is essential for the two Houses to engage in healthy discussions in which as many people as possible contribute. ''Unfortunately, some individuals rejected by the people are continuously attempting to control Parliament through disruptive tactics for their political gains. Their primary goal of halting parliamentary proceedings rarely succeeds, and the people take note of their actions, often punishing them when the time comes,'' he added.