19122024-TT-01.qxd 12/18/2024 11:11 PM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 144 NO. 350 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH SPIN WIZARD ASHWIN RETIRES FROM INT’L CRICKET SPORT /thetribunechd 16.45% RISE IN NET DIRECT TAX MOP-UP THIS FISCAL BUSINESS SC GIVES YASIN 2 WKS TO REPLY ON CBI’S CASE TRANSFER PLEA J&K BEFORE TRUMP TAKES OVER, BIDEN EASES H-1B VISA RULES WORLD thursday | 19 december 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com India, China agree to ‘inject vitality’ to settle border dispute, maintain peace Oppn wants HM sacked over Ambedkar remark NSA Doval invites Wang Yi to India for the next round of talks Cong warns of street protests |Shah threatens legal action Ajay Banerjee Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 18 The Special Representatives of India and China today reached a consensus on multiple points, including “injecting vitality” into the process of settling the long-pending boundary dispute between the two countries and maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote bilateral relations. The decisions were announced after the Special Representatives — National New Delhi, December 18 The opposition and ruling blocs were ranged against each other today over Home Minister Amit Shah’s Tuesday remarks about Dr BR Ambedkar, with the Congress demanding his ouster from the Cabinet and Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly backing him. Hours after the Congressled INDIA alliance leaders disrupted the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha demanding Shah’s apology or resignation, the Prime Minister Modi hit out at the Congress, saying its “rotten ecosystem” and “malicious lies” couldn’t hide its misdeeds. “In Parliament, Amit Shah had exposed the Congress’ dark history of insulting Dr Ambedkar and ignoring the SC/ST communities. They (Congress-led Opposition) are clearly stung and stunned by the facts he presented, which is why they are now indulging in theatrics,” the PM said in one of his six tweets on the issue. Parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP , RJD, SP Shiv Sena (UBT) , Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi — met in Beijing. This was the 23rd round of Special Representative-level talks since 2003, the first since December 2019 and also the first since the friction along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said the Special Representatives reiterated the importance of maintaining the bilateral relationship while continued on page 8 Amit Shah speaks to the media at the BJP office. PHOTO: MANAS RANJAN BHUI “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar... Had they (Oppn) taken God’s name so many times, they would have been assured of a place in heaven. We are happy the Congress is taking Ambedkar's name, but the party should also speak about how it treated him.” SHIMLA: NSA Ajit Doval with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. PTI PM MODI COMES OUT IN SHAH’S DEFENCE INSIDE and the Left protested against Shah inside Parliament and outside. Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien submitted a notice to move a privilege motion against Shah in the Rajya Sabha, where the Home Minister made the remarks. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge also warned that there continued on page 8 Farmers can directly come to us with demands: SC The Himachal government on Wednesday introduced an amendment Bill to the Land Ceiling Act on the first day of the Assembly’s winter session. It was proposed to facilitate the transfer of Radha Soami hospital land at Bhota in Hamirpur to sister outfit Maharaj Jagat Singh society. INSIDE Farmer who took EPFO deadline on poison succumbs wageinfoextended Asks Punjab Govt to provide immediate aid to fasting Dallewal Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 18 As agitating farmers refused to interact with the courtappointed high-powered committee, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said its doors were always open to their suggestions and demands to reach an amica- NEW DELHI: Thirteen persons, including a Navy official, died and 101 were rescued after a naval vessel rammed into a passenger ferry off Mumbai coast on Wednesday evening. The mishap occurred when the speedboat that was undergoing engine trials lost control and collided with the ferry off Karanja coat. INSIDE HP Govt tables Bill to amend land law Congress leaders during a protest in Parliament on Wednesday. PTI WHAT SHAH HAD SAID 13 drown as Navy vessel hits ferry Farmers protest on rail tracks in Patiala on Wednesday. RAJESH SACHAR ble solution to the problem. “We clarify that the court’s doors are always open to any c m y b suggestion or demand by the farmers directly or through continued on page 8 PATIALA: Ranjodh Singh (57) of Ratanheri village in Punjab’s Khanna, who allegedly consumed poison at Shambhu on Saturday, passed away at a hospital on Tuesday. Ranjodh was reportedly upset over the deteriorating condition of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on fast-unto-death at Shambhu. — TNS NEW DELHI: Retirement fund body EPFO has extended time till January 31, 2025, for employers to upload wage and other details regarding 3.1 lakh pending applications for pension on higher wages. The facility was launched on February 26, 2023, and was earlier to remain available only till May 3, 2023. INSIDE