MINISTERS YET TO GET PORTFOLIOS EVEN AS MAHA ASSEMBLY SESSION ENDS 22 DECEMBER 2024 A COMPELLING CASE FOR PRAGMATISM INDIAN BOWLERS UNDERGO RIGOROUS NET SESSION AT MCG www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 PAGE 7 PAGE 5 PAGE 12 SINCE 1818 PAGES 12 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR WEATHER SMOG/MODERATE FOG IS LIKELY IN THE MORNING. MAINLY CLEAR SKY. SMOG/SHALLOW FOG IS LIKELY IN THE EVENING/NIGHT. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 24 AND 08 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % TEMPERATURE Min. 43 % Max: 23.4 °C (1) SUN RISES 07:11 hrs MOON RISES 00:13 hrs Min: 07.6 °C (-1) SUN SETS 17:30 hrs MOON SETS 12:00 hrs THUMBNAILS A child pulls a rickshaw with two children on board in Kolkata on Saturday. n ANI India, Russia to enhance cooperation to combat radicalisation, terror financing: India and Russia have pledged to enhance cooperation to address problems of radicalisation as well as terror financing. The two countries held the 13th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism (CT) cooperation and the sixth round of consultations on UN related issues in Moscow on 1920 december. Mr Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) co-chaired the meeting on the Indian side while Mr Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, led his country's delegation. (P5) PM in Kuwait to deepen ties with Gulf nation This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 DECEMBER P rime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuwait on a historic twoday visit,which is expected to add a new dimension to ties between India and the Gulf nation. “We deeply value the historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations. We are not just strong trade and energy partners, but also have shared interest in peace, security, stability and prosperity in the West Asia region,” said Mr Modi, who was received at the airport by senior Kuwaiti ministers and officials. This is the first visit by an Indian PM to Kuwait and comes amid a volatile situation in West Asia, due to the ongoing conflict and the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. Mr Modi said he looks forward to his meetings with the Amir, the Crown Prince and the PM of Kuwait. It would be an opportunity to chalk out a roadmap for a futuristic partnership for the benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome on his arrival in Kuwait, on Saturday. n ANI of the two people and the region, he added. He said he also eagerly looks forward to meeting the Indian diaspora in Kuwait who have immensely contributed to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations. “I express my gratitude to the leadership of Kuwait for the special gesture of inviting me to the inauguration ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup, a premier sporting event in the ‘Over 2,000 cases of violence reported against Hindus, minorities in B’desh’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 DECEMBER Nearly 2,200 cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities were reported in Bangladesh till 8 December, according to Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. The Indian government, he said, has taken "serious" note of these incidents and shared its concern with the Bangladesh government. Mr Singh also told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that 112 cases of violence against minorities were reported in Pakistan. “2,200 cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh were reported till 8th December 2024 and 112 cases were report- ÂThe Indian government has taken a serious note of these incidents and shared its concern with the Bangladesh government,Ê said Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. ed till October 2024. Zero cases of violence against Hindus and other minorities in other neighbouring countries (except Pakistan and Bangladesh). Government has taken serious note of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Government of Bangladesh," the minister said. He said India expected the Bangladesh government to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of minorities. He added that the High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to monitor the situation in the neighbouring country. “India expects that the Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Hindus and other minorities. The same has also been reiterated during the visit of the Foreign Secretary to Bangladesh on December 9, 2024. The High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to monitor the situation related to the minorities in Bangladesh closely,” he disclosed. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited Dhaka earlier this month and met with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain. Country’s forest & tree cover increases by 1,445 sq km STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 DECEMBER As compared to the assessment of 2021, there is an increase of 1,445 sq km in the forest and tree cover of the country which includes 156 sq km increase in the forest cover and 1289 sq km in tree cover. The forest and tree cover of the country is 8,27,357 sq km which is 25.17 per cent of the geographical area of the country, consisting of 7,15,343 sq km (21.76 per cent) as forest cover and 1,12,014 sq km (3.41 per cent) as tree cover. This is as per the findings of the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) that was released today at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav . The ISFR is brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987. FSI carries out an indepth assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country based on interpre- tation of Remote Sensing satellite data and field based National Forest Inventory (NFI), and the results are published in the ISFR. The India State of Forest Report 2023 is 18th such report in the series. Top four states showing maximum increase in forest and tree cover are Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) followed by Uttar Pradesh (559 sq km), Odisha (559 sq km) and Rajasthan (394 sq km). Top three states showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km) .Area wise top three states having largest forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km) and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km). The Minister expressed happiness over the fact that as compared to 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. He also highlighted the near real time fire alerts and forest fire services provided by FSI using advanced technology. The report contains information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India’s forests, instances of forest fire, Agroforestry, etc. Gulf region. I look forward to being a part of this celebration of athletic excellence and regional unity,” the PM added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the visit will further strengthen and reinforce the special ties and bonds of friendship between the people of India and Kuwait. Shortly after his arrival, he visited the Gulf Spic Labour Camp and met Indian workers there. He GST on rice kernels slashed, no hike in tax for salted peanuts: FM AGENCIES JAISALMER, 21 DECEMBER Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced that the Goods and Services Tax Council has approved the reduction of GST on rice kernels to 5 per cent, exempted life-saving gene therapy from tax, and extended the GST exemption for parts used in manufacturing surface-to-air missiles (SAM). Addressing the media here after the 55th GST Council meeting, the Finance Minister said the decision to cut GST on rice kernels from 18 per cent to 5 per cent has been taken as the commodity is supplied to the weaker sections of society through the public distribution system. "Similarly, the concessional 5 per cent GST is applicable on inputs of food preparations that are supplied for free distribution to economically weaker sections under government programs subject to existing conditions; so this is also an extension of the 5 per cent rate that prevails," she said. Explaining the rationale for increasing the tax on caramelised popcorn to 18 per cent, the Finance Minister said that these included added sugar which constituted a separate category just like carbonated drinks that are harmful to health and hence, are put under a higher tax slab. She pointed out that salted and plain popcorn were also being sold in the market and the GST on them had not been increased. She further stated that black pepper, whether fresh green or black pepper or dried black pepper, and raisins, when supplied by an agriculturist, are not liable to GST. However, if these commodities are sold by merchants, then they would be liable to pay tax. The finance minister also said that all parts used for the manufacture of SAM missiles including software will continue to be exempt from GST. also shared snacks and beverages with them. At an Indian community reception, the PM made it a point to meet 101-year-old Mangal Sain Handa, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, who now resides in Kuwait and had served in Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Iraq, China, Argentina, and Cambodia before retiring about four decades ago. He exchanged greetings with Mr Handa and posed for photos with his family. “Delighted to have met Shri Mangal Sain Handa Ji in Kuwait this afternoon. I admire his contribution to India and his passion for India's development,” the Prime Minister posted on X. On Friday, Mr Handa’s granddaughter, Shreya Juneja, had posted a message for PM Modi, requesting him to meet her grandfather during his visit to Kuwait. Mr Modi also received copies of Ramayana and Mahabharata translated in Arabic language by Abdullah Baron and published by Abdullateef Alnesef. Congress to hold nationwide protest against Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 21 DECEMBER The Congress on Saturday announced plans to hold a nationwide protest over Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar on 24 December. Congress General Secretary in-charge of Organisation, KC Venugopal, said the party’s agitation demanding Mr Shah’s resignation will continue and they will fight to protect Ambedkar’s legacy against the “Manusmriti” worshippers. Informing that Congress will mark the upcoming week as Ambedkar Samman Saptah, Mr Venugopal in a post on X wrote: “All Congress MPs, senior leaders and CWC members will hold press conferences in their constituencies and home districts across the country on 22nd-23rd December. On 24th December, all across the country, we will hold Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman Marches and submit a memorandum to the President of India through District Collectors demanding Amit Shah’s resignation.” The senior Congress leader said all the party workers will garland Babsaheb’s statue, hold his giant portrait at the front of the march and carry huge placards with key demands of the party. “On 26th-27th December, we will hold an Extended CWC Session and a mega rally in Belagavi where we will reiterate our commitment to Dr Ambedkar and his ideals,” he said. In a circular issued to all the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) in this regard, Mr Venugopal wrote: “These actions aim to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar, who remains a beacon of justice and equality for the nation. We urge you to coordinate these activities effectively and ensure maximum participation from party leaders, workers, and the public. All PCCs are requested to submit a detailed report of the march conducted.” Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, meanwhile, told the media that Mr Shah's remarks reflect the frustration brewing within the ruling party after failing to achieve their "Abki Baar 400 Paar" target in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Replying in a debate in the Upper House marking the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption, Mr Shah in an attack on the Congress on Tuesday had said: “It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven for several lifetimes.” Mr Khera called Mr Shah the "second most powerful man in the country" and emphasised the seriousness of his comments.