THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00| LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR ‘PUTIN’S PROMISE ON ENERGY STRIKES AT ODDS WITH REALITY’ P9 SENSEX 75,449.05p147.79 WEATHER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. SURFACE WINDS (SPEED 10-20 KMPH) OCCASIONALLY GUSTING TO 30 KMPH. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 16 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: Nil RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 89 % TEMPERATURE P6 22,907.60p73.30 ` vs $ 86.44 GOLD 91,160.00 THUMBNAILS Chaos erupts during a special meeting of the Delhi Municipal Corporation for budget finalisation on Wednesday. SUBRATA DUTTA (P2) `7.81 lakh cr released under MGNREGS creating over 8 cr jobs in 10 years: In the last 10 years, from 2014-15 to 2024-25, the Central government has released Rs 7,81,302 crore which resulted in the creation of 8.07 crore rural assets under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme. It also highlighted that the current Financial year’s allocation of Rs 86,000 crore is the highest ever budgetary allocation at the BE stage. BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 70.66p0.11 Earth missed you: Prez, PM welcome astronauts N ASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to earth safely after their Crew 9 Dragon Spacecraft splashdown safely off the coast of Florida. The astronaut pair returned to earth after spending over nine months at the International Space Station (ISS) due to unexpected delays. Their spacecraft successfully splashed down off the Florida coast near Tallahassee, at 5.57 p.m. ET on Tuesday (3:27 a.m. IST, Wednesday). “ ‘Butch and Suni’ were accompanied by astronauts Nick Hague and Aleksandr Grebyonkin who reached the ISS in December as part of a rescue mission planned by NASA and SpaceX. On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home,” radioed SpaceX Mission Control in California. An hour after their 17hour-long journey, the astronauts were out of their scorched capsule, waving and smiling at the STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE MUMBAI, 19 MARCH STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore after their return to Earth on Tuesday. n AP cameras while being hustled away in reclining stretchers for routine medical checks. Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore travelled to the ISS in June last year for a scheduled eight-day mission. They were forced to stay as the Boeing Starliner capsule developed issues with its propulsion system. The duo was the first crew to fly Boeing's Starliner or destroy the tomb of Aurangzeb, which is likely to create a rift between communities and create serious law and order problems on a large scale. “Presently , the holy month of Ramadan is underway and the session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly is also underway and I am convinced that if any inappropriate incident occurs in the said agitation, it is likely to have violent repercussions in the entire state of Maharashtra. Accordingly, I, Vinod Khirolkar, Additional District Magistrate, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, in exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 163 (1) of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, I am passing the following order,” the order issued by the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District Collector stated. “The Superintendent of Police, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Rural, has mentioned in his report that former MLA Milind Ramakant Ekbote, a militant Hindu activist has previously been booked for participating in the Bhima Koregaon riots and hurting the religious sentiments of communities. Also, earlier he had organised a big agitation to remove the tomb of Afzal Khan on Pratapgad. Therefore, there is a large section of people in Maharashtra who follow him," the collector's order stated. The order mentioned that several members of militant organisations are present in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and surrounding districts according to confidential information received by the district collector. in a test flight. The faulty capsule returned to earth last September. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the duo spent 286 days ~ 278 days longer than anticipated on the International Space Station, where they conducted over 4,500 orbits and travelled more than 121 million statute miles. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi among several leaders congratulated the Crew-9 astronauts, including Indianorigin astronaut Sunita Williams, as they safely returned to Earth on Wednesday. In a message on X, President Murmu said: “Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASA’s Crew 9 mission on Earth! India's daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-saydie spirit.” She stated that “their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH bullet. “We completely merged Jammu and Kashmir into India by removing the biggest hurdle—Article 370—without firing a single bullet. The work was carried out peacefully with full security, keeping all the stakeholders in mind,” he said. Urging citizens to uphold the principles of national security, integrity, and sovereignty, Mr Singh lauded Major Khathing as a great patriot whose contributions strengthened national unity. He compared Khathing’s efforts in the North-East to health!” PM Modi lauded the Crew members for their courage, determination, and contribution to space exploration. “Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career,” he wrote in a message on X, adding, “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you.” Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also welcomed Sunita Williams’ safe return to earth. Tharoor praises PM’s stance on Ukraine war AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasising the need for a diplomatic solution. Mr Tharoor noted that PM Modi has consistently advocated for diplomacy, citing his statement in Samarkand where he said, "This is not an era of war, and solutions have been found peacefully." Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, the senior Congress leader said: "PM Modi has taken a consistent position that the solution to this conflict has to come through diplomacy. In fact, you may remember his statement in Samarkand in front of President Putin, where he said this is not an era of war and that solutions have been found peacefully. We do seem to be at the beginning of a peace process of some sort." Mr Tharoor also high- lighted the complexity of the peace process, stressing that it involves more than just two leaders talking. He emphasised the need for all parties, including Ukraine, to be involved in the negotiations. “We know that President Trump and President Putin have spoken. We don't know what the outcome is. A peace process is a more complicated issue than just two leaders talking. There would need to be, first of all, the parties have to be involved. The Ukrainians will have to have a seat at the table. The European Union and the European countries in the neighbourhood, which have been very actively involved in the con- ‘Without firing a bullet’: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tawang’s integration and revocation of Article 370 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that India has emerged as a strong and organised nation, commanding attention on global platforms. Speaking at the fifth edition of the Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event, Mr Singh highlighted how India, once overlooked in international forums, has now gained significant recognition. The event, organised by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and United Services Institution of India, honoured the legacy of Major Bob Khathing, who played a pivotal role in integrating Tawang into India. Drawing parallels between the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and Tawang’s integration, Mr Singh noted that both were accomplished without firing a single SILVER 1,14,000 Williams & Butch Wilmore’s spacecraft splashed down off the Florida coast at 3.27 a.m. IST Collector issues order to prevent demolition of Aurangzeb's tomb The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District Collector issued prohibitory orders on Wednesday for additional security to be provided to Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district (formerly known as Aurangabad) of Maharashtra. The death anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Shivaji Maharaj falls on 29 March and the district administration has started taking preventive measures to ensure that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb is not demolished on 29 March. According to sources, the district administration has received information that if a large number of supporters of a former MLA Milind Ramakant Ekbote reach the tomb of Aurangzeb in Khultabad, there is a strong possibility that his supporters and activists will vandalise P12 Sunita Williams back home after 9-month space odyssey NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH Min: 14.2 °C (2.3) SUN SETS 18:32 hrs MOON SETS 09:32 hrs IPL 2025: JAYAWARDENE WORRIED OVER BUMRAH’S ABSENCE P5 SURYA S PILLAI Min. 22 % Max: 32.8 °C (+1.5) SUN RISES 06:24 hrs MOON RISES 00:08 hrs NIFTY LALU APPEARS BEFORE ED IN LAND-FOR-JOB CASE WELFARE POLITICS those of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in unifying India, emphasizing the significance of their contributions in nation-building. Mr Singh further highlighted Major Khathing’s role in the formation of Sashastra Seema Bal and Nagaland Armed Police, recognising his administrative acumen. The Defence Minister reiterated that the Government is committed to governance reforms through initiatives like ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ and ‘Digital India,’ which have enhanced transparency and efficiency in administration. Reflecting on India’s foreign policy, Mr Singh credited the diplomatic skills of leaders like Major Khathing for shaping India’s global standing. “Today, India maintains a balance between hard and soft power in an unpredictable multipolar world. It is a matter of great pride that a new, strong, and organised India has emerged,” he asserted. Addressing India’s development trajectory, Mr Singh underscored the Government’s commitment to the North-East, citing infrastructure projects such as the Sela Tunnel, connecting Tezpur in Assam to Tawang, and the Arunachal Frontier Highway. Spanning approximately 2,000 km, this highway is expected to boost connectivity and strategic advantage in the region. Mr Singh noted the decline in violent incidents and the North-East’s rapid development, attributing it to the Government’s sustained efforts. He referenced The New York Times’ ‘52 Places to Visit in 2025’ list, which ranked Assam fourth, highlighting the region’s growing global recognition. flict, will demand and legitimately expect a seat at the table. There may be countries that will be invited to come in from outside to help maintain peace. That becomes the issue," said the Congress leader. He highlighted that several nuances may come up during these discussions, such as whether the talks are focussed on a ceasefire, a peace settlement, a longdrawn-out process that ends in a durable solution, or an immediate ceasefire with a stalemate on the ground. He said that speculation is "not a very useful exercise" and that "Ultimately, the principal actors are the ones with the guns on the ground and those who supply those guns. Let's be very honest. They are the ones who can decide the pace of any peace and how far it goes. So let's wait and see what comes out". Mr Tharoor also mentioned that India has a long history of peacekeeping and could potentially play a role in the peace process, but only if invited to do so. Tariffs, sanctions a reality in today’s world: EAM STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday acknowledged that tariffs and sanctions have become a reality in the present global world order and various countries use them to protect their own economic interests. "Tariffs, sanctions, I think, whether we would like it or not they are a reality, countries use them. In fact, if one looks at the last decade, I would say we have seen a much greater weaponization of pretty much any kind of capability or any kind of economic activity. It could be financial flows, it could be energy supplies, it could be technology," he said at the Raisina Dialogue in response to a question. "This is a reality of the world. You fight for your business, because you are fighting for your employment, you are fighting for your comprehensive national power, of which business makes a very important contribution," Mr Jaishankar said. Talking about the developing international relations across the globe, he said, "I think today, the lines dividing different domains have eroded. If you see in international relations, I think it's a less restrained culture today than it was a decade ago." Mr Jaishankar's remarks come just days before the Donald Trumpled US administration's proposal to levy reciprocal tariffs takes effect on 2 April, which will likely impact several countries, including India. ASEAN defence ministers’ meet: India reaffirms commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH India reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to a zerotolerance policy against terrorism at the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. Delivering the keynote address, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh emphasised the significance of a multi-faceted approach integrating robust domestic mechanisms, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and strong regional cooperation. Mr Singh underscored the evolving nature of terrorism, highlighting that threats are increasingly transnational and exacerbated by the use of advanced technology, cyber tools, and unmanned systems by terror groups. He noted that the Indo-Pacific region, given its geopolitical and economic prominence, remains highly vulnerable to transnational terrorism and violent extremism. “This calls for a comprehensive, adaptive, and deeply collaborative response,” he stressed. India has taken over the chairmanship of the ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism from Russia and Myanmar, with Malaysia serving as co-chair for the threeyear cycle. The Defence Secretary reiterated India's commitment to ensuring that this tenure delivers practical and impactful results. Telecom service providers blacklist 1,150 entities, disconnect over 18.8 lakh resources AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 19 MARCH Telecom service providers have blacklisted 1,150 entities/individuals and disconnected more than 18.8 lakh resources, the government said on Wednesday, as it aims to further control the spread of spam calls and messages. The actions led to a significant reduction in the complaints against unregistered telemarketers (UTMs) -- from 1,89,419 in August 2024 to 1,34,821 in January 2025, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) amended the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 on February 12. A customer can now make a complaint about spam/unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) within seven days of receiving spam as compared to earlier threeday time limit. The time limit for taking action by the access providers against the UCC from unregistered senders has been reduced from 30 days to 5 days, according to the amendments. To ensure prompt action against the senders of UCC, the criterion for taking action against them has been revised and made more stringent. As compared to earlier criterion of "having 10 complaints against the sender in last 7 days" to trigger action, it has been modified to "having 5 complaints against the sender in last 10 days", according to the TRAI. These amendments will come into force after 30 days from the date of their publication in the official gazette. Moreover, the TRAI recently issued directions to disconnect all telecom resources of unregistered senders/UTMs, which are being used for making spam calls and to blacklist such senders. Last month, the government warned telecom services providers of fine up to Rs 10 lakh over failure to implement revised regulations dealing with unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) and SMSes.