08122022-TTB-01.qxd 12/8/2022 12:16 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 142 NO. 338 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA ALERT SOUNDED AFTER BLAST NEAR JAMMU BRIDGE J&K GERMANY FOILS FAR-RIGHT GROUP’S COUP ATTEMPT, 25 ARRESTED WORLD /thetribunechd CHARGING STATIONS WON’T TOLERATE ATTEMPTS EXPAND FOOTPRINT TO TO UNILATERALLY CHANGE MEET DEMAND BUSINESS LAC: EAM BACK PAGE thursday | 8 december 2022 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com V-P raises NJAC issue in his maiden speech as RS chief Says its scrapping by apex court ‘severe compromise of parliamentary sovereignty’ Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in his maiden speech as the Rajya Sabha Chairman on Wednesday, raised the issue of the Supreme Court scrapping the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), terming it as an instance of “severe compromise of parliamentary sovereignty”, and said the government’s three organs should respect the “Lakshman rekha”. In his address from the chair after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members welcomed him, Dhankhar said that any incursion by the three organs of the government into each other’s domains “had the potential to upset the governance apple cart”. The remarks came in the backdrop of the recent runins between the government and the judiciary over the appointment of judges. “Democracy blossoms and flourishes when its three facets—legislature, judiciary and executive—scrupulously adhere to their respective continued on page 9 Lacking numbers, saffron party says ‘mayoral race open’, cites Chandigarh STICK TO LAKSHMAN REKHA ❝ Poor showing by AAP in bastions of Sisodia, Jain Tribune News Service Democracy blossoms and flourishes when its three facets—legislature, judiciary and executive— scrupulously adhere to their respective domains Jagdeep Dhankhar, VICE-PRESIDENT Oppn vows joint strategy, Modi seeks cooperation Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday flagged the importance of the winter session, coming close after India assumed G20 presidency, the Congress-led Opposition front of 14 parties vowed a joint floor strategy on joblessness, price rise, border incursions and alleged misuse of probe agencies. “We will strongly raise all issues relevant to our people. You (the PM) spoke about Opposition getting more chances to participate, therefore we expect the government to walk its talk,” Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha 134 seats, AAP wrests MCD from BJP; Kejriwal promises to rein in corruption Walk the talk, allow us greater chances of participation: Kharge Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted after a meeting of parties in his chamber in Parliament House. The PM, seeking cooperation, termed G20 presidency as a significant occasion. “The way in which India has earned a place on the global stage, the world’s expectations from India have risen. Voices that emerge from Parliament will help India showcase its prowess to the world,” he said. The PM appealed to party leaders to allow the session to continued on page 9 New Delhi, December 7 The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday ended the BJP’s 15-year run in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), winning 134 of the 250 wards while the saffron party ended a close second at 104 in what was seen as the first direct contest between the two parties. The Congress was reduced to nine wards from 31 in 2017. Three Independents also won. In 2017, the BJP had won 181 of the 272 seats while debutant AAP had bagged 48. This time, the election was held for 250 wards after the government merged the three municipal corporations, which had been divided 10 years ago. A buoyant AAP convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, flanked by his deputy Manish Sisodia and Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann, greeted frenzied crowds at the party headquarters in the Capital. “We all have to improve the condition of Delhi. We need the cooperation of all, especially the help and blessings of the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to do so,” Karam Prakash Tribune News Service AAP workers celebrate after the victory in the MCD poll in New Delhi on Wednesday. MANAS RANJAN BHUI AAP, BJP VOTE SHARE UP ■ AAP vote share soars from 21.09% in 2017 to 42.05% ■ BJP obtains 39.09% of votes polled against 36.08% in 2017 ■ Cong share dips from 21.09% in 2017 to 11.68 % this time ■ Share of Independents slides to 3.46% from 8.8% in 2017 ■ Its vote share in MCD poll higher than in 2020 Delhi elections, BJP claims ‘people abandoning AAP’ Kejriwal said, adding the civic body would be purged of “corruption and bribery”. CAAPITAL GAIN AAP BJP CONG ALL IND WINNERS WOMEN OTHERS 134 104 9 3 ■ Nearly 55% of the victorious AAP candidates were women ■ AAP fielded 138 women, BJP & ■ MAGIC FIGURE 126 TOTAL SEATS 250 2017* POLL AAP BJP Cong Others 48 181 31 12 *272 wards in 2017 The BJP took heart from the fact that it stayed in the fight despite 15 years of rule Congress nominated 136 & 129 All 3 Independent candidates who have won are women ONE TRANSGENDER ■ Only transgender candidate Bobi won Sultanpuri-A ward; Bobi contested on AAP ticket and increased its vote share continued on page 9 edit: aap bags mcd, too New Delhi, December 7 Though AAP won a majority in the Delhi MC elections, poor showing in the bastions of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, minister Satyendar Jain and senior leader Amanatullah Khan came as a setback for the party. While Jain is in Tihar Jail and Amanatullah is out on bail, Sisodia is under the scanner of probe agencies for his alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy “scam” Jain, in jail for over six months, is the MLA from Shakur Basti where AAP lost to the BJP in all three wards — Saraswati Vihar, Paschim Vihar and Rani Bagh. Jain was continuously targeted by the BJP during campaigning after purported videos of him getting massage and special diet behind bars went viral. In Sisodia’s Patparganj Assembly constituency, AAP lost in three of the four wards. continued on page 9 RBI hikes repo rate, cuts growth projection to 6.8% SC reserves verdict on plea challenging demonetisation Lending rate up by 35 basis points I Fifth increase since May I EMIs set to rise further Tribune News Service Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to furnish records relating to the November 8, 2016, decision to demonetise currency notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 denomination. “Learned counsel for the Union of India and Reserve Bank of India are directed to produce the relevant records,” a five-judge Constitution Bench led by Justice S Abdul Nazeer said while reserving its verdict. Attorney General R Venkataramani told the Bench that he would submit the relevant records in a sealed cover. The Bench — which also included Justice BR Gavai, Justice AS Bopanna, Justice V Ramasubramanian, and Justice BV Nagarathna — heard arguments from the Attorney General for the Centre, senior counsel Jaideep Gupta for the RBI and senior advocates P Chidambaram, Shyam Divan and others for the 58 petitioners. It allowed continued on page 9 New Delhi, December 7 The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday effected a fifth successive hike in key interest rates and downgraded India’s growth projection from 7 per cent to 6.8 per cent for the current fiscal. The 35 basis point hike in repo rate was the lowest among the five increases since May this year to tame inflation which is still expected to remain at a high threshold of Air surcharge: Leh and beyond Rs 2.00 6.7 per cent. The repo rate now stands at 6.25 per cent as against 4 per cent a year ago. The hike in repo rate raises the prospects of EMIs for home, auto and other loans rising further. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the lower quantum of hike announced in a 5:1 decision by the Monetary Policy Committee was data-driven. “The worst of inflation is behind us... but that does not mean that there is any room for complacency in the battle GROWTH EXPECTED 6.8% 4.4% 4.2% 7.1% 5.9% FOR 2022-23 FOR OCT-DEC FOR JAN-MARCH FOR APR-JUNE 2023-24 FOR JULY-SEPT THE WORST IS OVER ❝ The worst of inflation is behind us... but that does not mean that there is any room for complacency on the battle to tame inflation. Shaktikanta Das, ACCEPT e-KYC, BANKS TOLD to tame inflation,” he said. RBI Deputy Governor Michael Patra added that RBI GOVERNOR “the battle against inflation is far from over and so is our neutral stance.... But the SIT grills singers Mankirat, Babbu Maan for 3 hours Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 Chinese missile tracking spy ship ‘Yuan Wang 5’ is set to re-enter the Indian Ocean (at present, it is near Indonesia), a development that indicates an attempt to track India’s long-range missile test scheduled between December 15 and 16. India has come out with a notice to airmen (NOTAM), announcing that it would be SC launches app for law officers to watch live proceedings Tribune News Service Tribune News Service MOOSEWALA Portugal’s Goncalo Ramos celebrates their 5th goal & his hat-trick REUTERS CRISTIANO RONALDO BENCHED ■ Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench in a 6-1 vic- tory over Switzerland that took Portugal into QFs ■ Ronaldo’s 21-year-old replacement Gonçalo Ramos scored a hat-trick; A solitary figure, Ronaldo walked off the field after the match in which Ramos, instead of him, was the centre of attention ■ Next WC to be biggest ever — from 32-team field to 48 teams in 2026 Mansa, December 7 The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Sidhu Moosewala case today questioned singers Babbu Maan and Mankirat Aulakh for about three hours at the CIA office here. Sources said the singers reached the CIA office around 2 pm and left at 5 pm. Mansa CIA in-charge Jagdish Kumar Sharma and other senior officials interrogated them. KILLING Nanak Singh, SSP said, “If , required, both singers will be called again for questioning.” It is learnt that Mankirat was questioned over his “closeness” with Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera, who was shot dead in Mohali in August last year. The singer’s old photo with continued on page 9 Chinese surveillance ship set to re-enter Indian Ocean Ajay Banerjee good thing is that we’ve lowered the size of the policy rate change. That is the most important thing.” “After three continuous 50 bps increases, we’ve now moderated it to 35 bps… that tells you of a shift in the wind. But the moderation in inflation is very uneven, so we must first bring inflation firmly under the tolerance band,” he added. Though India’s GDP growth is now expected to be 20 basis points continued on page 9 needing 5,400 km of the air space starting from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha in a southerly direction over the Bay of Bengal. The 5,400-km-specific NOTAM indicates that an ‘Agni-V’ series missile could be test-fired, a source who tracks missiles said. But nothing could be speculated on the nature of the missile, he added. ‘ Yuan Wang 5’ is a missiletracking ship and it is in the TRACKING TECH ■ China terms ‘Yuan Wang 5’ as a ‘research vessel’ ■ In fact, it is equipped with a tracking technology ■ Has an effective range of almost 700-750 km radius ■ The vessel can spy on India’s planned missile test ‘Yuan Wang 5’ may track India’s long-range missile test. FILE international waters. Last month, another vessel ‘Yuan Wang 6’ had entered the Indian Ocean, coinciding with a planned Indian missile launch which was then deferred. In August, ‘Yuan Wang 5’ was slated to visit Sri Lan- ka’s Hambantota port. When India protested with the neighbouring country, Colombo deferred the visit of the Chinese vessel. Built at Jiangnan shipyard in China, ‘Yuan Wang 5’ entered service in 2007. Termed as a “research vessel” by the Chinese, it is a spy ship equipped with a tracking technology on board for transoceanic aerospace observation. It has an effective continued on page 9 New Delhi, December 7 The Supreme Court on Wednesday launched android version 2.0 of its mobile app, which will give access to its law officers and nodal officers of various ministries to watch court proceedings in real time. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the mobile application could be downloaded from Google Play store, while the iOS version would be available within a week. “Besides lawyers and advocates on-record, the app will give exclusive real time access to all law officers and nodal officers of various ministries. They can watch the court proceedings by logging in through this application,” the CJI said. “The law officers and nodal officers of the ministries can watch in real time the status of their cases filed, orders, judgments, and pendency of their cases,” he said. The app, which was earlier in existence, gave access to lawyers and advocates to watch court proceedings and showed status of cases, orders and judgments. A vote counting centre in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. JAI KUMAR BJP looks to set records in Guj, Cong hopes for revival Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 7 The ruling BJP is looking to set records and the Congress is hoping for a revival ahead of the Gujarat election verdict which will be out on Thursday. Powered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personalised campaign in his home state, the BJP in Gujarat expects its final tally to surpass the party’s 2002 record of the bestever win when it bagged 127 of the 182 seats and a vote share of 49.85 per cent. The BJP is hoping to set one record — of beating the Congress’s phenomenal 1985 performance of 149 seats with 55.55 per cent of all votes polled. The 1985 Gujarat election was the Congress party’s dream run with late Chief Minister Madhavsinh Solanki powering the party’s victory through the continued on page 9 Priyanka in HP for counting; BJP eyes rebels’ support Shimla, December 7 Even as leaders of both the BJP and Congress are keeping their fingers crossed ahead of the counting for the Vidhan Sabha polls tomorrow, the arrival of Priyanka Gandhi at her residence here yesterday has further charged up the political atmosphere in the state. Great significance is being attached to the presence of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi here on the counting day, as she had spearheaded her party’s campaign in the state. She is staying at her residence in Chharabra, near here. She could play a pivotal role in the political developments in the continued on page 9 IN BRIEF Sitharaman among Forbes’ ‘most powerful women’ NEW YORK: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw are among six Indians who have made it to the Forbes’ list of World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. PTI AIMPLB to move SC over Babri acquittals AYODHYA: The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) will move the SC against a CBI special court acquittal of all the 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, an official said. PTI Protests as Maha-K’taka border row escalates BELAGAVI: The Maharashtra-Karnataka border row escalated a day after buses from both states were attacked in Belagavi and Pune, respectively. Protests were held in Belagavi district. PTI