20032024-TTC-01.qxd 3/20/2024 12:34 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 144 NO. 79 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 HONG KONG PASSES FRESH LAW TO CURB DISSENT WORLD /thetribunechd JHARKHAND, BIHAR WITNESS HIGH-PROFILE EXITS NATION SENSEX FALLS 736 POINTS, NIFTY BELOW 22K BUSINESS TN TO LEAD IN DEFEATING ANTI-SHAKTI FORCES, SAYS PM BACK PAGE wednesday | 20 march 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com PILES TREATMENT German/American Italian Techniques RANA HOSPITAL SAME DAY DISCHARGE 98141-28667 MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS Appear in court on April 2, SC directs Ramdev BDO Office Road, Sirhind (PUNJAB) Satya Prakash Tribune News Service IN BRIEF Civil services prelims postponed to June 16 NEW DELHI: The UPSC on Tues- day postponed the civil services (preliminary) examinationfrom May 26 to June 16 in view of the coming LS elections from April 19 to June 1. TNS Varanasi court to hear Gyanvapi plea on April 11 VARANASI: A Varanasi court will on April 11 hear a plea seeking to bar Muslim devotees from walking on top of the Gyanvapi mosque cellar, where the court recently allowed Hindu prayers. PTI Probe charges against Moitra: Lokpal to CBI NEW DELHI: The Lokpal on Tuesday directed the CBI to investigate the cash-for-query charges against TMC leader Mahua Moitra & submit findings before it in six months. TNS New Delhi, March 19 Taking strong exception to Patanjali Ayurved’s failure to respond to a contempt notice in a case relating to the company’s advertisements, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed its co-founder and yoga guru Ramdev and managing director Acharya Balkrishna to appear before it on April 2. A Bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said it deemed it appropriate to issue a show cause notice to Ramdev as the advertisements issued by Patanjali, which were in the teeth of the undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, reflected an endorsement by him. The Bench noted that Patanjali and Balkrishna had not filed replies to earlier notices asking them to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for “prima facie” violating the undertaking given to the top court. “The respondent No. 6 (Acharya Balkrishna) shall remain present on Issues showcause notice to Patanjali, Balkrishna Ramdev Balkrishna EXPLAIN DISREGARD FOR COURT ORDERS very ❝ We had takenitit(reply to seriously. Not filing India 3rd most polluted after B’desh, Pak Delhi worst capital | Air quality of Bihar’s Begusarai poorest among cities Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 19 India emerged as the world’s third most polluted country in 2023, with neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan being the top two nations with poor air quality. As per the World Air Quality Report by Swiss organisation IQAir, India with PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3), over 10 times more than the WHO prescribed limit of 5 ug/m3, had the third worst air quality out of 134 countries in 2023 after Bangladesh (79.9 ug/m3) and Pakistan (73.7 ug/m3). In 2022, India was ranked eighth most polluted country 12 OF 15 MOST POLLUTED CITIES IN INDIA: REPORT ■ India’s PM2.5 average was 54.4 ■ Of top 15 cities with worst AQI, ug/m3, 10 times more than the WHO prescribed limit of 5 ug/m3 ■ The same was 53.3 ug/m3 in 2022, when India was ranked eighth most polluted country 12 in India; Bihar’s Begusarai most polluted city, Delhi capital ■ Burning fossil fuels turned out one of the biggest causes of air pollution, says IQAir report with an average PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 ug/m3. Indian cities dominate the global list of most polluted cities, with 12 of the top 15 cities located in the country. Bihar’s Begusarai with an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 the next date of hearing along with the proposed contemnor — Baba Ramdev,” it said, posting the matter for further hearing on April 2. While hearing Indian Medical Association’s petition seeking to control the alleged smear campaign and negative advertisements against continued on page 8 New Delhi, March 19 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has hit out at China’s Defence Ministry for its “absurd claims over the territory of the Indian state of Arunachal”, and underlined that “repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity”. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang had said that the southern part of Xizang (the Chinese name for Tibet) is an inherent part of China’s Fake encounter: HC awards life term to former cop Pradeep Mumbai, March 19 The Bombay High Court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced former policeman and controversial encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma to life imprisonment and upheld the conviction of 13 other accused in the 2006 fake encounter of Ramnarayan Gupta, an alleged close aide of gangster Chhota Rajan. A Division Bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse said the “prosecution has proved that Gupta continued on page 8 ❝ Randhir Jaiswal, MEA SPOKESPERSON territory. Beijing “never acknowledges and firmly opposes” the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India”, he added, as quoted by the official media in Beijing. The Chinese military’s comments followed those of its foreign office and were targeting PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month. “Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Earlier this month, PM Modi addressed the “Viksit Bharat Viksit North-East Programme” in Itanagar and laid continued on page 8 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 19 The Congress is expected to release its third list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday. Its Central Election Committee (CEC) met here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The party finalised candidates for nine West Bengal seats where it is set to contest 12 constituencies even as negotiations with its Left Front allies regarding three seats (Basirhat, Barasat and Purulia) have remained Announcement likely today| Chandigarh nominee also discussed inconclusive. The Chandigarh seat also featured in the CEC meeting. Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari, party’s city chief HS Lucky and former Union minister Pawan Bansal are in the contention. The CEC also discussed candidate selection for Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, who was present at the meeting, told mediapersons Tribune News Service Patiala, March 19 Flamboyant cricketer-turnedpolitician Navjot Singh Sidhu will be back in the commentary box after a break of more than a decade in the upcoming IPL to be played from March 22 to May 29. The former Indian open- that the names would be announced on Wednesday. The Congress has already named candidates for seven of the 28 Karnataka seats. In case of Madhya Pradesh, the Congress has announced the names of 10 candidates. Meanwhile, stating that the country was looking forward for a change, Kharge said the “guarantees” promised by the present government would meet the same fate as the “India Shining” slogan of the BJP in 2004. The party chief was speaking at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) here. New Delhi, March 19 The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre to respond to petitions seeking a stay on the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which were notified recently. Despite repeated requests made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Indira Jaising and others on behalf of the petitioners, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud refused to stay the operation of the rules that facilitated the rollout of the CAA as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta clarified that the CAA did not take away anybody’s citizenship. Asking the Centre to file its response to the stay applications, the Bench posted the matter for hearing on April 9. “Just to satisfy your lordships’ conscience that there is no prejudice to the petitioners because none of the petitioners as such are affected parties, not that I am challenging the locus, it (CAA) does not take away citizenship of anyone. The law which they are seeking a stay on does not Refuses to order interim stay, posts matter for April 9 237 PLEAS WITH COURT There are 237 petitions and around 20 stay applications, including those filed by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Kerala Government challenging the amendment. CAA DOESN’T TAKE AWAY CITIZENSHIP ❝ The law which they (petitioners) are seeking a stay on does not take away citizenship of any person. Tushar Mehta, SOLICITOR GENERAL take away citizenship of any person,” Mehta said, seeking four weeks to respond to the stay applications. Sibal sought stay on the implementation of the CAA, saying once someone was granted citizenship it could be revoked only by courts. “The problem is if any process of citizenship starts and somebody gets citizenship then it would be impossible to reverse it for several reasons and these petitions will become infructuous. continued on page 8 ‘Fitting’ role in BJP on cards for 6 HP Cong rebels 7 first-time ministers among 8 BUZZ ABOUT MLAs’ SAFFRON SWITCH more to enter Haryana Cabinet Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, March 19 Amidst speculation that the six disqualified Congress legislators could switch to the saffron fold even before the Supreme Court gives its verdict on May 7, the state BJP leadership is deliberating on their political future by adjusting them “honourably”. A hint to this effect was given by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur here today. “The six MLAs took a very big step by voting in favour of the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections and lost their Assembly ■ There is buzz about 6 disqualified Congress MLAs switching to the saffron fold ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on May 7 ■ Party held meet, attended by LoP Jai Ram Thakur, to discuss ❝ possibility of giving them ticket in upcoming Assembly bypoll ■ Sources say all six may not get ticket, but they may be adjusted either at Centre or elsewhere by giving key appointments TOP BRASS TO TAKE CALL Six MLAs took a big step by voting for the BJP candidate in the RS poll. A decision will be taken by the top brass in recognition of their role. Jai Ram Thakur, LEADER OF OPPOSITION membership in the process. So a decision will be taken in recognition of their role in ensuring BJP victory,” he said. The central leadership will take the final call in this regard, he added. Dis- cussions with regard to fielding the six MLAs in the upcoming Assembly bypolls and quelling a possible revolt within the BJP was deliberated upon at a meeting of senior party leaders with national vice-president Saudan Singh here last night. Thakur was present at the meeting, where the larger question of giving ticket to the six Congress rebels was discussed at length. Sources said it might not be possible to give ticket to all six, whose seats have fallen vacant following their disqualification, but they continued on page 8 Sidhu stumps Cong on poll eve, to enter commentary box again Aman Sood NEW DELHI: Mediapersons covering “polling day activities” carrying authorisation letters of the EC and those part of essential services such as the Railways and health care can vote using postal ballots in the LS and four Assembly elections. — TNS Satya Prakash Absurd, baseless’: India counters Cong holds CEC meet, picks ‘ China’s newclaimoverArunachal candidates for 9 Bengal seats INALIENABLE PART Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Postal ballot for mediapersons Respond to petitions for stay on citizenship rules, SC tells Centre contempt notice) means there will be consequences… Every time you show the court that look here I am ahead of you. How do you explain this? SC Bench Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge with Sonia & Rahul Gandhi at a CWC meeting in New Delhi. MANAS RANJAN BHUI Tribune News Service ug/m3 was the world’s most polluted metropolitan area, while Delhi was identified as the capital city with the poorest air quality for the fourth time on the trot since 2018. Begusarai did not even figure in the 2022 rankings. Delhi’s PM2.5 levels worsened from 89.1 ug/m3 in 2022 to 92.7 ug/m3 in 2023. The spike in pollution levels pose significant health risks to an estimated 1.36 billion people living in the country, the report said. “As climate change alters weather patterns, it can exacerbate air quality issues, with extreme heat events becoming more severe and frequent. It has also intensified pollen continued on page 8 er’s commentary comeback comes at a time when his party Congress is fighting a crucial Lok Sabha poll battle against a formidable BJP . While the parliamentary elections in Punjab are scheduled for June 1, the Congress has in the past engaged Sidhu as a star campaigner in other states too. ❝ NEED TO EKE OUT A LIVING As a responsible father and husband, I have to eke out a living and thus opted for the IPL. I need to earn as my wife is battling cancer. Money is needed for my daughter’s wedding too. Navjot Sidhu, CONG “A wise man once said, ‘Hope is the biggest ‘tope’’. And this wise man, the great @sherryontopp himself, has joined our Incredible StarCast! (sic),” television chan- nel Star Sports posted on X. Known for his witty one-liners and neologism, often referred to as ‘Sidhuism’, he remained one of the most entertaining and stylish commentators along with England’s Geoffrey Boycott. His style of commentary was considered unique, as are his political speeches. continued on page 8 c m y b RAVI KUMAR Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 19 The Nayab Singh Saini government in Haryana carried out its first Cabinet expansion today, inducting eight ministers against as many vacancies, among them seven first-timers. Of those administered the oath of office by Governor Bandaru Dattatreya at Raj Bhavan here, Hisar MLA Kamal Gupta, also a minister in the previous Manohar Lal Khattar government, is the only one to be made Cabinet minister while the seven firsttimers have been inducted as Ministers of State with independent charge. With the expansion, the strength of the council of ministers has reached 14, including the Chief Minister. Five ministers were inducted on March 12 along with Chief Minister Saini. As no Independent MLA was inducted today, Ranjit Singh, also a minister in the Khattar gov- Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, CM Nayab Singh Saini and his wife Suman Saini with newly inducted ministers at the Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. ALL 14 BERTHS FILLED MINISTER Kamal Gupta* Seema Trikha Mahipal Dhanda Aseem Goel CONSTITUENCY Hisar Badkhal Panipat Rural Ambala City MINISTER Abhey Singh Yadav Subhash Sudha Bishamber S Balmiki Sanjay Singh CONSTITUENCY Nangal Chaudhary Thanesar Bawani Khera Sohna (*BARRING GUPTA, ALL ARE MINISTERS OF STATE) NONE FROM TWO DISTS: Thirteen districts have been given representation with Bhiwani and Faridabad getting two berths each. Kaithal has gone unrepresented, and so has Rohtak. ernment and inducted into the Cabinet last week, is the only in the category to find a berth. Senior BJP leader and former Home Minister Anil Vij too has been kept out. Gupta, who took oath in Sanskrit, was the first to be swornin and is placed sixth in hierarchy. The seven Ministers of State are Seema Trikha continued on page 8