18012025-TTC-01.qxd 1/18/2025 12:51 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 9 NO. 18 | 22 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 IRAN, RUSSIA SIGN TREATY TO DEEPEN DEFENCE TIES WORLD /thetribunechd SC: DON’T INVOKE ABETMENT CHARGE MECHANICALLY NATION FOREX RESERVES FURTHER DROP TO $625.8 BN BUSINESS PM: INDIA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL IN MOBILITY SECTOR BACK PAGE saturday | 18 january 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com SPORTING JEWELS BJP vows ~2,500 aid for women, 12 Indians serving in Russian army killed, LPG at ~500 in Delhi manifesto 16missing,saysMEA Won’t stop existing schemes| Aren’t these ‘revdis’, Kejri asks PM Tribune News Service Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service Clockwise from top: President Droupadi Murmu confers the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on world chess champion D Gukesh, Paralympic high jump gold medallist Praveen Kumar, Olympic shooting double bronze medallist Manu Bhaker and Olympic hockey bronze medallist Harmanpreet Singh during the National Sports and Adventure Awards-2024 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. PTI New Delhi, January 17 The BJP on Friday released the first part of its manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, focusing primarily on women by promising Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, Rs 21,000 during pregnancy and LPG cylinders for the poor at Rs 500. The party also announced Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens. Releasing the ‘Sankalp Patra’ here, BJP president JP Nadda said, “The welfare schemes we have announced will serve as the foundation of a developed Delhi. Our manifesto prioritises the empowerment of women and the welfare of senior citizens.” The BJP chief said if the saffron party formed its government, not only would all existing public welfare schemes continue, these would be “strengthened and implemented in a more efficient manner”. “Bus travel has been free for women, but it needs to be seen how many buses have been added to the existing fleet? We will ensure the number of vehicles is increased,” said Nadda. The AAP-led Delhi Govern- BJP national president JP Nadda during the launch of 'Sankalp Patra-I' for the Delhi elections on Friday. Election in-charge Baijayant Panda (L) and state unit chief Virendra Sachdeva are also seen. PHOTO: MANAS RANJAN BHUI FOCUS ON WOMEN, SENIOR CITIZENS ~21,000 ~2,500 ~3,000 ~5 to pregnant pension for for those above per plate food at women (1-time); senior citizens 70 and widows, “Atal Canteens” 6 nutritional kits aged 60 to 70 yrs destitutes, divyang in JJ clusters ment has been running several welfare schemes, including free power of up to 200 units, free bus travel for women, free water and free pilgrimage for senior citizens. In its manifesto, the AAP has announced Rs 2,100 per month to women while the Congress has promised Rs 2,500. Hitting back at the BJP AAP , convener Arvind Kejriwal said the saffron unit had “copied” his party and announced several ‘revdis’ (freebies), “but Prime Minister Narendra Modi won’t approve of the freebies promised by his party”. “The BJP manifesto is nothing but a copy of AAP’s welfare schemes. The BJP leadership should publicly acknowledge that welfare c m y b COPY OF AAP SCHEMES BJP manifesto is copy of ❝schemes. Now, theaPM must AAP agree Kejriwal was right & ‘revdis’ aren’t harmful. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP CHIEF measures like free electricity, water and bus services are in reality a boon for the people. The BJP manifesto can be summed up in one line — ‘Arvind Kejriwal’s work is good and we will continue it’,” the former Chief Minister remarked. Kejriwal also targeted the BJP over its alleged continued on page 7 New Delhi, January 17 Twelve Indian nationals, who joined the Russian army during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, have lost their lives while 16 are missing, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said on Friday. Jaiswal said 16 Indians had been categorised as “missing” by the Russian authorities. Their families in India had been informed and sensitised about the issue. These missing men could not be presumed to be dead so far, he said. Jaiswal was answering questions at the MEA weekly media briefing. “We remain engaged with the Russian authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing Indian nationals and for an early discharge and repatriation of others,” he said. In all, 126 Indian nationals were identified as having joined the Russian army during the conflict with Ukraine. Of them, 96 were discharged over the past few months. Two Indians are still with the Russian army. Another 12 persons have died at various locations during the conflict. 126 JOINED THE ACTION ON UKRAINE FRONT ■ In all, 126 Indian nationals were identified as having joined the Russian army during the conflict with Ukraine ■ Of them, 96 were released; two Indians are still with the Russian army and another 12 have died during the conflict He said India had sought the early discharge of its remaining nationals from Russia. Earlier this week, Indian national Binil Babu (32) was killed on the warfront. He was among over 10 Indians who have died in the Russia-Ukraine war. Another person, identified as Jain TK (27), was injured. Both hail from Kerala’s Kuttanellur. India has “strongly” taken up the case with Russia and has also raised it with the Russian embassy in New Delhi. In October last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed the issue of the discharge of Indian nationals in Russia during his bilateral with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.