FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms QUALITY AT VALUE FREE PRESS VOL. XXXX NO. 296 | INDORE | TUESDAY | APRIL 2, 2024 | PAGES 16 r Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2021-2023; `3 r RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in - EDIT BOULT-CHAHAL’S ART BOWLED MUMBAI WILL SHOW OF UNITY MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SPORTS WEATHER EDITIONS: INDORE, BHOPAL, UJJAIN, MUMBAI, PUNE 36.60c. 18.40c Sunrise : 06.18 Sunset : 06.42 UNCOOPERATIVE Kejriwal sent to Tihar till April 15 NEW DELHI NEWS BRIEF Defence exports cross 21K cr mark NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the country's defence exports have scaled to "unprecedented heights" and crossed ? 21,000 croremark for the "first time" in the history of Independent India. "Delighted to inform everyone that the Indian Defence Exports have scaled to unprecedented heights and crossed ? 21,000 crore mark for the first time in the history of Independent India!," he said in a post on X. 2.3% Rs 2000 notes still in circulation MUMBAI: About 2.3 per cent or Rs 8,202 crore of the withdrawn Rs 2,000 banknotes are still in circulation, about six months after the deadline to deposit or exchange them at bank branches is over.This essentially meant 97.69 per cent of the total value of the high-value Rs 2,000 banknotes were back in the banking system. The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, the date on which RBI decided to withdraw the banknote. Amarwara seat declared vacant Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh assembly secretariat has issued a notification on March 30 declaring Amarwara assembly seat as vacant. The seat was declared vacant after sitting Congress MLA Kamlesh Shah recently resigned to join BJP Now, EC will . decide the election date for this constituency reserved for Scheduled Tribe. Schools to face action for forcing parents to buy books from particular shop OUR STAFF REPORTER city.bhopal@fpj.co.in Now private schools cannot pressurize parents and guardians to purchase books, uniforms and other education material from any particular shop. On doing so, they will face action under Madhya Pradesh Private School Fees Act. Under this act, fine of Rs 2 lakh can be slapped on the school director if he violates the norm. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has directed chief secretary to issue order in this regard, and following this the school education department has issued letters to district collectors. Notably , many private schools often ask the parents to purchase the education related materials from a particular shop which in turn charges heavy price on various items. The CM's order is going to provide a huge relief to the parents. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to Tihar Jail on Monday after being remanded in judicial custody till April 15 in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case, even as the Aam Aadmi Party dug in its heels asserting that he will remain the CM no matter how long he is kept in prison. Kejriwal is the fourth top AAP leader to be lodged in the Tihar Jail after his former deputy Manish Sisodia, ex-health minister Satyendar Jain and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. On Monday AAP sources , indicated that Kejriwal's wife Sunita, who virtually made her political debut at the INDIA bloc's "Loktantra Bachao" rally at the Ramlila ground a day earlier, is likely to assume a "significant role" in the party in the coming days. Arvind Kejriwal was brought to Tihar at 4 pm and lodged in Jail Number 2, a prison official said, adding that he will be kept under watch for 24 hours. "His medical examination was conducted. His sugar level was a bit low, but medicines were given to him as per our jail doctors' advice," said the official. While Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, arrested in the same case, are lodged in Jail Number 1 and 5 respectively BRS leader K Kavitha is , in Jail Number 6. Jain, who is facing a different money laundering case, is in Jail Number 7. CONTD. ON P8 One Vehicle, One FASTag norm comes into force NEW DELHI: State-owned National Highways Authority of India's 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' norm, which aims to discourage the use of single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle, has come into force from Monday, a senior official said. NHAI had extended the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative compliance deadline to March-end, in view of the problems being faced by Paytm FASTag users. "Multiple FASTags won't work... People who have multiple FASTags for one vehicle won't be able to use all of them from today (April 1) This will enhance the efficiency of the electronic toll collection system and provide seamless movement at toll plazas.” officials told PTI. the NHAI has taken the 'One Vehicle, One FASTag' initiative that aims to discourage the use of single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle. Last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had advised customers as well as merchants of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) to shift their accounts to other banks by March 15. ORDERS FROM JAIL HC to ED: Submit note to spl judge T Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrives to appear before Rouse Avenue Court in excise policy-linked money laundering case, in New Delhi on Monday ‘Vijay Nair used to report to Atishi, Bharadwaj’ T he ED’s application for judicial custody of the Delhi Chief Minister in the excise policy case has said that in his statement Arvind Kejriwal claimed that one of the accused, Vijay Nair, used to report to AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj and not to him. Former AAP communications incharge, Vijay Nair, was arrested by the probe agency along with members of the South Group – K Kavitha, Sarath Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and other AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in the excise policy case. Kejriwal calls own party leader confused I ncarcerated Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, when confronted with the statement of AAP National Treasurer, ND Gupta, in the alleged excise scam by the ED, termed his own party leader "confused." T he Delhi HC on Monday asked ED to submit its note to the special judge, dealing with the excise policy cu moneylaundering -case in which CM Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested, on the issue of the CM passing orders while in custody. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet PS Arora said the special judge is directed to pass an order, if required, in accordance with law. It clarified that it has not commented on the locus standi of the petitioner, and disposed of the PIL that sought directions to prevent Kejriwal from issuing orders in his capacity as the chief minister while in ED custody. 4 AAP leaders in separate jails at Tihar A part from Kejriwal, the others include Manish Sisodia, who was also arrested in the same case in February 2023, and Satyendar Jain, who was arrested by the ED in a money laundering case in May 2022. Yet another Aam Aadmi Party leader, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, is also lodged in the Tihar Jail since October 2023 in connection with the liquor policy case. Kejriwal will have home-cooked meals, bottled drinking water, and a supply of toffees in case of a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, a Delhi court said. hey (the BJP) have only one objective -- to put him in jail ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The country's people will give a reply to this dictatorship n Sunita Kejriwal t was the Congress which raised the allegation against the Delhi government. It was the Congress which filed a complaint in that regard, paving the way for the probe by the Enforcement Directorate n Pinarayi Vijayan EC censors Ghosh, Srinate There are some challenges confronting the industry in, cluding artificial intelligence and blockchain, which are changing the face of banking; another challenge is cyber security amid the increasing reliance on digital banking and innovations like fintechs, the prime minister said. "In such a situation, we need to think about the changes that will be required in the country's banking sector and its structure," Modi said in his address to the audience, which included the country’s richest -Mukesh Ambani, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra, and top bankers. CONTD. ON P8 The Election Commission on Monday censured BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and Congress' Supriya Shrinate for derogatory remarks against the dignity of women. Their election-related communications will be specially and additionally monitored by the Commission from Monday onwards. A copy of the warning notices or censures is also being marked to their respective party chiefs for sensitising their functionaries to be careful while communicating in public domain and refrain from any such derogatory comments and violations of model code guidelines. "You may please issue specific advisory to all party functionaries involved in election campaign and in interactions in public domain not to commit such type of violation as in the instant case, besides following the Model Code of Conduct in letter and spirit so as to not trigger a chain reaction of similar comments vitiating the election campaign," the EC told the presidents of Congress and the BJP separately . Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that there is a need to study "newer banking structure" with the evolving changes in the financial industry's landscape. Speaking at the inauguration event for the commemoration of 90 years of the Reserve bank of India (RBI) here, Modi said there may be a requirement for newer "financing, operating and business models" in the changing landscape. He said the banking industry needs to move forward to ensure that it can fund the credit needs of the projects necessary for the country's future growth. NEW DELHI Extreme heat to scorch India during election period, says IMD NEW DELHI India is set to experience extreme heat during the April to June period, with the central and the western peninsular parts expected to face the worst impact, the IMD said on Monday as the country prepares for the sevenphase general elections starting April 19. Addressing a press conference, Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said India is anticipated to experience extreme weather conditions in the upcoming two-anda-half months and this coincides with the general elections in which around a billion people are ex- pected to exercise their franchise. "It is going to be very I-T dept promises no coercive action against Cong over tax dues NEW DELHI In a relief for the Congress, the Income Tax department on Monday told the Supreme Court that it will not take any coercive action against the opposition party for tax demand notices of Rs 3500 crore approximately in view of Lok Sabha elections. A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih recorded the statement of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the IT department, that no precipitative action will be taken in the prevailing circumstances till the final adjudication of the matter. "At the commencement of the hearing on this application, the solicitor general appearing for the respondent department, submitted that there is no dispute that on several dates in the month of March 2024, demands have been raised as against the appellant herein totalling approximately Rs 3500 crore," the bench noted. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for the Congress party appreciated , the gesture terming it "gracious" and said that all demand notices were issued in February and March for different years totalling Rs 3500 crore approximately . challenging for all of us. Since we are the most populous country in the world and face extreme weather conditions, it makes it absolutely necessary for India to prepare in advance," he said. India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said the anticipat- ed increase in outdoor activities during the 2024 general elections could heighten public vulnerability to heat waves. With greater exposure, there's an elevated risk of heatwave-related health issues among the electorate and election staff, he said. CONTD. ON P8 MORE SETBACK FOR NATH: Chhindwara mayor joins saffron party AHAKE started life as a labourer OUR STAFF REPORTER Bhopal Once a labourer and now a Mayor, Vikram Ahake resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP on Monday . Ahake took BJP membership in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and party’s state unit president VD Sharma. This was the second shock that former chief minister Kamal Nath received in the past three days. Before Ahake’s resignation, legislator from Amarwara Kamlesh Shah defected to the BJP. In 2022, Nath gave a ticket to Ahake for mayoral poll and worked hard to ensure his victory. A member of tribal community, Ahake, was working as a labourer before taking to politics. His mother is an Anganwadi worker. Nath gave him a ticket for the mayoral poll on the recommendations of his son Nakul Nath who is contesting from Chhindwara constituency on the Congress ticket. Both Rahul Gandhi BJP is winning Chhindwara: Ahake M ayor Vikram Ahake has said the BJP is going to win the Chhindwara seat with a record margin. The Congress has always treated the tribal people as vote bank, he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies have inspired him to join the BJP . and Priyanka Gandhi appreciated the efforts of Ahake. Yadav said Nakul Nath had offended the tribal community by insulting Shah, so Ahake also quit the Congress. It is the old habit of the Congress to hurt the sentiments of the tribal people, Yadav said. CONTD. ON P8 Bhojshala survey to continue, says SC I Bank on newer system for future needs: Modi PTI / MUMBAI ARTI’S LAAL ISHQ CINEMA Notices to Union Govt, ASI, others FP NEWS SERVICE Dhar The Supreme Court, on Monday, refused a plea from the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, Dhar, seeking a ban on the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey work at the disputed Bhojshala complex, offering a significant boost to the ongoing survey which entered its 11th day, here. The society had filed a special permission petition in the apex court seeking the cancellation of the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order to conduct the survey at Bhojshala. Meanwhile, a bench headed by Justice Hrishikesh Roy issued notices to the Union government, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Hindu Front for Justice Trust and others on a special leave petition filed by Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society. The bench, also comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, directed that the courts below will not act upon the survey report. The apex court clarified that no physical excavation should be done by ASI at the premises in question which in effect could change the character of the structure. Excavation efforts are currently focused on reaching the foundation, with the digging pit behind the sanctum sanctorum now extended from west to east, forming an 'L' shape. Although the foundation has not yet been uncovered, various items, such as the stone used on stairs, have been discovered. The ASI team continues to work diligently on the survey . Abdul Samad Khan of the Sadar Committee expressed concern over the alleged concealment of significant findings, such as a skulllike object, urging transparency in the handling of discoveries. CONTD. ON P8 Bhang Bust: High times turn sour for Mahakal City booty buffs! Refuses to stay prayers in Gyanvapi cellar T he Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Hindu prayers in the southern cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and sought response of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple trustees on the plea of the mosque management committee. The Supreme Court also ordered maintaining of status quo on offering of namaz by Muslims in the Gyanvapi premises in Varanasi. The court was hearing a fresh plea of the Gyanvapi mosque management committee against an Allahabad High Court decision upholding a lower court's order allowing Hindu prayers in the southern cellar of the mosque. SP changes Khajuraho ticket NIRUKT BHARGAVA Ujjain OUR STAFF REPORTER Bhopal In a quirky twist the temple town of Ujjain experienced a different kind of 'high' on the first day of the fiscal year as bhang shops kept their shutters down. Yes, no green goodies for the cannabis connoisseurs. The absence of bhang left habitual consumers in a lurch, resorting to doctors for treatment, while out-of-town devotees searched high and low for their 'prasad' fix after darshan of Mahakaleshwar. Ujjain, known for its devout devotion and, err, ahem, recreational pursuits, witnessed a surge in demand post the establishment of 'Shri Mahakal Samajwadi Party has changed its candidate from Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency, now Meera Yadav to contest election. The party has released the new list on Monday . Earlier the SP has given ticket to Manoj Yadav, to contest the election. In the new development he has been appointed as party state president. INDIA bloc has given the Khajuraho seat to SP in the state. The Congress is contesting election on 28 seats out of 29 seats. The candidate Meera Yadav had represented the Niwari state assembly constituency in the year 2008. Lok'. With an estimated 5,000 locals indulging daily and 7,000 to 8,000 outsiders joining the party, you can imagine the buzz! Now, on to the business side of things! Last fiscal's bhang boss, Dhananjay Upadhyay, went absconding post a brush with the law, leaving Varun Juneja to pick up the green gauntlet for a cool Rs 2.16 crore. CONTD. ON P8