FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 14 No. 232 | BHOPAL | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 4, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports ‘PICASSO IN PYJAMAS’ LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY P.14 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN MONEY GST rates rationalisation needed: Finance Secretary PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit No sure recipe to make US... P.6 Cinema Bad is the new good P.12 80 MP rly stns set for revamp as 'Amrit Stations’ Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In a major boost to railway infrastructure in state, 80 railway stations, including Bhopal, Indore, and Jabalpur, are set to be renovated as ‘Amrit Stations.’ This initiative was announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a video conference on Monday. The Union Budget for 2025-26 has allocated Rs 14,745 crore for the expansion and modernisation of the state's rail network. A total of 31 new railway pro- fp jects, spanning 5,869 km, have been approved with a proposed investment of Rs 1,04,987 crore, according to the minister. The Rs 2,708 crore redevelopment plan for 80 stations will include key locations such as Akouria, Amla, Anuppur, Ashoknagar, Balaghat, Banapura, Bargawan, Byohari, Berchha, Betul, Bhopal, Bijuri, Bina, Byawara, Rajgarh, Chhindwara, Dabra, Damoh, Datia, Dewas, Gadarwara, Ganjbasoda, Ghoradongri, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Harpalpur, Indore Junction, Itarsi Junction, Ja- balpur, Junnardev, Kareli, Katni Junction, Katni Murwara, Katni South, Khachrod, Khajuraho Junction, Khandwa, Khirkiya, Laxmibai Nagar, Maihar, Maksi Junction, Mandla Fort, Mandsaur, MCS Chhatarpur, Meghnagar, Morena, Multai, Nagda Junction, Nainipur Junction, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), Narsinghpur, Nepanagar, Neemuch, Orchha, Pandhurna, Pipa- riya, Ratlam, Rewa, Ruthiyai, Sanchi, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Satna, Sagar, Sehore, Seoni, Shahdol, Shajapur, Shyamgarh, Sheopur Kalan, Shivpuri, Shridham, Shujalpur, Sihora Road, Singrauli, Tikamgarh, Ujjain, Umaria, Vidisha, and Vikramgarh Alot. Moreover, major stations such as Rani Kamlapati, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Satna, Indore, Bina, and Jabalpur are being redeveloped with an investment of Rs 1,950 crore. The Railway Ministry has also approved installation of the 'Kavach' safety technology on 3,572 km of railway routes to reduce accidents and enhance passenger safety. Currently, work is underway on 1,422 km of this safety technology. To further improve passenger experience, four Vande Bharat Express trains are being operated across Madhya Pradesh, connecting 14 districts and offering 18 unique stoppages. Additionally, 69 lifts, 41 escalators, and Wi-Fi facilities have been provided at 408 stations for the convenience of travellers. BASANT PANCHMI | Third Amrit Snan proceeds smoothly, akharas take out grand processions Briefs PATNA Cong leader's son found dead The son of senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan was found dead in Patna on Monday, police said. The body of Ayaan Ahmad Khan was found hanging from a ceiling fan at the official residence of his father, the Bihar Congress Legislature Party leader, in Sachiwalaya area here, a senior officer said. NEW DELHI No proposal to rise working hrs The government on Monday told Parliament that it is not considering any proposal to increase the maximum working hours to 70 or 90 hours a week. Recently, some of the corporate leaders proposed to increase the maximum working hours to 70 and even 90 hours a week. "No such proposal to increase the maximum working hours to 70 or 90 hours a week is under consideration of the government," stated Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. TIKAMGARH Man demands father’s half body In a bizarre incident, a man demanded half of his father's dead body following a dispute with his brother over the last rites in Madhya Pradesh's Tikamgarh district, prompting the police to intervene, an official said on Monday. The ruckus occurred on Sunday at Lidhorataal village, around 45 km from the district headquarters, he said. Following a dispute between the brothers, villagers alerted the police. TWO CRORE TAKE AMRIT SNAN Biswajeet Banerjee PRAYAGRAJ The third grand ‘Amrit Snan’ of the Maha Kumbh took place on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, drawing two crore devotees from across the globe to the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati at Triveni Sangam. Pilgrims, sadhus, and kalpvasis gathered in massive numbers, seeking spiritual liberation through the holy dip, reinforcing the centuries-old faith that a bath in these holy waters cleanses one of past sins and paves the way for moksha (salvation). At the break of dawn, the ceremonial bathing processions began with the arrival of the revered Naga sadhus, their bodies smeared in ash, wielding tridents, and chanting sacred hymns. The akharas, following the time-honored tradition, led the way as thousands watched in reverence. SC rejects plea seeking recall of TN Governor Agencies NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking direction to the Secretary of the President of India and others to recall Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, who walked out without delivering his customary address from the Legislative assembly on January 6. A bench of Chief Justice of India and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar said petitioner CR Jaya Sukin's prayers were "ill-conceived" and no such directive for the Governor's removal could be issued to the secretary of the President of India. Ravi walked out of the Assembly as Tamil Thai Vazhthu was being sung at the beginning of his customary address instead of the national anthem. The plea filed by advocate CR Jaya Sukin said, "He (Governor) has completed a hattrick of walkouts from the Legislative Assembly. He claimed that the national anthem was not played, as per his request, at the beginning of his official address. 4Continued on | P8 An aerial view of devotees taking a holy dip on the Basant Panchami during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela By evening, around 2 crore devotees had performed the sacred ritual, raising the total number of bathers since Janu- ary 13 to an estimated 35 crore, according to Information Director Shishir. This staggering figure includes 10 lakh kalp- Opposition seeks accountability over Kumbh stampede PTI NEW DELHI Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha on Monday voiced strong concerns over the Kumbh Mela stampede, accusing the government of negligence and insensitivity and calling for accountability. Speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, DMK MP Kanimozhi expressed her condolences and criticised the government for its failure to ensure the safety of pilgrims. "I would like to express my grief and empathy to the people who lost their lives in the Kumbh Mela stampede. These people trusted the Union and state governments, hoping they would be protected, but unfortunately, no one protected them," she said. The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed prolonged noisy protests by opposition parties, demanding a discussion on the stampede in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and a list of the deceased. She alleged that the govern- SC refuses to hear PIL The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a PIL for specific guidelines to ensure safety of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh, where at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a pre-dawn stampede at Sangam area in Prayagraj ment's approach to governance has led to societal divisions. "When religion and politics merge, it is the innocent who suffer. We don't even know the exact number of people who died in the stampede," she remarked. Highlighting broader concerns about representation, Kanimozhi pointed out, "Just look around -- there is a decreasing number of Muslim members in Parliament and fewer bureaucrats from the SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities". 4Continued on | P8 vasis, who observe a monthlong spiritual retreat, and 6.58 lakh general pilgrims. The significance of this year’s Maha Kumbh is further heightened by the rare ‘Triveni Yog,’ a celestial alignment that occurs once in 144 years, be- Lokayukta to add seized gold, cash to Saurabh Sharma's assets BHOPAL TOO BANS BEGGING Our Staff Reporter The Special Police Establishment (SPE) Lokayukta has decided to include the value of the gold and cash seized from the car of Chetan Singh Gaur as part of the assets linked to Saurabh Sharma's property. On January 28, the Lokayukta police had arrested the three accused-- Saurabh Sharma, Chetan Singh Gaur, and Sharad Jaiswal -- under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Earlier, on December 19, the Lokayuktahad raided two premises of Saurabh Sharma. Later that evening, the Income Tax Department seized a car containing 52 kilogrammes of gold bars and Rs 10 crore in cash. Following their arrests, the police are interrogating the suspects, but it is reported that they have not been cooperative with the investigation. Despite being questioned, Saurabh Sharma denied any knowledge of the seized gold and cash, stating that only Chetan Singh Gaur knew about it. 4Continued on | P8 Govt to give scooties to 7.9K school toppers Our Staff Reporter Madhya Pradesh government is all set to reward 7,900 school toppers of 2023-24 academic session with scooties on Wednesday and later funds for laptops. The announcement comes after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav clarified the details of the scheme fol- lowing his return from a tour of Japan. The School Education Department has fasttracked preparations for the distribution. A special event to hand over scooties will be held on February 5 at Kushabhau Thackeray Hall in Bhopal. Students who topped the 12th-grade exams will be recipients of these scooties. The distribution Special event to hand over scooties will be held on February 5 at Kushabhau Thackeray Hall in Bhopal of laptop funds to students scoring over 75% in the 12th exams will follow, with the money expected to be disbursed before Feb- ruary 15. CM Yadav, in his address emphasised that the government has remained committed to all its welfare schemes and reassured the public that no changes had been made to the basic structure of these initiatives. He also noted that the scheme had been awaited for over a year by students who achieved academic excellence in the previous Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL BHOPAL offgrid BHOPAL lieved by astrologers to magnify the spiritual potency of the event. For many devotees, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "This is not just a bath; it is a divine calling. The presence of Triveni Yog makes it all the more sacred," said Manoj Tripathi, a pilgrim from Varanasi. However, the spiritual fervor was accompanied by heightened security concerns following the tragic stampede during the previous ‘Amrit Snan’ on Mauni Amavasya, which resulted in at least 30 deaths and left 60 others injured. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government has significantly intensified security and crowd management measures to ensure a safe and seamless event. “After the unfortunate incident, we have doubled security personnel at key entry and exit points, ensuring a regulated flow of devotees. session. A total of 7,900 students who topped their respective 12th-grade exams in 2023-24 session will receive scooties. After this, approximately 90k students with marks above 75% will receive financial aid to purchase laptops. The government has earmarked an impressive budget of Rs 250 crore for these initiatives. In a bid to curb begging and related issues, Bhopal collector Kaushelendra Vikram Singh has issued an order prohibiting giving of alms to beggars. The directive, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), states that both giving alms and purchasing items from beggars will be considered a punishable offence. The city’s traffic signals, rotaries, religious places, and markets will now be monitored using CCTVs to enforce the ban. According to the collector’s order, begging has been causing traffic disruptions at major intersections and rotaries 4Continued on | P8 in the city, with beggars often engaging in criminal activities and substance abuse. As part of the initiative, beggars will be relocated to a shelter home in Kolar, near the Community Health Centre. The ban comes after a man was arrested in Bhopal under the Madhya Pradesh Begging Prevention Act for seeking alms at a traffic signal. The arrest followed a complaint from a resident who reported the beggar’s refusal to seek alternative work. Earlier this year, Indore collector had also implemented a similar ban, effective from January 1, 2025, warning that both begging and almsgiving would face strict legal consequences. Sonia Gandhi faces Privilege Motion over ‘poor thing’ remark on Prez PTI NEW DELHI A group of BJP MPs from the tribal community filed a breach of privilege notice on Monday against Congress parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi for using derogatory and slanderous words against President Droupadi Murmu. Led by Rajya Sabha MP Sumer Singh Solanki they met Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and sought disciplinary action against Gandhi contending her remarks lowered the dignity of the office of the President. The notice was filed over Gandhi s remark on President Murmu after her address to a joint sitting of Parliament on Friday. Sonia Gandhi Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were seen discussing the speech on the Parliament complex. The poor lady the President was getting very tired by the end... she could hardly speak poor thing Sonia Gandhi was purportedly heard saying in a video doing the rounds on social media. The BJP MPs said in the notice that the remarks are a clear manifestation of elitist and anti-tribal mindset of Smt. Gandhi who is yet to understand the struggle and sensitivity of a tribal poor . “We write this with great dismay about certain unparliamentary derogatory and demeaning remarks recently made by Smt. Sonia Gandhi Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha against the Hon ble President of India which warrant serious consideration and disciplinary action. 4Continued on | P8 Falsehood: EAM on Rahul’s ‘Trump invitation’ charge Agencies NEW DELHI External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday rejected the allegation made by Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi in Parliament that he was "sent to get an invite for our Prime Minister Narendra Modi" for Donald Trump's inauguration as US President. Jaishankar said that the Prime Minister of India does not attend such events, and is instead represented by a special envoy. "Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024. I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met with me," Jaishankar said in a post on X. "At no stage was an invitation in respect of the PM discussed. It is common knowledge that our PM does not attend such events. In fact, India is generally represented by Special Envoys, " the minister said. Jaishankar further said that, "Rahul Gandhi's lies may be intended politically. But they damage the nation abroad." Rahul Gandhi said in the Parliament today that the US did not invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to the lack of production system in India. "When we talk to the United States, we would not send our foreign minister to invite our Prime Minister to his coronation...Because if we had a production system and if we were working on these technologies, the American President would come here and invite the Prime Minister," he said. BJP MPs led by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also took objection to Rahul Gandhi's remarks. 4Continued on | P8