BHUBANESWAR l friday l july 12, 2024 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION Madhya Pradesh reports 23 tiger deaths in first six months of 2024 Of the 75 deaths reported from 12 states since the start of the year, 23 have been in Madhya Pradesh, National Tiger Conservation Authority data said Infighting among top causes of deaths double-digit deaths in Maha, k’taka also At least 10 of the 23 tiger deaths were reported in the state’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR). A probe into tiger deaths by a three-member committee constituted by the Madhya Pradesh forest department found that at least 17 big cat deaths in BTR in the last three years were due to territorial fights. Two to three deaths were blamed on poaching and the rest on old age ■ ■ After Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra reported the maximum number of tiger deaths at 14, and Karnataka followed with 11 deaths this year During the entire 2023, there were 43 tiger deaths in Madhya Pradesh (181 deaths across India). The state with the highest tiger population in India accounted for one-fourth of tiger deaths reported in the last three years 785 total tiger population in madhya Pradesh as per 2022 tiger census CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI change of guard Arabinda Padhee new SJTA chief administrator Veer Vikram Yadav Arabinda Padhee E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar The state government on Thursday removed Veer Vikram Yadav from the post of chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and appointed Arabinda Padhee, principal secretary in the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department in his place. A notification issued by the Law department said, “In exercise of powers conferred under sub-section (1) of section 19 of Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 (Odisha Act, 11 of 1955), the state government do hereby appoint Arabinda Kumar Padhee as chief administrator of SJTA, Puri in addition to his present duties for the time being and until further orders in place of Veer Vikram Yadav”. Padhee, a 1996 batch IAS officer, had earlier served as the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple and has considerable experience in the role. The government’s move came in the wake of widespread outrage after the idol of Lord Balabhadra fell on ‘charamala’ (makeshift ladder) while being taken to the Adapa Mandap inside Gundicha temple in a ‘pahandi’ on July 9 night. Several servitors were injured in the mishap. Earlier, a complaint was filed at Capital police station in Bhubaneswar against Yadav over the incident. Five lawyers lodged the complaint alleging negligence on the part of SJTA. 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However, Colombia, who beat Uruguay in a typically feisty clash, have one of the longest unbeaten streaks in football, having now gone 28 matches without defeat Wednesday’s results England 2-1 Netherlands, Colombia 1-0 Uruguay Sunday’s finals: England vs Spain, Colombia vs Argentina Naveen voices concern over pahandi mishap, seeks action Odia Asmita, Naveen said the chief minister’s exemplary steps in this direction will reExpressing serious concern assure crores of devotees. The over the slipping of Lord Bala- former chief minister said bhadra during Adapa pahandi Lord Jagannath is the symbol on July 9, leader of the Opposi- of Odia Asmita and the defintion Naveen Patnaik on Thurs- ing identity of Odia people. day urged Chief Minister Mo- The incident that happened han Charan Majhi to take during his pahandi this year is direct charge of such crucial unheard of and unparalleled, matters and ensure that these he said and added the sight of type of incidents are not Bada Thakura (Lord Balabrepeated. hadra) falling face In a letter to the down during charamachief minister, Naveen la pahandi was heartalso took strong excepwrenching. tion to the light comSuch an unfortunate ments made by some incident was unheard ministers on the inciof in the thousands of dent and said this has years of history of doubled the grief of Rath Yatra, Naveen crores of devotees of said and added it was Lord Jagannath. impossible for the “Such an insensitive devotees of Lord JagThe incident that approach of the govannath to believe what happened during ernment could not asthey were witnessing the pahandi this suage the wounded year is unheard of. live on that day . Lord Balabhadra’s feelings of the Jagan- The sight of Bada idol slipped and fell on nath devotees,” he Thakura (Lord Balabhadra) ‘charamala’ (makesaid. Naveen said the un- falling face down shift ladder) while beforeseen incident that during charamala ing taken by the servipahandi was took place when Bada tors to the Adapa heart-wrenching Thakura (Lord BalabMandapa inside Gunhadra) entered the Naveen Patnaik, LoP dicha temple in pahanAdapa Mandapa has di procession on July 9 deeply hurt the Jagannatha evening. Several servitors were devotees all over the world. “I injured in the mishap. Deputy chief minister Praam also very deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident,” vati Parida and Law minister Prithviraj Harichandan had he added. Stating that Jagannath is the described the incident as a ‘minor’ accident and ‘Lord’s disupreme guardian Lord of vine play’. Odia people and symbol of E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar I share your concern, will ensure it does not recur: CM E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar Responding to the letter of the leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that he was also deeply anguished by the unfortunate incident when L o rd B a l ab hadra slipped on charamala during Adapa pahandi on July 9. Majhi said soon after he came to know about the incident, he directed deputy chief minister Pravati Parida and Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan to rush to Puri. “Besides, I had also directed everybody to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” he said. Stating that Lord Jagannath is not only the symbol of Odia Asmita, the chief minister said that he is the Lord of the entire Jagat (Universe). The rituals and system of worship of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is rare in the world, he stated. Continued on P5 Farmers to revive protest ahead of Assembly polls Mahapanchayats to be held in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir. Mahapanchawith the upcoming Assembly yats will be held in these states, elections in sight, farmers’ sources said. body Samyukt Kisan Morcha Senior SKM leader and presi(SKM) on Thursday announced dent of All India Kisan Federaits plan to resume protests over tion Prem Singh Bhangu said its pending demands, including the protest is to pressure the a legal guarantee to MSP and government to implement the loan waiver. Leaders of the agreement between the SKM SKM, an umbrella and the Centre, signed Protest body of farm unions on December 9, 2021. in front of that led the 2020-21 Apart from MSP, the protest, said they will Mann’s house d e m a n d s i n cl u d e seek appointments to withdrawal of all casOn August 17, the meet Prime Minister SKM’s Punjab unit es related to the farmNarendra Modi and ers’ agitation, disburwill hold 3-hour Leader of Opposition protests in front of sal of compensation in the Lok Sabha Rafor those who died the residences of hul Gandhi to submit during the protest, CM Bhagwant their list of demands. protection from crimMann and his They will also meet inal liability for stubministers over all MPs of the Lok ble burning, etc. water crisis, debt Sabha and Rajya SabIn the general body burden, opening ha to urge them to put Indo-Pak trade via meeting, the SKM pressure on the govleaders congratulated road corridor etc er nment to accept farmers for “teaching their demands. The appoint- the BJP a lesson” in the Lok ments will be sought between Sabha elections, sources said. July 16 and 18, they added. The meeting discussed how SKM leaders said the deci- farmers in many states voted sion to revive protests was tak- against the BJP for its policies en at the general body meeting against the interest of farmers. held in Delhi on Wednesday, The BJP has lost as many as 38 adding that this time there seats in western UP, Punjab, might not be a march to Delhi. Haryana, northern Rajasthan, Rather, the protests will be con- and onion-growing belt in Macentrated on the election-bound harashtra, it was pointed out. J I T E NDRA CHOU B E Y & HARPR E E T B A J WA @ New Delhi / Chandigarh Biden should leave the race, says Clooney The top Democrat fundraiser’s call for Joe Biden to quit the US presidential race came hours after senior Democrat Nancy Pelosi joined the growing number of leaders expressing doubts about the 81-year-old’s winning chances. George Clooney said that nobody, including Biden, can win “the fight against time” | P9 Tough Maha bill tabled to counter Urban Naxalism The legislative initiative comes three months before the The BJP-led state government assembly election in October. It on Thursday tabled in the as- defines an unlawful organisasembly the Maharashtra Special tion as one that indulges in or Public Security Bill, 2024, which abets or assists or gives aid or aims to arrest the proliferation encourages directly or indirectof urban Naxalism. ly through any medium, devices According to the bill, the men- or otherwise, any unlawful acace of Naxalism is increasing tivity. “If a member of an unin urban areas through lawful organisation takes their frontal outfits. part in meetings or ac“These outfits give logitivities of any such orcal support and refugee ganisation or contribto the ar med cadre. utes or receives or Seized literature of the solicits any contribuNaxals shows safe tion, shall be punished houses and urban den with imprisonment for of their network in cita term which may exies in Maharashtra. tend to three years and They are creating un- These outfits give shall also be liable to logical support rest and propagating fine up to `3 lakh,” and refuge to the their ideology of reads the bill. armed cadre ar med rebellion The state gover nagainst the constitu- Maharashtra Special ment will constitute Public Security tional mandate,” the the advisory board that Bill, 2024 bill states. will determine which Naxal-hit slates of outfits can be designatChhattisgarh, Telangana, And- ed as urban Naxal. hra Pradesh and Odisha have The proposed law allows the already enacted the public secu- police to enter the premises of rity Act and banned 48 such out- anyone to check for literature fits. Maharashtra has decided to that can be used for unlawful acdo likewise for effective preven- tivities. They can seize the littion of unlawful activities of erature and properties if they such frontal outfits, the bill find they are used for propogatsaid. ing urban Naxalism. S u d h i r S u r ya w a n s h i @ Mumbai royal blue Peacocks spotted at Ekamra Kanan in Bhubaneswar, on Thursday I DEBADATTA MALLICK 94% of agri crops out of MSP net: SBI B E NN K OCHUV E E DAN @ Mumbai WHILE the farmer unions are demanding legal backing for minimum support price (MSP), a new report by the research team of SBI says the MSP regime currently covers just 6% of the agriculture basket, mostly food grains. The government spent `3.4 lakh crore on MSP in FY23 and if the government decides to procure all MSP crops, then it will leave a fiscal burden of a whopping `13.5 lakh crore, says Soumyakanti Ghosh, chief economic advisor, State Bank of India, in the report. The report says foodgrain output (a key MSP item) is only 17% of overall output of the agri sector, while other key segments such as livestock, vegetables, and fruits, representing 71% of the agricultural output, receive inadequate support. However, “the politics of MSP fails us to address the concerns of 71% in a more holistic manner as even after best efforts, the government is able to procure 6% of overall output as MSP”, Ghosh says in the report. DU panel meet today on plan to add Manusmriti reading in LLB course I f r a h M u f t i @ New Delhi A proposal to introduce readings of the Manusmriti in Delhi University’s LLB programme on jurisprudence was nixed by Vicechancellor Yogesh Singh on Thursday . The proposal had drawn a firestorm of protests as it was to be discussed at the University’s academic council meet on Friday . “Today a proposal by the Faculty of Law was submitted to the Delhi University In the proposal, . they had suggested changes in the paper titled Jurisprudence. One of the changes was to include readings on Manusmriti. We have rejected both the suggested readings and the amendments proposed by the Faculty Nothing of . this sort will be taught to students,” said Singh in a video message. The proposal had been unanimously approved in a June 24 meeting of the Faculty of Law’s Course Committee headed by its dean Anju Vali Tikoo, according to its minutes. The suggested readings for Unit 5 of the course include Manusmriti with the Manubhasya of Medhatithi by G N Jha and Commentary of Manu Smriti — Smritichandrika by T Kristnasawmi Iyer. Protesting against the proposal, the Social Democratic Teachers Front on Wednesday wrote to Singh stating, “It has come to my knowledge that Manusmriti has been recommended to the students as “suggested readings” which is highly objectionable as this text is adverse to the progress and education of women and marginalized communities In India. In the country 85 percent of the population belongs to marginalized and 50 percent population is women. Their progress depends on progressive education system and teaching pedagogy , not regressive.” Dean Tikko was not available for comments. SC postpones NEET-UG hearing to next Thursday S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Thursday deferred its hearing on a batch of pleas seeking cancellation of NEET-UG, as the bench said some of the parties haven’t received the affidavits filed by the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the test. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Cen- tre, however, said they have served their affidavit to the counsel for the parties. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud postponed the hearing to July 18 to allow the petitioners to file their responses to the government and the NTA’s affidavits. Initially the court suggested , that it be deferred by a day or till Monday but Mehta said he , had a personal difficulty on Another key operative in paper leak arrested The CBI on Thursday arrested one of the alleged kingpins in the NEET-UG paper leak. Rockey alias Rakesh Ranjan, who hails from Bihar’s Nalanda, and is said to be a relative of mastermind Sanjeev Mukhia, was nabbed from the outskirts of Patna. It produced him before a special court in Patna, which remanded him in 10 days of CBI custody. The CBI raided a few locations in Patna after his arrest that day The bench also said it . has received a status report from the Central Bureau of Investig ation (CBI) on the progress made in the probe into alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024. In its affidavit on Wednesday, the Centre said data analytics of the results of NEETUG conducted by IIT Madras found there was neither any indication of mass malpractice nor a localised set of candidates benefiting from it and scoring abnor mally high marks. While hearing the pleas on July 8, the bench had observed that the exam’s sanctity had been breached.