HYDERABAD  THURSDAY  OCTOBER 24, 2024  `9.00  PAGES 16  LATE CITY EDITION BYJU’S IN TROUBLE AS SC JUNKS NCLAT ORDER ON INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS The Supreme Court also annulled the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal’s approval of Byju’s `158.9 crore dues settlement with the BCCI BCCI ASKED TO DEPOSIT SETTLEMENT AMOUNT TRIBUNAL DID NOT FOLLOW DUE PROCEDURE A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra directed the cricket board to deposit the settlement amount of `158.9 crore with the committee of creditors. Now, Byju Raveendran and his brother Riju Raveendran stand to lose control over Think and Learn Pvt Ltd or Byju’s—a company engaged in providing online educational services ■ ■ ■ The SC held that the NCLAT violated the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code procedures and cleared the settlement in a wrongful manner The SC said insolvency withdrawal plea can only be submitted through the Interim Resolution Professional and not by the parties themselves The SC order came in an appeal filed by US creditor firm Glas Trust | P10 Glas Trust REPRESENTS U.S. LENDERS FROM WHOM BYJU’S HAD BORROWED $1.2 BILLION 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 PANNUN CASE FACILITATE MUTUAL ASPIRATIONS: XI Meaningful accountability sought by US on conspiracy Both sides must facilitate each other’s development aspirations, Xi said. They must strengthen communication and properly manage differences and disagreements, he added FRICTION POINTS PART OF THE PACT The recent patrolling and disengagement agreement will cover the remaining friction points at Depsang and Demchok, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi THE US has said it would not be fully satisfied until there is “meaningful accountability” resulting from India’s investigations into the foiled murderfor-hire plot against Khalistani radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. “We continue to expect and want to see accountability based on the results of that investigation, and certainly the United States won’t be fully satisfied until there is meaningful accountability resulting from that investigation,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday . He said this in the context of the US visit of an Indian enquiry committee on the case for talks last week. Of the two main players in the alleged plot, Nikhil Gupta is in a US jail as Prague extradited him months after his arrest. The US recently named former RAW field officer Vikash Yadav as Gupta’s handler and the alleged mastermind in the conspiracy Yadav no longer . works for RAW . In an unrelated case of extortion and kidnapping, Yadav was arrested by the Delhi Police in December last year and lodged in Tihar Jail for over four months till he managed to get regular bail. Patel said that there was “valuable engagement with India’s inquiry committee last week”. Information, he said, was also exchanged between “our two governments to further our respective investigations.” Patel noted the US understands that the Indian inquiry committee will continue its investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with President Xi Jinping Modi, Xi talks lay BRICS for normalisation road Special Representatives to oversee peace and tranquility on border Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi TAKING off from the recent agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday initiated steps to normalise bilateral relations by issuing directions to revive various dialogue mechanisms. The talks happened on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan for about 50 minutes, almost five years after a bloody faceoff at Galwan in eastern Ladakh in 2020. “India-China relations are important for the people of our countries, and for regional and global peace and stability Mu. tual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity will guide bilateral relations,” said Modi. Welcoming the agreement for complete disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 along the LAC, Modi underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquility . “The two leaders agreed that the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question will meet at an early date to oversee the management of peace and tranquility in border areas and to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. The relevant dialogue mechanisms at the level of Foreign Ministers and other officials will also be utilised to stabilise and rebuild bilateral relations,” according to the foreign office. The two leaders affirmed that stable, predictable, and amicable bilateral relations between India and China, as two neighbours and the two largest nations on earth, will have a positive impact on regional and global peace and prosperity . Closer India-China ties will also contribute to a multi-polar Asia and a multi-polar world. The leaders underlined the need to develop bilateral relations from a strategic and longterm perspective, enhance strate gic communication and explore cooperation to address developmental challenges. Later, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both Modi and Xi stressed that India and China can have a “peaceful, stable and beneficial bilateral relationship” with maturity and wisdom, and by showing mutual respect for each other’s sensitivities. He said peace in the border will create space for returning towards normalisation of bilateral relations. Bombshell on BRS scams soon: Ponguleti B K A R T H E E K @ Seoul IN a revelation likely to cause a flutter in the BRS camp, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, who is touring Seoul, said on Wednesday that state investigating agencies have gathered enough evidence in the Dharani, Kaleshwaram, phone-tapping, and eight-10 other scams involving prominent pink party leaders. He added that the files pertaining to these scams have already been moved at the top level for action. He was responding to a question about the state government’s decision handing over the management of the Dharani portal to the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The minister told reporters here in Seoul, South Korea: “Within one or two days, one or two bombs (read sensational revelations) will go off. By the time I return to Hyderabad, this may happen.” He emphasised that the Congress government did not want to take hasty action on the alleged scams but would act based on evidence. He also mentioned that the commission constituted to investigate the alleged irregularities would submit its report very soon. Referring to irregularities in Dharani, he said they were exploring options as to how to hold the foreign company (previously Falcon SG Holding (Philippines), Inc., which maintained the Dharani portal) accountable for any misdeeds. Earlier in the day the Telan, gana government’s official delegation, comprising ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Ponnam Prabhakar, chief min- Assets worth `12 cr AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday filed the nomination for her maiden electoral battle from Wayanad, Kerala. Her mother and Cong ress Parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, brother Rahul Gandhi, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accompanied her to the collectorate. The bypoll in Wayanad, scheduled on November 13, was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat to retain Rae Bareli. Before filing the papers on In the elction affidavit, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra declared assets worth `11.9 cr, including her `5.63 cr house in Shimla. Her husband Robert Vadra’s assets worth `65.5 cr were also mentioned Wednesday Priyanka , held a massive roadshow. Addressing a huge gathering of supporters, she said she has 35 years of experience in the political arena, though she is fighting election for the first time. “I campaigned for my father when I was 17 years old in the 1989 elections. I had cam- paigned for many leaders including my mother and brother. This is for the first time I am asking to vote for myself,” she said. Priyanka will take on CPI veteran Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas. In his address, Rahul Gandhi said there will be two representatives for Wayanad in the Lok Sabha if Priyanka is elected. “I will be the unofficial representative and Priyanka the official face,” he said. Rahul represented Wayanad from 2019 to 2024. After filing the nomination, Rahul and Priyanka went to Puthumala and offered floral tributes at the graves of those killed in the landslide. V V B A L A K R I S H N A @ Hyderabad THE Operation and Maintenance (O&M) wing of the Irrigation Department had submitted a re por t to the then Ramagundam engineer-inchief (ENC), but he did not take any measures to maintain the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. Appearing before the Commission of Inquiry on Kaleshwaram, headed by Justice PC Ghose for cross-examination, Irrigation Engineer-inChief (O&M and Quality Control) B Nagendra Rao said that they identified some problems in Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages in October and November 2021 and submitted reports to the then Ramagundam ENC. But, he failed to take steps to minimise the damage to the barrages. The commission, which resumed its heari n g o n We d n e s d ay, grilled Nagendra Rao for over three hours by posing over 120 questions. Nagendra Rao said that though the O&M wing directed the Ramagundam ENC to inspect the barrages and submit reports, he did not follow them. AI for notes and efficiency! That is prime goal as the government strives to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a big way in its functioning. Officials from various wings of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday participated in a dedicated session on AI so as to enhance productivity speed up the decision, making process, and perk up public delivery systems. The session sought to address the use of AI in official work, such as file management and note-taking in offices, since the cutting-edge tech is seen as a means to scale up productivity . In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on the use of tech for efficiency Un, ion Minister of State at the PMO, Jitendra Singh, advised the officers to optimise AI deployment in government operations. Singh said AI could play a role in transforming governance, stream- lining operations, and improving decision-making across various verticles. The session was attended by officials at all levels — from section officers to the principal secretary to the Prime Minister. The attendees included P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the PM, as well as Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor, advisors to the PM. The session was part of Mission Karmayogi, a capacity-building initiative to Nagendra Rao, however, said that he was unaware of the reasons for the sinking of the piers of Medigadda barrage in October, 2023. He stated that there was no O&M mechanism at ground level till 2021. The O&M wing would give suggestions and instructions to the field level officials, Nagendra Rao said and added that it was the responsibility of the local engineers to maintain the barrages properly . CONTINUED ON P5 S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, accompanied by Rahul Gandhi, during the roadshow at Kalpetta on Wednesday | E GOKUL PMO on the learning curve to harness AI @ New Delhi ister’s advisor Vem Narender Reddy MP Chamala Kiran Ku, mar Reddy, MAUD Principal Secretary Dana Kishore, MLAs Malreddy Ranga Reddy and Kale Yadaiah, and senior officials, visited Cheongna, Songdo, and Yeongjong smart cities, which are part of the recently developed Incheon in South Korea. The local administration informed the delegation about the investments and dividends from urban development. The official delegation also visited Young Sports University to discuss the proposed establishment of a similar educational facility in Hyderabad. States have right to tax industrial alcohol, rules SC ENHANCING EFFICIENCY RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR Hyderabad: Justice Juvvadi Sridevi of the Telangana High Court on Thursday recused herself from hearing the bail plea filed by P Radhakishan Rao, Accused No. 5 in the alleged phone-tapping case. Radhakishan Rao’s wife is a relative of Justice Sridevi. Given the familial connection, the judge chose to step aside, ensuring impartiality in the matter. No corrective steps taken after defects found in KLIS barrages: Irrigation ENC PRIYANKA FILES NOMINATION FOR POLL DEBUT, KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kalpetta Tapgate: Judge recuses from hearing bail plea of A5 empower government staff. A demonstration on breaking ‘hierarchical barriers’ within the PMO, showed how officials could learn advanced concepts. It covered how AI could revolutionise sectors like healthcare, agriculture and public delivery services. By leveraging AI, government departments can reduce human error and create responsive systems, Singh said. He, however, had a word of caution: “AI holds immense potential but must be used with caution to ensure confidentiality and data security .” POCSO case against CI for molesting minor in Kazipet E N S @ Hanamkonda AN inspector of police (CI) M Ravi Kumar has been booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly molesting a 16-yeaold girl on October 9. According to SI V Lavan Kumar, the parents of the girl lodged a complaint on Tuesday night against the CI. The CI, working in Hyderabad is a resident of the same apartment where the girl lives in Kazipet. Seeing the girl talking to her classmate in the corridor on October 9, Ravi Kumar asked her to send the boy away and meet him in his flat. When the scared girl went to the CI ‘s flat, he touched her inappropriately . He then took her into his bedroom. The terrified girl broke free of him and ran away. He was alone in his flat at that time. She went to her parents and narrated her trauma. A case has been registered under Sections 127 (2), 75(2), 351(2) BNS, 9(a)v, 9(c) r/w 10 POCSO ACT 2012, said Lavan Kumar. OPENING a major revenue source for state governments, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the regulatory power over the production, manufacture, and supply of industrial alcohol lies with states and not the Centre. In a 8:1 majority ruling, a nine-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud held that industrial alcohol comes within the definition of ‘intoxicating alcohol’ under Entry 8 of the State List, so the state governments can regulate and tax it. The majority bench comprised CJI Chandrachud and Justices Hrishikesh Roy Abhay , S Oka, J B Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, Ujjal Bhuyan, Satish Chandra Sharma, and Augustine George Masih. However, Justice B V Nagarathna dissented and held that states did not have the legislative competence to regulate industrial alcohol. The latest verdict overturns a 1990 seven-judge bench judgment which held that the Centre had the regulatory power over industrial alcohol. Several state governments including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala had challenged the seven-judge bench judgment The matter was referred to the nine-judge bench in 2010. During hearings, states argued the power to tax industrial alcohol is vital in the post-GST era and to monitor public health.