BHUBANESWAR  THURSDAY  MAY 15, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION INDIA REJECTS CHINA RENAMING PLACES IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH India has firmly rejected China’s latest attempt to rename locations in Arunachal Pradesh, calling it a “vain and preposterous” effort ARUNACHAL AN INTEGRAL PART OF INDIA: MEA CHINA’S MOVE AMID REGIONAL UNSTABILITY New Delhi’s reaction came after China renamed 27 places in Arunachal Pradesh. In a strongly worded statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s stance and said, “Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India | P7 ■ ■ Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian argued that the move is within China’s “sovereign rights”. “The Chinese government has standardised the names of some parts of Zangnan (Arunachal) India’s sharp response comes at a time when regional dynamics remain tense, particularly due to the recent response to Pakistan 2017 WAS WHEN CHINA HAD RENAMED PARTS OF ARUNACHAL FOR 1ST TIME 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 HISTORIC JUSTICE SEBCs in Odisha to get 11.25% reservation in higher education B I J O Y P R A D H A N @ Bhubaneswar DELIVERING historic justice to a vast majority of people belonging to other backward classes (OBCs), Odisha cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday approved a proposal to provide 11.25 per cent reservation in state’s higher secondary and higher education institutions (HEIs) to students from the socially and economically backward classes (SEBC). Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, the chief minister said that the reservation for SEBC category students will be implemented from the current academic year 2025-26, in state public universities, government and governmentaided higher education institutions. The reservation policy will apply to different courses under School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Odia Language, Literature, and Culture, and Sports and Youth Services departments, he said. The SEBC students will enjoy reservation in higher secondary (+2) courses, teacher training and vocational education programmes of School and Mass Education department, undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses, teacher education, law courses (LLB/ integrated law) of Higher Education department, bachelor’s degree in performing arts of Odia Language, Literature, and Culture department and bachelor’s in physical education (BPEd) as well as master in physical education (MPEd) under Sports and Youth Services department. “This initiative will ensure uniform implementation of reservation in admission for students belonging to scheduled tribes (22.5 pc), scheduled castes (16.25 pc), SEBC (11.25 pc) and persons with disability The reservation for SEBC category students will be implemented from the current academic year 2025-26, in state public universities, government and government-aided higher education institutions Mohan Majhi, Chief Minister (5 pc) and ex-servicemen (1 pc),” he added. With the decision, reservation in education for SEBC will be implemented in the state after nearly 45 years of the submission of the Mandal Commission report recommending a 27 per cent quota for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions. The then UPA government led by Manmohan Singh implemented a 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in central educational institutions in 2006. This was achieved through the Constitution (Ninety-Third Amendment) Act, 2005, which came into force on January 20, 2006. The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 further formalised the reservation policy . In terms of this provision, parliament as well as the state legislatures are empowered to make appropriate laws for the educational advancement of the weaker sections of the people. Though several states have implemented reservation in education, successive governments in Odisha had denied the benefit to OBCs despite the fact that more than 52 per cent of the state’s population belong to OBCs. INCLUDES 3 NEW HYDRO PROJECTS CONVERTING RUN-OF-RIVER PROJECTS INTO STORAGE STRUCTURES Plans for more Indus basin projects readied for Cabinet J I T E N D R A C H O U B E Y @ New Delhi doned due to Pakistani roadblocks. They include the Bursar AFTER putting the Indus Wa- project (800 MW) on the Maruters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, sudar river within the Indus the government is considering basin. Also, the Uri Stage II (260 three new hydropower projects MW) on the Jhelum commison the Indus River Basin be- sioned in 2013-14 is yet to realsides fast-tracking two other ise its full potential. projects. Additionally, discus“As many of our projects sions are underway among top have not moved forward in the officials to convert the existing past four decades, the governrun-of-river hydro projects into ment is aiming to scale up opstorage projects. erations as soon as possible. The treaty signed in 1960 re- Since the treaty is on hold, the stricts India’s usage of the government will not entertain we s t e r n r iv a ny o b j e c t i o n s ers—Indus, from Pakistan,” ADDITIONAL Jhelum, and said a senior officPOWER POINTS Chenab — to er in the Ministry benefit Pakiof Jal Shakti. stan. Ever since, The Permanent Pakistan has Indus Commisbeen stalling Ins i o n , wh i ch i s 4 5 dian proposals mandated to meet 1 3 2 to construct hyannually, has aldropower plants ready been on the on the three rivback burner since 1 Sawalkot Stage II ers under varitwo years. 2 Kirthai Stage II ous pretexts. Many of India’s India put the large and medium 3 Dulhasti Stage II treaty in abeyscale projects on 4 Uri Stage II* ance following the Indus basin a horrific terhave been stalled 5 Bursar project rorist attack on since 1984. The Sa* Uri Stage II commissioned but April 22 in Pawalkot hydropowfull work yet to be completed halgam, killing er project (1,856 26 people. MW) had to be The Ministry of Jal Shakti shelved despite its conceptualihas prepared detailed project sation in 1984 following Pakireports for submission to the stani opposition. While the Cabinet. The proposed projects Kirthai-II (930 MW) was conare Sawalkot Stage II (1,856 ceptualised way back in 1984, MW), Kirthai Stage II (930 MW) work on Kirthai I is in its preand Dulhasti Stage II (260 MW) construction stage. on the Chenab. Dulhasti Stage-II (260 MW) Besides, the ministry has re- over the Chenab was conceived quested Cabinet approval to in 1997-98 and the Bursar fast-track projects that had ei- project (800 MW) on the Maruther slowed down or been aban- sudar river in 2008. A N U R A A G S I N G H @ Bhopal BSF jawan Purnam Shaw after being handed over to India | PTI HOW INDIA BYPASSED CHINESE AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS TO HIT PAK M AYA N K S I N G H @ New Delhi IN a show of strength of the technological might of India’s armed forces, the government on Wednesday said Chinese air defence systems supplied to Pakistan were hoodwinked during Operation Sindoor, with the mission wrapped up in 23 minutes. “Air Force bypassed and jammed Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defence systems ... demonstrating India’s technological edge,” the government said. All three services of Pakistan have a major presence of Chinese weapons and systems including the Air Defence systems, J-10, JF-17 fighters, submarines and warships to include a few. On the night of 7-8 May, R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi 31 Maoists killed in 21-day op in C’garh Bhubanerswar: The state government on Wednesday appointed Asit Mohapatra as chairperson of Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority. A notification issued by the Housing and Urban Development department also named Rajendra Mishra and Shyam Sundar Dash as members of the quasi judicial authority. The government on Monday appointed principal secretary of H&UD department Usha Padhee, as interim head of the ORERA. Raipur: The first-ever decisive and strategic crackdown against the CPI (Maoist) – ‘Operation Black Forest’, launched on April 21 – has “stamped out the safe haven of senior Maoist leaders,” senior officials of the CRPF and Chhattisgarh police said, commending the operation as immensely successful. Executed in Bijapur’s south-west forested area adjoining Telangana border, the operation involved thousands of security personnel for 21 days | P8 NEW CJI SWORN IN Justice B R Gavai after taking oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India, at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, as President Droupadi Murmu looks on | PTI Pak crew barred from disembarking crude oil tanker A M A R N AT H PA R I D A @ Paradip AMID the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, security agencies have barred 21 Pakistani crew members from disembarking a crude oil tanker that arrived at Paradip Port on Wednesday . Hong Kong-flagged crude oil tanker MT Siren II, carrying 1,96,580 tonne of crude oil, docked at the single point mooring (SPM) terminal of the port during the wee hours. Its crew includes 25 members - 21 from Pakistan, two from India and one each from Sri Lanka and Thailand. Sources said the Pakistani crew has been restricted from disembarking for security reasons. Prior to their arrival, the Immigration department had alerted CISF, Indian Coast Guard, Marine police and Foreigners Re gional Re gistration Of fice (FRRO) in Hyderabad to tighten security measures. After the vessel’s arrival, the Immigration department directed all Pakistani crew members to deposit their passports and visas with the office concerned. The docu- Pakistan tried to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India, but those were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Grid and Air Defence systems. On May 8, India targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan, apart from taking down an Air Defence system in Lahore. India’s multi-tier defence prevented Pakistan Air Force attacks on Indian airfields and logistic installations on the night of May 9-10. All strikes were executed without loss of Indian assets. The use of long-range drones to guided munitions made the task easier, the Centre said, adding the strikes were highly effective. AN FIR was filed against state minister Vijay Shah after an appalled Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday lit into him for his scurrilous remarks, saying he used the “language of the gutters” against Col Sofia Qureshi, who was part of the national briefing on Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The court took suo motu cognisance of media reports and digital evidence, after which it ordered the police to file an FIR against him on charges of promoting enmity and hatred. Shah had obliquely referred to Col Qureshi as the “sister of terrorists”. Col Qureshi, along with Wi n g C o m mander Vyomika Singh, was the face of the ar med forces Vijay Shah media briefing. Castig ating Shah, the bench said the armed forces were perhaps the last institution in this country that reflect integrity, industry, discipline, sacrifice, selflessness, character, honour and indomitable courage. It directed that the matter to be listed on top priority for Thursday “At the func. tion in Raikunda village in Mhow (Indore), the minister made nauseating remark against Col Sofia Quraishi by way of an innuendo,” the court observed. Sources said the BJP top brass in New Delhi is extremely angry Shah may be asked to . step down as cabinet minister soon, they added. HCL-Foxconn semicon joint venture in UP gets Union Cabinet approval EXPRESS READ Asit Mohapatra new ORERA chairperson MP minister booked after HC fiat over gutter language ments will be returned after completion of crude oil unloading operations at the SPM terminal. Jagatsinghpur SP Bhabani Shankar Udgata said all 21 Pakistani crew members have been barred from disembarking for security reasons. A close vigil is being maintained on their movement to prevent any breach of national security, he added. Security agencies including All 21 Pakistani crew members have been barred from disembarking for security reasons. A close vigil is being maintained on their movement to prevent any breach of national security Bhabani Shankar Udgata, Jagatsinghpur SP CISF, Customs department, Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Marine police have been put on alert. The vessel had sailed from South Korea via Singapore before reaching Odisha coast. Officials assured there is no cause for concern as the vessel is anchored at the SPM terminal, located approximately 15 nautical miles off Paradip coast. “The Pakistani crew members will remain onboard throughout the unloading process. Once the operation is completed, the vessel will depart immediately,” sources added. Paradip Port was placed under heightened maritime security during the military tension between India and Pakistan. DON PRESSES IRAN TO END PROXY WAR, SAYS HE WANTS QUICK NUCLEAR DEAL President Donald Trump told Gulf leaders on Wednesday he urgently wants “to make a deal” with Iran to wind down its nuclear program but Tehran must end its support of proxy groups throughout the region as part of any potential agreement | P9 THE Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a `3,706 crore semiconductor plant at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, to be set up by the HCL-Foxconn joint venture to manufacture display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops and automobiles. Union minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said with this approval, India now has six semiconductor units in advanced stages of construction. “With this sixth unit, Bharat moves forward in its journey to develop the strategically vital semiconductor industry,” said Vaishnaw. The new plant near Jewar Airport in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) region will manufacture display driver chips for a wide range of devices including mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, and PCs. It is designed for a capacity of 20,000 wafers per month, with an output of up to 36 million chips monthly . Foxconn is the biggest manufacturer of electronic products, including Apple’s iPhone. The unit is expected to attract an investment of `3,700 crore. Vaishnaw emphasised HCL’s legacy in hardware development and manufacturing, and Foxconn’s global leadership in electronics production. Together, the companies aim to strengthen India’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. The minister also highlighted the growing presence of glo- Ashwini Vaishnaw | PTI MULTIPLIER EFFECT Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new plant will attract investments. ‘‘Once this unit is there, the display panel plant will also come to India. This will meet 40% of India’s capacity’’ bal semiconductor partners in India. He said leading equipment manufacturers have established operations in the country. Additionally, gas and chemical suppliers like Merck, Linde, Air Liquide, and Inox are preparing to support the industry’s expansion. India launched a `76,000 crore incentive scheme in December 2021 to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem. As part of this mission, Tata Electronics, in collaboration with PSMC, is setting up a `91,000 crore-semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat, which will focus on producing power management chips. Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test is also investing in Morigaon, Assam, for packaging technologies.