BELAGAVI  THURSDAY  FEBRUARY 26, 2026  `9.00  PAGES 14  LATE CITY EDITION SLEW OF DEMANDS MESSES UP BSNL DIRECTOR’S VISIT TO PRAYAGRAJ BSNL director Vivek Banzal is in the line of fire for making ‘absurd’ demands linked to his proposed Prayagraj trip. He now faces a show-cause notice WANTED SNAN KITS FOR A DIP AT THE SANGAM UNACCEPTABLE IN NEW INDIA, SAYS SCINDIA Banzal sought six male and two female snan kits for a dip at the Sangam, including towels, undergarments, slippers, combs, mirrors, soap, shampoo, oil and a bed sheet, for general use at the ghat. Hotel and Circuit House arrangements included toiletries, shaving kits, dry fruits, fruit bowls and towels. He also wanted a boat ride and visits to a few temples ■ ■ The visit scheduled for February 25-26 was cancelled pending a full inquiry. Banzal (pic) is due to superannuate by September-end | P10 Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said an order like this is ‘unacceptable’ in new India, adding it flouts all rules and traditions and is ‘beyond absurd’. Banzal became BSNL director in October 2018 50 PERSONNEL HAD TO BE ASSIGNED TO FULLY MANAGE BANZAL’S TRIP 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 SC takes suo motu Terror anywhere threatens peace note of NCERT’s everywhere, Modi tells Knesset ‘judicial graft’ text Says India’s connection to Israel is written in blood and sacrifice; calls for diplomacy, peace EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Justice Bagchi observed that @ New Delhi the book seems to go against the basic structure of the T H E S u p r e m e C o u r t o n Constitution. Wednesday took suo motu cogFollowing the SC’s strong renizance of the controversial marks, the NCERT held a highchapter on ‘judicial corruption’ level meeting. “The sections in NCERT’s Class 8 social sci- pertaining to corruption in the ence book. judiciary may be removed. An A three-judge bench compris- official statement will be reing Chief Justice Surya Kant leased after the meeting,” said and justices Joymalya an official. Bagchi and Vipul M The book was rePancholi listed the matmoved from sales from ter for Thursday after Tuesday by the Publisenior advocates Kapil cations Division of Sibal and Abhishek NCERT. On the book’s Singhvi mentioned the availability online, an m a t t e r f o r u r g e n t Book flags official said: “We alconsideration. ways upload textbooks backlog “NCERT is teaching much later than the The chapter students about judicial print version. There is pegs the corruption. This is a no question of pulling number of matter of grave conit out online as we have cern. We are here for pending cases not uploaded it in the in the Supreme first place.” the bar,” Sibal said. Court at “The selectivity my The controversy is lord. The selectivity It 81,000, in high over a section in the ... courts at is there in other areas text book on ‘corrupalso but judicial cor- 62.4 lakh, and tion in the judiciary’ in r u p t i o n ? ” S i n g h v i in district and a chapter titled The role subordinate submitted. of the judiciary in our courts at Thanking the lawsociety. While explain4.7 crore yers for raising the ising the concept of judisue, the CJI said: “This cial accountability, it seems to be a very calculated notes that judges are bound by and deep-rooted measure... I a code of conduct that requires don’t want to say much.” them to remain fair and imparTaking strong objection to tial and maintain integrity in the chapter on judicial corrup- their professional and personal tion, the CJI added: “I will not lives. When these standards are allow anyone on earth to taint not upheld, the chapter says the integrity of the institution that the judiciary has internal and defame the institution. At mechanisms to ensure account any cost, I will not permit it. ability It also mentions that in . Howsoever high it may be, the serious cases, judges can be relaw will take its course. I know moved by Parliament through how to deal with it.” impeachment. J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reiterated India’s strategic partnership with Israel in an address to the Knesset and said “India’s connection to Israel is written in blood and sacrifice” and “nothing can justify terrorism.” Becoming the first Indian PM to address the Israeli parliament, Modi framed India-Israel ties through the lens of shared security challenges and historical bonds. Recalling that more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in the region during World War I, he said the relationship was rooted in “blood and sacrifice”, not merely diplomacy . In a direct reference to the October 7 Hamas assault and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Modi drew parallels between the two nations’ experiences. “We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly , with full conviction, in this moment and beyond,” he said. “No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism,” Modi asserted, underlining India’s “consistent ‘AMBITIOUS’ FTA TALKS ON: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu before addressing Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem on Wednesday | AP/PTI and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism, with no double standards.” He warned that terrorism seeks “to destabilise societies, block development and erode trust,” adding that “countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action, because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere.” Even as he struck a hard line on terror, Modi balanced his remarks with a call for diplomacy . “The road to peace is not always A S H W I N I M S R I PA D @ Bengaluru 20 ABVP activists arrested for vandalism, assault DKS: Guarantee schemes are a burden on govt EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru ADMITTING that the Guarantee Schemes are a significant financial burden on the state exchequer, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the government, however, continues to implement them in the interest of the people. Shivakumar, also the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, said at the launch of ‘Kusuma Sanjeevini’ on Wednesday that the schemes would continue to ensure people do not lose mental strength during difficult times. He said these welfare measures are designed to ease economic pressure on families and provide a sense of security “These . are meant to support vulnerable sections and ensure that citizens can lead dignified lives despite financial challenges,” he added. Shivakumar said the schemes are also a way to instill confidence and resilience among people. “Even though it may be a burden on the state exchequer, it is our responsibility to ensure that families do not feel helpless during crises. We want every citizen to feel empowered and supported,” he said. Elevated to a strategic partnership in 2017, India–Israel relations have expanded significantly in defence, technology, cybersecurity and innovation. Modi’s visit — his second as PM — comes amid heightened regional tensions, reinforcing converging geopolitical interests and deepening security cooperation between the two countries. The Knesset conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal”, its highest honour, on Modi. Protests pay off, state to fill 60k govt posts EXPRESS READ Bengaluru: Sarjapura police on Wednesday arrested 20 activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for trespassing and assaulting security guards and a student, as well as vandalising property, on the Azim Premji University premises on Tuesday. The ABVP activists allegedly went on a rampage during their protest against a programme held on the university premises, which they termed as “anti-national” | P7 easy but India joins you and the , world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region,” he said, expressing support for efforts that could lead to a durable peace, including in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the visit as historic, calling the partnership “an enormous multiplier of our individual powers”. Terming Modi as “a great friend to Israel,” he said their deep personal rapport reflected the strength of bilateral ties. Modi outlined plans to broaden the economic pillar of the partnership, including talks on an “ambitious” FTA. “We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infra development.” Referring to the Bilateral Investment Treaty signed last year, he said it would “provide confidence, predictability to our businesses” DIRTY MONEY Vigilance officials count seized currency notes following a raid at the residence of Deputy Director of Mines Debabrata Mohanty (inset), in connection with a bribery case, in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Over `4 crore in cash was recovered | EXPRESS The logjammed state of infra projects Deve Gowda’s hometown, Hassan, a greenfield airport project that was launched 20 years ago KARNATAKA is among the is yet to be completed. The fastest-growing states in greenfield airport at Vithe country. While the jayapura cannot take off state continues to mainas the state government tain robust g rowth, has not obtained envimany key infrastructure ronmental clearance. initiatives, including In Namma Bengaluru, airports, public transthe tech capital of the PART-1 portation, and irrigation country, the State Govprojects, have been on hold for ernment is going ahead with the decades due to procedural de- implementation of a tunnel road lays, lack of resources, and lack project despite opposition from of political will to implement experts and civil society How. them in a time-bound manner. ever, barring Namma Metro, not In former Prime Minister HD much pro g ress has been EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru achieved in mobility in one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Irrigation and drinking water projects that could transform drought-prone districts are stuck due to various reasons, including environmental clearance and alleged fund crunch. As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to present the state budget on March 6, TNIE does an audit of unkept promises by successive governments to remind the political class that planning without performance does not serve people’s cause. PROJECTS IN LIMBO: P4 AS pressure mounts and protests intensify for recruitment to government posts, the state government plans to fill up close to 60,000 vacancies and is working with various departments to finalise the exact number. Hundreds of job aspirants came out on the streets in Dharwad on Tuesday expressing an, ger against the government for not issuing job recruitment notifications. They had protested earlier, too. Sources in the finance department said they have agreed on large-scale recruitment. “We are fine with agreeing for more. We are working with departments to finalise numbers,” they said. Two months ago, the High Court of Karnataka had restrained the state government from increasing reservation under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Act, 2022. “No further notifications for recruitment or appointments on the basis of increased reservation should be issued till the petitions are disposed of. Recruitments that have already begun may be continued, but appointments should be subject to the final outcome of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to announce the recruitment process in his budget speech on March 6 | EXPRESS present petitions,” the high court had stated. Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who is also Dharwad District In-charge Minister, told TNIE that the state government is keen on filling up 56,000– 58,000 posts. “The hearing is on March 3. Once we get clearance, notification for the posts will be issued,’’ he said. Sources said CM Siddaramaiah, who is presenting his budget on March 6, may announce it in his speech. Karnataka has more than 7.5 lakh sanctioned posts in more than 70 government departments, of which 2.84 lakh posts are vacant at present. On average, 25,000 posts fall vacant every year. For several years, successive governments have not taken up recruitment in big numbers for various reasons, including the Covid pandemic, financial implications, legal hurdles and other issues. Solar cells to face 126% anti-subsidy duty in US P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi THE US has imposed a countervailing duty of 126% on imports of solar cells and modules from India, alleging that Indian manufacturers benefit from significant government subsidies. Similar duties have been levied on Indonesia and Laos. Countervailing duties, also known as anti-subsidy duties, are tariffs imposed to offset the harmful effects of foreign government subsidies on imports. The decision follows an investigation by the US International Trade Commission, which found that subsidised imports were causing material injury to domestic producers. In parallel, the US Department of Commerce is conducting anti-dumping duty investigations into solar cell imports. The department selected two Adani Group entities – Mundra Solar Energy and Mundra Solar PV – as mandatory respondents. The case turned more adverse after both firms withdrew from the investigation and did not provide complete responses. “This level of countervailing duty will shut the US market for Indian solar panel exports. That is typically the outcome when the US imposes countervailing duties – exports of the affected product from the targeted country become commercially unviable,” said Abhijit Das, former head of the Centre for WTO Studies at IIFT. Kerala Story2 HC STALLS RELEASE TILL PLEAS HEARD Kerala HC has posted the matter for final hearing on Thursday at 9.45am | P7 TODAY’S MATCH 7pm: India vs Zimbabwe (Chennai) KARNATAKA VS J&K Cricket caught at silly point: Headbutting makes headline in Ranji final F I R O Z M I R Z A @ Chennai A TV grab of the headbutting incident involving Paras Dogra and KV Aneesh during the Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and J&K on Wednesday | X HEADBUTTING is relatively unknown in cricket. An act immortalised by one of the geniuses of world football — Zinedine Zidane, found its way on to the cricket ground in Hubballi. Kar nataka’s batter KV Aneesh was born in 2001, the same year when domestic veteran Paras Dogra made his first-class debut. Almost 25 years later, the two crossed paths at the grandest stage of the domestic cricket — Ranji Trophy final — with the 41-yearold Dogra headbutting Aneesh on Day 2 with his team, Jammu and Kashmir posting 527/6. The incident took place during the 101st over of the innings when Dogra awkwardly fended off a rising delivery from India pacer Prasidh Krishna. Soon after it, he rushed towards Aneesh, who was stationed in as a close in fielder and headbutted him though gently. Aneesh was also wearing a helmet. Karnataka’s experienced batter Mayank Agarwal also got involved with Dogra. Karnataka captain Devdutt Padikkal deciding to talk to the umpires. Apparently, Aneesh was commenting on veteran’s batting despite him scoring more than 10,000 runs in his career. The J&K skipper tried to downplay the incident saying it wasn’t a big thing after the day’s play while the on-field drama brought back memories of the past to team’s head coach Ajay Sharma. “It was just in the little heat of the moment. Not a big thing. Yeah, it is all settled now. That’s (a hot day) a different thing and it was momentary. We started talking and chatting after that so it’s all well,” Dogra told reporters. He is set to be penalised by BCCI. Former India all-rounder Sharma witnessed the scuffle from the sidelines when a past incident crossed his mind. It involved West Zone pacer Rashid Patel who chased North Zone opener Raman Lamba with a stump in his hand following an on-field altercation in 1990-91 Duleep Trophy final.