CABINET OKs ROPEWAY PROJECTS FOR KEDARNATH, HEMKUND SAHIB THURSDAY 06 MARCH, 2025 The Centre on Wednesday approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand to ease pilgrim access to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib shrines epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard H O S TA G E US IN DIRECT TALKS WITH HAMAS CUTS TRAVEL TIME FROM 9 HRS TO JUST 36 MINS The 16-km uphill trek to Kedarnath from Gaurikund is currently covered on foot, ponies, palanquins or helicopters. The `4,081 crore ropeway will cover 12.9 km, using advanced tricable gondola technology to carry 18,000 passengers daily, ensuring all-weather connectivity between Sonprayag and Kedarnath by cutting travel time from 9 hours to just 36 minutes | P7 The Trump administration is reportedly holding direct talks with Hamas to secure the release of American hostages held in Gaza. A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 ‘WHY THIS HURRY?’  NEW DELHI ‘REFORM SYSTEM FIRST’ Speaking after the meeting, AIADMK organising secretary D Jayakumar said, “A drama has been enacted today to create an impression that the DMK is the only protector of Tamil Nadu’s rights” TVK president and actor Vijay, in a detailed statement on delimitation, argued that increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats without reforming present system is of no use  J8.00  AS many as 59 Tamil Nadu political parties on Wednesday unanimously demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi unequivocally assure in Parliament that the 1971 population census will remain the basis for delimitation of Lok Sabha seats for another 30 years — till 2056 — by adopting a resolution to this effect at the all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister M K Stalin. The resolution, proposed by the CM at the meeting held to discuss the impacts of the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats expected in 2026, also urged for a constitutional amendment ensuring the same. It was also resolved that formal invitations would be sent to form a Joint Action Committee, comprising of MPs from southern states, to carry for- J’khand woman Naxal arrested from Pitampura N I T I N R A W AT @ New Delhi A 23-year-old Naxal, who had been living in Delhi with a false identity and wanted in three encounter cases in Jharkhand, has been arrested from Pitampura, police said on Wednesday . The woman, who underwent a rigorous training for five years, was working as a house help in Noida and Delhi. On Tuesday, police received information regarding a member of the banned CPI(Maoist) living in Pitampura under a fake identity. DCP (Crime) Vikram Singh said a raid was conducted at Maharana Pratap Enclave, Pitampura, from where she was nabbed. She was born in Jharkhand, and attended school until Class II. In 2016, she joined the CPI (Maoist) led by Ramesh. Her involvement in the Maoist activities began at the age of 10 when she joined the Naxalite camp Bhakpa Maovadi Ugarvadi Jeevan Kandulna, police said. The probe revealed that she was trained in handling sophisticated weapons, including SLR and hand grenade. During foot patrols with the gang, she used to carry an INSAS rifle, police added. Chief Minister Stalin at the TN all-party meeting on Wednesday | EXPRESS ward delimitation-related demands and spread awareness among the public. The all-party meeting strongly and unanimously registered its opposition to the delimitation exercise based on present population, which it termed as a “grave threat” to the representative rights of TN and other southern states and the country’s federal polity . Of the 66 recognised and registered parties invited by the TTTO WALK ICON SET I feel, stepping away as a player gives me more time to help and develop the sport INTO SUNSET THE FINAL GAME Multiple Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist Sharath Kamal says it’s time to hang racquet and his iconic bandana. The World TT in Chennai to be his last competition as a professional | MORE ON P11 PHOTO: P JAWAHAR Donald Trump addresses his first joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday after beginning his second term as US President | AP Steps to open the door for US products India has taken steps to enhance market access for US agricultural products like alfalfa hay, duck meat, and medical devices and lowered tariffs on US products such as bourbon whiskey, motorcycles, ICT products, and metals. “The plan we have chalked out while setting a trade target of 500 billion USD by 2030 is mutually agreeable. It has many elements as agreed between the leadership of two countries, including increasing US industrial exports to India and expanding Indian exports of labour-intensive products to the US,” a source said Air India trainer pilot among 30 sacked, 10 others grounded EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi AIR INDIA has fired a simulator trainer pilot for lapses and removed 10 pilots, who underwent training under the trainer pilot, from flying duties pending investigation, the Tata G r o u p a i rl i n e s a i d Wednesday . The action came after a whistleblower flagged the simulator trainer pilot of dereliction of duty while training others. “A detailed investigation was conducted and, following a review of the evidence, the allegation was corroborated. Accordingly, the said trainer pilot’s services are being termi- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru OFFICERS attached to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided 33-year-old Kannada actress Ranya Rao’s residence on Lavelle Road and seized assets worth `4.73 crore. Ranya was arrested from Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold from Dubai. In a press release, DRI stated that the raid at Ranya’s residence led to the seizure of jewellery worth `2.06 crore and cash of `2.67 crore, all worth `4.73 crore. “DRI officers intercepted an Indian lady passenger aged around 33 years, who had arrived from Dubai to Bengaluru via Emirates flight on March 3, 2025. Gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at `12.56 crore was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962,” the press release added. The DRI officers raided her residential premises located at Lavelle Road, Bengaluru and made the seizure. She has been placed under arrest and remanded to judicial custody The . total seizure stands at `17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks, it added. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said DRI is investigating the case. “Until and unless the DRI comes out with definite information, I will not be able to react,” he added. With 50 cars in tow, Kejriwal off to Vipassana FORMER Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrived at Anandgarh village in Hoshiarpur for a 10-day Vipassana meditation session, prompting backlash from the Opposition, including the BJP and the SAD, which accused the ruling AAP of according a welcome reserved for heads of states when he did not have any constitutional authority . The Opposition claimed that the move created a curfew-like situation, preventing farmers from reaching Chandigarh to register their protest demanding, among other things, legal nated. As a precaution, 10 pilots who underwent recurrent training under the trainer pilot have been removed from flying duties pending further investigation,” said an Air India spokesperson. Air India has reported the matter to aviation regulator DGCA. While Air India did not disclose details of the incident or the trainer’s conduct, a source familiar with the matter said the trainer pilot was repeatedly absent during training sessions and violated several other protocols. Air India also said that it terminated 30 employees in 2024 for various ethical breaches, with numerous others handed disciplinary action. “Immediately following the privatisation of Air India under the Tata group, the airline implemented the Tata Code of Conduct to establish clear behavioural expectations and accelerate cultural change to that of a Tata Group Company the ,” airline said. This included comprehensive training for all employees on Tata’s ethos and ethics-related policies, such as antibribery, anti-corruption and whistleblowing, among others. Air India said that an Apex Ethics Committee led by senior management oversees efforts to foster a culture with zero tolerance for unethical behaviour. Actor’s assets worth `4.73 cr seized 10-DAY IN HOSHIARPUR H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh highlighting that the US has long faced high tariffs from sevPRESIDENT Donald Trump eral countries, including India. announced reciprocal tariffs He announced that his adminon India starting April 2, sign- istration would impose reciproaling a tough path ahead in the cal tariffs on several countries bilateral Free Trade Agree- starting April 2. ment (FTA) negotiations as The White House had earlier they could clash with these put out a factsheet on India’s sweeping tariffs. tariff regime: “The US But New Delhi reaverage applied Most mains hopeful that the Favored Nation (MFN) understanding reached tariff on agricultural between Prime Minisgoods is 5%. But India’s ter Narendra Modi and average applied MFN President Trump on tariff is 39%. India also February 13 will help charges a 100% tariff on Piyush Goyal resolve trade issues and US motorcycles, while keep the September we only charge a 2.4% deadline for signing the first tariff on Indian motorcycles.” tranche of the FTA, as ComHowever, New Delhi is hopemerce and Industry Minister ful that “trade issues can be Piyush Goyal began his US trip sorted mutually” as India-US on Monday to meet the new ties are “multifaceted” in line United States Trade Represent- with understanding arrived at ative (USTR), Jamieson Greer. the meeting between Modi and In his first address of his sec- Trump. “We have a roadmap ond term to a joint session of that will ensure we sort out any Congress, President Trump de- issue through consultations,” fended his strict tariff policies, said a source. J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi Resolution passed to form Joint Action Committee with southern MPs TN government for the meeting, only the BJP Naam Tami, lar Katchi and five other smaller parties — Puthiya Tamilagam, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), Puthiya Neethi Katchi, Dr MGR Kudiyarasu Katchi and the India Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam — skipped it. Stating that the resolutions adopted at the meet conveyed TN’s stand loud and clear, CM Stalin, later in a post on X, said that the all-party meeting also clarified that the state is not against delimitation, but it cannot and will not allow delimitation to be used as a disguised weapon against progressive states. Another resolution passed stated that if parliamentary seats are to be increased, TN’s existing share of 7.18% of the total seats in Lok Sabha must not be reduced under any P7 circumstance. LUXE DESTINATION Accompanied by a cavalcade of 50 cars from Punjab Police, Kejriwal and his wife reached Chohal forest rest house on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur on Tuesday. He held meetings with AAP leaders before heading for the meditation centre on Wednesday. This is Kejriwal’s second visit to Anandgarh for Vipassana. gurantee to MSP for crops. Sources said Kejriwal and his wife Sunita drove to Chohal forest rest house on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur on Tuesday where they were received by Hoshiarpur MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa. Kejriwal held discussions with AAP leaders before heading for the meditation centre on Wednesday . Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for his visit at Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana centre. Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal said, “Kejriwal has come to Punjab, WORTH PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 4-6 YEARS Reciprocal tariff on India from Apr 2 TN parties want retention of state LS seats till 2056 E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai `6,811 CRORE PAGES 12 supposedly for meditation. But with 50 cars from the Punjab Police and bureaucratic support accompanying him, it seems more about indulging in the luxuries and facilities that Delhi denied by not electing him as an MLA. His purpose is to exploit Punjab’s resources.’’ SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said, “CM Bhagwant Mann should explain why Kejriwal was being accorded a welcome reserved for heads of states when he did not have any constitutional authority and had no relation with Punjab”. This is Kejriwal’s second visit to Anandgarh for Vipassana since December 2023. Kane Williamson reverse sweeps versus South Africa on Wednesday | AFP NZ IN FINAL: KANE AND ABLE WITH RACHIN BY HIS SIDE E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai THE story of the Champions Trophy fluctuated between the seemingly devious pitches of Dubai to high-scoring ones in Pakistan. So did the fortunes of most teams. The debate over Dubai favouring India had been in the news more than the grinding cricket they had played in the middle. The venue will be in focus for one last time on Sunday when India face New Zealand for the title. The Black Caps had always posed some threat to India in big matches, but the way Men in Blue have been playing this time, starting as favourites is a given. Going by their performance against South Africa in the semifinal on Wednesday, the Black Caps showed they will be no pushovers. A score of 362/6 against South Africa on a wicket that assisted some spin would give them confidence. But what would bring big cheer to the team will be the form of their top order batters, including Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. Both scored hundreds and played a pivotal role to take the game away from the South Africans. Only solid batting could have saved the latter but fate discarded them later as skipper Mitchell Santner once again tweaked his way into form. May not be high-scoring but the P11 final promises to be one big blockbuster. Abu Azmi in Mumbai | EXPRESS Maha House suspends Azmi for eulogy of Aurangzeb S U D H I R S U R YA V A N S H I & N A M I TA B A J PA I @ Mumbai/Lucknow SAMAJWADI Par ty MLA Abu Asim Azmi was on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the ongoing budget session ends on March 26, over his remarks eulogizing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil had moved the motion of suspension. “Azmi’s comments praising Aurangzeb and criticising Sambhaji Maharaj do not suit the stature of a member of the assembly and is an insult of the legislative assembly Patil said. ,” Azmi, president of the Samajwadi Party’s state unit, had said that during Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). “Wrong history is being shown in ‘Chaava’... Aurangzeb built several temples. I do not think he was a cruel administrator,” said the MLA from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai. The motion for his suspension was passed by a voice vote. Crying injustice, Azmi said the action against him was taken despite him redacting his remark. “Whatever I have said about Aurangz eb is something that has been stated by historians and writers. I have not made any derogatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any national icons. Still, if anyone is hurt by my remarks, I take back my statements,” he said on Tuesday . Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde dubbed Azmi a “traitor” and said that he has no right to sit in the assembly . In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath asked the SP leadership “to send Azmi to UP where he could be dealt with appropriately.” He said the SP criticises events like Maha Kumbh while praises a “cruel and fanatic” ruler.