THURSDAY 20 CHEETAHS TO ARRIVE FROM KENYA BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND SEPTEMBER 23 JANUARY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in The third batch of 20 cheetahs will arrive at Madhya Pradesh’s Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary between February 25 and Sept 25 X.com/TheMornStandard 1952 APOLOGY ACCEPTED HARRY SETTLES TABLOID SUIT Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloids apologised for intruding in Prince Harry’s life and agreed to pay substantial damages to settle his privacy invasion lawsuit. PAGE 9 15-DAY QUARANTINE AT GANDHI SAGAR SANCTUARY A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI 12 killed as they jump off train, hit by another AT least 12 passengers were killed and 55 others injured after they jumped off a train, reportedly over a false fire alarm, and were run over by another speeding train in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Wednesday . Reports said a passenger on the Pushpak Express, which was heading to Mumbai from Lucknow, pulled the chain, raising a false alarm. As the locopilots applied brakes to stop the fast-moving train, sparks flew either from the hot axle or the brake, and smoke filled the cabin. It triggered panic among passengers, who assumed a fire has broken out in the train. Dhule Jalgaon In an attempt to save themselves, some passengers jumped off the train, unaware that the Karnataka Buldhana Nashik Express was fast approaching from the opposite direction. As they tried to cross the track, many of Aurangabad A crowd at the site of them were mowed down by the oncoming the accident, near MAHARASHTRA Karnataka Express. Pachora railway station | PTI The accident took place between Maheji and Pardhade stations near Pachora, more than 400 km from Mumbai. Following the incident, the accident site has `5 LAKH EX-GRATIA ANNOUNCED been cleared, a police official said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, ex- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced pressing grief over the incident, said, “The tragic inci- a `5 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of dent of the loss of lives in a very unfortunate incident those killed and said the government will near Pachora in Jalgaon district is deeply distressing. I bear the cost of treatment for the injured pay my heartfelt tributes to them,” he said. “We are monitoring the situation and all necessary TOLL COULD INCREASE assistance is being provided immediately I am in touch . The Jalgaon district administration said 12 with the district administration,” Fadnavis said. He added that Jalgaon General Hospital and nearby bodies were recovered from the track. It said private hospitals are being readied for treating the the toll could go up as some of the passengers have sustained serious injuries injured passengers. Sebi moots mini SIPs at just `250 a month TIME TO REMEMBER HIS VALUES & VISION Ahead of Parakram Diwas, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says all roads lead to Cuttack, birthplace of Subhas Chandra Bose | P7 Tax tangle hits humble Kerala banana fritter R A J E S H R A V I @ Kochi THE batter is leaving a bitter aftertaste! The humble banana fritter, known to Malayalis as ‘pazhampori’, ‘ethakkaappam’ and ‘vazhakkappam’, depending on where in Kerala you ask, finds itself caught in a tax tangle. The beloved fritters are being slapped with a hefty 18% GST, while their cheeky country cousin, the ‘unniappam’ — those adorable mini browns — enjoy a leisurely life in the cozy 5% tax slab. According to the Bakers Association Kerala (Bake), traditional snacks like ‘pazhampori’, ‘kozhukatta’, ‘vada’ and ‘ada’ and are subjected to differential treatment due to differences in classification of products under the Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN). Every item has an HSN code, which determines its tax rate. Although HSN codes are standardised globally by the World Customs Organisation, countries can set their own tax rates for each code. In India, the GST Council decides these rates. Kiran S Palakkal, president of Bake, points out that many sweetmeats and snacks are classified under lower tax slabs, while others, due to variations in ingredients or preparations, are placed in higher tax slabs, and hence the difference. B E N K O C H U V E E D A N @ Mumbai SEEKING to increase financial inclusion among the underserved sections and inculcate the habit of systematic saving, capital markets regulator Sebi has proposed that fund houses launch sachet-sized systematic investment plans (SIPs) starting `250. These small-ticket SIPs would be offered at lower costs but the discounted rates would apply only for three plans per investor. According to Sebi’s consultation paper, released on Wednesday the scheme is to help small , investors who are new to the mutual fund industry. Therefore, existing investors and those who opt for large SIPs would be excluded. The proposal caps annual investment at `50,000 per inves-  J8.00  The cheetahs will undergo a 15-day quarantine before their release into the wild, officials said. A separate enclosure has been created at the sanctuary to house them during the quarantine period. A team of wildlife scientists will inspect the facility. Efforts will be made to pair male and female cheetahs, Dr Abhijeet Pawde, a senior wildlife scientist, said PAGES 12 In first meet, US flags irregular migration issue S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai NETAJI WHEN CHEETAHS WERE DECLARED EXTINCT IN INDIA File Photo facebook.com/TheMorningStandard tor, per mutual fund, without PAN. However, Aadhaar verification is mandatory . Investors are expected to make a commitment for five years (60 instalments), though there will be no restriction on closing the plan early . The paper also suggests ways to help the asset management companies (AMCs) to recover the additional costs they incur by subsidizing these sachet-sized SIPs. It says the AMCs can be compensated from the investor education and awareness fund maintained by the mutual fund industry. Sebi estimates that AMCs will be able to break even within two years. Sebi has sought industry feedback by February 6, following which it will announce final rules. Rubio’s first bilateral meet of his tenure with Jaishankar indicates trajectory of India ties J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi IN his first bilateral meeting after taking charge as US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio told External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that the Trump administration is keen to strengthen the US’ strategic partnership with India and urged him to address concerns of ‘irregular migration’. Jaishankar said India strongly supports legal migration. Later, talking to reporters in Washington, the minister said he flagged the delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining US visas. Jaishankar-Rubio meeting was held at the headquarters of the State Department on Tuesday. That Rubio, a China hawk and an ardent advocate of India-US relationship, chose to have his first bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart is seen as a signal that the Trump administration is keen to bolster ties with India. During the meeting, they discussed ways to expand the strength and scope of their relationship and a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a ‘mutually convenient, earliest date’. The State Department said both sides vowed to strengthen the bilateral relationship. “Secretary Rubio also emphasized the Trump Administration’s desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration,” its statement read. Illegal and irregular migration was a key issue Trump raised during his campaign. In October last year, the US Department of Homeland Security deported over 1,100 Indian nationals as part of its efforts to target unauthorised migration. Jaishankar said India needs to verify the nationality of these nationals, adding: “We are open to legitimate return of people.” Jaishankar said the Trump administration has substantial interest in the ongoing cooperation between the US and India, adding that he is optimistic about the trajectory of the bilateral ties. He said the emerging and critical technologies, semi conductors, and alternative supply chains are the focus areas of the new administration. Jaishankar said he and Rubio exchanged views on a wide range of regional and global issues. QUAD HAS A MESSAGE FOR CHINA In a signal to China, foreign ministers from Quad countries opposed any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion | P7 TRUMP NUANCES H-1B STAND Trump said he likes ‘both sides of the argument’ on H-1B foreign guest workers’ visa, noting that he likes “very competent people” coming into the country DIVERSITY STAFF SENT ON LEAVE Trump administration directed that all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave. Agencies told to develop plans to lay them off | P9 DARKNET OPERATOR PARDONED External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meeting, in Washington DC | PTI Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life for running Silk Road darknet marketplace that allegedly facilitated sale of drugs PRELIM LIST Tata, MMS lead Bharat Ratna race R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi IT’S that time of the year when speculation mounts over the possible recipients of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Among the awardees this year could be towering politicians. There could also be a surprise element on the list that is released around Republic Day . While all sorts of names are doing the rounds, sources said industrialist Ratan Tata and former prime minister Manmohan Singh are in the preliminary shortlist for the most coveted award, albeit posthumously The demand for confer. ring it on Tata picked up pace after his demise in October. The Maharashtra cabinet, too, passed a resolution recommending it. The demand for honouring Manmohan Singh came from the Congress and a few NDA partners, after he passed away on December 26. The government in its outreach offered two plots within the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal to build his memorial. BEFORE OR AFTER Another legacy could be up for REPUBLIC DAY grabs if Dalit icon and BSP foundThe government could er Kanshi Ram figures on the list. recommend threeBSP chief Mayawati has repeatfour names for the edly pitched for his recognition Bharat Ratna before with a Bharat Ratna. Republic Day or after Among the other names that are February 5, when doing the rounds are Samajwadi Delhi is scheduled to Party patriarch Mulayam Singh go for polls Yadav, freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar, educationist couple Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and Savitribai Phule, Bihar’s first chief minister Shri Krishna Singh, B P Mandal, whose Mandal Commission report triggered social engineering and gave reservations to OBCs, and former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik. The BJP has the highest regard for Savarkar, who is a lightning rod for criticism by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Interestingly, senior BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh recently suggested the Bharat Ratna for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his former Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik. Cops raise security concern over Punjab VIP movement ahead of polls HARPREET BAJWA & SHEKHAR S I N G H @ Chandigarh/New Delhi THE Delhi Police has raised concerns regarding the security arrangements for Punjab VIPs visiting the national capital, particularly in the context of heightened vigilance during the Republic Day celebrations and Assembly elections. In a letter to the Punjab DGP , the Delhi Police has emphasised the need for coordination and prior intimation about the movements of Punjab cops accompanying the VIPs. At an inter-state meeting earlier this month, the Delhi Police highlighted lapses in communication from Punjab cops regarding the deployment of their security teams in the city . Sources say the MHA on January 6 advised the Delhi Police not to accept Punjab Police proposal to deploy personnel for the security of Arvind Kejriwal when he is in the capital. Following the advisory a sen, ior Delhi Police officer flagged concerns about Punjab Police personnel operating in the city without coordination. On January 10, the Special Commissioner (Protected Security Division) wrote to Punjab’s Additional DGP (Security), urging compliance with inter-state security protocols. The Punjab Additional DGP (Security) issued instructions to state police on the importance of keeping Delhi’s security units informed. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, in response to Delhi Police’s January 18 letter, said that Punjab Police protectees traveling to Delhi must inform the DCP Security about their plans. The DGP said that the ADGP (Security) has been tasked with maintaining coordination with the Special CP, Protective Security Division, Delhi, and taking steps to brief Punjab Police officials responsible for the security of protectees, as well as the protectees themselves, about protocols during road, train, or air travel to Delhi. AAP has roped in over 300 leaders from Punjab, including CM Mann, for campaign. MORE REPORTS ON PG 3 & 4 CM Atishi with AAP’s Mehrauli candidate Mahender Chaudhary during campaign | PTI Modi chalks out BJP plan, preps booth-level workers R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged Delhi BJP members to aim for winning over 50% of booths in the February 5 Assembly polls. During an online interaction, he exhorted the booth-level workers to expose the shortcomings of the AAP government, reminding people how the AAP had disappointed them on the development front. Referring to the Arvind Kejriwal’s party as “AAPda” (disaster), he said, “It was Congress first and then AAP which betrayed the people.” AAP appeared to have lost its footing, which led it to make new announcements daily, he said. Slamming both AAP and Congress, he said, “Those born in the last 25 years or those who are in the 35–40-year age group have seen nothing but destruction.” Under the party’s ‘Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot’ initiative, Modi encouraged party workers to take BJP’s peopleoriented policies to every voter. On AAP’s alleged remarks against people from Purvanchal, Modi accused the party of conspiring to push people out of the national capital. AAP has failed to fulfill basic needs, Modi said, adding, “Liquor is available, but not water.” “The ‘ APda’ did not fulfill any A of its responsibilities. We should carry videos and pictures of poor roads, drainage conditions, garbage, among other issues, to expose AAP on every platform,” he said. AAP promises sops for middle class The AAP on Wednesday unveiled a ‘middle-class manifesto’, which raises seven demands, including raising the I-T exemption limit to `10 lakh and removing GST on essential commodities. `382 cr hosp scam in AAP rule, says Cong Sharpening its attack ahead of the Delhi assembly polls, Congress on Wednesday cited a CAG report accusing the AAP of graft. Congress MP Ajay Maken on Wednesday claimed a `382 crore corruption occurred during the AAP’s tenure. `100 cr defamation suit on Kejriwal, Mann BJP’s Parvesh Verma has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking `100 crore in damages from AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, for allegedly tarnishing his reputation with false remarks.