wednesdAY 02 april, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard american Offensive and condemnable : Assam CM on Yunus’ comments layoffs at health agencies begin Department of Health and Human Services staff began receiving notices of dismissal on Tuesday in an overhaul expected to lay off up to 10,000 people. Page 9 Muhammad Yunus’ comments on northeastern states kicks up a row, with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma calling it “strongly condemnable” yunus had urged chinese cooperation A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS l New Delhi l J8.00 l PAGES 12 Calling Bangladesh the “only guardian of the ocean” in the Northeastern region, Yunus had urged China to extend its economic influence to his country, mentioning that India’s seven sisters being landlocked is an opportunity. Yunus apparently made the comment during his recent fourday visit to China. A video of it surfaced on social media and led to furore 20 km is the width of Siliguri Corridor, also called the ‘Chicken’s Neck’ | P8 SC’s conscience USTR lights into India ahead of tariff rollout shocked over ’21 UP demolitions DI PA K MONDAL @ New Delhi Orders `10L relief to all petitioners in 6 wks S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi The Prayagraj Development Authority in Uttar Pradesh was at the receiving end of the Supreme Court’s wrath on Tuesday, as it slammed the “inhumane and illegal” demolition of houses of six individuals in 2021, saying it had shocked its conscience. The court directed it to pay a compensation of `10 lakh each to the six individuals within six weeks, after the appellants said they did not have the means to rebuild their homes. “These cases shock our conscience,” the court said. Warning it for flouting the due process of law, a two-judge bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, said, “The Prayagraj Development Authority must remember that the right to shelter is also an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution.” The court’s whiplash came after hearing a joint plea by advocate Zulfiqar Haider, professor Ali Ahmed and others whose houses were demolished. The appellants approached the top court after their plea to stop the demolition was rejected by the high court. Various other states have also flouted the court’s earlier ruling barring illegal demolition of houses without following the rule of law. In the Prayagraj case, showcause notices were first issued in 2020, and pasted on the six houses the same day. On January 8, 2021, a demolition notice was pasted on the same houses but not sent by registered post. “The first registered post communication was sent on March 1, 2021, received on March 6, 2021, and the demolition was carried out the next day leaving the appellants with , no opportunity to appeal under Section 27(2) of the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973,” the bench observed. Ahead of the expected rollout of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) raised concerns over India’s trade policies. In its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, the USTR cited India’s high tariffs, restrictive digital trade rules, weak intellectual property enforcement, and unfair procurement practices as key obstacles for US businesses. The 397-page report devotes 15 pages to highlight the tariff and non-tariff barriers that skew trade in India’s favour. It says India’s average MFN (most-favoured-nation) applied tariff rate of 17% in 2023 was the highest among major economies, with agricultural products averaging 39%. The report accuses India of keeping high tariffs on a wide range of goods, including vegetable oils (45%); apples, corn, and motorcycles (50%); automobiles and flowers (60%); natural rubber (70%); coffee, rai- MSP, farm subsidy distort global prices The report highlights India’s agricultural subsidies, particularly the MSP system for rice and wheat crops, claiming that these distort global prices and put US farmers at a great disadvantage sins, and walnuts (100%); and alcoholic beverages (150%). In addition, India maintains high basic customs duties on drug formulations, including lifesaving drugs, it notes. USTR alleges India’s high Court orders probe against Kapil Mishra in riots case S h e k h a r S i n g h @ New Delhi A Delhi court on Tuesday directed further probe into Minister Kapil Mishra’s alleged invo l ve m e n t i n t h e 2 0 2 0 North-East Delhi riots. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasia of the Rouse Avenue Court orally remarked, “This means FIR.” The judge ruled that further inquiry into Mishra’s role was necessary as a cognisable offence had been found in relation to one of the incidents cited in the complaint. The court stated that the prosecution’s material indicated Mishra’s presence at the location in question and that “all the things were corroborating.” “This court directs further investigation in the present case with respect to the first incident against proposed accused no. 2 and his associates only…,” the court stated. It was noted that Mishra himself acknowledged during questioning that he was present at the site, surrounded by people he recognised. Therefore, his involvement could not be ruled out, further substantiating the complainant’s allegations, the court observed. The judge also pointed out that Mishra had not framed his statement in ter ms of “Pro-CAA or Anti-CAA,” but rather distinguished between groups. “This clearly establishes sides and requires investigation to unearth the truth,” the court stated. Furthermore, the judge highlighted that Mishra’s own admission confirmed his presence in North-East Delhi a day before the riots broke out. P4 Setting the stage for a major showdown between the government and the Opposition, the Lok Sabha will take up the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill for discussion and passage on Wednesday, with an eighthour-long debate allocated for its deliberation. While the government is determined to push the bill through, the Opposition condemned it and called it “unconstitutional”. The government requires a simple majority of 272 votes, which should be smooth for the NDA with 293 MPs. Major BJP allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), and Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ramvilas), who had initial reservations, have now extended support after the joint parliamentary committee adopted some of their suggestions. The BJP has J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Deadly blast Debris of a firecracker warehouse after a blast in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district on Tuesday. At least 21 were killed, 5 injured | pti | P8 Proposed legislatation Waqf boards can have minimum 2 non-Muslim members, including 2 ex-officio members Omission of ‘waqf by user’ from the definition of the Waqf will apply prospectively, i.e. the cases of existing Waqf properties already registered as ‘waqf by user’ will not be reopened even if they do not have a Waqf deed Any government property identified or declared as Waqf property, before or after the commencement of this act, shall not be deemed to be a Waqf property Every Waqf registered under the act, prior to the commencement of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, shall file the details of the Waqf and the property dedicated to the Waqf on the portal and database, within a period of six months from such commencement The decision of appointing an official to conduct an inquiry in cases of wrongful claims on government property by Waqf board will be decided by a designated officer appointed by state governments instead of the district collector Now, HC can consider matters on its own accord, on an application by the board, or an aggrieved party. Tribunal’s orders may be appealed in the high Court within 90 days 240 MPs, JD(U) 12, and TDP 16. The BJP and several Opposition parties have issued whips for their MPs to be present in the House for the next three days. Despite the numbers favoring the BJP the Opposition has , vowed to fight the bill. After a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders, Congress MP K C Venugopal said, “This bill is fundamen- Annamalai may bow out, likely to get ‘bigger post’ there will be no trouble because of me for anyone,” he said, givIf the BJP leadership decides ing a broad indication of his to remove K Annamalai, presi- ‘ease’ at the alliance with the dent of Tamil Nadu BJP, to AIADMK. make way for someone who can Yashwant Deshmukh, foundhelp sew up an alliance with AI- er of C-Voter, told this newspaADMK, it will be done in a man- per that the BJP would not dener that will recognise mote Annamalai to his efforts. Sources stitch an alliance with said given the track the AIADMK. “He is record of Annamalai BJP’s best bet in TN. I am a party in TN, he is unlikely to There is no leader othworker, and the be demoted. party comes first. er than him in the A senior party lead- As I already said in southern state, who er said the removal of Delhi, there will be appears in the popuAnnamalai was one of no trouble because larity chart. The party the key conditions put of me for anyone lost 25 years in mofor th by AIADMK mentum due to the Annamalai, leader Edappadi K death of former union BJP leader Palanisami when he minister P Rangarajan met Home Minister Amit Shah Kumaramangalam in August last week. 2000. Superstar Rajnikanth was When contacted, Annamalai a non-starter politically for the told this newspaper that he had party. They have got someone shared his views with the re- (Annamalai) worth pitching porters at the Coimbatore air- for after a long time. They may port after his Delhi visit last offer him promotion as central week that whatever Shah minister and replace him says will be the last word with someone, who will go on the matter. “I am a parwell with the AIADMK and ty worker, and the party smaller anti-DMK parties,” comes first. As I alsaid Deshmukh. ready said in Delhi, Continued on P5 B a l a C h a u h a n @ Bengaluru tariff rates present a big barrier to trade in other agriculture and processed foods such as poultry, potatoes, citrus, almonds, pecans, apples, grapes, canned peaches, chocolate, cookies, frozen French fries, Don in mind, India & China mark 75th yr of diplomatic ties Sparks to fly as Waqf bill debate in House today P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi and other prepared foods used in fast-food restaurants. The report cites other nontariff barriers as well such as quality control measures, and local procurement conditions for manufacturing in India. The USTR has also flagged India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act for restricting cross-border data transfers and mandating data localisation. US president Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the reciprocal tax would be imposed on all countries without any exception. P7 & p10 IMAGINE a dragon and an elephant dancing together in perfect harmony — that’s the vision President Xi Jinping has for India-China relations. Leaders of India and China on Tuesday marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with congratulatory messages. In his response to a letter from Chinese Premier Li Qiang, PM Narendra Modi stated that advancing bilateral relations would enhance global stability and prosperity, while supporting the emergence of a multi-polar world. Modi noted that India and China are two ancient cultures and civilisations that have shaped human history and it’s their re, sponsibility to promote peace and development. “Progress in our bilateral relations will contribute not only to global stability and Ready to step up imports: Envoy Ahead of the US tariffs from April 2, China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, said, “We are willing to work with India to enhance cooperation in trade and to import more Indian products” prosperity but also to the emergence of a multi-polar world,” Modi said. “The development of China-India relations demonstrates it is the right choice for China and India to be partners of mutual achievement, which serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples,” Xi said in a letter to President Droupadi Murmu. At a function to mark the 75th anniversary at the Chinese embassy, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “We have opportunity to rebuild India, China ties. Let us join hands with clear vision.” tally against Constitutional provisions. We are going to oppose this bill.” CPI(M) MP John Brittas said they would fight tooth and nail and seek a division of votes while coordinating with parties like YSRCP and Biju Janata Dal. The Congress and other INDIA bloc members walked out of the Lok Sabha’s business ad- visory committee meeting, accusing the government of stifling their voice. Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Speaker Om Birla chaired the meeting and agreed on an eight-hour debate, extendable based on the House’s consensus. However, the Opposition had demanded 12 hours. P7 Not taken an inch of UoH land, say T’gana ministers Breathless in city as AQI remained dangerous for 56% of 5 yrs, says CAG Express News Service @ Hyderabad P RABHAT S HU K LA @ New Delhi The Telangana government on Tuesday refuted charges that it has encroached upon land belonging to the University of Hyderabad (UoH). “The 400 acres in Survey No. 25 of Kancha Gachibowli belong to the government,” Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu said on Tuesday. They added that the government had secured the land after winning a legal battle against a private firm. In response to protests and claims by UoH authorities and students that the land belongs to the university CM A Revanth , Reddy convened a meeting at the Integrated Command and Control Centre on Tuesday . “This land was in litigation for two decades. In 2014, courts ruled in favour of the state government. We have not taken a single inch of university land. Political groups and affiliated associations are misleading the public and obstructing government initiatives,” Babu said. Delhi’s air remained dangerously polluted for more than half of the past five years, with residents breathing toxic air for 1,195 out of 2,137 days, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed. Tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday the report exposes , critical gaps in pollution monit o r i n g a n d g o ve r n m e n t accountability . The report is one of 14 CAG audit reports assessing the previous AAP government’s performance. So far, the BJP-led administration, which took office after winning the February 5 Assembly elections, has tabled eight of these reports. For over 56% of the past five years, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) remained in the ‘poor’ to ‘severe’ category, stresses the audit. According to the Central Po l l u t i o n C o n t ro l B o a rd (CPCB), an AQI of 50 or below is categorised as ‘good,’ while readings between 51 and 100 are ‘satisfactory The air is deemed .’ ‘moderate’ between 101 and 200, Express read German tourist raped in hyderabad, 1 arrested A 25-year-old German woman was raped inside a car in Mamidipally, Hyderabad, on Monday evening. The incident came to light on Tuesday when the survivor lodged a police complaint. The accused was arrested in the evening. The accused, who offered the German national and her friend with whom she had been staying in Meerpet a ride in a hired car, raped her in the rear seat, the police said. The German arrived in Hyderabad on March 4, according to police. | P5 Poor enforcement, PUC certs unchecked 1 2 3 The report says the air pollution crisis has been worsened by systemic failures in enforcement. It points at vehicular emissions, saying irregularities in the issuance of Pollution Under Control certificates, and a lack of coordination among agencies Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta announced formation of three crucial financial committees — Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Govt Undertakings, and Committee on Estimates. The panels will have nine members each The report, tabled in the House, criticises the lack of real-time information on pollution sources, attributing it to the government’s failure to conduct necessary studies. Without concrete data, tackling pollution effectively remains a challenge ‘poor’ between 201 and 300, and ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400. Any AQI score exceeding 400 is classified as ‘severe,’ signifying dangerously high pollution levels. Besides, the report also flags serious inefficiencies in pollution data management, particularly in tracking vehicle emissions. It reveals that Delhi’s Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) are not in compliance with CPCB guide- lines, raising concerns about the accuracy of pollution data. The unreliability of the AQI system, which serves as a key indicator for government intervention, complicates the city’s battle against pollution. “Requisite data of concentration of pollutants in the air for a minimum of 16 hours a day were not available with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for proper air quality monitoring,” the report states. P3