WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard The Morning Standard Wishes its Readers a ONE-THIRD SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE PVT COACHING: CENTRE’S SURVEY The survey on education found that nearly 70% of students in urban areas are enrolled in private schools, with 30.7% relying on private coaching TREND MORE PREVALENT IN RURAL AREAS A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI Chenab, Tawi, Ujh, Ravi in spate; bridges in Jammu damaged 11 KILLED, 7 ON LANDSLIDE-HIT PAKISTAN VAISHNO DEVI ROUTE Srinagar Jammu Ardhkuwari , Katra INDIA Rescue and relief operations by CRPF personnel after a landslide near Adh Kuwari in Katra | IANS 155.6 mm rainfall in Kathua in 24 hrs Telecom network down across J&K Kathua recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall at 155.6 mm, followed by Bhaderwah (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm) and Katra (68.8 mm), according to the met department Communication blackout total due to network outage across all telecom operators in J&K. The operators attributed it to optical fibre damages, disrupting both voice and data services A van swept away as raging river damaged a road, in Manali on Tuesday | PTI RARE RECUSAL Higher judiciary pressure, says NCLAT judge EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi IN a rare incident, a judicial member of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has recused himself from hearing a case after he was allegedly “approached by one of the most revered members of the higher judiciary”. “We are anguished to observe, that one of us, Member (Judicial), has been approached by one of the most revered members of the higher judiciary of this country for seeking an order in favour of a particular party,” said the NCLAT order dated August 13. The order was passed by a two-judge member bench of the NCLAT, headed by Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma, who recused from hearing the case. “I recuse to hear the matter. Place before the chairperson for nomination of an appropriate bench,” Justice Sharma said in the order. The other technical member of the NCLAT’s two-judge bench at the Chennai-based bench of the appellate tribunal was Jatindranath Swain. The NCLAT bench was hearing an appeal filed by A S Reddy, suspended director of Hyderabad-based KLSR Infratech which is facing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Jammu AT least 11 people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday as relentless heavy rain wreaked havo c a c ro s s Ja m m u a n d Kashmir, triggering landslides, flash floods and widespread damage to public and private property . Among the casualties, seven pilgrims died and 14 were injured when a massive landslide hit near Ardhkunwari on the pilgrimage route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district. The incident occurred around 3 pm near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya, halfway along the 12-km trek to the shrine atop Trikuta Hills. Officials said the yatra had already been suspended on the Himkoti route in the morning, and the old track was closed by 1.30 pm due to worsening conditions. Four more deaths were reported from Doda district in separate rain-related incidents, taking the total toll to nine. The Jammu division witnessed flooding, infrastructure damage, and traffic paralysis, prompting the administration to suspend the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda highways and multiple interior roads. More than two-do zen houses and bridges were damaged, and most rivers, including the Chenab, Tawi, Ujh, and Ravi, crossed danger levels, submerging lowlying areas and roads across the region. In Kathua district, the Modhopur barrage crossed the one lakh cusecs mark, causing flooding in areas along the Ravi. All educational institutions and non-essential offices have been ordered shut in Jammu. The Met office forecast very heavy rainfall over the next 40 hours in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar. It warned of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides in high-altitude areas. P8 ED raids Bharadwaj’s residence in `5.6K cr hosp construction scam dated June 26, 2025, registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch THE Enforcement Directorate (ACB) and Delhi Police against (ED) on Tuesday conducted former Health Ministers of raids at 13 locations in Delhi- GNCT of Delhi, along with priNCR, including the resvate contractors and idence of AAP leader AAP LEADERS unknown government UNDER ED LENS and former health minfunctionaries. Saurabh ister Saurabh BharadBharadwaj served as Bharadwaj waj, as part of its probe health minister during Hospital into alleged irregularia period when the govties in the construction construction scam er nment announced worth `5,590 cr of hospitals in the capiambitious plans to extal, officials said. Arvind Kejriwal pand healthcare capacAccording to the ofity, but the projects Excise policy; ficials, the raids were came under the scanOut on bail conducted under Secner after complaints tion 17 of the Preven- Manish Sisodia surfaced about inflated tion of Money Laun- Excise, Classroom bills, non-compliance dering Act (PMLA), scam; Granted bail with norms and sus2002 and the places covpected collusion beered during the search- Satyendar Jain tween contractors and Bribery in CCTV es include Bharadwaj’s officials. house in south Delhi project (`571 crore) Initially, the governand residences and ofment approved projects Sanjay Singh fices of some contrac- Excise scam; Granted worth `5,590 crore for tors and real estate dethe construction of 24 bail in April 2024 velopers located on KG hospitals. The ACB Marg and West Patel Nagar, found these were mired in inexamong others. plicable delays and astronomiThe action has been taken cal cost overruns. The ACB regfollowing tip-offs in connection i s t e r e d a c a s e a g a i n s t with the case, the officials said, Bharadwaj after receiving apadding that these were in proval under Section 17A of “connection with the Enthe Prevention of Corrupforcement Case Information Act from the competion Report (ECIR) recordtent authority The FIR was . ed in the Delhi based on a complaint filed Hospital Conby Vijender Gupta, struction Scam, then LoP in the Delrelating to FIR hi Assembly P3 . M U K E S H R A N JA N @ New Delhi  J8.00  The Centre’s Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS), released on Tuesday, noted that the trend of taking private coaching was more common in urban areas than in rural areas (25.5%). The CMS education survey is part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey and is focused on household expenditure for currently enrolled students in school education PAGES 12 Uniformity not needed for unity, says RSS chief Defining who is a Hindu, Bhagwat stated, “Those who believe in AMID sharp political polarisation the following their faith, respect across the country, Rashtriya those of others, and work together Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief for the Rashtra are Hindus.” Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday conExplaining the objectives of the veyed a message of moderation Sangh, he said it does not seek uniand unity pointing out that , formity for unity “The Sangh . having different ideologies believes that to be united we is not a crime. do not need uniformity We . Inaugurating a three-day have a culture of living tolecture series to mark the gether in harmony,” Bhagcentenary of the Sangh, he wat said, as he stressed the said, “For 40,000 years, the importance of inclusive naDNA of people living in tional development. Akhand Bharat is the same. Mohan Bhagwat, The only way to make the Our culture and worldview RSS chief country great once again is is same — of living in coorthrough qualitative developdination and Vasudhaiva Kutum- ment of the society and its participabakam (World is one family)”. tion in national progress, he said. He went on to state that “The nat- The goal, he said, is to elevate the ural religion of Bharat is coordina- country to the status of “Vishwagution, not conflict, and Hindus have ru” (global teacher), adding the time the tradition of walking together. for India to make its contribution to We all have a collective responsibil- the world – through social transfority towards the country .” mation — has arrived. R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi RANIL GRANTED BAIL ON HEALTH GROUND India braces for impact as 50% tariffs kick in Industry seeks urgent relief; RBI, govt offer credit, financial support P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi jay Malhotra pledged financial relief for affected sectors. DASHING hopes of a last-minute Experts say these measures are reprieve, the Trump administra- not enough. S C Ralhan, president tion on Tuesday confirmed that the of Federation of Indian Export Oradditional 25% tariff on Indian ganisations, warns 55% of India’s goods will kick in on August 27, tak- shipments to the US — worth $47-48 ing the total levy to 50%. billion — now face a 30-35% pricing According to a notice issued by disadvantage against exporters the US Customs and Border Protec- from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, tion, the additional duties will cov- and other Asian economies. er a wide range of InSeveral associations dian exports including have urged fiscal relief textiles, gems and jewuntil trade terms are ellery, leather, machinrenegotiated under the ery, furniture and map ro p o s e d b i l at e r a l rine products. trade pact with the US. The tariffs are being Mithileshwar Def talks amid imposed under US Thakur, secretary-gentrade tension President Donald eral, AEPC, said the Trump’s executive orsector urgently needs India and US held der of August 6, anadditional funds, mora2+2 Intersessional nouncing a punitive torium on loan repayDialogue on August 25% levy on India for ments, among others. 25 to review key buying Russian oil. Rakesh Mehra, chairstrategic priorities The impact will be man, Confederation of and discuss ways severe for labour-intenIndian Textile Industry , to advance defence sive sectors such as texsaid finding new marand security tiles, apparel, gems & kets and clients can’t cooperation, the jewellery, and marine be done overnight. Ministry of External products, with effective The Gem & Jewellery Affairs said in a duties climbing as high Export Promotion statement | P7 as 64% once existing Council has sought remost-favoured nation imbursements coverrates are factored in. However, ing 25-50% of additional tariff. steel, copper, aluminium, smartFor smaller firms, the Indian phones, semiconductors, and auto- SME Forum flagged structural mobiles have been spared. gaps in access to global trade data. Exporters seek urgent relief in It urged the government to operathe form of interest subvention tionalise the Global Market Intelschemes and easier access to ex- ligence System to help identify export credit. The commerce minis- port opportunities and set up try has assured industry of credit International Trade Desks to guide support while RBI Governor San- MSMEs in emerging markets. P10 EXPRESS READ IAF chief warns against making hasty changes In a statement on the ongoing exercise to reorganise the warfighting machinery into theatres, the Chief of Air Staff has cautioned against making hasty changes to the existing structures. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has stressed the need to retain core competence of each service. | P7 PM unveils EV exports to 100 nations from Gujarat PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled a leap in India’s clean mobility drive from Hansalpur, Gujarat, announcing that Electric Vehicles made in India will now be exported to 100 countries, and hybrid battery electrode manufacturing has begun. | P8 NEW U.S. SECTORAL TARIFFS ON INDIAN GOODS APPLICABLE (IN PERCENT) SMART PHONES 0% ON PHARMA, Shrimps 50% ( 0 | 50) Petroleum products 6.9% ( 6.9 | 0) Organic chemicals 54% Textile, made up 59% ( 9 | 50) Diamonds, gold & products 52.1% ( 2.1 | 50) ( 4 | 50) Steel, Copper, aluminium Carpets ( 1.7 | 50) 52.9% ( 2.9 | 50) Apparel; Knitted 63.9% ( 13.9 | 50) Apparel; woven 60.3% ( 10.3 | 50) 51.7% Vehicles,& parts 26% ( 1 | 25) Machinery, mechanical appliances 51.3% ( 1.3 | 50) Source: GTRI US MFN TARIFF (%) NEW TRUMP TARIFF (%) The former Sri Lankan president joined the court proceedings virtually from the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital. | P9 DKS says sorry for singing RSS anthem E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Bengaluru KARNATAKA Deputy Chief Minister DK Shikavakumar, also KPCC president, on Tuesday apologised to his party colleagues and also members of the INDIA bloc for reciting the RSS anthem inside the Legislature Assembly recently that triggered a controversy . “If anyone is hurt, I am sorry . I want to apologise to all of them. None from the party high command questioned me on this,” Shivakumar told the media. He clarified that he is apologising not because of pressure from the high command, which knows his loyalty to the party . Shivakumar said he did not commit any mistake, and recited the anthem not to praise RSS, but to target Assembly opposition leader R Ashoka. “I tried to pull their (BJP’s) leg. Some of my friends are trying to take political advantage of it and trying to use it, misuse it and create confusion around it,” he alleged. “The specific part of the recital was cut and pasted and mixed with other issues to make it a national news story he rued. ,” “I started as a student leader with Congress and have been working with the party since 1979. I am not a new member to the party. I don’t need to be taught a lesson by anyone. When Indira Gandhi passed away I was the one who named , my touring talkies after her.” He said that he was born a Congressman and will die a Congressman. “Gandhi family is my god and I am their devotee,” he added. Delhi rolls out draft startup policy— `200 cr fund, 5,000 ventures by ’35 A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE city government has released a draft of the Delhi Startup Policy 2025, a blueprint— anchored by a `200 crore venture capital fund—to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs and cement the capital’s status as a global innovation hub by 2035. The policy represents the most ambitious entrepreneurial initiative, targeting the establishment and facilitation of at least 5,000 startups over the next decade. “This policy marks a paradigm shift in how we approach innovation and entrepreneurship in Delhi,” Indus- Women entrepreneurs The policy will guarantee priority access & higher reimbursements for women entrepreneurs and marginalised communities with enhanced ceilings of `5.5 lakh and `11 lakh for women-led enterprises for inclusive growth. tries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Tuesday . The policy encompasses 18 focus areas, including healthcare services, fintech, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging energy solutions like hydrogen technology . Beyond capital, the policy underwrites core expenses: it reimburses 100% of lease rentals up to `10 lakh a year for three years, covers intellectualproperty filings up to `1 lakh for Indian and `3 lakh for international applications, and refunds exhibition costs up to `5 lakh for domestic and `10 lakh for international events To cushion early-stage burn, every recognised startup also receives a flat operational allowance of `2 lakh per month for twelve months, freeing founders to focus on building category-defining products. “We have structured this policy to address every critical challenge that startups face in their initial years,” Sirsa said.