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 ■ ■ dead & counting as 7.7 quake flattens myanmar, Thailand a g e n c i e s @ Bangkok A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand on Friday, destroying scores of buildings, a bridge and a dam. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage. At least eight died in the Thai capital, where a high-rise under construction collapsed. The 7.7 magnitude quake, with an epicentre near Mandalay Myanmar’s second largest , city struck at midday and was , followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. The full extent of deaths, injury and de- struction was not immediately clear — particularly in Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest countries. It is embroiled in a civil war and information is tightly controlled. The head of Myanmar’s military gover nment said in the televised s p e e c h o n F r i d ay evening that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured. Photos from Naypyidaw showed multiple buildings used to house civil servants destroyed, and rescue crew All of a sudden the whole building began to move. A lot of screaming, a lot of panic, people running the wrong way down the escalators , total chaos — Fraser Morton, tourist from Scotland in Bangkok Bench says CJI can order FIR after inquiry ‘Allahabad HC turned into dumping ground’ Allahabad High Court Bar Association president Anil Tiwari said they will boycott Justice Varma’s swearing-in. “I don’t know what compelled the government to issue this transfer notification. We have called an emergency meeting tonight with senior advocates to decide our next course of action. This is injustice, and the Allahabad High Court has been turned into a dumping ground.” Cash row: 1991 SC order back in focus The Supreme Court rejecting a plea for FIR against Justice Varma has brought into focus its 1991 verdict virtually granting immunity to judges. A five-judge Constitution bench in the K Veeraswami case directed no criminal case should be registered against a judge unless the Chief Justice of India was consulted in the matter. pulling victims from beneath the rubble. Myanmar has declared a state of emergency . Near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market, a 33-storey building under construction, with a crane on top, crumpled into a cloud of dust, with onlookers screaming and running in a video posted on social media. The sound of sirens echoed throughout central Bangkok and vehicles filled the streets, leaving some of the city’s already congested streets gridlocked. The elevated rapid transit system and subway shut down. While the area where the quake struck is prone to earthquakes, they are usually not so big and it is rare for them to be felt in the Thai capital, which sits on a river delta and is at moderate risk for quakes. The US Geological Survey and Germany’s centre for geosciences said it was a shallow earthquake that causes more damage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said, “Concerned by the situation in Myanmar and Thailand. India stands ready to offer all P9 possible assistance.” No FIR for now against Justice Varma, says SC s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi CALLING it “premature”, the Supreme Court on Friday rejected a PIL seeking Delhi Police to register an FIR against Delhi High Court’s Justice Yashwant Varma over the alleged discovery of burnt wads of cash from his official residence on March 14. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said an in-house inquiry was in progress and there would be several options open to the Chief Justice of India after the probe’s conclusion. The bench, therefore, refused to examine the plea of advocate Mathews J Nedumpara and three others. “We have seen the prayers. After the in-house inquiry is over, several options are open. If the report indicates something is wrong, the chief justice (of India) can direct the register of the FIR or refer the matter to the Parliament after examining the report,” the Yashwant Varma court said. Petitioners Mathews J Nedumpara, Hemali Suresh Kurne, Rajesh Vishnu Adrekar and Mansha Nimesh Mehta had submitted that their plea pertained to a larger public interest and sought a direction from the court for registration of an FIR. A fire at Justice Varma’s official residence on March 14 led to the alleged discovery of wads of burnt cash in an outhouse of the judge’s residence. Justice Varma was not in New Delhi at the time of the fire, and has denied all charges. Subsequently, CJI Sanjiv Khanna formed a three-member in-house panel, consisting Plan to set up Quantum Valley in Amaravati express read AMNS India begins land acquisition in AP Naidu’s concern over falling fertility rate New Delhi: AMNS India on Friday started the process to acquire a land parcel in Andhra Pradesh for its proposed steel manufacturing facility. The initial payment for acquiring the land has been made, AMNS India said. Chennai: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his concern about the falling fertility rates in Southern India. Earlier population of India was a problem, but now it’s a big advantage for country, he said. Cabinet Polls in mind, Bihar gets 4 approves Based added Cabinet attention Nutrient(NBS) Subsidy Cost @ Vijayawada of Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, Justice G S Sandhawalia, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, and Anu Sivaraman, Judge of the High Court of Karnataka. The panel has been mandated with an inquiry into the allegations against Justice Varma, the second senior-most Judge of the HC of Delhi. In a related development, the Union government Friday notified the transfer of Justice Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court. The Law Ministry issued a notification announcing the transfer of the judge. Strongly opposing the transfer of Justice Varma to the Allahabad High Court, its Bar Association president on Friday called it the “darkest day for India’s judiciary” and announced they will boycott his swearingin ceremony . The Supreme Court on Friday said the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court was asked not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma. Money matters M3,712.40 cr 1 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves construction of 4-lane greenfield and brownfield Patna-ArrahSasaram corridor in Bihar on hybrid annuity mode for road infra. Cost dissemination, and praised its contribution to startups like Agnikul Cosmos and MindChief Minister N Chandraba- grove Technologies, which bu Naidu has announced And- have placed India at the forehra Pradesh’s ambitious plans, front of space and semiconducincluding setting up Quantum tor innovation. Valley in Amaravati with the The Chief Minister reflected help of IIT Madras. on India’s economic journey, Speaking at the All recalling the pre-liberIndia Research Scholalisation mixed econoars Summit (AIRSS) my, and the impact of 2025 at the Indian Inthe 1992 economic Andhra Pradesh’s stitute of Technology IT policy has been reforms. (IIT) Madras on Friday a game-changer, , He highlighted how Naidu recalled his deregulation in the telproving that foresight in establish- policymakers and ecom sector, based on i n g H y d e r a b a d ’ s technocrats must his recommendation, Hitech City in 1995, work together to helped drive digital achieve rapid and emphasised the transformation. importance of AI, urg- economic growth He recounted his ing students to develop meeting with Bill N Chandrababu practical use cases. Gates in the 1990s, Naidu, CM Andhra Pradesh is colwhich led to Microlaborating with IIT Madras, soft’s establishment in HyderaIBM, TCS, and the Government bad, and highlighted the role of of India to advance Deep Tech- Telugu leaders like Satya nology he revealed. , Nadella in global technology . Exuding confidence that InThe Chief Minister spoke dia’s future belongs to young about India’s digital revolution, scholars and entrepreneurs, citing Aadhaar and UPI as exNaidu acknowledged the role amples of successful innovaP4 of IIT Madras in knowledge tions.  E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e 1,500 earthquakes have hit myanmar since 1950 till the present day why are shallow quakes lethal? A videograb of onlookers near the 33-storey high-rise in Bangkok that collapsed on Friday after the earthquake | AP M6,282.32 cr 2 M22,919 cr Electronics component manufacturing scheme approved for making India Atmanirbhar in the electronics supply chain. Projected to attract investment of `59,350 crore, result in production of `4,56,500 crore worth of goods. Scheme promises to generate additional direct employment for 91,600 people. 2 CCEA approves inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Cost includes `3,652.56 crore Central assistance. To be completed by 2029 rates for Kharif crops on phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilizers. Budgetary requirement for Kharif season 2024: 37,216.15 crore Cabinet approves release of 2% additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners from Jan 1, 2025 5 ashwini vaishnaw The earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand on Friday was shallow, as per the US Geological Survey. Shallow earthquakes are more dangerous than deeper ones due to their greater energy release closer to the Earth’s surface, causing stronger impact that leads to ground shaking and increased damage to structures and casualties. Seismic waves from deeper quakes lose part of their energy by the time they reach the surface. Judiciary steps up to safeguard free speech Allahabad Bar Association protests transfer Cost 152 tirupati l saturday l march 29, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION SC junks FIR against HC grants interim Imran Pratapgarhi bail to Kunal Kamra S u c h i t r a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi R SIVA K UMAR @ Chennai THE Supreme Court on Friday quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings initiated by Gujarat police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi over a poem in a video clip uploaded by him on social media. The 46-second video clip showed the Rajya Sabha MP being showered with flower petals as he walks, with the poem playing in the background. The FIR alleged the poem contained provocative lyrics that pitted communities against one another aside from hurting religious sentiments. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said the poem had nothing to do with religion, caste, community, or any particular group, adding that the police must first understand the meaning of written or spoken words before lodging FIR in such cases. “The poem’s words do not bring about or promote disImran Pratapgarhi harmony or feelings of hatred or ill-will. It only seeks to challenge the injustice made by the ruler. It is impossible to say that the words used by the appellant disturb or are likely to disturb public tranquillity the bench said. ,” The court observed that different forms of art including poetry, drama, music, satire make human life more meaningful and people should be granted the freedom to express through such art forms. “The Constitution says reasonable restriction can be imposed on the freedom of right to speech and expression, but the reasonable restriction should not be unreasonable and fanciful to trample the rights of citizens,” the apex court added. The bench had reserved the verdict on Pratapgarhi’s appeal on March 3. THE Madras High Court on Friday granted interim anticipatory bail till April 7 to comedian Kunal Kamra in a case registered against him by Khar police in Mumbai over his jokes on Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. “The petitioner has satisfied this court as to why he is unable to approach the courts in Maharashtra immediately for protection,” Justice Sunder Mohan said in his order. In his petition, Kamra said he has been a resident of Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district since 2021 and that he fears arrest and physical harm if he travels to Maharashtra in response to the summons by Khar police. While granting interim protection, the HC directed Kamra to execute a bail bond before the judicial magistrate. Justice Mohan also issued notice to Khar police and posted the matKunal Kamra ter to April 7. The comedian was booked by the Khar police on a complaint by Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel for his alleged defamatory remarks against the deputy CM in his comedy show. Kamra was booked for offences under Sections 353(1)(b), 353(2) (public mischief), and 356(2) (defamation). The contentious stand-up gig was performed at the Habitat Comedy Club in Khar, Mumbai. The caustic comments in the show triggered a strong backlash with Shinde’s supporters vandalising the venue. Kamra’s counsel V Suresh said his client received around 500 phone calls threatening to harm him. Besides, several persons close to Shinde, including a sitting minister of Maharashtra, issued open threats that they will “teach him a lesson in Shiv Sena’s style”. Govt to declare 51 mandals as drought-hit, implement relief measures on war footing E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada A decision in principle has been taken to declare 51 mandals in the State as drought-hit, and orders to this effect will be issued within two or three days, said Special Chief Secretary (Revenue) RP Sisodia. Chairing the Drought Committee meeting held at the office of AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) in hybrid mode on Friday Siso, dia said the committee had meticulously examined the proposals submitted by the District Collectors and the relevant departments, and finalised its re- port to submit it to the government for approval. The prevailing conditions in the mandals were assessed strictly as per the Drought Management Manual, ensuring a structured and data-driven approach. The government is committed to addressing drought-related challenges, and the committee meeting is crucial in evaluating the severity of the situation across various districts, Sisodia said.  P4 Inter Board to implement academic reforms from 2025-26 K K a lya n K r i s h n a K u m a r @ Vijayawada The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) is set to come up with a series of reforms from the academic year 2025-26. Following the instructions of HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, these reforms, evolved based on feedback from the public, stakeholders, parents, students, and academicians, aim to enhance the quality of education, pro- mote interdisciplinary learning, and align the Intermediate system with national standards. A key change is the revision of the syllabus in line with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, ensuring that students engage meaningfully with the material rather than resorting to rote memorisation. As part of this initiative, first year Intermediate students will have new textbooks from the next academic year, while sec- ond year students will transition to revised textbooks by 2026-27. The revision process was carried out by a Subject Committee comprising univer- sity professors, degree college lecturers, and junior lecturers. To provide students with greater flexibility and encourage multidisciplinary learning, the BIE is introducing new subject combinations. Mathematics-A and Mathematics-B will be integrated into a single subject, Mathematics, while Botany and Zoology will be merged into Biology Additionally, stu. dents will have a wider range of elective and additional sub- ject options. English will remain a compulsory subject, while second language options include Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, Persian and French. Students can also choose from main subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Economics, Commerce, and Civics, as well as minor subjects such as Geography Logic, , Public Administration, and P4 Modern Languages.