HYDERABAD l Saturday l January 03, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l LATE CITY EDITION Indian Army places emergency order for long-range rockets Indian Army has contracted Pune-based defence manufacturer Nibe Ltd to procure equipment and ammunition for its universal rocket launchers Rockets to have striking range of 300 km “The Company has entered into Supply Contract with the Indian Army for Manufacturing and Supply of Ground Equipment, Accessories, ESP and Ammunition for Universal Rocket Launcher System capable of integrating multiple rocket types including rockets striking at ranges of 150 km and 300 km for a consideration of `292.69 cr,” Nibe said in an exchange filing ■ 12 months Order to bring Israeli firm’s ‘Puls’ to India ■ In July 2025, NIBE had entered into an agreement with Israel’s Elbit Systems to manufacture the Israeli firm’s PULS multiple rocket launcher systems in India. Sources said the latest order is for PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System), manufactured by Elbit Once inducted, PULS will be Army’s 1st universal rocket launcher | P8 The order has to be executed and delivered within that timeframe 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 Bills passed n Telangana Assembly passes resolution opposing the proposed G RAM G Act, 2025, urges Centre to continue MGNREGA without changes n Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to present a PPT on Krishna river water issues in the Assembly at 12.30 pm on Saturday n Former irrigation minister T Harish Rao to make a PPT presentation on Krishna river issues at Telangana Bhavan on Saturday Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan and The New Indian Express group Chairman Manoj Kumar Sonthalia, his wife Kalpana Sonthalia, TNIE CEO Lakshmi Menon, Editor Santwana Bhattacharya, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla, Dinamani Editor K Vaidiyanathan, TN ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Ma Subramanian with the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman recipients Chandrashekhara Kambara, Neha Dixit, Subi Taba and Sudeep Chakravarti, at an event in Chennai on Friday | Ashwin Prasath I am really affirmed that stories from the farthest places in the map also belong to the centre of the literary world in India Subi Taba, RNGSS winner for Best Fiction History, politics, biographies... people, all come alive as narrative non-fiction. There is no better time to be a writer Sudeep Chakravarti, RNGSS awardee for Best Non-Fiction When news is determined by the buying mood of the target audience and political masters, I hope this award will help in putting the lives of workers at the forefront Neha Dixit, RNGSS awardee for Best Debut on page 7 Reservoir of human experience Where varied voices converge V-P: Fearless media, Lit vital for democracy Chandrashekhara Kambara conferred the RNGSS Lifetime Achievement Award E x p ress N e w s S er v i c e @ Chennai Stressing that no nation can emerge without fearless journalism and deep literature, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said freedom of expression remains the cornerstone of Indian democracy. He was speaking at the third edition of the Ramnath Goenka Sahithya Samman (RNGSS), The New Indian Express (TNIE) group’s annual literary award honouring excellence in Indian writing, which was held in the city . At the event, legendary playwright Chandrashekhara Kambara was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long contribution to literature, particularly Kannada poetry thea, tre and folklore-based writing. Kambara is among India’s most revered literary figures — a Kannada writer, thinker, playwright, folklorist and theatre activist whose life’s work has profoundly shaped the nation’s cultural imagination. Subi Taba won the RNGSS for Best Fiction for Tales from the Dawn-Lit Mountains, Sudeep Chakravarti received the award for Best Non-Fiction for Fallen City: A Double Murder Political , Insanity, and Delhi’s Descent from Grace, while Neha Dixit won the Best Debut award for The Many Lives of Syeda X: The Story of an Unknown Indian. Speaking at the event, Vice President Radhakrishnan paid rich tributes to Ramnath Goenka, doyen of Indian print journalism and the visionary founder of The New Indian Express group, saying he stood firm for journalistic integrity, intellectual courage and democratic values during some of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history . “Goenka remains the conscience keeper of Indian democracy. His commitment to fearless expression continues to inspire generations,” he said. Recalling Goenka’s resistance during Emergency, the Vice President said he demonstrated the power of silence by publishing a blank editorial as a mark of protest a g ainst press censorship. Addressing the gathering, TNIE CMD Manoj Kumar Sonthalia said the award was a tribute to writers who wield the pen with courage, imagination and integrity . He recalled the legacy of Ramnath Goenka, describing him as a steadfast believer in the power of the printed word, not merely as a vehicle for news, but as an engine of ideas and an instrument of change. TN ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Ma Subramanian, TNIE Editor Santwana Bhattacharya, Editorial Director Prabhu Chawla, CEO Lakshmi Menon and Dinamani Editor K Vaidiyanathan participated. Dinamani boxed item led me to V-P’s office: CPR E x p ress N e w s S er v i c e @ Chennai Recalling that reading a news item in Tamil daily Dinamani, a sister publication of the TNIE group, shaped his political journey and eventually led him to one of the country’s highest constitutional offices, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday said fearless journalism has the power to change lives, as he paid tribute to Ramnath Goenka at the third edition of the Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman (RNGSS) in Chennai. The Vice President said a boxed item carried next to Dinamani’s masthead, a format which has now changed, reported a protest by the Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP against the , Turkish Consulate in Delh i . T h e p ro t e s t w a s against Turkey’s decision to ban books written by former President S Radhakrishnan, including The Hindu View of Life. “Nobody questioned it (book ban) at that time. Goenka believed Only Jana Sangh, under ideas must the leadership of Vijay circulate freely, Kumar Malhotra ji, staged questions must a dhar na outside the be asked — Turkish Consulate. That and more impressed me,” he said. importantly, Radhakrishnan added answered that he spent nearly a year searching for the party before eventually joining Jana Sangh, a decision, which he said, has now led him to the office of the Vice President. Equating fearless journalism with Goenka, Radhakrishnan described him as a towering figure in public life who stood firm for journalistic integrity intellectual courage , and democratic values during some of the most challenging periods in the nation’s history “He remains the conscience-keeper . of Indian democracy he said. ,” “He believed ideas must circulate freely , questions must be asked — and more importantly answered — and that centres of , power must always be held accountable,” the V-P added.  Continued on: P7 Another missive to South to rectify minimum age norm for Class 1 kids E XP R E S S N E W S S E R VIC E @ New Delhi THE Ministry of Education has again shot off a letter to six states asking them to adhere to the minimum age criterion of six years for admission to Class 1 as mandated by the National Education Policy 2020. On February 9, 2023, the ministry had directed all states and Union Territories that the date of admission to Class 1 must be set at six years. According to officials, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh are yet to adhere to the age criterion. “We have written to these states in the past as well, asking them to abide by this criterion. We will continue to do so. Chhattisgarh has informed us that they will adopt it shortly ,” said a senior official. The official added that these states continue to admit students in Class I even when they are five years old as had been done in the past. “Six years is what we consider as the right age for imparting school education,” he said. Three years of pre-primary education before Linked to nep The age requirement is linked to NEP 2020’s revamped 5+3+3+4 school structure, under which children aged 3-8 years fall within the foundational stage. This stage comprises three years of pre-school education followed by two years of primary schooling that is necessary . Fixing a common age criterion across the country is important in view of the high inter-state mobility by people, the official stressed. “The transportability of the student becomes smooth when the same pattern and rules on education are followed across the country .” Another official told this newspaper that the revised NCERT textbooks for Class 9th and 11th will be out in April 2026 (before the academic year begins). “The books for Class 10th and 12th will be ready by April 2027,” he said. Responding to a query on Tamil Nadu’s refusal to open Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Schools, the official said, “Tamil Nadu has been asked to come for discussions.” express read Inter hall ticket on WhatsApp for parents Hyderabad: To enhance parental awareness ahead of the Intermediate Examinations, the BIE has planned to send a download link for a preview of students’ hall tickets to parents’ registered mobile numbers via WhatsApp | P2 Nifty reaches all-time high of 26,340 New Delhi: Domestic equity market extended gains on Friday (January 2, 2026) with the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 surging 193.45 points or 0.73% in intraday deals to reach an alltime peak of 26,340 | P10 Hidma’s Close Aide Barse deva surrenders | P3 n Telangana Municipalities (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2025 All in the House n boycott: BRS announced BRS a boycott of the remaining Assembly session, alleging partisan conduct by Speaker Gaddam Prasad | P4 n Two amendments to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 2025 n Amendments to the Telangana Private Universities Act n Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 2025 Phase-I DPR No final decision for Musi project yet on GHMC within weeks: CM split: Sridhar S B a c han J ee t S i n g h @ Hyderabad E x p ress N e w s S er v i c e @ Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy told the Assembly on Friday that the detailed project report for Phase I of the Musi Riverfront Development Project, also referred to as the Musi rejuvenation project, would be ready within a few weeks, with project estimates to be finalised by March 31 and tenders invited immediately thereafter. Revanth said the first phase would cover a 21-km stretch — 9.5 km from Osmansagar (Gandipet) to Bapu Ghat and 11.5 km from Himayatsagar to Bapu Ghat. He said the DPR would provide clarity on the scope of works before Sankranti, followed by the preparation of estimates before the end of the financial year. Once the DPR is received from consultants, a PowerPoint presentation outlining the salient features of Phase I would Even BRS MLAs have demanded be made in the Assembly . cleaning of the The chief minister said Musi, but the state government had attempts are sought financial assistance being made to of `4,100 crore from the disrupt discussion Asian Development Bank, on the project which had granted in princiA Revanth Reddy, ple approval. The Union govchief minister er nment had per mitted preparation of the DPR for Phase I and had also cleared the development of Gandhi Sarovar under the project. Referring to the historical context of riverbased settlements, Revanth said river basins had sustained civilisations from the Kakatiyas and Qutb Shahis to the Nizams through irrigation, drinking water and industrial projects. He outlined a plan to develop a 55-km Musi riverfront from Gandipet to Gowrelli and said Godavari waters would be brought to Gandipet within two years.  continued on p4 Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu on Friday said the government would take a decision at a later stage on whether two, three or five municipal corporations would be created within the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR). Replying to the debate in the Legislative Assembly on behalf of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy who also holds the Municipal Adminis, tration portfolio, the minister said no conclusion had been reached so far. He said the chief minister intended to hold discussions with all public representatives belonging to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) before a decision was taken and communicated. The Assembly passed the Telangana Municipalities CM will discuss split of GHMC (Fourth Amendment) Bill, with stakeholders 2025, and two amendments to before the final the Greater Hyderabad Mudecision. We want nicipal Corporation Act, uniform service 2025, after a lengthy debate. delivery and The Bills seek to merge surplanned growth rounding urban local bodies D Sridhar Babu, (ULBs) with the GHMC. minister Responding to concerns raised by members, Sridhar Babu said the objective of the state government was to ensure uniform service delivery and planned infrastructure development across the TCUR. He said the ordinance to merge surrounding ULBs into the GHMC was brought to facilitate sustainable and comprehensive development of the city . The minister added that the merger would not result in any additional tax burden on residents and that steps would be taken to mobilise the required resources.  continued on p4 Chairman C hairman, Central Water Commission, New Delhi Representatives of Andhra Pradesh n Special Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department (member) n Adviser, Water Resources Department (member) n Engineer-in-Chief (Irrigation), Water Resources Dept (member) n Engineer, IS&WR, Water Resources Department (member) Chief Representatives of Telangana n Adviser to Govt (Irrigation & Water Resources) (member) n Principal Secretary to Govt, Irrigation Department (member) n Special Secretary to Government, Irrigation Dept (member) n Engineer-in-Chief (General), Irrigation Department (member) Others Chairman, KRMB, Hyderabad (member) Chairman, GRMB, Hyderabad (member) Chief Engineer, NWDA, Delhi (member) Chief Engineer (PAO), CWC, Delhi (membersecretary) Centre sets up panel on AP–TG water disputes E x p ress N e w s S er v i c e @ Hyderabad The Ministry of Jal Shakti on Friday constituted a 13-member committee to address interstate water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three months. The Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman will head the panel. It will include four representatives each from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, besides the chairpersons of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB). Orders to this effect were issued by Senior Joint Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh of the ministry . The committee has been tasked with examining outstanding is- sues related to water management and suggesting technical solutions to ensure equitable and efficient sharing of water. It may invite officers or experts from other organisations during its proceedings. Expenditure on meetings or field visits will be borne by the respective departments or organisations to which the members belong. Telangana has been objecting to the proposed Polavaram expansion by AP through the Nallamalasagar project to divert 200 tmcft of Godavari water. Other issues likely to come up include responsibility for guarding the Nagarjunasagar project, alleged excess use of Krishna waters by Andhra Pradesh beyond its allocation, particularly outside the Krishna basin, and AP’s objections to the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme. EC rejects TMC bid on BLAs at SIR hearing M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected the Trinamool Congress’ request to allow the party’s booth level agents (BLAs) at the hearing sessions regarding the draft voters’ list. The ongoing second stage of the three-phase Special Intensive Revision exercise focuses on hearing sessions on claims and objections. Sources said if the TMC’s request is accepted, the poll panel will have to accept similar demands from other political parties — six national and two state parties. This would mean at least 11 individuals at each hearing table. If such a crowd is allowed to swarm a single table, it would be impossible for the electoral officers to conduct the process, sources said.