tirupati l wednesday l january 28, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l anantapur EDITION Adani Group, Embraer to set up aircraft-making facility in India Adani Group and Brazilian major Embraer on Tuesday announced a strategic tie-up to set up a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India on the road to manufacturing hub Embraer makes commercial jets with up to 150 seats. Details about the investments and the location of the proposed facility were not disclosed. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the collaboration is not just about assembling a regional aircraft but also about technology transfer, skilling, supply chain and making India a manufacturing hub | P10 ■ 50 India will need 500 aircraft in 20 years The Indian market is expected to require at least 500 aircraft in the 80 to 146 seat range over the next 20 years, Embraer said Tuesday The venture with the Adani Group will be a major fillip for the Brazilian major in India’s civil aviation space. Adani Defence & Aerospace President & CEO Ashish Rajvanshi called it a “watershed” ■ aircraft from emraer’s stable in service currently in india 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 Textile sector European Cars Mobility pact Carbon tax Indo-pacific Big boost for exporters to take on competition Cheaper imported cars but conditions apply Indian professionals, students to benefit No EU relief on carbon tax as CBAM stays Mega defence and security pact inked The textile sector could be the biggest winner as the FTA will correct the tariff disadvantage faced by exporters against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Turkey in the 27-nation bloc | P8 Prices of imported cars are likely to come down after India agreed to cut duty to 10% for 2.5 lakh vehicles a year. However, no price cut for brands that already have plants in India | P8 The mobility pact will open up opportunities for students and professionals in EU by streamlining migration, skilling, and easing movement of skilled workers | P8 The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism—a key sticking point during talks—has been kept out of the FTA. India has secured a forward-looking most-favourednation assurance from EU | P8 India and EU on Tuesday sealed a defence pact that will provide for counter-terror cooperation, deeper engagement in the IndoPacific, and joint development of military hardware | P7 ‘No G RAM G Act rollback’: Oppn demand rejected P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi WE DID IT! Prime Minister Narendra Modi with European Council President Antonio Costa (left) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen | PTI SC for attaching assets of acid attack convicts s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a nty @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Tuesday sought “extraordinary” punitive measures for convicts in acid attack cases, asked the Centre to consider amending the law to strictly deal with them on the lines of dowry death matters where the onus of proving innocence lies on the accused. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi, while hearing a PIL filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, from Haryana, seeking recognition and statutory protection for victims, asked states and Union Territories to provide information about the number of acid attack cases in which charge sheets were filed in trial courts. “Why assets of acid attack accused persons should not be attached? If a person is found guilty of acid attack, why all his immoveable assets be not acquired and used to compensate victim? You have to take some extraordinary punitive measures. Unless action is so painful, deterrent theory must be followed here,” the bench observed. In this particular case, the survivor’s lawyer submitted that all the accused in the survivor’s case have been acquitted and she was forced to file a criminal appeal. The top court also asked all states and Union territories to provide a slew of information, including the year-wise details of the number of acid attack cases, their status in courts, besides the rehabilitation measures to support the victims. The bench asked high courts to consider expediting and concluding matters concerning acid attacks in a time-bound manner on an out-of-turn basis. “All State Legal Services Authorities are to submit schemes, implemented for compensation or medical aid to the victims of acid attacks,” the bench said. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Minister Piyush Goyal described the pact as balanced and equitable. “By leaving sensitive issues aside, we have arrived at a fair and win-win free trade agreement for industries in both India and the EU. It opens up a plethora of opportunities for investment and access to complementary markets,” he said. Among the biggest beneficiaries is the textile sector. Goyal estimated that India’s textile Gems & jewellery 4% 10% Base metal 26% 12% Up to 12.8% 6.50% This is the tale of two giants... who choose partnership in a true win-win fashion, a strong message that cooperation is the best answer to global challenges Current Tariff Plastics / Rubber Prime Minister Narendra Modi Marine products This agreement will facilitate easier access for our farmers and small enterprises to European markets, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and strengthen cooperation across services sectors exports to the EU could surge from $7 billion to $35 billion, generating 7 million new jobs. Meanwhile, India will liberalise 92.1% of its tariff lines, covering 97.5% of EU exports by value. India will sharply cut some of its highest import duties, bringing car tariffs down from as much as 110% to as low as 10%, halving levies on European wines from 150% and eventually reducing it to 20%, and eliminating duties of up to 44% on machinery . The two sides also announced a security and defence partnership and a broader strategic agenda, as Europe looks to reduce its reliance on the US and China. The partnership aims to deepen cooperation and improve defence interoperability . “Today, the world’s two largest democracies launched a Security and Defence Partnership—a platform for stronger cooperation on strategic issues that matter most, from defence industry to maritime security,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Chemicals INDIA and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the landmark free trade agreement (FTA), paving the way for duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports to the lucrative 27-nation European market. In return, India has offered significant market access to EU goods. The FTA is expected to provide relief to India’s labourintensive sectors that have been under pressure due to US tariffs. With negotiations concluded, the agreement is likely to be signed later this year, the commerce ministry said. Calling it India’s largest FTA to date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pact would deliver substantial benefits for the country’s 1.4 billion people. “The historic agreement will make access to European markets easier for our farmers and small industries, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and further strengthen cooperation between our services sectors,” Modi said. India will gain preferential access to the European market across 97% of tariff lines, covering 99.5% of trade value. Key labour-intensive sectors—textiles, apparel, marine products, leather, footwear, chemicals, plastics & rubber, sports goods, toys, and gems & jewellery— accounting for $33 billion in exports will see import duties ranging between 4% and 26% eliminated from the date the agreement comes into force. The government has clarified that safeguards have been built in to protect sensitive sectors such as dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, and certain fruits and vegetables. According to the European Commission, the pact will phase out high tariffs on select EU agri-food exports such as olive oil, processed foods, sheep meat, beverages and fruits, while India’s sensitive agricultural sectors remain protected. EU sanitary and food safety standards will remain intact, with no exemptions for Indian exports. Commerce and Industry Textiles & apparel P U SH P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi Leather & footwear India and European union announce landmark free trade agreement; 99% of India’s exports to get duty-free access to 27 european nations Up to 17% Indian exports that will have zero duty Source: Ministry of Commerce Lower duty for imports from EU Duty to drop from 110% to 10% Premium wines From 150% to 20% Spirits From 150% to 40% Duty reduces from Beer 110% to 50% Olive oil From 45% to 0% Pharmaceuticals From 11% to 0% Aircraft and From 11% to 0% spacecraft Cars Source: European Commission On the Opposition’s contentions on the VB-G RAM G bill, The government on Tuesday which was passed by Parliarejected the Opposition’s de- ment during the Winter Sesmand for discussions on the sion, the minister said, “Once VB-G RAM G Act in the Budg- a law is before the nation, we et session of Parliament be- have to follow it.” ginning Wednesday, with ParWhile the government sugliamentary Affairs Minister gested that members can disKiren Rijiju saying that there cuss the issues during the Mowill be “no reversing the gear tion of Thanks, Brittas objected, once the law is before the coun- insisting on structured discustry”. The minister also ruled sions that would allow replies out discussion on the Special from concerned ministers. He Intensive Revision (SIR) of argued that discussions during voter rolls, asserting that both the Motion of Thanks are limthe issues had already been de- ited and do not meet the debated by both Houses. mand for detailed debate. Rijiju made these remarks Several Opposition MPs after an all-party meeting con- from the DMK, Trinamool vened by the governCongress (TMC), and ment. During the Budget focus Left parties demandmeeting, Opposition ed a detailed discusSpeaking to the members, including sion on the SIR, parmedia, Rijiju said the Congress’ Jairam ticularly in that as per Ramesh and John poll-bound states. Riparliamentary Brittas of the CPI(M), rules, discussions jiju, however, ruled also objected to the during the Budget out another debate non-circulation of on the issue, saying session should gover nment busiit had already been primarily revolve ness for the session, around the Budget discussed extensivewhich the minister ly during earlier desaid would be done in due bates on election reforms in course. The Opposition de- both Houses. “If they seek anmanded structured discussion other discussion, it will be unon a range of issues, including called,” he told reporters. the restoration of the UPA-era Sources said several memMGNREGA, the ongoing SIR, bers also raised concerns over India’s foreign policy, and the the UGC’s new regulations controversy over new UGC aimed at addressing casteguidelines. based discrimination in higher The government, however, education institutions. Speakmaintained that the primary ing to the media, Azad Samaj focus of the Budget session Party (Kanshiram) president would be the Budget itself, and and MP Chandrashekhar Azad said members could raise oth- defended the new guidelines, er issues during the debate on saying they were framed in rethe Motion of Thanks to the sponse to rising incidents of President’s Address. discrimination. express read AUCE gets first woman principal in 100 years Visakhapatnam: Professor Mogalla Shashi from the Department of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Andhra University, has assumed charge as the principal of Andhra University College of Engineering (AUCE), becoming the first woman to head the premier institution in its 100-year history | P3 dhoni AP aims 500L MT of horti produce begins preparations for ipl in ranchi With a few SS bats delivered to him as per his liking, ex-India and CSK captain started net sessions at the JSCA Sports Complex ahead of the 2026 edition | P11 Express News Service @ Vijayawada Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has outlined plans to achieve 500 lakh metric tonnes of horticultural produce in Rayalaseema, Prakasam and Markapur districts. At a high-level review meeting with ministers and senior officials on Tuesday the Chief , Minister emphasised that the 10 districts would serve as the focal point for horticulture growth in Andhra Pradesh, s u p p o r t e d by P u r vo d aya Scheme funds, State allocations, and large-scale private investment. Naidu directed officials to expedite the completion of pend- ing irrigation projects, and revive those left ne glected, stressing that integrated development must align with global market demand for horticultural produce. The departments should prioritise irrigation projects that can be completed with limited funding, while ensuring long-term P4 water security he said.  , Moving on Not Rihaa, but Arijit retires from playback singing H a r s h B H @ Mumbai National award-winning singer Arijit Singh on Tuesday shocked fans the world over by announcing his retirement from playback singing in a series of posts on social media. Thanking his fans for giving him love for 15 years, Arijit wrote, “I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey There are several rea. sons behind this. I have been trying to do this for a long time, but finally got the right courage. I got bored. I need to do some other music to live.” The renowned singer, however, did clarify that he will continue to be active as a musician. “Just to be clear, I won’t stop making music. God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music and in future will be learning more and doing more on my own as a small little artist. Thanks again for all your support,” he stated. Music lovers and the industry continue to speculate on the reasons behind this drastic and one-of-a-kind step from Arijit, who has been one of the most active and prolific playback singers in the industry. According to sources, he had been having some conflicts with music labels over several issues, including royalty and copyright. Arijit was one of the few film artists who were vocal on several issues. The singer famously had a fallout with Salman Khan after he remarked on the actor’s hosting at an award show. For many years, Arijit did not give playback vocals for Salman, breaking the streak only with Tiger 3 in 2023. Arijit has constantly found himself in the Top 10 list of top global artists on popular music streaming platforms, and it is expected that his independent music career might finally give the Indian indie music scene a much-needed fillip. TDPP seeks legal status for Amaravati Vijayawada: Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party (TDPP) leader Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu, who attended the all-party meeting convened by the Centre ahead of Parliament session from Wednesday, said the Centre was urged to table a Bill to provide legal sanctity to Amaravati as the Capital City of Andhra Pradesh | P4 Bangla releases 23, including 9 AP fishermen U s h a P e r i @ Visakhapatnam Nine fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were among the 23 Indian nationals released from the Bagerhat Jail in Bangladesh on Tuesday .   The fishermen were apprehended in October last year for inadvertently crossing into Bangladesh’s territorial waters while fishing. Vasupalli Janakiram, president of East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India, said the documentation process for the fishermen’s release was completed with the involvement of senior officials. “After completing the formalities, the fishermen were shifted under security to Mongla Port, where they were taken to their boats, now under the custody of the Mongla Police Station. Repair works of the seized vessels are underway, and will be completed shortly following , which arrangements will be made for their return to India,” P4 Janakiram told TNIE.