tirupati l saturday l march 14, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Oppn MPs submit notices seeking a motion for removal of CEC Opposition MPs have submitted notices in both Houses seeking a motion for removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar 130 lok sabha mps, 63 rs mps sign notices seven charges against gyanesh kumar As many as 130 Lok Sabha MPs and 63 Rajya Sabha MPs are said to have signed the notices. The signatories include members from all the INDIA bloc parties, including AAP. Some Independent MPs have also signed the notice while several others have evinced interest. This is the first time a notice has been moved for the removal of the election commission head ■ ■ The notice lists seven charges against Kumar, including alleged partisan conduct in office, deliberate obstruction of investigation of electoral fraud and mass disenfranchisement The process for removing the CEC is similar to that of a Supreme Court or a high court judge, for “proven misbehaviour or incapacity” Art 324(5) of the constitution provides the process for the cec’s removal 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 Y B r a h m a j i @ Vijayawada Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening agriculture by promoting modern technology, improving water security and extending financial support to farmers, while releasing the third tranche of funds under the Annadata Sukhibhava-PM Kisan Scheme. Addressing farmers at a programme at Surampalli village in Gannavaram mandal of Krishna district, the Chief Minister said the State is moving forward in accordance with Vision 2047 to achieve Swarna Andhra by according top priority to agriculture and allied sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released PM Kisan funds to farmers across the country from Assam. In Andhra Pradesh, the State government has extended additional financial support through the Annadata Sukhibhava schme, he said. Under the third tranche, `6,000 each has been credited to the bank accounts of 46.85 lakh farmers. Of the total `2,676 crore aid extended to farmers, `1,800 crore is the State’s share. With the release of the third tranche, the NDA government has deposited `8,985.41 crore into farmers’ accounts this year, ensuring a total support of `20,000 per farmer, Naidu highlighted. Mentioning the fulfilment of the NDA election promise of extending support to small and marginal farmers, he said, “I am a farmer’s son with a strong commitment to agriculture.” Adequate supply of water is being ensured for both agriculture and aquaculture, particularly in the Krishna delta. The government is also promoting modernisation of agriculture and extending support to farmers through farm equipment distribution and subsidies. Farmers are now using drones to sow seeds and adopting drip irrigation for vegetable cultivation, he said.  P4 SAFE PASSAGE FOR INDIA Iran promises safety for India-flagged vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz JAYANTH JAC O B @ New Delhi with India intensifying diplomatic engagement with Iran amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Tehran has signalled the possibility of safe passage for India-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The development came after Exter nal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi late on Thursday night, building on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hours earlier. Jaishankar said he and Araghchi discussed bilateral issues as well as coordination through BRICS. Sources said two India-bound LPG tankers were given permission to pass through the Strait. Confirming the news, Iran’s Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said: “Yes, because India is our friend.” When reporters pressed him specifically if Indian vessels day 14 Day’s developments FM Nirmala Sitharaman says `1 lakh crore Economic Stabilization Fund created to deal with West Asia crisis Two Indian nationals killed and several others injured in an attack in Sohar in Oman on Friday US aerial refueling aircraft KC-135 crashes in Iraq, kills all six on boardNepal selling half-filled cooking gas cylinders to curb panic buying Starting Saturday, IndiGo to levy fuel charge for domestic and international fliers from `425 to `2,300 US lets all countries buy crude from Russia for a month Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu examines the functioning of an agricultural drone at Surampalli in Krishna district on Friday | Express China to provide $2L for victims of bomb attack on Iranian school would be able to transit the Strait safely the envoy said pos, itive developments were expected soon. “Yes, you can see that in the future. I think after two or three hours,” he said. The security of sea lanes is a key concern for India as a large number of its seafarers operate across the Gulf. Indian officials estimate around 23,000 Indian seafarers are currently on merchant ships and offshore vessels in the wider Gulf region. According to a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry, Araghchi briefed Jaishankar on the latest regional developments and their implications for global security “The Irani. an Foreign Minister stressed the necessity for regional and international bodies and organizations to condemn the military aggression against Iran,” the readout said. Araghchi also stressed the importance of BRICS as a platform for coordination during the current crisis. He urged the From weaning the nation away from fossil fuel by offering free LPG connections to over 10 crore households since 2019, the West Asia crisis has forced the govt to go back to coal and kerosene as stop-gap measures For example, the Madhya Pradesh Hotel Association has advised eateries to shift from ‘tawa’ rotis on gas to traditional ‘tandoors’ fired by coal or wood States have been given 48,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene, over and above the regular monthly quota of about 1 lakh kilolitres, for household cooking needs ditional Tra ta nd Agriculture and allied sectors key to Vision 2047: CM r o o grouping to play “a constructive role at the current juncture in supporting regional and global stability and security,” according to the statement, which described the call as the fourth conversation between the two foreign ministers since tensions escalated. During the conversation, Jaishankar conveyed India’s readiness to expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation through regional and international forums. y pla in Regulators told to permit biomass, refusederived fuel pellets and coal as alternate fuels for hotels and restaurants for one month Coal supplies are also being made available for small and medium consumers such as hotels and restaurants to enable them to shift to alternate fuels if required —Sujata Sharma, joint secy, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Govt asks restaurants to switch to coal, households to PNG as LPG crisis deepens RAK E S H KUMAR @ New Delhi with LPG shortage deepening amid escalation in the war between Iran and US-Israel, the government on Friday admitted that the situation remains a matter of concern. The disruption in supply of cooking gas has particularly impacted commercial establishments such as restaurants and hotels. To address the issue, the government has suggested commercial users switch to coal and kerosene. Briefing reporters on Friday Sujata Sharma, joint sec, retary in the petroleum ministry, said LPG is a matter of concern for the government but there is no dry out at any of the 25,000 distributors. Sharma said the issue is panic buying rather than an actual disruption in supply for domestic consumers. On normal days, 50 lakh LPG cylinder bookings are made, but the number has now shot up to 75 lakh bookings per day . According to the government, there is no shortage of piped natural gas (PNG) and households that have access to PNG infrastructure could consider shifting to piped cooking gas to conserve LPG. Official data shows around 7 lakh LPG customers have the option to switch to PNG. “Supply of PNG to domestic consumers is being ensured without any interruptions or cuts,” said Sharma. dri operation Alprazolam unit busted at Kondapalli E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ Vijayawada In a significant crackdown on the illegal manufacture of synthetic drugs, sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a clandestine facility engaged in the production of Alprazolam in the Industrial Development Area in Kondapalli under the Ibrahimpatnam police station limits. The well-coordinated operation codenamed ‘Operation White Hammer’ was carried out on March 11 and 12. It revealed a full-fledged industrial setup for the production of Alprazolam, operating under the guise of a chemical manufacturing unit. Searches at the premises resulted in seizure of 237 kg of Alprazolam with an estimated market value of `47 crore, along with over 800 kg key raw materials, 2,860 litres of various chemicals, and industrial-scale equipment such as reactors, driers and a centrifuge, demonstrating an org anised, large-scale clandestine manufacturing facility . Preliminary investigation revealed that the operation was orchestrated by a chemist with over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical sector, in collusion with his associate who arranged raw materials and distribution in Hyderabad. The two accused, Karumuri Sai Tribhuvan Varma and Saurabh Kumar, had rented the premises for clandestinely manufacturing Alprazolam. The duo was arrested. During the current financial year, the DRI has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligence-based operations. Local body polls likely in six months SC rejects PIL on menstrual leave for women S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Hinting that there is a possibility of elections to the local bodies within six months, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged his Cabinet colleagues to be prepared to face polls anytime. Speaking to the Ministers after the end of the Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Friday , he said the coalition should be in a position to win any election in the State. As the term of majority of urban and rural local bodies set to end by April, the government has already issued orders, appointing special officers for them to oversee general administration. Adobe CEO Narayen set to step down Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen has decided to step down. “I have informed the Board of my decision to transition from my role as CEO after over 18 years in the job,” he said. He played a key role in transforming the company’s business model, redirecting it from traditional software licensing to subscriptionbased services Revealing that the Jaladhara programme aimed at improving the groundwater levels will be organised for 90 days from April 1 and water will be released to canals from May 15, Naidu said the Ministers should motivate farmers to take up cultivation. Discussing the impact of West Asia war, Minister for Finance Payyavula Keshav is learnt to have informed that people are using induction stoves due to the shortage of LPG. Naidu felt that the power consumption will increase in such a scenario and stressed the need for initiating measures to meet the growing demand. Informing that confidential reports will be given to the Ministers on April 2, Naidu said they will contain information pertaining to clearance of files, utilisation of Central funds, implementation of schemes and other issues related to their respective departments. He said the Ministers should take forward the good work being done by the NDA government to the people and make use of technology “So far, . we brought stability to the government and now it is the time for take off,” Naidu is learnt to have told the Ministers. s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL seeking a nationwide policy providing paid menstrual leave for women students and workers, observing that no one would hire them, adding such a provision would unintentionally reinforce gender stereotypes. The court, however, asked the Centre and competent authorities to consider the representation of the petitioner and examine the possibility of framing a policy on menstrual leave after consulting all relevant stakeholders. The bench was hearing a PIL Deeply rooted PILs, says top court The bench said the petitions are “deeply rooted”. “You are not a bona fide petitioner. This is to create impression in young women that you are not at par with males and you cannot work like them during a particular time.” filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi. At the outset, the bench raised the issue of locus of the petitioner and pointed out that no woman herself has approached the court. It was the third petition filed by Tripathi on the same issue. Draft bill moots transgender definition overhaul P r ee t h a N a i r @ New Delhi The government on Friday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha proposing significant amendments to the 2019 Act on transgender rights, including changes to the legal definition of a transgender person and stricter criminal punishment for offences involving forced alteration of gender identity . The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar. As per the new definition, persons with socio-cultural identities as kinner, hijra, aravani and jogta, or eunuch, or a person with intersex variations or a person who, at birth, has a congenital variation in one or more sex characteristics as compared to male or female development will be defined as a transgender. Additionally, the proposed amendment says that any person or child who has been, by force, allurement, inducement, deceit or undue influence, either with or without consent, compelled to assume, adopt, or outwardly present a transgender identity, by mutilation, emasculation, castration, amputation, or any surgical, Right to change first name in birth certificate The draft law seeks to empower transgender persons to make consequential changes in official documents. Any person who has been issued a certificate of identity and is declared a transgender, will be entitled to change the first name in the birth certificate and all other official documents relating to their identity, it says chemical, or hormonal procedure or otherwise will be included in the definition. While the 2019 Act recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity allowing individu, als to identify as male, female, or transgender, the proposed bill removes it. Besides, “Only those transgender persons who face “severe social exclusion due to biological reasons” will be recognised and not “each and every class of persons with various gender identities or self perceived gender identities.” The draft retains the maximum of two years jail for offences against transgenders. “These pleas are made to create fear, to call women inferior and that menstruation is something bad happening to them. No one would give them jobs in such a scenario. This is projected as an affirmative right. But one must also think about the employer who has to grant paid leave,” said a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi. Senior advocate M R Shamshad, appearing for Tripathi, sought and pleaded for certain guidelines, giving examples of certain states and institutions that have taken steps to accommodate men- strual leave. He said the Karnataka government has formulated a policy to allow menstrual leave and some private organisations are also providing the facility . The CJI said, “Voluntarily they are giving, then it is excellent.But the moment you introduce it as a compulsory condition in law, you do not know the damage it will do to career of women.” Justice Bagchi echoed these concerns from a business perspective, noting that affirmative action is constitutionally recognised but must be balanced a g ainst market realities. E x p r e s s Re a d Half-day schools for students from March 16 Vijayawada: In order to protect students from the rising temperature in the State, the government has taken a decision to implement half-day schools from March 16 to till the end of the Academic Year. Director of School Education Vijay Rama Raju V said classes for students of 1 to 10 will be held from 7:45 am to 12:30 pm | P4 Justice Lisa Gill takes oath as HC judge No move to privatise Juvvaladinne harbour Vijayawada: Justice Lisa Gill assumed charge as a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur. She was transferred to the AP High Court from the Punjab and Haryana High Court | P3 Vijayawada: Ministers Kollu Ravindra (Excise and Mines) and BC Janardhan Reddy (Infrastructure) on Friday refuted allegations that the government was privatising the Juvvaladinne Harbour and accused the opposition of spreading false info | P4