vijayawada l friday l may 22, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late city EDITION Pulwama ‘conspirator’ Burhan shot dead by unknown men in PoK A key accused in the 2019 Pulwama attack, Hamza Burhan alias ‘Doctor’, was shot dead in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir, Indian intelligence officials said File PIC Was designated a terrorist by mha in 2022 Burhan, identified as Arjumand Gulzar Dar from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, was allegedly shot by unidentified gunmen in Muzaffarabad, sustaining multiple bullet injuries that proved fatal, officials added. Burhan was designated a terrorist by the Union home ministry in 2022 under UAPA, following findings by NIA in its probe into the Pulwama attack ■ ISI Supplied explosives to terrorists ■ The February 14, 2019 suicide bombing at Lethpora in Pulwama district killed 40 CRPF personnel after a JeM operative rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security convoy Investigators alleged Burhan played a crucial logistical role in the attack by supplying explosives and grenades to the terrorists bURHAN HAD CLOSE TIES WITH isi AND WAS associated with Al-BadR TERROR OUTFIT 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 India-Africa meet postponed over Ebola virus scare US offers ‘separate treatment’ for India under Sec 232 probe Workers cover themselves from the scorching heat during the heatwave in UP’s Prayagraj on Thursday | PTI P U S H P ITA D E Y @ New Delhi Decision after fresh outbreak in DR Congo; fliers from affected countries to be screened E X P RE S S N EW S S ER V I C E @ New Delhi INDIA and the African Union have postponed the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi from May 28 to 31, amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The decision comes at a time when India was preparing to unveil an ambitious roadmap to deepen its strategic, economic and developmental partnership with the African continent after a gap of nearly a decade. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India and the African Union had held consultations on the “evolving health situation” and agreed that it would be “advisable” to convene the summit at a later date. “Recognising the importance of ensuring the full participation and engagement of African leaders and stakeholders, and mindful of the emerging public health situation on the continent, consultations were held between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union, and the African Union Commission,” the MEA said. The decision to postpone the summit was taken against the backdrop of a fresh outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern. More than 136 deaths have reportedly been linked to the outbreak so far. The summit was expected to bring together leaders from across Africa along with representatives of the African Union Commission to chart a broader framework for cooperation in sectors ranging from trade, energy and technology to healthcare, capacity building and digital infrastructure. Several African leaders had already confirmed their participation. The postponement of the summit will delay what was being viewed as a major diplomatic push by India to reinforce its engagement with Africa amid intensifying geopolitical competition for greater influence on the continent. IBCA summit, too, postponed The first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1 in conjunction with the India-Africa summit, too, has been postponed in view of the Ebola outbreak. “In order to ensure broad and active participation from all Range countries, including African countries, the First IBCA Summit will be convened at a later date,” an official release said. IBCA, a global initiative for the conservation of seven major big cat species, was launched by PM Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023. It was formally established on March 12, 2024. Airports issue advisory All major international airports in India have issued health advisories for passengers arriving from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, asking them to report symptoms or exposure history to airport health authorities before immigration clearance Heatwave alert Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions likely in Punjab, parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, east UP from May 21 to 27, says IMD Heat wave conditions in isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal on May 21, 22; Telangana from May 21-24; Odisha May 21-25 Vidarbha, coastal Andhra and Yanam expected to face heat wave conditions from May 21-25 Warm night conditions in isolated pockets over Odisha during May 21-25 Directorate General of Health Services Watch for symptoms for 21 days The Directorate General of Health Services said passengers must watch out for fever, weakness or fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding and sore throat. Also, those developing symptoms within 21 days arrival must report the same and seek medical care E x p r e s s Re a d Piduguralla records highest temp of 48.1°C Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has issued a fresh advisory, urging people to remain vigilant in view of extreme heat conditions. The heatwave is expected to continue until Monday. On Thursday, Piduguralla in Palnadu district recorded the season’s highest temperature of 48.1°C, and 18 districts crossed 45°C, while 200 mandals registered above 44°C | P3 Amid the row over the cancelled NEET-UG exams, top officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) came under intense scrutiny from a Parliamentary panel on Thursday over the question paper leak and related irregularities. According to sources, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh informed the panel that the question paper was not leaked through the agency’s system, adding that the CBI is currently investigating the breach. The panel summoned the officials amid multiple arrests by the CBI, which included teachers and intermediaries allegedly linked to the question paper leak prior to the exam. 70% of short-term reforms implemented Top officials including Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi, and Abhishek Singh, gave a detailed presentation on the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan report for reforms in the agency. Sources said Singh informed the panel that around 70% of the shortterm measures suggested have already been implemented During the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, several opposition MPs grilled the NTA officials on the steps they have taken to strengthen the exam system. Sources said that when MPs questioned how the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper was leaked, Singh responded that it had not been compromised through the NTA system. Several MPs then pressed him on how the leak occurred and why the exam had to be can- AAI approves seaplane project at Rayalacheruvu tank in Tirupati Nethaji Kumaramangalam @ Tirupati In yet another major infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing Tirupati’s global tourism profile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved the seaplane project at the historic Rayalacheruvu irrigation tank in Ramachandrapuram mandal of the district. The ambitious project is expected to add one more feather to Tirupati’s crown and further strengthen its position as one of the country’s leading spiritual tourism destinations. The Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has laid emphasis on transforming Tirupati not only into an internationally renowned pilgrimage centre but also into a major wedding, heritage and thematic tourism destination. As part of this broader development vision, the Tourism Department and the Tirupati district administration have intensified efforts to operationalise the seaplane project at the earliest. Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani, along with senior officials from the Tourism, Irrig ation and Revenue Departments, conducted an extensive field inspection at Rayalacheruvu recently and examined all technical, environmental and logistical feasibility aspects before finalising the location for seaplane landP4 ing operations.  Vande Mataram made mandatory at all WB-recognised madrasahs as well S U B HE N D U MAITI @ Kolkata Mandatory singing of Vande Mataram is not just confined to schools in West Bengal, the fiat extends to all madrasahs that are sponsored, aided and recognised by the state government as well. The West Bengal Directorate of Madrasah Education issued a directive on May 19 to district magistrates, secretary of West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education and other offices related to madrasah education di- Replaces Tagore song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol Vande Mataram replaces the state song, Banglar Mati Banglar Jol, composed by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 in school assemblies. The Tagore song was introduced by the erstwhile Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee recting them to implement the singing of Vande Mataram in all madrasahs during morning assembly prayers mandatorily Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said a US delegation is expected to visit India next month for further negotiations on the proposed agreement. This follows the talks held in April in Washington between Indian and US officials tors such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, aircraft and their parts, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. These tariffs currently range between 10% and 50% on a range of strategic products. Some Indian exports, including steel, aluminium, and autoparts face tariffs of 2550% under Section 232. Generic pharmaceuticals, however, currently attract no tariff. In the India-US joint statement signed in February 2025, the US had agreed to provide India with “negotiated outcomes with respect to generic pharmaceuticals and ingredients”, contingent on the findings of the Section 232 probe. “So comparatively, when I look at our terms of settlement, the terms are better than any competitor for India,” the source added. Indian negotiators have been pushing for product-specific relaxations as part of the broader bilateral trade discussions. The development comes at a time when India and the US are continuing negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with both sides aiming to conclude an interim arrangement before moving towards a broader pact. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23 to 26. The four-day visit, his first visit to India since taking office, will focus on trade, defence and energy cooperation. NEET-UG: NTA officials face scrutiny from MPs P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Passengers with symptoms must immediately report to airport health officer or health desk before immigration clearance IN the ongoing trade talks with the US, India has secured relatively favourable terms on several items facing investigation under Section 232, including pharmaceutical products, auto parts and aircraft components, a commerce ministry source familiar with the matter said. “As far as certain other products are concerned which are under Section 232 investigation, there is a separate treatment for them also. We have got exemption for aircraft parts and, to some extent, on auto parts. We also have a framework to work on generic pharma,” the source told TNIE. Under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the US government can impose tariffs on imports on grounds of national security concerns. Washington has invoked the provision to levy duties on sec- Delegation coming with immediate effect. “Singing of Vande Mataram will henceforth be mandatory in all recognised madrasahs as well. Why should it not be mandatory in madrasahs at a time when other recognised schools in the state do the same?” wondered Khsudiram Tudu, state minority affairs and madrasah education minister. The BJP government had on May 14 directed its mandatory singing during assembly prayers in all institutions under the school education department. celled and a retest conducted. Singh, however, said that the matter is being probed by the CBI. According to sources, some opposition MPs demanded that the investigation report be shared with the panel, but BJP members argued that the CBI should be allowed to complete its probe without interference. Sources said that the Parliamentary panel’s chairperson, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, raised objections to comments made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a May 15 press meet regarding the standing committee. He said the committee had raised legitimate questions about why the ministry had not acted on the recommendations in its report concerning the NTA. Amid speculation over a Cabinet reshuffle after the NDA government completes 12 years in office on June 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a crucial meeting of the Council of Ministers | P9 Ensure grounding of all approved projects by September: Naidu S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada Andhra Pradesh should demonstrate its “Speed of Doing Business” model through effective execution of major industrial projects N Chandrababu Naidu, CM State gets 756 projects West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reverentially prostrates before monks during a visit to Belur Math, in Howrah district on Thursday | PTI Modi meets ministers amid shuffle buzz IT Minister Nara Lokesh informed the CM that AP had secured 756 projects worth `21.64 lakh crore over the last 23 months, and they are expected to generate 21.20 lakh jobs. A dedicated website for MSME approvals will be launched soon, he said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure all the approved industrial projects are grounded by September 2026, and make them operational by December 2028. A single-portal dashboard should be set up to monitor approvals, grounding of industrial projects and employment generation. Priority should be given to tourism projects and IT firms in allotment of land, he said. Naidu held a review meeting at his camp office on Thursday with the Ministers’ Committee regarding agreements signed during the Visakhapatnam Partnership Summit, and projects approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB). IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh gave a presentation on the status of MoUs, project progress, actions taken by the Ministers’ Committee and future plans. He informed Naidu that AP had secured 756 projects worth `21.64 lakh crore over the last 23 months, and they are expected to generate 21.20 lakh jobs. A dedicated website for MSME approvals and related services will also be launched soon, he said. The Chief Minister suggested construction of innovative multi-purpose buildings for tourism and IT-related projects, and instructed the officials to evolve plans to transform Suryalanka Beach into a “Goa Plus” destination, along with an early master plan for Bapatla Beach. He also called for fasttracking the Temple Tourism Circuit linking 21 major temples in the State. “IT projects should begin operations within 18 months, while semiconductor and electronics manufacturing units should receive P4 strong encouragement,” Naidu said.