HYDERABAD l Thursday l June 25, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 18 l late city EDITION colombia in Round of 32, england made to wait Colombia became the latest side to secure knockout berth while England were held 0-0 by Ghana. A look... munoz, the hero for south americans croatia win in modric’s landmark outing Colombia beat stubborn DR Congo side to secure a 1-0 win. Victory in Guadalajara, courtesy of a 76th-minute goal from Daniel Munoz, took them top of Group K with six points. On the other hand, England were unable to find the invention needed to break through, creating hardly any chances that troubled the Black Stars | P13 ■ Croatia kept their hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Panama. Ante Budimir’s 54th-minute strike made the difference ■ Croatia’s most celebrated player, Luka Modric, was making his 200th international appearance. Panama, meanwhile, were eliminated and are still in hunt for their first point Today's matches (1:30AM): Curacao vs Ivory Coast, Ecuador vs Germany. (4:30AM): Tunisia vs NED, Japan vs Sweden. (7.30AM) Turkiye vs USA, Paraguay vs Aus All IST Friday | Live on United8 Sports & ZEE5 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 5th gen stealth fighter jet hits air Passport a travel document, pocket as GE triples engine price not citizenship proof: MEA Commercial negotiations with the US aerospace giant on hold; India mulls paring order size J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi Negotiations to procure GE F414 engines that would power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall with the US aerospace giant seeking a whopping 300% increase in prices compared with earlier estimates. According to sources, the F414 engine was estimated to cost `70-80 crore per unit but GE is now quoting prices that are three times higher. Technical negotiations for F414 engines have already been completed but commercial discussions to fix engine price, technology transfer and manufacturing arrangements are now stuck, putting both costs and timelines of the flagship fighter programme at risk. The setback comes at a time when Pakistan is reportedly moving closer to inducting China’s J-35 stealth fighter, which could introduce 5th gen combat aircraft into the region before the AMCA enters service. The indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter is expected address the Indian Air Force’s clearing the air HC orders CBI to probe law graduate death T G N aid u @ Hyderabad The Telangana High Court has transferred the investigation into the suspicious death of a young law g raduate from Suryapet district to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), holding that the circumstances warranted an independent and credible probe. Justice N Tukaramji allowed a writ petition filed by Dharavath Bhaskar, father of Dharavath Nikhil, who went missing on October 9, 2022, and was found dead in a canal two days later. The petitioner alleged that investigators prematurely treated the death as suicide, failed to properly collect and preserve evidence, including CCTV footage, call detail records and digital material, and ignored possible interference by influential persons. He also questioned the manner in which the case was initially investigated and sought an independent probe. The CID defended its probe, stating that witness examination, call data and tower location analysis, CCTV verification and forensic material supported death by drowning. It submitted that all angles, including murder, were examined after the case was altered to Section 302 IPC.  continued on P4 Manufacturer’s leverage GE knows AMCA is built around the F414. Changing it at this stage would be difficult. That gives it leverage for negotiations F414 engine was initially estimated to cost around L 70-80 cr per unit squadron shortfall. The IAF currently operates 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5. The AMCA prototype programme requires 15 F414 engines. India has approved `15,000 crore for five flying prototypes. The F414 is also slated to power Tejas Mk-2 and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), taking the projected requirement to 200 engines. “The company knows the programme is built around the GE’s revised quote is higher by almost 300% F414 and that changing engines now would be extremely difficult. That gives GE significant leverage during commercial negotiations,” a source said. Sources further said GE has sought around `6,000 crore for setting up a dedicated F414 assembly and manufacturing line in India, which would cater to future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2, initial AMCA production batches and the TEDBF. It is learnt that Indian negotiators are now considering the 7 yrs on, border trade via Lipulekh with China from tomorrow The revival of trade is expected to provide a major The India-China border boost to the economy of the trade through the Lipulekh remote border villages, genpass will resume on June 26 erate local employment and after nearly seven years, in a support small businesses. significant economic and Trade via this route was strategic development for halted in 2019-2020 due to Uttarakhand’s frontier re- Covid-19 and border tengion. For the first time, In- sions. During the prolonged dian border traders will be closure, several shops in the able to travel by road in ve- old Taklakot market were rehicles up to areas close to the portedly allotted to Nepali Lipulekh Pass. and other traders. The local administration A new trade mart has now has received an encourag- been developed for Indian ing response, with 103 appli- and Nepali traders, where cations submitted for trade Indian traders will be allotpermits this year. In the first ted shops. phase, 26 trade passes have Members of the trade been issued, including those committee said the new for 17 traders and nine as- market is better organised sistants. A customs office than the earlier one and ofand other essential arrange- fers more space for storing ments have also been made goods. Traders have also operational at Gunji. sought concessional rent “After verification of the and improved logistics remaining applications, 25 support. to 30 more In 2019, trade passes are t h ro u g h t h i s likely to be isroute was worth sued in the nearly `3 crore, next two to including exthree days,” p o r t s wo r t h Dharachula around `1.25 Sub Divisional crore and imMagistrate Ashports of apish Joshi told Trade via Lipulekh Pass was proximately suspended in 2019-2020 this newspaper. `1.90 crore. N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun Stubble burning affects one in 4 acres Me g hna N ath @ Hyderabad Nearly a quarter of Telangana’s farmland was set ablaze after harvest this year, with crop residue burning affecting 16.86 lakh acres and releasing pollutants and valuable soil nutrients into the atmosphere, according to a study by Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU). An analysis by the university’s Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory found that crop residue burning affected 16.86 lakh acres out of the state’s total cultivated area of 74.8 lakh acres during the season. The study, based on satellite imagery captured between April and June, showed that paddy straw and stubble accounted for about 9.05 lakh acres of the burnt area, while maize, sorghum and other crop residues made up 8.49 lakh acres. Agricultural scientists say the practice is depleting soil nutrients and adding to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.  continued on P4 danger in the air n  Total cultivated area (Rabi 2025–26): 74.8 lakh acres n  Total burnt area: 16.86 lakh acres (including overlap in classification) n  Paddy residue burnt: 9.05 lakh acres n  Other crop residue burnt: 8.49 lakh acres n  Nitrogen lost: 23.63 lakh kg n  Phosphorus lost: 11.9 lakh kg n  Potash lost: 1,062 lakh kg option of reducing the initial order quantity to ease the immediate financial burden. “The F414 has already been factored in to the design and development plans for the AMCA Mk-1 as well as the Tejas Mk-2. Any new engine would require fresh integration, software work, testing and certification,” a source said. “The AMCA design has been frozen. If another engine is eventually selected, it will have to be adapted to the aircraft’s existing configuration rather than the aircraft being redesigned around the engine.” The F414 was selected for the AMCA Mk-1 because it is a proven engine already powering several frontline fighter aircraft. Generating around 98 kN of thrust, the engine is seen as a critical component of India’s future combat aircraft plans. The AMCA Mk-2 is slated to be powered by a more powerful 110-120 kN class engine being developed through an international partnership. France’s Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce have emerged as the leading contenders for the programme. E x p re s s N e w s Servi c e @ New Delhi A passport is a travel document and not proof of citizenship, External Affairs Ministry officials said on Wednesday . “The passport remains a travel document, and not a document of citizenship, as it attests the nationality of Indians when they are abroad,” the officials sought to explain. A passport is among the accepted documents for the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ministry’s statement triggered debate on social media over what constitutes a conclusive proof of citizenship, an issue that remains a grey area as it has not been explicitly addressed by the Centre. Some of them pointed out that passports are not issued to non-citizens. Section 6(2)(a) of the Passport Act 1967 requires the issuing authority to refuse a passport if the applicant is not a citizen of India. It reads: “Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the passport authority shall refuse to issue a passport or travel document for visiting any foreign country under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 5 on any one or more of The passport remains a travel document, and not a document of citizenship, as it attests the nationality of Indians when they are abroad — Senior MEA official the following grounds, and on no other ground, namely:-- (a) that the applicant is not a citizen of India.” Officials said, “a passport is issued after a lot of due diligence, and it is based on documents from several government agencies.” A total of 14.7 million e-passports have been issued since the chip-based documents were rolled out last year as part of the revamped Passport Seva Programme, according to the officials. The epassports, which contain an embedded antenna and a radio S.I.R. begins today: What voters need to do The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls begins across Telangana on Thursday. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will visit households to distribute Enumeration Forms as part of an exercise aimed at updating voter lists before the publication of the final electoral roll on October 1 Here are the key questions voters may have: What should I do when the BLO visits my house? The BLO will provide a pre-printed Enumeration Form (EF) and explain how it should be filled. Voters should complete the form and return it when the BLO revisits the household. The BLO will provide an acknowledgement after collecting the form. What if I do not receive the EF? Voters can obtain the form through the Election Commission’s voter services portal. If a form is not delivered, they can contact their BLO through the Chief Electoral Officer’s website, the ECINET app or the voter helpline. Can I submit the form online? Yes. Voters can fill and submit the EF online through the Election Commission’s voter portal. They can also submit EF online on behalf of their relatives. What if I cannot fill the form myself? BLOs will assist voters during their visits. If required, they can help complete the form during subsequent visits. Commuters walk past a banner displaying details about SIR (Special Intensive Revision) near BRKR Bhavan in Hyderabad on Wednesday | Sri Loganathan Velmurugan Key Dates June 25 – July 24: House-to-house enumeration and collection of forms July 31: Draft electoral roll published July 31 – August 30: Claims and objections period July 31 – September 28: Verification, hearings and disposal of claims October 1: Final electoral roll published Need Help? n  Contact your Booth Level Officer (BLO) n  Voter Helpline: 1950 Call n  the ECINET app Use n  the Election Commission voter portal Visit n  the Telangana CEO website Visit How do I check whether my name exists in the voter list? Voters can search their details through the Chief Electoral Officer’s website or the Election Commission’s voter portal using elector details or EPIC number. BLOs can also assist in locating names in electoral rolls. My name is not found in the 2002 electoral roll. What should I do? Voters whose names are not found in the 2002 roll can provide details of their parents or grandparents in the EF. BLOs can help trace these details. I have shifted residence. Can I update my address now? Address changes will be processed after publication of the draft electoral roll on July 31. Voters can apply using Form 8 during the claims and objections period ending August 30. What if I am not at home when the BLO visits? An adult family member can receive, fill and submit the form on behalf of the voter. Is Aadhaar mandatory? No. Providing an Aadhaar number is optional. What if my photograph on the form is outdated or incorrect? Voters can affix a recent photograph in the space provided on the form. I recently turned 18. Can I apply for voter registration? Yes. Eligible citizens who have completed 18 years of age can submit Form 6 and a declaration form through the BLO. Applications will be processed during the claims and objections period. What if I am living outside Telangana or abroad? An adult family member may complete and submit the form on behalf of the voter. Alternatively, voters can use the online submission facility. What happens if the EF is not returned? Election officials said BLOs will conduct inquiries to determine whether the voter is absent, shifted, deceased or duplicated in another location. Names for which forms are not returned may not be included in the draft electoral roll. Will I need to submit documents? No documents are required during the house-to-house enumeration phase. Documents may be sought later only if electoral registration officials require proof of eligibility during verification. Revanth puts Congress on notice over SIR: P4 Information compiled by S Bachan Jeet Singh frequency identification (RFID) chip storing personal particulars and biometric data, account for around 10% of all passports issued so far. All new passports are now being issued in the chip-based format. The e-passports offer enhanced security and significantly reduce the possibility of unauthorised access or tampering, as well as the chances of obtaining the document through fraudulent means, the officials said. “It is more difficult to generate fake passports, and the epassports offer greater reassurance to immigration authorities abroad and make clearances faster,” the officials said. The chips used in the e-passports are sourced by the India Security Press in Nashik from overseas suppliers, the officials said. They added that international best practices were studied to ensure the Indian e-passports are robust and compliant with global standards. The ministry will organise a two-day Human Resource Mobility Forum on June 30 to highlight legal pathways for migration and facilitate networking between foreign employers and Indian nationals seeking jobs abroad, the officials said. CM urges Centre to ensure TG gets 15.9 tmcft from Tungabhadra E x p re s s N e w s Servi c e @ Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday urged the Union government to facilitate coordination among riparian states to ensure Telangana receives its rightful share of Tungabhadra river water. Reviewing the Tungabhadra Project, Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) and inter-state water disputes, Revanth said Telangana was entitled to 15.9 tmcft from the Tungabhadra dam and river flows but receives only 5–6 tmcft. Noting that RDS water irrigates 83,987 acres in nearly 75 villages of Jogulamba Gadwal district, he sought strengthening of the Tungabhadra Board under the supervision of the Central Water Commission to ensure equitable distribution among Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Revanth also expressed concern over the condition of the RDS anicut and directed officials to identify and take up safety measures immediately . Officials noted that Telangana had deposited `59 crore for modernisation of the Rajolibanda Diversion Canal. While works under Packages 3 and 4 have been completed, works under Packages 1 and 2 were yet to begin.  continued on P4 Special care Sooryavanshi to have separate changing room E x p re s s ne w s s ervi c e @ Chennai/Bengaluru VAIBHAV Sooryavanshi is ready to set quite a few precedents during India’s tour of Ireland and England. If handed his senior international debut, the explosive 15-year-old batter from Bihar will surpass the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s youngest international cricketer. He will get a separate changing room as part of safeguarding protocols of the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Ireland. “The Indian team have been given three Mandar separate rooms in the Pardikar pavilion and safeguarding laws have been advised,” a Cricket Ireland official told this daily . This will be the first time that an Indian cricketer will be changing away from colleagues. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Shafali Varma, who had toured the UK as teenagers, were above the prescribed age limit. Sooryavanshi will be permitted in the away dressing room during the game and can attend team talks. The restriction applies only when he is getting changed before and af- ter each match. The BCCI has also allowed Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany the player during the tour. India will play two T20Is in Ireland on June 26 and 28 before taking on England in a five-match T20I series starting on July 1. Two of the most high-profile recent instances of this policy being applied pertained to two Arsenal youngsters — Ethan Nwaneri (2022) and Max Dowman (2025).