HYDERABAD l monday l august 24, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION Spurt in swine flu cases not due to new strain, says ICMR No new strain of H1N1 has been identified and there is no cause for panic, sources at the Indian Council of Medical Research said on Sunday Delhi govt issues health advisory The clarification comes amid an increase in swine flu cases in Delhi and other parts of the country. The Delhi government has issued a health advisory urging people to follow respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and seek timely medical advice. The national capital has recorded over 2,300 Influenza-A cases this year, including over 1,777 H1N1 cases till Friday ■ 114 Current vaccines offer good protection ■ The strains currently circulating are “well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere”, ICMR sources said Seasonal influenza, including H1N1, is mostly self-limiting. However, young children, elderly persons and individuals with underlying medical conditions may be at greater risk of complications H1N1 cases reported in Delhi on Aug 20, one of the highest in a single day 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 Doval heads to Beijing Congress smells special session plot ahead of Xi’s India visit Smriti’s poser to Rahul p r e e t h a n a i r @ New Delhi NSA to reach China on Monday to take part in crucial border talks J AYANTH J ACO B @ New Delhi National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is set to travel to Beijing on Monday and Tuesday for the 25th round of talks between India and China’s Special Representatives on the boundary question, ahead of a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to New Delhi next month for the BRICS summit and bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines. Doval, India’s Special Representative for the boundary negotiations, is scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart, Politburo member and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on Tuesday. Beyond the long-running border issue, the talks are expected to take stock of the broader bilateral relationship, the efforts by both sides to stabilise ties and the likely visit of Xi to India next month. The timing is significant. Doval’s Beijing visit ex p r e s s r e a d Fee reimbursement delay hits students Hyderabad: Thousands of engineering and pharmacy students in Telangana face uncertainty over fee reimbursement, with around `10,000 crore in dues from previous academic years yet to be cleared. The high court had directed the state to clear pending dues by July 31. But students and colleges are still awaiting a payment schedule. Several students said private colleges were withholding transfer and bonafide certificates over unpaid fees, making it difficult to go for higher education or jobs | p2 Auto unions call off proposed strike Hyderabad: Auto-rickshaw drivers on Sunday called off their proposed strike from Monday after talks with transport officials resulted in an agreement on their demands. Transport Commissioner K Ilambarithi and others held talks with representatives of autorickshaw unions on Sunday. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar thanked the drivers for calling off the strike | p4 Boundary question Doval’s meetings with Wang will help advance dialogue on the unresolved boundary question and create the political space for a broader reset ahead of the BRICS summit. Both countries have set in motion a series of measures to rebuild trust, which include improving connectivity, people-to-people ties and other measures comes just weeks before India hosts the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13. While Beijing and New Delhi have not officially confirmed Xi’s participation, officials are hopeful that the Chinese president will at t e n d t h e m e e t , which will provide an opportunity for a bilateral meeting with Modi, possibly on the day of Xi’s arrival for the BRICS summit itself. This would be Xi’s first trip to India in seven years and would carry considerable diplomatic weight following years of strained ties after the 2020 military confrontation in eastern Ladakh and amidst efforts to normalise and stabilise the relationship between the two neighbours. The Special Representatives’ mechanism was established in 2003 to pursue a political framework for resolving the boundary dispute along the approximately 3,488-km India-China border. Several rounds of talks have yet to produce a final settlement, but the mechanism remains an important channel for managing one of the most sensitive aspects of the relationship. The discussions are particularly relevant as both countries seek to consolidate the easing of tensions along the Line of Actual Control and restore broader engagement. Progress on the border, however, remains central to any sustained improvement in ties. JeM’s Bahawalpur HQ, destroyed in Op-Sindoor, rebuilt after 15 months m u k e s h r a n j a n @ New Delhi THE Jaish-e-Mohammed’s key base, Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, has been substantially rebuilt 15 months after it was destroyed in India’s Operation Sindoor, intelligence sources here said on Sunday . The sources said the Pakistan government, allegedly with ISI assistance, provided Rs 25 crore in instalments for reconstructing the JeM facility, of which around Rs 11 crore was spent for restoring the central hall. “The renovated hall has undergone major refurbishment. Walls have been freshly plastered and painted, new marble flooring installed, and the premises thoroughly cleaned. The restoration suggests the facility is again being prepared for regular activity,” a source said. According to intelligence officials, signs of reconstruction emerged in early 2026, when heavy machinery, bricks, steel and other material were reportedly moved to the site. Work progressed rapidly, and by later in the year the complex had regained the Institutional support The reconstruction at Bahawalpur has renewed concerns in India over the restoration of terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan despite the military action carried out during Operation Sindoor. Intelligence officials view this as institutional support for JeM l o o k o f a n o p e r at i o n a l facility . Also known as the Jamia Subhan Allah complex, the site lies along Pakistan’s N-5 National Highway in Bahawalpur, southern Punjab, and has long been an important ideological and training centre for JeM. Bahawalpur was among the sites targeted during Operation Sindoor, launched after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack. On the night of May 6-7, Indian forces struck nine locations in Pakistan and PoK identified as terror infrastructure. JeM chief Masood Azhar had claimed 10 family members, including his sister and five children, and four associates were killed at the facility . THE delay in the formal closure of Parliament’s Monsoon Session set off fresh speculation on Sunday that the government may be keeping the door open for a special sitting to push through the Constitution amendment linked to delimitation and women’s reservation bill. The Congress pointed out that though the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on August 13, the Presidential notification proroguing the two Houses has not been issued yet. Questioning the 10-day delay Congress general secretary , Jairam Ramesh said that pro- Former Union minister and BJP’s national general secretary Smriti Irani on Sunday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to back his recent statements with action. She asked if Rahul Gandhi could translate his support for women by backing the implementation of the women’s reservation Bill rogation ordinarily follows within two to four days of a House being adjourned sine die. In several instances, he said, the formal termination of a session has come on the day of adjournment itself. “What explains the abnormal delay now? Is the Union Home Minister still in search of his tainted 2/3rds majority to get the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Delimitation passed in a special session?” he wrote on X. “It is true that the gap for the Monsoon session in 2015 was 28 days and in 2021 it was 20 days. But there were no diabolical moves afoot then.” Returning to Hyd today, will speak on all issues, says Revanth the denial. Revanth concluded his London engagements on August 23 and left for Hyderabad, where he is expected to arrive early on Monday . E x p r e ss N e w s S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has cut short his 10-day UK-US tour after the Ministry of External Affairs denied political clearance for the US leg of his visit. Revanth, who arrived in London on August 20, was scheduled to travel to Boston on Sunday but has instead left for Hyderabad. Taking to X on Sunday, the chief minister said he would speak on the issue after returning to Hyderabad. Revanth was scheduled to visit the UK and US from August 20 to 30. After receiving political clearance from the MEA for the UK leg, he arrived in London on August 20 and waited until August 21 for clearance to proceed to the US. The MEA subsequently denied CM thanks Kharge, party leaders for support Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy addresses members of the Telugu diaspora in London on Sunday permission, stating that the programme proposed by the state government was inappropriate for the office of the chief minister. The decision triggered a political controversy in Telangana, with Congress leaders condemning the Centre’s move. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised B e fo re l e av i n g L o n d o n , Revanth posted on X that he would “speak about all the related issues” after returning to Hyderabad. He also thanked Kharge and Congress leaders for supporting him over the issue. Revanth said he had completed all scheduled meetings and events in London and thanked people for the support he received during his visit. He said he was returning to Hyderabad instead of proceeding to Boston after the MEA denied permission for the US leg of his tour.  continued on p4 Officer suspended after building collapse kills 2 CMC Commissioner G Srijana issued orders suspending U Santosh Kumar, town planning building officer, Circle-50, Madhapur. Meanwhile, Raidurgam police have arrested the builder | P3  sunday showers After a short spell of rain, a man rides a bike while trying to shield himself from the drizzle at Dairy Farm Road in Bowenpally, Secunderabad, on Sunday. Telangana received moderate to heavy rainfall from Saturday night, while several localities in the state capital witnessed heavy showers | SRI LOGANATHAN VELMURUGAN During the just-concluded Monsoon Session, there was talk that the government could reintroduce the Delimitation Bill, which was defeated in the previous session. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi twice to seek Congress support for the twin legislations. The Congress, however, sought an all-party meeting before proceeding with the Bills. In the recently held Congress Working Committee meeting, the party called for freezing the current strength of Lok Sabha at 543 seats for 25 years, and demanded 33 per cent reservation for women be implemented from the 2029 polls. Remarks row Surekha meets Kharge in B’luru I r e d dy S r i n i vas R e d dy @ Hyderabad Amid the controversy over her daughter’s remarks and speculation over her possible removal from the state Cabinet, Forest and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru on Sunday, sources said. The meeting was facilitated through former AICC incharge of Telangana Deepa Dasmunsi, they added. The meeting assumes significance amid growing criticism of Surekha by Congress MLAs and leaders over the developments. Around 20 Congress MLAs and MLCs have publicly sought tough action, with some demanding her removal from the Cabinet. Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is scheduled to return to Hyderabad from London on Monday morning. Surekha has already informed the party’s disciplinary committee that she had no connection with the controversial remarks made by her daughter, Konda Sushmitha, against the chief minister. She also told the committee that it was painful to see party MLAs and leaders making allegations against her, particularly as she was a woman leader belonging to the BC community. She alleged that some “invisible forces” were provoking MLAs and other party leaders to make statements against her. The disciplinary committee reviewed Surekha’s reply on Saturday but deferred a decision, saying it would meet again. Sources said Surekha told Kharge that some party leaders and MLAs were deliberately targeting her as part of a conspiracy She is also under. stood to have briefed the Congress president on the developments within the party and discussed her political future with him.  related stories: p4 Hyderabadis get the sour taste of inflation as sugar prices up 78% CBI books ex-director of K h yat i S h a h @ Hyderabad Telangana households are getting the sour taste of inflation, with sugar prices in Hyderabad rising nearly 78% from `45 to `80 per kg, just as festive demand is expected to pick up. The sharp increase is adding to household grocery bills while raising input costs for sweet shops, bakeries and caterers that use sugar in large quantities. The rise comes against a broader inflationary backdrop. Telangana recorded retail inflation of 6.32% in July, the highest among states for the seventh consecutive month, compared with the national What has become costlier? Commodity 2026 price Earlier price Change Sugar `80/kg `45/kg 77.8% Sunflower oil `192.73/kg `110.50/kg 74.4% (2024) Rice `57.64/kg `41.80/kg (2022) 37.9% Coriander `45/kg `39.79/kg (2022) 13.1% Toor dal `124.73/kg `163.50/kg 23.7% (2024) cheaper rate of 4.45%. Rural inflation in the state stood at 6.86%, while urban inflation was 5.92%. For consumers, sugar is among the most visible recent price increases. A 5 kg pur- chase that cost around `225 at `45 per kg now costs about `400. The impact could be greater during the festive season, when households traditionally buy more sugar for sweets and other preparations. Sweet shops and caterers are also likely to face higher production costs if prices remain elevated. Retailers said the increase was already affecting buying patterns, with some customers purchasing smaller quantities and others stocking up in anticipation of further price rises. “Customers are asking about the price before buying. Earlier, many households would pick up five or 10 kg at a time, but now they are buying only what they need. At the same time, some regular customers are buying extra sugar because they fear prices could rise further,” said Hiten, a Hyderabad retailer. However, retailers cautioned consumers against excessive hoarding during the monsoon. High humidity and moisture can cause sugar to cake and deteriorate when stored for long periods in poorly ventilated or damp spaces. “People may think buying 10 or 20 kg now will protect them from further price increases, but sugar has to be stored carefully during the monsoon,” Hiten pointed out. continued on P5 DGCA, others in graft case E x p r e ss N e w s S e r v i c e @ New Delhi The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against former director of flying training at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Anil Gill, and several aviationrelated companies for alleged abuse of official position, extending undue favours to select flight training organisations, and suspicious aircraft transactions, officials said on Sunday . The FIR, registered on August 21, names Gill, Bluethroat Aero Global Pvt Ltd, Redbird Aviation Academy Pvt Ltd, Sabres Corporate Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Sandhills Aviation IFSC Pvt Ltd, among others. Gill allegedly extended undue favours to select Flying Training Organisations, causing “detriment and pecuniary loss” to rival operators. According to the FIR, Gill facilitated procurement of training aircraft at nominal prices through “benami/shell entities managed by his close relatives” and subsequently arranged to lease them back to favoured flying training organisations at exorbitant rates, generating “massive kickbacks, illicit pecuniary advantage”.