pic: icc KOLLAM l monday l february 03, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION India u19 women’s team on top of the world The Niki Prasad-led side beats South Africa in the final to successfully defend their title... All-round Trisha stands out for champions Second title for coach Nooshin She was already a World Cup winner in 2023, but this time, G Trisha was the key architect behind India’s success story. With 309 runs and seven wickets, she was instrumental in India’s unbeaten run to the final. Even in summit clash, she took three wickets and scored an unbeaten 44 to help India get the better of South Africa by nine wickets on Sunday. Fittingly, she was the Player of the Match in the final and the Player of the Tournament ■ ■ Revered coach Nooshin Al Khadeer added another trophy to her cabinet having won the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2023 She, along with captain Niki Prasad, had been with this batch of players for several months in the lead up to the WC with several camps and domestic tournaments being the key to putting together a strong squad 17 with 17 scalps, Vaishnavi Sharma was the leading wicket-taker 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 US starts tariff war with Mexico, Canada, China; India spared j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi US President Donald Trump late on Saturday imposed broad tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, sparking swift retaliation from North American neighbours. India was notably exempt despite Trump frequently labelling the country as a “tariff king.” India contributes only 3.2% of America’s overall trade deficit, but has a $35 billion trade surplus with the US. China, Mexico, and Canada are the top contributors to the US trade deficit, with Asian giant contributing the highest at 30.2%, Mexico 19%, and Canada 14%, according to the Research and Information System (RIS). Trump said a levy of 25% on Canadian and Mexican imports as well as an additional 10% tax on Chinese goods would come into effect on Tuesday . “We have big deficits with all three of them,” Trump said. In response, both Canada and Mexico said they were prepar- ing similar tariffs on US goods, while China said it would take “necessary countermeasures” to defend its interests. Amid ongoing tariff threats, India has emphasised that its economic ties with the US are special and highlighted the established mechanisms between the two countries to discuss trade matters and related issues. “India-US relationship is very strong, multifaceted and the economic ties are something which is very special...We have established mechanisms between the US and India to discuss any matter or trade matters or matters related to trade,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week. India has been making the right noise to improve its trade relations with the US, with the the Union Budget announced a reduction in customs duties on imported motorcycles. India has also taken steps to open the nuclear sector to private investment as part of a strategic move. Will collect more taxes in FY26: FinMin official is levied on income. The income threshold was increased from The government is confident `7 lakh to `12 lakh, making any of achieving the income tax col- income up to `12.75 lakh tax free lection target for FY26 despite (after including the standard demassive tax cuts offered in the duction of `75,000). Budget 2025-26—a move that The new tax slab also signifiwill result in a revenue loss of cantly reduces the tax burden `1 lakh crore . As per the Budget on all with the highest tax rate estimate, personal inof 30% applicable on income tax collections come over `24 lakh from could be `14.38 lakh the earlier `18 lakh. The crore in FY26, a 14.4% new tax slab also inincrease over the recreases the basic exvised estimate of `12.57 emption limit from `3 lakh crore for FY25. The lakh to `4 lakh, which FY25 budget estimate means the first `4 lakh for tax collection was ‘Tax cut to would attract no taxes. stimulate All these changes have `11.87 lakh crore. growth’ The FY26 tax collecbeen made under the tion target is achieva- The income tax new tax regime. ble, says a top finance The finance minister relief will ministry official, addhas said that her instimulate ing: “Our estimate for come tax proposals demand and income tax collection in propel growth would lead to a revenue FY26 is conservative.” loss of `1 lakh crore. in the next According to the offi- financial year, The move to increase cial, with the tax slabs the income tax threshEconomic being revised and tax old to `12 lakh would Affairs rates having been low- Secretary Ajay also result in one crore ered for most in the ex- Seth said in an taxpayers going out of isting slabs, individuals the tax net. interview to earning over `12 lakh PTI on Sunday Meanwhile, the fibut avoid paying taxes, nance ministry official would like to come unmentioned earlier says der the tax net. that with the announcements, On Saturday, Finance Minis- more taxpayers might shift to ter Nirmala Sitharaman an- the new tax regime. According nounced a slew of sops to ease to the official, 78% taxpayers the burden on the taxpayers. have already opted for the new Her personal income tax pro- tax regime, and with the latest posals include an increase in changes, more taxpayers would the threshold up to which no tax join the new system. D i pa k M o n d a l @ New Delhi pic: pti Needed to convince officials about efficiency in collection and honest taxpayers’ voice Nirmala Sitharaman PM backed tax cut plan, took time to convince officials: FM E XPR E SS N E WS S E RVIC E @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes for the middle class but it took time to convince the bureaucrats, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday . Presenting her eighth straight budget on Saturday, Sitharaman raised the personal income tax exemption to `12 lakh from `7 lakh earlier, and also rejigged the tax brackets in such a way that those earning higher could save up to `1.1 lakh. In an interview to PTI on Sunday, she said while Modi was quick to agree to the tax relief, it took a bit of convincing to get on board the officials in the finance ministry and the Central Board of Direct Taxes who are tasked to ensure revenue collection to meet welfare and other schemes. “We have heard the voice of the middle class” who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers, she said. Explaining the thought that went behind the big announcement, Sitharaman said the tax cuts were in the works for some time. She said the new rates would “substantially reduce the taxes of the middle class and leave more money in their hands, boosting household consumption, savings and investment”. israel pm to meet trump to discuss ‘victory’ Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President to discuss countering Iran, expanding ties with Arab countries and negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal | P9 SIT files chargesheet in rape case against Mukesh On climate-change hit E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Kochi The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the allegations of sexual abuse levelled by Malayalam film actors after the release of the Justice Hema Committee report has submitted a chargesheet in a rape case registered against CPM MLA and actor M Mukesh. The SIT filed the chargesheet before the Ernakulam First Class Judicial Magistrate Court with contextual and digital evidence, said officials. The complainant, an actor from Aluva, had accused Muke- sh of sexually exploiting her in exchange for offering membership in AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). The Maradu police had registered the case. This apart, the SIT also submitted a chargesheet in a sexual harassment case that was registered against actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju following the victim’s complaint. The incident pertaining to the case allegedly took place in a flat in Fort Kochi. AIG G Poonguzhali, one of the members of the SIT, told TNIE that they submitted the chargesheet spanning 150 pages in the case ‘Digital evidence included in chargesheet’ AIG G Poonguzhali, one of the members of the SIT, the team gathered crucial evidence, including digital communications between the actor and the victim, and have included those in the chargesheet. against Mukesh last week. “We gathered crucial evidence, including digital communications between the actor and the victim, and have included those in the charge sheet. We also submitted a chargesheet against Maniyanpilla Raju in a sexual harassment case,” she said. She noted that while the sessions court had initially questioned the strength of the case while granting bail to Mukesh, the SIT conducted a detailed investigation, collecting substantial evidence to support the charges. “The case is now under the court’s jurisdiction. We have done our part thoroughly,” she said. Sources said the accused actors may deny the SIT’s findings in an attempt to challenge those in court. Mukesh was formally arrested in the rape case on September 24, 2024, after a three-hour marathon questioning led by Poonguzhali at the Coastal Police headquarters in Kochi. However, he was released on bail shortly after as the Ernakulam district court had granted him anticipatory bail earlier, on September 5, 2024. Cong sets up ‘EAGLE’ panel to monitor conduct of polls p r ee t h a n a i r @ New Delhi rediscovering history The renovated Kadavubagam Synagogue at Broadway in Kochi which was reopened on Sunday. Believed to have been built by Malabar Jews in 1200 AD, the structure, brimming with history, had remained stowed away from public view for nearly 53 years. Kadavumbagam is believed to be one of the oldest synagogues in the Commonwealth | A Sanesh Days before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Congress on Sunday set up an eight-member panel—‘Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts (EAGLE)’—to monitor the conduct of free and fair elections by the Election Commission. “It is a very serious message from Congress that the Election Commission is a constitutional body, and so far, its conduct has not been in line with its constitutional responsibilities of conducting free and fair elections,” senior Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty told this newspaper. “The group will coordinate and ensure that the EC is held responsible for the conduct of free and fair elections,” Chakravarty said. Congress treasurer Ajay Maken and senior leaders Digvijaya Singh, Abhishek Singhvi, Chakravarty, and Pawan Khera are members of the panel. Other members are: Gurdeep Singh Sappal, Nitin Raut, and Challa Vamshi Chand Reddy. According to a statement, the panel will first look into the alleged manipulation of Maharashtra voters’ list. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged that there has been an increase of nearly one crore voters in Maharashtra between the LS and Assembly polls, adding that “something wrong” has taken place. The EC is neither answering queries raised by opposition nor giving the lists of voters, he said. Addressing party leaders at the inauguration of the new Congress headquarters on January 15, Rahul alleged that there is a “serious problem” with the country’s election system and the EC needs to ensure there is transparency . EXPRESS READ Union min’s remark on Kerala’s ‘backwardness’ kicks up row Suresh Gopi courts controversy with ‘upper caste’ remark 30 more smart anganwadis to be launched in state today T’Puram: Union Minister George Kurian has stirred up a hornet’s nest with his remark that the state should declare itself as backward if it wants more funds from the Centre. The Union minister’s remark, that came against the backdrop of complaints from the state of dwindling allocation by the Centre, evoked condemnation from both the ruling LDF and the Opposition UDF, even as the BJP firmly backed him. P4 Thrissur: Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi courted a controversy on Sunday with his remark that persons from “upper caste” should be put in charge of tribal affairs portfolio. The actor-politician, however, withdrew his remarks later in the day following criticism from various corners. “If my comment is not well received or if this explanation is unsatisfactory, I withdraw my remarks,” the Union minister said. P4 T’Puram: Continuing with its efforts to improve early childhood care, the department of women and child development will launch 30 new smart anganwadis on Monday. The additions will raise the total number of smart anganwadis in the state to 117. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the new facilities at an event slated to be held at the Janardhanapuram HSS, Ottasekharamangalam, in Thiruvananthapuram. P4 Munroe Isle, a church stands as symbol of hope R a h u l R @ Kollam Symbols of hope can exist even in the bleakest of circumstances. On Munroe Island, in Kollam, known by its ominous moniker ‘Sinking Isle,’ stands a church that has been a source of strength and inspiration for its residents of different faiths. Built in 1878, the Edachal St Mary’s Church has come to symbolise communal harmony. Over the years, many Anglo-Indian families left the island in search of better opportunities, contributing to the dwindling Christian presence. Yet, local Hindu families continued to take part in church festivals. Now, the only remaining Anglo-Indian family who have , dedicated themselves to preserving the church, has been working with members of other communities to preserve the symbol of their heritage. But as climate change tightens its grip, the community now fears for the future of the place of worship. “The church stands on Pattam Thuruth, one of six wards affected by high tides. Thankfully, the church stands on higher ground. But with climate change, we don’t know how long it will stay safe. Both Hindu and Christian community members gather for mass here,” said Suresh, the local ward member. The church comes under the Roman Catholic Church’s Quilon diocese, which acknowledges its historic significance. “The church was built by Anglo-Indians during British rule. Over time, most families left, leaving only one to tend to it, alongside the Hindu community,” Rt Rev Paul Antony Mullassery, bishop of Quilon diocese, said. “The effects of climate change are evident — the land around the church is weakening. Once, coconut farming thrived here, but now, the soil isn’t fertile enough. We believe this is due to recurrent flood- Edachal St Mary’s Church Climate change is a real challenge. The floods never reached the church, but now the waters rise up to its doors. It’s a big concern for the future. Still, we continue to serve this church because it unites us in a culture of love and faith Anu Stephen, a local resident ing and rising temperatures,” the bishop pointed out. For Anu Stephen, a local devotee, the worsening monsoon floods are particularly alarming. “Climate change is a real challenge. The floods never reached the church, but now the waters rise up to its doors. It’s a big concern for the future. Still, we continue to serve this church because it unites us in a culture of love and faith,” said Anu. Yet, perhaps the most poignant voice is that of Robert Rodeurguz, a member of the last remaining Anglo-Indian family on the island. Despite opportunities to leave, he chose to stay “We could have migrat. ed, but this is home. My family has cared for this church for decades. We have now entrusted it to the Quilon diocese, as our community here has dwindled. Climate change is real, but we will remain here, serving our church and our people,” he affirmed.