HYDERABAD  THURSDAY  AUGUST 07, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 18  LATE CITY EDITION RBI KEEPS REPO RATE UNCHANGED AT 5.5% WITH A ‘NEUTRAL’ STANCE The six-member Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, decided to maintain the repurchase rate at current level GDP GROWTH FORECAST RETAINED AT 6.5% UPI NOT FREE, SOMEONE IS PAYING COSTS: GUV RBI maintained India’s GDP growth forecast at 6.5% for FY26. “Despite a challenging external environment, economy is navigating a steady growth path with price stability. Monetary policy has appropriately used the policy space created by the benign inflation outlook to support growth without compromising on the primary objective of price stability,” Malhotra said ■ ■ RBI also revised its inflation forecast lower by 60 bps to 3.1% Malhotra said while the popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is free for users, someone is covering the operational expenses. UPI payment services cannot remain free forever but it’s for the government to decide who should foot the bill, RBI guv added | P12 19.47 BN UPI TRANSACTIONS WORTH `25.08 LAKH RECORDED IN JULY, ACCORDING TO NPCI DATA 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 SCO SUMMIT Modi set to visit China this month J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi IN a major diplomatic move aimed at recalibrating ties with China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Tianjin, China from August 31 to September 1 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. This marks his first trip to the country since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that strained IndiaChina relations. The PM is likely to travel to Japan first for a bilateral meeting. From there, he will fly to China, sources said. This will be Modi’s first visit to China since 2019. His last direct interaction with Chinese President Xi Jinping took place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan in October 2024, where both leaders acknowledged the need to stabilise Narendra Modi ties and prioritise peace along the Line of Actual Control. “Maintaining peace and tranquillity over the border should remain our priority Modi had ,” told Xi during that meeting. Xi, in turn, had emphasised the need for “more communication and cooperation”. The upcoming SCO summit will be held against a complex geopolitical backdrop. India faces intense pressure from the US and other Western partners over its oil trade with Russia. The summit is expected to focus on terrorism, regional security, and economic cooperation among its 10 member states, including China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and newly joined Belarus. DOUBLE TRUMP-LE It is extremely unfortunate that the US should impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest Trump slaps additional 25% tariff on Indian products, taking the total to 50%; new levy to kick in from Aug 27; Ministry of External Affairs terms it unfair, unjustified D I PA K M O N D A L & J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to double the tariff on Indian goods, taking it to 50%, in response to New Delhi’s ‘continued purchase of Russian oil’. The additional 25% tariff will kick in from August 27, while the 25% tariff on Indian products announced earlier is scheduled to take effect from August 7. “India is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%,” the executive order read. The order says any other country importing Russian crude directly or indirectly might face similar fate. However, India seems to have been singled as it has been handed the highest tariff. No other country apart from Brazil, has , got a 50% levy The tariff on . China, which imported $62.6 billion worth of Russian oil in 2024 compared with India’s $52.7 billion, is only 34%. The Trump administration, however, justified the tariffs as part of its broader response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. India reacted sharply to the tariff action, calling it “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s energy imports were driven by market realities and national interest. “The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position… our imports are based on market factors and aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indians,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, adding: “India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests.” The additional tariff would not be applicable on goods categorised under Annexure II of April 2, 2025. These goods include metals like steel, copper and other base metals, semiconductor, pharma, etc. However, this puts India in a disadvantageous position as many ASEAN and Asian economies have much lower tariffs of 15-20%. Analysts expect the higher tariff would result in Indian exports to the US, which is the biggest buyer of Indian goods accounting for 20% goods exports, falling by a massive 40-50% in FY26. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal New Delhi’s diplomacy in action Tariff on India is the peak US levy on any country in the world. The tariff on China, a bigger importer of Russian oil, is just 34% No idea about US imports from Russia, says Trump US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was not aware of the fact that the US was importing a number of products including uranium and fertilisers from Russia. “I don’t know anything about it. I have to check, but we’ll get back to you then,” he said in response to a media question about the US imports of fertilisers, uranium, and chemicals from Russia. A few days ago, the MEA had said, “Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals... In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable.” EXPRESS READ NHRC: Cops negligent in Pushpa 2 stampede case Goods in transit exempt The executive order says all Indian imports will face a 25% ad valorem tariff on top of existing duties. The new tariff will take effect after 21 days, on August 27. Goods already in transit before that date will be exempt, if they reach US before September 17 ALL OVER IN 34 SECONDS Midday meal workers protest for salary, dues Hyderabad: The NHRC has found that the police were negligent in maintaining public order during a stampede at Sandhya Theatre on December 4, 2024, in which a woman named Revathi died during a screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule | P7 NSA Ajit Doval is currently in Russia to discuss defence cooperation and energy ties. Doval’s visit will be followed by a broader diplomatic engagement with foreign minister S Jaishankar’s visit in the third week of August Hyderabad: Thousands of midday meal workers staged a dharna in front of the Commissioner and Directorate of School Education office on Wednesday, demanding the payment of overdue bills, hike in monthly honorarium to `10,000 and others | P2 34 secs was all the swollen Khirganga river took to swallow Dharali in Uttarkashi 140+ people evacuated so far, 15 of them residents of Dharali 230 families resided in Dharali. Most of them were away at a mela in Mukhwa. It saved their lives Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy shares a lighter moment with MPs Supriya Sule (NCP) and K Kanimozhi (DMK) during Porubata at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on Wednesday CM: Cong’s BC agenda a political tsunami, will sweep away NDA in ’29 E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad the Services Under the State) Bill, 2025, both awaiting presiCHIEF Minister A Revanth dential assent. The Telangana Reddy on Wednesday declared Panchayat Raj (Amendment) that Rahul Gandhi will be elect- Ordinance, which seeks to reed as prime minister in 2029 if peal a cap on quotas, is also the incumbent, Narendra Modi, pending with President Droufails to approve the reservation padi Murmu. bills passed by the Telangana NCP MP Supriya Sule comLegislature, enhancing quotas pared Revanth to former Tamil for the BCs to 42% in education, Nadu chief minister M Karuemployment and political rep- nanidhi, praising his historic resentation. “Rahul Gandhi’s move to enhance BC reservaword is an inscription; imple- tions. Recalling their first meetmenting it is my responsibili- ing in Lok Sabha, she said, “He ty he said. ,” (Revanth) had vowed Revanth was speakto bring Congress to ing at Porubata, a propower, and he did.” test held at Jantar Stating that BCs This fight is not Mantar in Delhi, where have been at the receivover 50 MPs from the just for Telangana. ing end of injustice for It is a collective INDIA bloc, including ages, DMK MP Kanifight to ensure NCP MP Supriya Sule, that Indians from mozhi demanded imDMK MP Kanimozhi mediate assent to the marginalised Karunanidhi and oth- communities have bills, pointing out that er leaders, expressed Tamil Nadu has impletheir rightful share in power solidarity TPCC chief . mented 69% reservaand progress B M a h e s h Ku m a r tions. She pledged the Goud, AICC Telangana DMK’s full support to Rahul Gandhi, in-charge Meenakshi Telang ana and its LoP in Lok Sabha Natarajan, De puty chief minister. Chief Minister Mallu At the protest, Bhatti Vikramarka, state min- Revanth launched a direct atisters, MLAs, MLCs, MPs and tack on Modi and the BJP-led senior Congress leaders were NDA government, accusing also present. them of stalling the BC reserTaking to X, Leader of Oppo- vation bills passed four months sition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha ago. Rahul Gandhi said, “This fight “We’re not asking for land is not just for Telangana, but from Gujarat or water from for the entire country It is a col- Porbandar. We’re asking for . lective fight to ensure that Indi- 42% reservation for our weaker ans from marginalised commu- sections,” he said. “Why does nities have their rightful share this give Modi heartburn?” in power and progress.” Calling the Congress’s OBC The protest saw strong back- agenda a ‘political tsunami’, ing for the Telangana BCs (Res- he said it would sweep the ervation of Seats in Rural and NDA away in 2029. “What Atal Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025, Bihari Vajpayee and the RSS and the Telangana BCs, SCs couldn’t do, Rahul Gandhi and STs (Reservation of Seats will. We’ll defeat Modi and in Educational Institutions and take a historic oath at Jantar CONTINUED ON P4 of Appointments or Posts in Mantar.” HC says ‘no’ to plea for abortion of 28-wk foetus SC seeks detailed ECI response on 65 lakh deletions T G N A I D U @ Hyderabad REJECTING a plea for permission to terminate a 28-week pregnancy the Telangana High , Court has directed Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children in Hyderabad to provide continuous medical care to a pregnant minor and not discharge her until delivery Jus. tice Nagesh Bheemapaka instructed the hospital superintendent to ensure the girl’s health and safety throughout the remainder of her pregnancy . According to the case details, the pregnancy resulted from the girl’s relationship with her boyfriend. Under Indian law, sexual intercourse with a minor is classified as rape, regardless of consent. The court also asked the Department of Women’s Development and Child Welfare, through its principal secretary to extend , full support to the girl via the Sakhi centre, including coordination with the police if needed. The matter will be heard again on October 29. The order was issued on a writ petition filed by the minor’s mother, who had sought the constitution of a medical board under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021. The petitioner requested an urgent medical examination and termination of her daughter’s pregnancy, citing a medical report dated July 22, 2025, which recorded gestational ages of 27 weeks for Twin A and 25 weeks for Twin B. Following an interim order dated July 25, 2025, a medical board examined the girl under Section 3(2)(b) of the MTP (Amendment) Act and submitted its report on July 28, 2025. After reviewing the findings and hearing both sides, the court declined to allow termination, citing the advanced stage of pregnancy, 28 weeks, as noted in the report. Justice Bheemapaka, while refusing the termination plea, directed that the minor receive uninterrupted medical assistance and support services during the remaining term. E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the ECI on allegations that it failed to disclose details of 65 lakh voters removed from Bihar’s electoral rolls during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR). A bench of justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and NK Singh issued a notice on an application filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms. Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for ADR, claimed the ECI had not made public the names or reasons behind the deletions in the draft roll published on August 1. “The draft roll says 65 lakh voters’ names have been omit- ted. They have not given a list of those names. They say people are dead, have migrated... They should disclose who the 65 lakh,” Bhushan submitted. He also questioned whether the deletions were made with proper oversight from BLOs. REPLY BY SATURDAY Bhushan contested the ECI’s claim, stating: “They have not conveyed [the data]. Even if some parties have received it, the reasons for deletions were not shared.” ECI was told to file its reply by Saturday Responding, ECI’s counsel claimed the draft rolls had indeed been shared with political party representatives as per the laid down procedure. Justice Kant reminded the ECI of its obligation under its SOP and asked for transparency. “If you have supplied [the list], please give a list of parties to whom you have, so that Bhushan’s client can collect information from those authorised representatives,” he said. PHILIPPINES RESPONDS POSITIVELY TO TG’S PROPOSAL FOR PADDY EXPORTS Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy discussed paddy exports with Philippines Agriculture Secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr. They also explored the possibility of exporting maize from the state | P4 First draft treaty text by Friday, ‘scope’ remains contentious TNIE in Switzerland S V KRISHNA CHAITANYA @ GENEVA A first consolidated draft text of the global plastics treaty is expected to emerge by Friday as the contact groups work around the clock to bridge entrenched differences. But behind closed doors, the definition of the treaty’s “scope” —particularly the interpretation of the “full life cycle of plastics” — remains a flashpoint in negotiations, according to sources privy to Contact Group 1 (CG1) discussions. Speaking to this newspaper, on the sidelines of an informal meeting with Indian industry representatives on Wednesday , Ambassador Luis Vayas Valdivieso, Chair of the Intergov- ernmental Negotiating Committee (INC), maintained a diplomatic stand when asked whether the definition of the full life cycle was being revisited amid mounting tensions. He replied: “Negotiations are going. You have seen what’s happening in the contact group... My job as Chair is to keep the negotiations on track... What the text will say on August 14 is up to the members.” The Chair said he had requested a compiled text by Friday to serve as a working draft, while maintaining momentum in the contact groups. “We are still negotiating. The idea is to assemble a text with provisions that have a high level of convergence, while continuing informal work on the more difficult issues,” he said, em- phasising that the treaty must be forward-looking, credible, and flexible. The stocktake, expected after the release of the draft, will help negotiators assess how far they have come and identify the remaining areas of divergence. The ambiguity over the scope of the treaty stems from a fundamental disagreement: what constitutes the full life cycle of CONTINUED ON P10 plastics?