THIRUVANANTHAPURAM l monday l august 18, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE city EDITION shux returns to India to a rousing welcome A posse of people waving the Tricolour and beating drums welcomed astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla at New Delhi airport pic: pti/X minister jitendra singh at delhi airport special discussion in lok sabha today Shukla, who became the second Indian to undertake a spaceflight as part of the Axiom-4 mission, and his back-up astronaut-designate Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair were welcomed at the airport by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. Shukla’s wife Kamna and son Kiash were present too ■ The government has proposed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday to mark Shukla’s return to India after ISS stay ■ Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 private space mission that lifted off from Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26. He returned to Earth on July 15 18 days in the iss saw shukla conduct more than 60 experiments 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 Maha guv Radhakrishnan is BJP’s pick for next V-P GST: Why Small Can Be Big for Economy I T may be pure chance that the next round of big-bang reforms directed towards India’s internal economy has come at a time of turbulence on the external front. But it’s a happy coincidence all the same that GST is getting pruned and simplified, offering a new impetus to consumption, at a time of very erratic weather for exports. The vexed Goods and Services Tax, which has completed eight years with a complex ziggurat-like architecture, is finally getting rationalised into a slimmer, neater structure. Three Groups of Ministers will be meeting next week, on Wednesday and Thursday, to finalise its blueprint. That will be submitted to the GST Council for a final round of consultations. If all goes well, come Diwali, our domestic bazaars will have an extra bounce to their step, freed from the knotted mass of reins imposed by multiple rates of taxation, which were often seen to be irrational in their very design. The new plan is to account for most items under two slabs — a lightweight 5% for mass goods and the higher one capped at 18%. Only ‘sin goods’ santwana like tobacco etc bhattacharya will cop the special rate of 40%. Editor The benefits are intended to devolve to all sides of the base of India’s pyramid. Compliance should become much easier for businesses. Farmers can hope for input costs to be reduced on vital items like fertilisers and seeds, which should create a vital surplus for millions of small Indians. That will enable them to join the class of ordinary consumers all around who can look forward to items of mass consumption getting cheaper. On both sides, hopefully small will get more , beautiful. On one side, small and medium-sized businesses, the muscles that keep the economic backbone straight and help the body stay bouncy On the other, the non-premium, budget . segment of goods that crores of Indians buy . The best-case scenario will see volumes offsetting revenue loss on account of lower taxes, which is the core doubt that states like Kerala may bring up at the GST Council deliberations. If that happens, it would be an echo of what happened in previous instances of global turbulence, like 2008, when the buoyancy of our domestic market created a healthy shock absorber. Well water under scanner as rare amoebic infection surges P o o j a N a i r @Kozhikode Health authorities in the state have issued a high alert following a surge in cases of the rare and deadly amoebic encephalitis, with a new threat now under investigation: the potential for infection from domestic well water. While typically associated with warm, fresh surface waters like ponds and rivers, the amoeba responsible for the disease, Naegleria fowleri, is now suspected of being a potential contaminant in private wells, especially those that are poorly maintained or untreated. This comes under scrutiny after two cases of amoebic encephalitis were reported in Kozhikode district recently one , of which involves a 3-monthold baby from Omassery whose , family claims the child had no contact with any water source other than the well at their home. This has forced health officials to consider a new avenue of transmission, one that moves beyond traditional recreational water activities. DMO K K Rajaram said an investigation is under way to confirm this potential link. “Our preliminary findings suggest the infant might have been exposed to contaminated water from their well or a nearby source, as there is no history of contact with rivers or public ponds,” he said. Water samples collected from areas close to the patient’s house are being tested to ascertain the source of infec● More on P4 tion. NDA will reach out to Oppn parties to seek their support: Nadda R AJ E SH K UMA R T HA K U R & T Muruganandham PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Haryana CM Nayab Saini also seen | PTI Need states’ cooperation to implement reforms: Modi Highways inaugurated PM Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II worth `11,000 crore to reduce traffic congestion in the capital For us, reform signifies the advancement of good governance... In the near future, we are set to implement reforms aimed at making life and business operations smoother and more convenient An u p V er m a @ New Delhi prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre has circulated the draft of next-generation GST reforms among states and sought their cooperation to implement the proposal before Diwali. He said the move would benefit the poor, the middle class, and businesses of all sizes. Addressing an event after inaugurating two expressways, Modi said the Centre intends to make the GST law simpler and revise tax rates. The GST Council is expected to meet next month to deliberate on the proposal. “For us, reform means the expansion of good governance,” Modi said, adding that continuous focus was being placed on reforms. “This Diwali, citizens will receive a double bonus through the GST reform.” He expressed hope that states would swiftly support the initiative, ensuring the new structure could be rolled out before the festive season. Under the plan, the existing four GST slabs—5, 12, 18, and 28 percent—will be replaced with two: 5 percent and 18 percent, along with a special 40 percent bracket for demerit goods such as tobacco and online gaming. Items currently taxed at 12 per cent, like butter, fruit juices, and dry fruits, would move to 5 per cent, while electronics, cement, and other goods from the 28 per cent slab would shift to 18 per cent. The reform aims to prevent accumulation of input tax credit and reduce demands for further tweaks. While the changes may initially cause revenue loss, the Centre expects increased consumption to offset the impact. Nearly 99 percent of goods in the 12 percent category and 90 percent of goods in the 28 percent slab would move to lower rates, easing the burden on households and businesses. Alongside GST reforms, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for “vocal for local.”To make India stronger, we must take inspiration from Chakradhari Mohan (Lord Shri Krishna) to make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of Charkhadhari Mohan (Mahatma Gandhi),” he said. Trains bringing transit waste to Kochi adds new layer of concern P R a m d a s @ Kochi With authorities continuing to struggle to put in place a scientific and sustainable wastemanagement system, Kochi’s handling of “turnaround” garbage from long-distance trains has added another layer of complexity to an already stretched disposal mechanism. The trains turning around at Ernakulam Junction account for a chunk of this refuse, with 16,660 kg of waste collected and disposed of in May 2025 alone. Among the top contributors are the Pune–Ernakulam Superfast Express and its return service, which generated 4,032 kg of waste in May, 3,584 kg in June and 4,032 kg in July Close . behind is the Bengaluru–Ernakulam Intercity SF Express and its return service, responsible for 3,744 kg waste each in May and June, and 4,032 kg in July. Overall, waste generated from trains climbed to 17,198 kg in June and 17,692 kg in July, Garbage from trains being collected at the Ernakulam Junction station pressuring an already stretched waste disposal system. The details were produced by amici curiae before the Kerala High Court during the hearing on a case initiated suo motu against the backdrop of the 2023 fire at the Brahmapuram waste treatment plant. The amici curiae submission includes the Southern Railway’s report on disposal of garbage from 10 turnaround trains at the Ernakulam Junction station. The HC had on July 11 directed the amici curiae to examine the manner in which Railways is managing solid waste, in its capacity as a bulk waste generator. Based on this, the amici curiae inspected Ernakulam Junction railway station and filed a report. The report said the railway authorities do not have direct knowledge of what happens to the waste after it leaves their premises. According to the report, before the massive fire at Brahmapuram, Kochi corporation used to collect all waste generated/disposed of at the station. However, the corporation no longer collects solid waste and thus garbage arising from platforms and trains has to be managed by the Railways with the help of private agencies. Hence, the entire activity of cleaning the station and disposal of waste is contracted out periodically to various private entities — the sole stipulation being that they must have clearance from the Pollution Control ● More on P4 Board, it stated. @ New Delhi / Chennai THE BJP on Sunday named Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan (67) as the NDA’s consensus candidate for the Vice President’s post. BJP president J P Nadda made the announcement following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board. Apart from Radhakrishnan, the governors of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Sikkim were also in the shortlist. After thorough consultation with the core members of the BJP’s Parliamentary Board, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his final approval. “The NDA will speak to Opposition parties on getting their support to ensure the election for this second highest constitutional post goes unopposed. We have been through our senior leaders contacting the Opposition leaders and still we would be continuing in contact- C P Radhakrishnan Milestones  Joined Bharatiya Jan Sangh in 1974 at age 17  President of TN unit of BJP between 2004 and 2007  Chairman of the Coir Board, Kochi in 2016  Sabha MP in Lok 1998 and 1999  Governor of Jharkhand on February 18, 2023  Maharashtra governor on July 31, 2024 ECI terms vote theft charges ‘baseless’, says SC fiat complied with Rahul begins ‘Vote Adhikar yatra’ from Bihar’s Sasaram MU K E SH R A N JA N @ New Delhi R a m a s h a nk a r @ Patna THE Election Commission of India on Sunday made public the list of 65 lakh omitted voters from the draft electoral roll of Bihar, following a Supreme Court directive on August 14. “Within 56 hours of the SC directive, the names of voters that were not included in the draft electoral roll have been posted on district magistrates’ websites,” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said at a press conference. Asserting that the ECI is making all efforts to turn Bihar’s poll roll revision into a success, Kumar said those leveling allegations of ‘vote theft’ should either give proof under oath within the next seven days or their insinuations would be considered ‘baseless’. Addressing a press conference for the first time since the ‘vote theft’ controversy erupted, the CEC said if anybody wants to file a complaint without being a voter of that constituency, “he/she can do the same only as a witness under oath”. On July 31, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held a press conference and accused ECI of indulging LEADER of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched 1300-km long ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district and claimed that ‘vote theft’ was happening across the country . Amid presence of top-notch leaders of INDIA bloc, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Vikassheel Insaan Party’s Mukesh Sahani and CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Rahul said people of Bihar would not allow ‘vote theft’. in their state. “Strength of the poor is their vote. Today, that very strength is being snatched away— a conspiracy to steal votes is underway through SIR. We will stop vote theft at all costs,” he said. RJD leader Lalu Prasad said that a united INDIA bloc would throw out those stealing votes. “I urge you people to stand united, drive out the BJP-RSS combine,” Lalu said. The yatra will pass through Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chhapra and Ara. gOVINDAN’S sON accused of leaking plaint on CPM leader’s ‘fin irregularities’ Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday | Express in ‘vote chori’. Gandhi cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and claimed that over 1 lakh votes were “stolen” in Mahadevapura assembly in Karnataka through manipulation, duplicate voters, fake addresses and others. Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, CEC Kumar said, “A lie, if repeated time and again, does not become truth.” The CEC said instances of a person holding multiple voter identity cards arise due to migration or administrative lapses and the poll authority is working to rectify such mistakes. While addressing a rally in Bihar’s Sasaram during the launch of his 1,300 km ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ on Sunday Gan, dhi had asked for a response from the ECI. A Chennai-based businessman alleged that a private complaint that he submitted to party PB has been presented as evidence in a defamation case against him in the Delhi High Court | P4 Widened NH 66 to sport advance obstruction warning system K r i s h n a K u m a r K E @ Kochi What if signboards along roads could warn motorists of accidents, obstructions, animal intrusions, etc., ahead and facilitate detours to help them save on time, rather than getting caught in gridlocks. This is exactly what the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has in store—as part of its ambitious plan to install an advanced traffic man- Sign of things to come! NHAI to install advanced traffic management system (ATMS) on six-lane NH 66 stretches agement system (ATMS) — for NH 66’s 644km six-lane stretch from Thalappady, in Kasara- The system has provisions for various electronic enforcement devices that help in speedy identification of incidents and effectively monitor highways god, to Mukkola, in Thiruvananthapuram, where widening work is expected to be ing each of them,” said Nadda. With the nomination of Radhakrishnan, a seasoned leader from Tamil Nadu who belongs to the influential Gounder caste, an OBC community the , BJP hopes to bolster its strength in the southern state. Tamil Nadu, currently governed by the DMK, is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2026. If elected, Radhakrishan will be the third leader from Tamil Nadu to reach the second-highest constitutional position in the country—after Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (1952-1962) and R Venkataraman (1984-87). Both later became President. Born in Tirupur on October 20, 1957, Radhakrishnan took interest in the activities of the RSS at a very young age and joined the Bharathiya Jan Sangh, the political wing of the RSS, in 1974. Radhakrishnan’s nomination will be officially filed on 21 August, with all NDA leaders, including the chiefs of the TDP and JDU, accompanying the NDA nominee. completed next year. “Due to high traffic density on most stretches, ATMS will be first installed on the 26km Moothakunnam-Edappally section and extended to other reaches in a phased manner. The system has provisions for various electronic enforcement devices that help in speedy identification of incidents and effectively monitor highways. Once the impediment is identified, a warning message will be issued to oncoming motorists using fixed variable message signs (VMS). For instance, in the case of heavy mist, messages warning drivers to reduce speed will be displayed,” a senior NHAI official told TNIE. VMS boards can display dynamic messages to inform drivers about road conditions, traffic flow, and relay other important information. They can be either fixed or portable (trailer-mounted).  ● More on P4 EXPRESS READ Seven killed as fresh cloudburst hits J&K Srinagar: Three days after a devastating cloudburst hit the remote Chesoti village in Kishtwar, claiming over 60 lives, another cloudburst struck two villages in the border district of Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, killing seven people. According to officials, cloudburst hit village Jode (Jakhole) and Bagra (Janglote) in Kathua at around 5 am. P8