HYDERABAD l thursday l august 21, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late cITY EDITION Israel to mobiliZe reservists for expanded Gaza operation Israel’s plan includes calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of an additional 20,000 currently serving in Gaza Strip Humanitarian crisis could get worse This comes as negotiators scramble to bring Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire ending 22 months of fighting, while international leaders and rights groups warn that an expanded assault, which Israel wants, could deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with most residents displaced, neighborhoods in ruins, and communities facing the threat of famine ■ 62K israel eyes ‘militant groups’ in hamas ■ Although Israel has killed much of Hamas’ senior leadership, parts of the militant group are actively regrouping and carrying out attacks, including launching rockets towards Israel, an official said | P9 It remains unclear when the Gaza operation will begin, but it could be a matter of days as such a mobilization is largest in months more than 62,000 Palestinians killed by Israel in two years 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 Musi rejuvenation will turn ‘Original City’ golden: CM REGISTRAR OFFICE Express News Service @ Hyderabad Opposition members protest in the Well of the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament on Wednesday | PTI Now, people will have to decide whether it is right for a minister, CM or PM to run govt while in jail We are going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at his will This is a Black Bill. I strongly condemn this Bill, which strikes at the very root of democracy This draconian step comes as a death knell for democracy and federalism in India This bill is unconstitutional… Who will arrest PM? BJP wants to make our country a police state Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader M K Stalin, Tamil Nadu CM Mamata Banerjee, Bengal CM Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief Acrimonious scenes in Lok Sabha as govt introduces 3 contentious bills Bills to sack PM, CMs, ministers sent to JPC P REETHA NAIR @ New Delhi The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed unruly scenes as Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three Bills for the removal of prime minister, chief ministers, and ministers under arrest for 30 consecutive days on serious charges. The Bills—the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025, Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025—propose that if a PM, CM, or a Union minister is held in custody for 30 consecutive days for offences carrying a jail term of five years, they will lose their jobs on the 31st day . The Bills have been sent to a Joint Committee of Parliament comprising 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha for scrutiny . The constitutional amendment bill will need the support of at least two-thirds of the members in both Houses. The ruling alliance currently lacks such a majority on its own. The introduction of the Bill after 2 pm led to unprecedented scenes as members of TMC and `232 crore investment fraud busted e n s @ Hyderabad The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Cyberabad police on Tuesday arrested two persons in a large-scale financial fraud that duped 3,164 victims across multiple states and illegally retained `232 crore over two years. Police said the accused operated across various states through advanced AI-powered investment platforms and Ponzi scheme tactics, luring investors with false p ro m i s e s o f steady monthly returns based on deceptive stock market prediction software. The accused had collected `850.59 crore and returned `618.23 crore. They primarily targeted middle-class families, retired individuals, and working professionals, operating a referral-based recruitment system. They promised 7% monthly returns through fabricated AI-based predictions. Continued on p2 BJP nearly came to blows. When Speaker Om Birla allowed Opposition MPs to speak, Trinamool members charged into the Well, shouting slogans and some even tore copies of the draft law in front of Shah. Several MPs including Congress’s K C Venugopal, Manish Tewari, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and RSP’s N K Premachandran spoke against the bills, saying they violated constitutional principles, targeted federalism, and carried the risk of misuse. Shah defended the bills, saying: “We can’t be so shameless to occupy constitutional positions while facing serious charges.” The House plunged into chaos when a TMC MP moved towards Shah’s chair, and a few BJP members including Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Ravneet Singh Bittu rushed to shield Shah. Three House marshals formed a protective ring. Amid the ruckus, Shah moved the motion by voice vote to send the bills to a joint committee. The panel, whose members will soon be named, has been asked to submit its report to the House by the last day of the first week of the next session. Shah-KC war of words Congress MP K C Venugopal referred to Amit Shah’s arrest when he was a Gujarat minister in 2010, Shah hit back saying he had quit before the arrest to uphold moral values Poll-bound Assam to get IIM The country’s 22nd Indian Institute of Management will come up in Guwahati with a central outlay of `555 crore, as both Houses of Parliament cleared the bill. Assam goes to polls next year LS passes bill banning online money games RAKESH K U MAR @ New Delhi The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which aims to ban online games played with money The government says the move is to . tackle gaming addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud linked to such platforms. The Bill says no individual, company or plat, form can offer, promote, or facilitate online money games in India. It also bans advertisements for such games on TV social media, or any dig, ital platform and prohibits banks and payment firms from processing such transactions. Sources said online money gaming is very addictive, leading to social harm and also financial loss. An official said 45 crore players lost money , with an estimated `26,000 crore loss annually . The Bill proposes the creation of a central authority that will issue guidelines and directions, which all gaming platforms must follow. Online money games as those where users deposit money in the hope of winning cash or other rewards. It covers all forms of online betting, including fantasy sports, card games like poker and rummy and online lotteries. , The Bill was passed by a voice vote after brief comments from Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, even as opposition members staged protests. Once cleared by both Houses of Parliament, offering or facilitating online money gaming will become a punishable offence, with jail terms of up to three years and fines of up to `1 crore. Advertising such games could attract two years in prison or `50 lakh fine. Those processing payment for these games also face up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of `1 crore. crude import Will protect India from any U.S. sanctions: Russia j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi AMID rising tensions between New Delhi and Washington over India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, Moscow has put in place a “special mechanism” to protect its energy ties with India from possible US sanctions, Russian Charge d’Affaires Roman Babushkin said on Wednesday . Babushkin defended India’s right to energy security call, ing Western pressure “unjustified” and “neo-colonial.” His remarks come days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the US’s possible secondary tariffs on India, adding to the 25% duties already in effect. The Russian diplomat stressed that the Russia-India strategic partnership has grown rapidly across key sectors, particularly defense and energy and asserted Mos, cow’s role as a “partner of choice” for New Delhi’s military requirements. He said both nations are committed to expanding trade volumes to $100 billion by 2030 and that InRoman Babushkin dia’s increasing energy needs make the Russian oil partnership indispensable. “Russia is the largest supplier of crude oil to India. If India were to bow to external pressure and stop this procurement, it wouldn’t result in any meaningful cooperation with the West,” Babushkin said. “On the contrary the sanctions , are hurting those who are imposing them.” When asked about the potential discount India might get, he said “a five per cent swing is possible subject to negotiation.” India has justified its imports of Russian oil on strategic and economic grounds. Babushkin said, “Our special mechanism is in place to navigate sanctions-related disruptions,” he said. express read State hikes liquor shop application fee Hyderabad: The state govt has increased the non-refundable application fee for the allotment of retail liquor (A4) shops from the existing `2 lakh to `3 lakh for the licence period from December 1 to Nov 30, 2027 | P5 Plots in KPHB fetch state `70 crore per acre Hyderabad: TGHB auctioned 7.8 acres of land in KPHB for `547 crore at a record `70 crore per acre on Wednesday. The govt earned `70.11 cr by allotting 3 incomplete towers under the Rajiv Swagruha Corporation in Pocharam and Gajularamaram | P3 `30 crore Asserting that it is not the “Old City” but the “Original City”, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that the Musi Riverfront Development Project would transform it into a “Golden City” with a thriving nightlife economy along the Musi catchment area. He also expressed confidence that the project will turn Hyderabad into the most sought-after city in the world by 2035. On Wednesday, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for a modern Integrated Sub-Registrar Office at Gachibowli. He was accompanied by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and IT & Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu. The office, to be built on three acres, will cost `30 crore and is being sponsored by Aparna Constructions. Addressing the gathering, he pointed out that many of the government offices lack even basic amenities and said: “The new offices in Hyderabad will be built with advanced facilities on par with a five-star ambience. By Telangana Formation Day next year, 11 new integrated registrar offices will be operational. These offices, which generate significant revenue, will provide permanent solutions to public grievances.” Referring to the IT industry’s work timing, the chief minister said: “It requires working at night. By rejuvenating the Musi, we are envisioning a nightlife economy along is the construction cost 3 acres land area 3 floors Operations n Registrations per day: 250 n Expected annual income: `2,800 cr Special features n and parking for 300 cars Lift n Green building with a solar power system n Token system for hassle-free process Area per floor: n Dedicated marriage registration hall 16,000 sq ft n Feeding room and crèche for children Total built-up area: 48K sq ft n Special ramp for the elderly Cong govt will lower contesting age to 21: Revanth Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy pays floral tribute to late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi at his statue in front of Secretariat on Wednesday its catchment area. Businesses would operate from 6 pm to 6 am, creating round-the-clock opportunities. This would not only boost economic activity Relief for Airtel HC halts TGSPDCL’s cable-snipping spree T G N a i d u @ Hyderabad Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to immediately stop cutting Airtel’s optical fibre cables (OFC) laid on electricity poles. The court also issued notices to the TGSPDCL CMD in response to a writ petition filed by M/s Bharti Airtel Limited. Senior advocate S Ravi, appearing for Airtel, submitted that the company had obtained due permission under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Right of Way Rules, 2024, and had paid about `21 crore towards pole rentals since 2021. Despite this, TGSPDCL officials allegedly removed OFC lines without notice, violating Rule 18 of the Right of Way Rules, disrupting services to lakhs of subscribers, including hospitals and courts. The court observed that arbitrary disruption of telecom infrastructure, an essential service, seriously prejudices Hyderabad faces digital blackout n Internet and TV services down for at least 30% of consumers n Work-from-home disruptions, targets missed n Students unable to attend online classes or exams n Businesses halted as online billing and orders failed n Home security cameras stopped working n Service restoration expected to take 2–3 days n Operators lacked prior notice and permissions for cables n Financial losses due to sudden cable removal n Even providers like Jio were affected | P3 the public. It also recorded that the Centre had asked the state to prevent such acts. The court directed TGSPDCL to file its counter and adjourned the matter to August 22. Meanwhile, Standing Counsel for TGSPDCL was instructed to immediately inform officials to stop cutting Airtel’s cables. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday announced that the Congress, when it comes to power at the Centre, will bring in constitutional reforms to lower the minimum age for contesting Assembly elections from 25 to 21. Calling it a “revolutionary step to bring the youth into politics,” the CM made the declaration after paying tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 81st birth anniversary near the Secretariat | p4 but also generate employment. To make this possible, Metro connectivity and elevated corridors must be developed in the region.”  Continued on p5 ECI to revise voters list in Jubilee Hills Express News Service @ Hyderabad The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) ahead of Jubilee Hills Assembly byelection, Hyderabad District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan said on Wednesday . He explained the integrated draft electoral roll will be published on September 2 and SSR for Jubilee Hills will be conducted from September 2 to 17. All residents of the constituency who are 18 years of age as of July 1 may enrol as voters. Claims and objections can be filed during this period, and their disposal will be completed by September 25. The final publication of electoral rolls will take place on September 30. The total number of voters in Jubilee Hills as of August 20 stands at 3,92,403, including 2,04,165 males, 1,88,213 females, and 25 others. The constituency has 329 polling stations across 132 locations. Delhi CM Rekha attacked during public hearing N i t i n R a w at & D i l i p S i n g h K s h at r i ya @ New Delhi/Ahmedabad IN a glaring breach of security , Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public hearing at her residence on Wednesday morning. The attacker, Rajesh Khimjibhai Sakaria, from Rajkot in Gujarat, was arrested on the spot and is being jointly interrogated by IB and Delhi Police’s Special Cell. Police have registered an FIR under attempt to murder charges in connection with the attack. Sakaria has also been booked for allegedly assaulting and obstructing public servant from discharging his duty . Sakaria reportedly Attacker’s mother seeks forgiveness Rajesh Sakaria’s mother said her son is not part of any political group but just loses self control when it comes to animals. She sought forgiveness. became upset over Delhi’s civic drive to capture stray dogs. Eyewitnesses described a commotion as Sakaria approached Gupta with what appeared to be court documents. After handing them over, he allegedly grabbed her by the hair and slapped her, hurling expletives before security personnel intervened. Gupta was taken to hospital after she sustained minor injuries.