India gets D rating in global pension index The Mercer Global Pension Index 2025, built on adequacy (40%), sustainability (35%) and integrity (25%)—ranked India at 43.8 points (‘D’ grade). The global average score of the pension index was 64.5. This year’s top performers included The Netherlands (85.4), Iceland (84.0), Denmark (82.3), Singapore (80.8), and Israel (80.3)—all earning an ‘A’ grade for robust and sustainable pension systems tirupati l friday l october 17, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION 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 AP’s growth key to India’s global power status: PM Modi E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Kurnool PM Narendra Modi, CM Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan during the ‘Super GST-Super Savings’ public meeting in Kurnool on Thursday | Express VSP: State govt converts power dues into equity E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Visakhapatnam The Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to convert pending power dues of Rs 2,400 crore into equity for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), a move aimed at stabilizing the public sector unit’s financial position and supporting its revival plan. State Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening key industries and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the steel plant. “Converting dues into equity gives the plant fiscal stability and allows for operational flexibility It . is a step that secures both the institution and the livelihoods connected to it,” he stated. Palla noted that the initiative forms part of a broader revival strategy being implemented in coordination with the Centre. “Of the Rs 11,500-crore financial package earlier announced for the plant, Rs 9,500 crore has already been released to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL). This decision consolidates the financial foundation of the plant and signals the government’s clear intention to support its recovery he ,” added. Addressing concerns raised by certain trade unions, Palla dismissed claims that the plant could not function without captive iron ore mines. He clarified that ores with less than 40% iron content were commercially unviable and that the plant could reach breakeven with a production capacity of 60% - around 15,000 metric tonnes per day “With the third blast furnace operation. al, production has begun to improve steadily he asserted. ,” Palla stated that workers have shown renewed commitment to restoring productivity, while alleging that some groups were attempting to spread misinformation.  P4 Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Andhra Pradesh as a key contributor to the success of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, saying the state is emerging as a major growth hub. “Today the world views India , as the new manufacturing center of the 21st century with the , vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat being the foundation of this success,” he said. However, the Prime Minister lamented that previous governments had neglected Andhra Pradesh’s potential, causing a setback to the nation’s progress. “A state that could have propelled national progress was left to struggle for its own development,” he added. In contrast, PM Modi expressed satisfaction that under the current government, Andhra Pradesh is witnessing rapid growth in manufacturing. To further this growth, he announced the launch of an Advanced Night Vision factory in Nimmaluru, marking another step towards self-reliance in the defence sector. The factory will enhance India’s capability to produce night vision equipment, mis- sile sensors, and drone guard systems, and elevate the country’s defence exports to new heights. The Prime Minister highlighted the success of indigenous weapon systems during Operation Sindoor, saying it has garnered global attention. Emphasizing the importance of Andhra Pradesh’s development, PM Modi underscored that the state’s progress, particularly in Rayalaseema, is crucial for India’s rise as a global powerhouse. Andhra Pradesh’s development is crucial for India’s progress, and the growth of Rayalaseema is pivotal to the state’s advancement Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Govt denies Trump-Modi phone call on Russian oil Says safeguarding interests of consumers is the main priority oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of India on Thursday clarified that no the Indian consumer in a volatile enphone call took place between Prime ergy scenario. Our import policies Minister Narendra Modi and US are guided entirely by this objective,” President Donald Trump on Wednes- Jaiswal said in a statement earlier on day regarding the country’s oil im- Thursday. He also pointed out that ports from Russia and reiterated that India is also expanding its energy exits energy sourcing policy remains port from the US. consistently focused on “Where the US is consafeguarding the intercerned, we have for many ests of Indian consumyears sought to expand our ers, while responding to energy procurement. This Trump’s claim that Modi has steadily progressed in had assured him of haltthe last decade. The current ing such purchases. administration has shown “On the question of interest in deepening enerwhether there was a congy cooperation with India. versation or a telephone Discussions are ongoing,” call between Prime MinJaiswal said. He further ister Modi and President outlined India’s broader enHe (Modi) can’t Trump, I am not aware ergy approach, noting that do it immediately... but the process of any conversation yesstable prices and secure is going to be terday between the two supplies remain the twin over soon leaders,” MEA spokesgoals of its policy. This inperson Randhir Jaiswal cludes diversifying sources Donald Trump said in a weekly press of supply and adapting to on India ending briefing. changing market Russian oil buy The clarification came conditions. after Trump, speaking India has increased its oil from the Oval Office on Wednesday, imports from Russia over the past claimed that Prime Minister Modi two years, citing competitive pricing had assured him that India would amid global volatility. The governstop buying Russian oil. “I was not ment has repeatedly said that these happy that India was buying oil, and decisions are based on economic conhe assured me today that they will siderations rather than political not be buying oil from Russia. That’s pressure. The Trump administration a big step,” Trump said. “Now we’ve had imposed 50% tariff on key Indigot to get China to do the same thing,” an imports, including 25% additional the US president said. penalty linked to Russian oil “India is a significant importer of purchases. J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi beneficial to India: Russian envoy Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov on Thursday stressed the importance of Russia’s oil supplies to India in the context of US pressure to stop it, describing them as “very beneficial” and aligned with India’s national interests. “The Indian government is acting, having in mind the national interests in the first place, and our cooperation is very much in tune with those interests,” Alipov said Mad scramble for seat-sharing deal in India bloc Poll body hits out at allegations on SIR deletions of Muslims in the SC RA M ASHA N K AR @ Patna WITH just hours left for the nomination deadline for the first phase of Bihar polls, the INDIA bloc is yet to firm up the seat-sharing deal. In contrast, the NDA has announced candidates for all 243 seats. According to sources, the demand for higher seat allocation by influential regional parties including Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and the pushback by the others is the reason for INDIA bloc’s seat-sharing stalemate. While Sahani has demanded 24 seats, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav is reportedly ready to give only 15 seats to VIP . Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders including AICC incharge of Bihar Krishna Allavaru, the party’s state chief Rajesh Kumar and Congress Legislature Party leader Sha- S U CHITRA K ALYA N M OHA N TY @ New Delhi Unusual VIP demand Mukesh Sahani-led Vikassheel Insaan Party initially demanded 60 seats but later climbed down to 28 seats. “The unusual demand of VIP complicated seatsharing negotiations,” said a senior RJD leader keel Ahmed met RJD chief Lalu Prasad to reach a consensus. Senior leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge also spoke to Lalu over phone. Sources said there is also dispute over the seat demand by the Congress and RJD. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday strongly defended the Bihar poll roll revision, terming the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ‘accurate’, and told the Supreme Court that the petitioners— political parties, NGOs, individual persons, and others— were making “false allegations” to discredit the months-long exercise. The ECI told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi that not a single appeal has been filed by any voter against name deletion since the publication of the final roll. Taking strong exception to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)’s charge that there was a “disproportionate exclusion of Muslims”, the poll body said the “communal approach” of the petitioner must be deprecated, adding that the electoral rolls database does not capture any information about religion. “The petitioner’s (ADR) argument is based on some namerecognition software, the accuracy of which is doubtful,” the ECI told the bench, adding that the petitioners are making “false allegations” to discredit the SIR exercise—for the electoral interest of political parties. Appearing for the ADR, lawyer Prashant Bhushan argued that fresh deletions have happened in the draft rolls and the final roll has not been published. Addressing a massive “Super GST – Super Savings” public meeting at Nannuru village in Orvakal mandal, Kurnool district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned India achieving developed nation status by 2047. “The 21st century belongs to India’s 1.4 billion people,” he declared. Invoking spiritual roots, Modi recited from the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, highlighting the proximity of Somnath and Srisailam Mallikarjuna, two revered Jyotirlingas. He paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji at the Srisailam memorial and revered Shaivite saints and freedom P4 fighters.  Express read Amaravati farmers contribute 40 acres Vijayawada: Farmers from Undavalli and Penumaka villages voluntarily contributed 40.25 acres under the Land Pooling Scheme | P3 Guj govt shake-up today D i l i p S i n g h K s h at r i ya @ Ahmedabad Bhupendra Patel Saurashtra, Patidar share may go up Saurashtra and Patidar representation is likely to increase in the new govt, while Thakor leaders from North Gujarat are expected to get prominent portfolios. But South Gujarat, may see reduced weightage In a dramatic political reset, all 16 ministers in the Gujarat cabinet submitted their resignations to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ahead of a sweeping ministerial reshuffle and expansion on Friday The oath-taking . ceremony is scheduled for 11.30 am. All BJP MLAs and outgoing ministers have been directed to remain stationed in Gandhinagar. A BJP legislative party meeting was held at the CM’s residence on Thursday evening. While Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Gandhinagar, party president J P Nadda will fly in on Friday . The new team may have 27 ministers — the peak permitted strength since Gujarat has a 182-member assembly A dep. uty CM could also be named. Six to seven MLAs are likely to be elevated as parliamentary secretaries. Caste and regional equations are at the heart of the reshuffle. While both the CM and BJP state president Jagdish Panchal hail from Ahmedabad, the politically sensitive Saurashtra that is increasingly being influenced by AAP’s Gopal Italia, is expected to get a larger slice of power. Jayesh Radadiya and Jitu Vaghani are strong contenders for berths, with Vaghani tipped to be the new home minister.