tadepalligudem l tuesday l october 28, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION CJI Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as successor Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who is retiring on November 23, has recommended Justice Surya Kant as successor justice kant to have 14-month tenure Was part of article 370 verdict Justice Surya Kant, the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court after Justice Gavai, will become the 53rd CJI. He will have a tenure of 14 months before retiring on February 9, 2027. The retirement age for Supreme Court judges is 65 years. Kant was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019 and has been part of several landmark verdicts ■ ■ He was on the bench that upheld the Central government’s decision to abrogate the special status of Jammu and Kashmir Kant headed the bench that asked the Election Commission to disclose the details of 65 lakh names excluded from the draft electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar Nov 24 when Justice kant is due to take charge as the chief justice of India 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 SC allows govt to reassess Vi’s dues eXPR ESS n E WS s E RVICE @ New Delhi Threat looms Andhra coast on edge as Montha gains steam in Bay IN a major relief for Vodafone Idea (Vi), the Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Centre to reassess the demand for adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues raised against the telco. While passing the order, a bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran observing that the decision on any relief to the telecom operator is a policy matter and the court need not interfere. The matter pertains to a plea by Vi against the Department of Telecommunications’ de- mand for an additional `9,450 crore towards AGR dues. Vi, the country’s third-largest telco, also sought a waiver of interest and penalties, arguing that several components of the dues remain disputed. “Taking into consideration the status of the case now—the government has infused substantial equity into the company and that it will have a direct bearing on 20 crore customers—we see no issue in the Union reconsidering the issue and taking appropriate steps,” the CJI said. Welcoming the SC order, Vi Prasant Madugula `1.95 lakh crore in total liabilities, including AGR AGR is the income figure to calculate the licence fees and spectrum charges that telcos must pay the government. At present, VI owes the government around `76,000 cr in AGR dues, plus `1.19 lakh cr in deferred spectrum payment ‘Matter within policy domain no need for SC to interfere’ The SC bench observed that reviewing AGR is within the Union’s policy domain, and the court has no reason to stop govt from taking an appropriate decision given the peculiar facts of the case SIR of electoral rolls in 9 states, 3 UTs from Nov 4 S G U R U SRI K A N T H @ Vijayawada Cyclone Montha is intensifying in the Bay of Bengal and closing in on the Andhra Pradesh coastline, prompting emergency preparations across vulnerable districts. As of Monday evening, the system was moving at a speed of 15 kmph and was centred approximately 450 km from Visakhapatnam and 500 km from Kakinada. Landfall is expected near Kakinada on the evening or night of October 28, with the system forecast to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday morning. Authorities have activated control rooms, deployed disaster response teams, and initiated evacuations as the cyclone begins to impact coastal areas with heavy rain and strong winds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, and adjoining south Odisha coasts. The cyclone is expected to bring maximum sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, along with extremely heavy rainfall and rough sea conditions. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain confirmed that the cyclone has begun affecting coastal districts, with rainfall and gales intensifying. He urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories. The name ‘Montha’ — derived from Thai — means ‘fragrant P4 flower.’ said: “We look forward to working closely with the Department of Telecommunications to resolve this matter in the interests of our nearly 200 million subscribers.” During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government now holds 49% equity in Vodafone Idea, and that 20 crore consumers depend on its services. He said under the new circumstances, the Centre was willing to examine the issues to ensure consumer interests are safeguarded. Poll-bound oppn-ruled states TN, Kerala, Bengal under its ambit M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi security for cafe Monica Wright and Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner were given a police escort on their way to a cafe in Mumbai. Wright shared the pic on her Insta handle. Security was beefed up in Mumbai too after the ‘stalking and molestation’ incident in Indore. ShREYAS in icu after injury India vice-captain had a fall while diving to take a catch in the third ODI. He suffered a spleen laceration P11 stray dogs case SC summons chief secs of almost all states, UTs S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Monday directed the chief secretaries of almost all states and Union Territories to appear before it on November 3 to explain why no compliance affidavits have been filed yet in the stray dogs case. “Your officers don’t read newspapers? They don’t read social media? They want a formal notice to be issued to them?” a threejudge bench of justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria said. They directed all chief secretaries, except those of Telangana and Bengal to be present before it on November 3, otherwise “we will hold the court in auditorium”. The court had, on August 22, reversed an earlier order directing authorities to move all stray dogs to shelters and said they can be released to the same area from where they were captured after proper sterilisation and immunisation, except those infected with rabies or exhibiting aggressive behaviour. It barred the feeding of the dogs in public places. The August 22 order expanded the scope of the stray dogs case beyond the Delhi NCR and directed that all states and Union Territories be made parties in the matter, and instructed them to file compliance affidavits. The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday announced Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine states and three Union Territories in two phases — door-to-door enumeration forms distribution and collection — from November 4 to December 4. The final voters’ list would be published on February 7. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the draft rolls would be published on December 9; claims and objections can be filed from December 9 to January 8; and hearing and verifications from December 9 to January 31. The nine states are Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and the UTs are Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Puducherry Tamil Nadu, . Pondy Kerala and West Bengal , will go to the polls in 2026. As for Assam, where polls are due in 2026, the revision of rolls will be announced separately, as a separate provision of the Citizenship Act was applicable to the state. “Under the Citizenship Act, there are separate provisions for citizenship in Assam. Under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the exercise of Required indicative documents for the revision of draft electoral roll Any identity cards, pension payment order issued to regular employee/pensioner of any Central government/State govt/PSU In a precautionary move ahead of Cyclone Montha, 787 pregnant women have been shifted to hospitals across 17 dists, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said. Evacuations include 240 in Krishna & 171 in Eluru. Medical camps are active in 551 shelters, while officials monitor strict adherence to cyclone relief protocols I P3 Matriculation/ Education certificate issued by recognised Boards/Univs Forest Rights Certificate Any identity cards/ certificate/ documents issued by Indian govt/ banks/local authorities/PSU @ Vijayawada Amaravati is set to become a major hub in Andhra Pradesh’s rail and logistics network, with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proposing a bullet train connection to the upcoming international airport in the capital region. During a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday the Chief Minister , emphasised the need to integrate Amaravati into the proposed high-speed elevated railway cor ridors connecting Hyderabad to Bengaluru and Chennai. He also directed that the Chennai–Bengaluru corridor include Tirupati to enhance regional connectivity . Naidu reviewed the progress of railway projects worth `33,630 crore currently underway across the State. These include major lines such as Nadikudi–Srikalahasti, Guntur–Guntakal, Gunadala–Mustabad bypass, Renigunta, and Rayadurg–Tumakuru. He instructed officials to immediately release `27 crore for further works on the Nadikudi–Srikalahasti route and suggested launching train services on the Kotipalli–Narsapur route, including the Kakinada– Kotipalli–Amalapuram section. The Chief Minister approved the Railway department’s request for the allocation of land for new coaching terminals in Amaravati and Gannavaram. He was informed that expansion works are also underway in Vijayawada and Guntur. He stressed the importance of railway cooperation in supporting the State’s logistics ambitions, noting that an Integrated Logistics Park will be developed in collaboration with the central government. Naidu highlighted the need to improve rail connectivity to newly constructed ports such as Mulapeta, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, and Ramayapatnam to facilitate freight movement. Plans to transform AP into a logistics corridor were discussed, with Naidu calling for Passport Permanent resident certificate issued by State authority OBC/ST/SC or any caste certificate National Register of Citizens (wherever it exists) Family register prepared by state/ local authorities Any land/ house allotment certificate by govt Aadhaar as an option proof of identity, but not as a proof of date of birth or citizenship checking citizenship is about to be completed. The June 24 SIR order was for the entire country. Under such circumstances, this would not have applied to Assam,” Kumar said. Ruling out any confrontation with the West Bengal government, where the ruling Trinamool Congress has expressed reservations about the SIR exercise in the state, Kumar said, “There is no hurdle between the Election Commission and the State government. The Commission is doing its consti- CM orders hourly weather bulletins CM N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure zero casualties as Cyclone Montha nears the AP coast. Reviewing preparedness at the Secretariat, he ordered hourly weather bulletins, uninterrupted communication, and mass evacuation in 2,707 villages. Relief camps, generators, and rescue teams are ready, with the Centre assuring support I P4 Naidu moots bullet train connectivity to Amaravati Airport E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e CID to probe settlement of Parakamani theft case E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e Birth certificate issued by competent authority express read 787 pregnant women shifted to hospitals HC order enhanced north–south and east–west connectivity He also . reviewed proposals for a Dedicated Freight Corridor from Kharagpur to Chennai and works related to 1,564 km of new railway routes. The CM directed that Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Amaravati railway stations be developed as iconic hubs. He called for innovative design in the construction of the Amaravati station and urged swift redevelopment of Vijayawada station, including the construction of a skywalk at Tirupati for pilgrim convenP4 ience tutional duty by carrying out the SIR under Article 326 of the Constitution and the State government will discharge its constitutional duties.” As for Kerala’s local bodies elections, due in November-December, Kumar said, “The notification for the same was yet to be issued and the state governments are bound by Constitution to provide the necessary personnel to the Election Commission of India for the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of polls.” @ Vijayawada The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday ordered a CID probe into the controversial settlement of a theft case involving `72,000 ($ 900) stolen from the Parakamani of Sri Lord Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirumala. Justice Gannamaneni Ramakrishna Prasad issued interim directions to the CID to investigate the roles of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, its officials, the investigating officer, and the complainant. The court also asked the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to examine the assets of the accused, CV Ravikumar, and his family to determine whether they were acquired with money stolen from the Parakamani. Further, the court directed both the CID and ACB chiefs to submit detailed investigation reports through the Registrar (Judicial) before the next hearing on December 2, including recommendations for further action. The case dates back to April 29, 2023, when Ravikumar, a clerk working at a Tirumala mutt, was caught redhanded stealing $900 from the Parakamani hall by AVSO Satish Kumar, who later lodged P4 a complaint. West distorting global energy markets: Govt The comments came just hours after he met US SecreExternal Affairs Minister S tary of Marco Rubio on the Jaishankar on Monday took a sidelines of the summit. His swipe at the Western nations, public remarks underscored accusing them of selectively New Delhi’s willingness to call applying global prinout perceived Westciples and distorting ern hypocrisy while the international enasserting an indeergy market through pendent foreign polirestrictive practices. cy stance. Speaking at the East Jaishankar argued Asia Summit in Mathat the global order laysia, Jaishankar must evolve to reflect said the world is goa more multipolar EAM, Rubio ing through “complireality “Change has . discuss trade, cated times” marked bilateral issues a life of its own. The by shifting global world will inevitably alignments, compe- Jaishankar met US respond to new cirtition over technolo- Secretary of State cumstances… gy, resources and Marco Rubio on the Multipolarity is not sidelines of the supply chains. just here to stay but “Energy trade is ASEAN and East Asia to grow,” he said and increasingly con- Summits, and rooted for “serious stricted, with result- discussed a host of g l o b a l c o nve r s a ing market distor- issues, including the tions” on competitions. Principles are ongoing bilateral tiveness, technology , applied selectively trade talks | P7 and market access. and what is preached On terrorism, he is not necessarily practiced,” said: “The world must display he said, in remarks seen as di- zero tolerance; there is no room rected at Western-led sanctions for ambivalence. Our right of regimes and certain protection- defence against terrorism can ist policies. never be compromised.” J AYA N T H J A CO B @ New Delhi