tirupati l saturday l november 29, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l anantapur EDITION don vows to freeze migration from third world countries US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to suspend migration a day after an Afghan shot two National Guard soldiers new escalation in anti-migration stance 19 nations already face restrictions Trump’s social media post, which also threatened to reverse “millions” of admissions granted under his predecessor Joe Biden, marks a new escalation in the anti-migration stance. Trump said earlier that Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member deployed in Washington as part of his crackdown on crimes, had died from wounds ■ ■ The shooting on Wednesday has brought together three politically explosive issues: Trump’s controversial use of the military at home, immigration, and the legacy of the US war in Afghanistan As per USCIS, 19 countries — including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran and Myanmar — already face US travel curbs under an order | P9 1,16,000 green card holders from afghanistan in the u.s. 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 Gathering momentum 9.7 10 8 6 6 9.3 9.5 6.9 4.8 Y-o-Y growth rates (%) 8.4 8.2 7.4 7.8 6.5 6.4 5.6 4 2 Q2 Q3 2022-23 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 2023-24 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 2024-25 Q4 Q1 Q2 2025-26 At 8.2%, GDP grows at fastest pace in six qtrs growth, compared to 6.4% last year and 7% in Q1. Gross fixed INDIA’s economy grew at 8.2% capital formation — an indicain the second quarter of FY26, tor of infrastructure and asset beating all estimates and mark- creation — maintained its rise ing the fastest pace in six at 7.3% versus 6.7% a year ago, quarters. although slightly lower than the This is a big jump 7.8% in Q1. from the 5.6% growth in “The confluence of the same period last fisstable inflation, suscal. Most analysts had tained public capex, and expected the Q2 growth reform momentum poto be in the range of sitions the economy to 7–7.5%. navigate risks, as reThe strong performflected in upward reviance is attributed to a sions to FY26 GDP boost in manufacturgrowth projections by ing, rising rural devarious agencies,” said The 8.2% GDP mand, and sustained Chief Economic Advigrowth is very growth of the services sor V Anantha Nagencouraging. It reflects the sector. Manufacturing eswaran. He added that impact of our grew at a robust 9.1% India becoming a $4 pro-growth — more than four times trillion economy “as policies and the 2.2% recorded a early as next year” is reforms. It also year ago. not unrealistic. reflects the hard Economists attribute The government has work and this partly to frontloadenterprise of highlighted the role reour people ing of exports to the US ductions in GST rates ahead of the 50% tariff played in lowering the Narendra Modi, PM increase. cost of goods and servConstruction also ices, supporting consaw healthy expansion, grow- sumption and expanding the ing at 7.2%. The services sector tax base. continued its positive momenH o w e v e r, e c o n o m i s t s tum, clocking 9.2% growth in cautioned that slower nominal Q2 compared to 7.2% a year g rowth could pose risks. earlier. Nominal GDP grew 8.7% in Q2, Private consumption re- reaching an estimated `85.25 mained strong with 7.9% lakh crore. P U SHPITA D E Y @ New Delhi express read Govt makes 1st move toward Markapur dist Ongole: The State government has moved swiftly to form the new Markapur district after receiving approval from Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The proposed district will comprise four Assembly segments and two revenue divisions carved out of existing Prakasam. Preliminary notification was issued | P4 BERA facility soon at 63 govt hospitals Vijayawada: Medical and Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav on Thursday said that the Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) facility to test the hearing impaired persons will be made available in 63 government hospitals, including nine district hospitals and 54 area hospitals in the State soon | P3 Putin visit to boost defence ties MAYAN K SINGH @ New Delhi DEFENCE negotiations will be the key agenda of Russian President Vladmir Putin’s visit to India from December 4 to 5, which is expected to take the strategic bilateral ties to the next level. Announcing the two-day visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that Putin is coming to hold the annual India-Russia summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit will give an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress in bilateral relations, set the vision to strengthen the ‘special and privileged strategic partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA said. Terming it a “visit of great importance”, the Kremlin said the current geopolitical issues will also come up in talks. The focus of the summit will be “broader elements of cooperation on defence”, said Defence Secretary R K Singh said while speaking at an event in Delhi on Friday. He said the strategic S-400 air defence systems may be on the table though no announcements are likely. “This meeting will focus on the larger defence partnership and resolving delivery delays,” he said. The S-400 played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor as it successfully targeted multiple Pakistani fighters and aircraft deep inside Pakistan. India has already signed contracts for the S-400 systems with Russia, but deliveries have faced delays. Singh confirmed that Russia has promised to deliver the remaining equipment in the financial year 2026-27. 61 dead, more than 25 go missing in Sri Lanka J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi AT least 61 people have died and more than 25 remain missing till Friday evening in Sri Lanka, which is bearing the brunt of massive destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. With torrential rains, landslides and floods displacing thousands in the island nation, India has launched a swift humanitarian response for the island nation. New Delhi has rushed emergency relief under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying condolences and stressing India’s commitment to A man wades through floodwater outside his house following heavy rainfall in Kaduwela on the outskirts of Colombo on Friday | afp stand by its closest maritime neighbour. By Friday evening, Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the cyclone had affected 43,991 people. Many regions of the country remain submerged and inaccessible, with officials warning that rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers pose a grave threat to Colombo and the populous Gampaha district. Outages have hit nearly a third of the region, and two major hydropower plants have been shut down. Responding to the escalating crisis, India has so far dispatched 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh rations, including staple foods, ready-to-eat meals, dairy products, bakery items and other essential provisions. Additional survival supplies have also been handed over. The relief consignments were delivered by INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri, both docked in Sri Lanka, an official release said. Ditwah is likely to reach southwest Bay of Bengal near north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh by November 30, IMD said. advisory Nod to acquire 16k acres in 2nd phase land pooling panels for anna canteens In a move to enhance quality and transparency in Anna Canteens, the State government has issued orders for the constitution of Anna Canteen Level Advisory Committees across Andhra Pradesh | P4 S V i s w a n at h @ Vijayawada The State Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat on Friday gave nod for the second , phase of land pooling. The APCRDA will acquire 16,666.57 acres in seven villages of the capital region of Amaravati in the second phase of land pooling. After issuing notifications, the second phase of land pooling will be taken up in Vaikuntapuram, Pedamadduru, Endrai, Karlapudi, Vaddamanu, Harischandrapuram & Pedaparimi. During the meeting with Amaravati farmers on Thursday, the Chief Minister urged them to cooperate with the State government, and come forward to give their lands under the second phase of pooling so as to develop Amaravati Capital City as the growth engine of Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the government had already acquired nearly 34,000 acres in the first phase of land pooling. With regard to the maintenance of the government medical colleges being developed under the PPP model, a decision was taken that lands allotted to them should not be utilised for any commercial and non-medical activities. The lands should only be used for a 625-bed hospital, college buildings for UG and PG courses consisting of 150 and 24 seats, student hostels and quarters of teaching and non-teaching staff. Amaravati a model for future capital cities: FM E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday termed the foundation stone laying for head offices of 15 banking and insurance institutions in Amaravati a “red-letter day stating that the initiative ,” could serve as an ideal model for future capital cities in the country . Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony she said , restarting the construction of Andhra Pradesh’s capital was a moment of great satisfaction. She observed that the construction of a new capital city is never a routine exercise, and requires sustained commitment, vision and financial assurance. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally supporting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman takes part in the foundation stone laying ceremony of head offices of 15 banking and insurance institutions in Amaravati on Friday | Express 25 crore people lifted out of poverty Revealing that nearly 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty nationwide, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said aspirations of the middle class and farmers are rising, necessitating forward-looking banking support. She also highlighted the success of schemes like Mahila Sakhi, which empowered women as insurance agents the resumption of Amaravati’s construction works,” she said. Describing Amaravati’s development as a collective endeavour, she likened it to a yagna, involving sacrifice and contribution from all stakeholders. The decision to locate the headquarters of 15 banks and insurance companies in Amaravati is aimed at creating a robust financial ecosystem for the capital. Establishment of major PSU headquarters together in the proposed Financial District will enhance coordination and institutional strength, she said. Focusing on agriculture, Sitharaman emphasised that the sacrifices made by farmers who contributed land for the capital should never be forgotten. Calling upon banks to ensure that such farmers do not face any hardship, she urged them to extend financial assistance beyond Kisan Credit Card loans, covering agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors. Referring to the Purvodayam Scheme, she appreciated the Andhra Pradesh government’s plans for the development of Rayalaseema and Prakasam districts. The Centre would extend support for the proposed development plans in nine districts under the scheme, for which the State had drawn up projects worth nearly `39,000 crore, including roads, irrigation and horticulture-related infrastructure, she said. Citing example of horticultural produce such as bananas from Maharashtra being transported by trains to major markets like Mumbai and Delhi, she said similar system should be promoted for Rayalaseema. brace! Rosan Kujur (R) scored twice as India defeated Chile 7-0 in the Junior Hockey World Cup on Friday | ashwin prasath | P11 SC frees woman jailed for changing six lawyers Magic Drains to solve wastewater woes u d aya n k i s h o r e @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court has ordered the release of a woman jailed by a lower court for changing her lawyers six times during an appeal in a cheque bounce case, describing the order as “appalling and shocking.” The case involves two dishonoured cheques issued by the woman’s mother, worth `7 lakh and `5.02 lakh respectively The trial court convicted . and sentenced both the mother and daughter. The woman subsequently filed an appeal before the sessions court in Faridabad, which has been pending for eight years, the bench noted. Meanwhile, the sessions court cancelled their bail and ordered their custody. The mother and daughter challenged this decision in the high court and later the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Justices Arvind Kumar and N V Anjaria, in an order dated November 27, noted that the mother had passed away, but the appellate court had not accepted her death certificate. The sessions court directed the concerned Station House Officer to verify the legitimacy of the certifi- cate. The bench observed that if the lawyer was not assisting the court, the proper action would have been to appoint an amicus curiae or allow the accused time to arrange alternate counsel — not to jail her. The court ordered the woman’s release on a personal bond of `1 lakh.“It is appalling and shocking that the appellate court insisted on the appellant’s presence on every hearing date, particularly after suspending the sentence already passed,” the bench said. U s h a Pe r i @ Visakhapatnam Managing sewage canals in rural areas has long been a challenge for authorities, with issues such as stagnant wastewater, stink and mosquito breeding affecting village sanitation. To address the persistent problem, the State government has introduced Magic Magic Drain constructed at Reddipalli of Padmanabham mandal in Visakhapatnam district | EXPRESS Drains, an alternative system designed to allow wastewater to percolate directly into the ground. As part of the pilot project, Magic Drains have been constructed in Reddipalli of Padmanabham, and SR Puram of Pendurthi mandals. District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, speaking at an Appraisal Committee meeting, said the government is examining the performance of these drains before expanding the initiative to other areas.  P4