KOLLAM l Wednesday l January 22, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION At least 66 dead, 51 injured in fire at a ski resort in turkey A fire raged through a 12-story hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday during a school holiday, killing 66 people and injuring 51 hotel’s location hampering rescue efforts six-member panel to lead investigation The fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, 300 kilometres east of Istanbul, occurred near the start of a two-week winter break for schools, when hotels in the region are packed. A part of the 161-room hotel is on the side of a cliff, hampering rescue efforts. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said all steps will be taken to nab those responsible for the blaze ■ ■ The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section, later spreading to other portions Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the hotel underwent inspections in 2021 and 2024 and was found up to the mark 238 registered guests were present in the hotel at the time of the blaze 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 Experts rule out immediate Impact on India due to Trump’s trade policies Short-term pain, long-term gain... ...India sees window of opportunity amidst tests D IPA K M O N D AL @ New Delhi J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi HOURS after taking charge as US president, Donald Trump took a slew of major executive actions to effect major policy shifts, many of them with global ramifications whose ripple effects would be felt across the world including India. The Indian equity markets felt the tremors on Tuesday with benchmark indices falling by 1.6%, while the rupee tanked 14 paise to close at 86.59 against dollar. However, most analysts and commentators expect limited economic impact on India as most decisions won’t impact India directly, though the uncertainties could shake a few indicators in the short term. In his America First Trade Policy Trump announced with, drawal from global tax deals as well as the Paris Climate Accord. He declared a national energy emergency, reinstating the country’s oil and gas industry at the centre stage. He also ended the federal mandate for electric vehciels, which has set a target of electrifying all new light-duty vehicles by 2027. While he did not sign any orders announcing import tariff hike, he proposed 25% duty on goods coming from Canada and Mexico. Earlier, Trump had proposed a 60% tax on Chinese imports and 20% tariff on imports from other countries. He also hinted he would target countries with trade surplus with the US. India figures in this list but Soumya Kanti Ghosh, SBI’s group chief economic adviser, says the impact will be limited as India has broadened its export market. Ajay Sahai, director-general and CEO, Federation of India Exports Organisation, believes India stands to gain. “These measures aim to protect US industries but they also create opportunities for Indian exporters to fill supply chain gaps in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods,” he said. Trump’s US-centric energy policies also signal potential sanctions on Russia and Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be the first foreign minister to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a bilateral discussion, as India aims to strengthen its ties with the US following the inauguration of President Donald Trump as its 47th President. Rubio will be meet Jaishakar in the state department soon after his meeting with foreign ministers of India, Japan and Ausralia under the Quad format in the same venue. Jaishankar, who represented India at the inauguration, was seated in the front row alongside Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. He also had brief interactions with members of Trump’s administration, including Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and FBI Director nominee Kash Patel. According to sources, the importance of the Quad format is quite pronounced, going by the way the first day’s appointments of Rubio are planned. Soon after interacting with state department staffers, the Quad ministers will meet for an hour. Trump is expected to visit India to attend the first Quad summit later this year. India also intends to host the first meeting of the Regional Ports and Transportation Conference, a new initiative of the grouping, in Mumbai in the coming months. Sources said that India-US ties will continue to grow under Trump despite negotiating some of the challenges, including the tariff plans and the efforts to draw outsourced manufacturing units back to the US. “Tariff on imported goods, we need to wait and see. It could also be the case that the new American administration takes some time before arriving at any definite plans,” said a source. New Delhi has maintained that Trump’s policies that change the international order will have less impact on countries like India as New Delhi is not heavily invested in the existing order. “Those most anxious are the nations and organisations who are deeply invested in the current order....For the countries who are less invested, it could very well be a time of opportunity. India falls in the latter category Jaishankar said ,” during the Nani Palkhivala Memorial Lecture on January 18. DON’s 1st day key executive orders Donald Trump signed on HIS INAUGURATION DAY Withdraws US from the Paris Agreement and WHO Pardons for Jan 6 US Capitol Attack Trump pardoned around 1,500 people convicted or charged in the Jan 6 attack End to Federal cases Trump ordered an end to federal cases against ‘political opponents’ of the Biden administration, effectively helping his own supporters Ends remote work policies for all federal workers Easing regulatory burdens Trump ordered easing of regulatory burdens on oil and natural gas production Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Feb 1 which could disrupt energy imports for India. But on the positive side, there is a possibility of more US energy coming to India, Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. India needs to diversifying its energy supply sources, intensify domestic oil and gas exploration efforts, and expand investments in renewable energy to reduce external shocks,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder, G l o b a l T r a d e Re s e a r c h Initiative. Combating consumer inflation Trump calls for an “all of government” response to bring down costs for Americans National Emergency at US-Mexico Border Trump declared a national emergency, planning to send US troops to support immigration agents Ending Birthright Citizenship It denies citizenship to children born in the US whose parents lack legal immigration status even if they are not illegals Minimum tax pact axe Withdraws US from global minimum tax agreement The only one smarter than Vance is his wife (Usha). I would have chosen her (for V-P) but somehow the line of succession didn’t work that way, right? Donald Trump in his first address after inauguration Top gun among 14 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh There were intelligence inputs specifying the presIN a big jolt to the outlawed ence of the senior Maoist asCPI (Maoist), its Central sembling in the region. A Committee member Jayram joint operation launched by Pratap Reddy alias Chalap- a special team faced heavy athi and 13 senior cadres gunfire from the Naxals, the were killed in an exchange officer said. of fire with security forces Union Home Minister along the Chhattisgarh-Odi- Amit Shah said on X: “Ansha border, 160 km other mighty blow east of Raipur. to Naxalism. With a The gun battle late resolve for a Naxalon Sunday continfree India and joint ued intermittently efforts of security for 48 hours in the forces, Naxalism is Kularighat forest of breathing its last Mainpur region in today .” Who is Gariaband district, Chalapathi Two security persaid a senior police sonnel, who were inChalapathi, a officer supervising jured in the gunmaster military the operation. fight, are out of Chalapathi, who strategist in his danger. The forces 60s, had a I1 hailed from Andhra recovered self-loadPradesh, was an ac- crore bounty on ing guns, INSAS ritive member of the his head. Born fles and Improvised Central Committee, in Chittoor, he explosive devices joined the which holds signifi( I E D s ) f ro m t h e Maoist cant authority in the scene, the SP said. banned CPI (Mao- movement 27 Several slain Maoist), just below the years ago, and ists were said to be lend strategic Politburo. He had a members of Mainbounty of `1 crore guidance and pur-Nuapada diviintellectual on his head. sion of the outlawed support “The encounter is organisation. still on. So far, 14 So far, 46 Maoists bodies have been recovered. have been killed in ChhattisThe casualty count is ex- garh in January . pected to rise as the search This is the second major operation has been intensi- encounter against the Maofied. This is the first opera- ists this year in Gariaband tion where senior leaders of district adjoining the Odisthe banned outfit have been ha border. The operation is killed in Chhattisgarh,” part of a renewed strategy Nikhil Rakhecha, Garia- to free Chhattisgarh from band SP told this paper. the grip of Maoists. E J A Z k a i s e r @ Raipur pricey KIT CAG rejects ‘pandemic-time exigency’ claim Report released on Tuesday says govt bought PPE kits for H550 apiece on March 28, 2020, and just two days later, for H1,550 each, leading to additional expenditure of H10.23 cr | P4 safe Saif Actor Saif Ali Khan back home from hospital following multiple surgeries five days ago after he was stabbed by an intruder, in Mumbai on Tuesday | ANI | P8 Seize Husain’s two paintings: Delhi court S h ek h a r S i n g h @ New Delhi A Delhi court ordered the seizure of two paintings by renowned artist M F Husain displayed at the Delhi Art Gallery following a complaint that they were offensive. Judicial Magistrate First Class Sahil Monga, presiding over the Patiala House Court, on Monday approved advocate Amita Sachdeva’s request for their seizure under Section 94 of the BNSS Act. The court instructed the Investigating Officer (IO) to secure the artworks and submit a report by January 22. “In light of the facts and circumstances mentioned in the said application, the said application is allowed and the IO is directed to seize the said painting and file a report on 22.01.2025.” Sachdeva’s complaint, lodged on December 9, 2024, at the Parliament Street Police Station, alleged that the paintings depicting Hindu deities Hanuman and Ganesh, were offensive. Sachdeva also sought an FIR against the Delhi Art Gallery’s CEO, whom she criticised for allegedly removing the paintings after her initial visit with the IO, falsely claiming they were never on display . Kerala Maritime Board looks to link VIP treatment to Boby: 2 jail officials suspended state’s major ports with cruise service E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram The government on Tuesday suspended Deputy Inspector General of Prisons (Central Zone) P Ajayakumar and Ernakulam District Jail Superintendent Raju Abraham pending an inquiry following R a h u l R @Kollam The Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) is set to introduce a cruise service connecting major ports in the state, with the first phase featuring cruisecum-passenger vessels operating between Kollam and Kochi. The vessel, designed to accommodate up to 350 passengers, will be launched by a private enterprise based in south Kerala. The initiative aims at establishing a thriving business ecosystem around Kollam port, and efforts to launch cruise services from the port have been on for some time. Officials said several service providers have expressed interests in the initiative, and operations are expected to commence soon. “Our aim is to create a business ecosystem around Kollam port. We believe that once the cruise service starts, it will boost tourism in the area. The service will be centered in and around Kollam port, and will be the first such service in the district,” said Arun Kumar P K, in charge of Kollam Port. He said the KMB had invited ex- complaints that businessman Boby Chemmanur received special privileges while he was lodged at the district jail in Kakkanad, Kochi, in a sexual harassement case registered on the complaint of actor Honey Rose. The suspension order was issued on the basis of an inquiry by DIG Prisons (Headquarters) Vinodkumar M K on the direction of Director General of Prisons & Correctional Services Balram Kumar Upadhyay . The probe was launched following reports that persons of “VIP stature” visited the businessman at the Kakkanad jail. Their names were not recorded in the prison’s visitors’ diary . Apart from them, DIG Ajayakumar too met Boby at the jail ● More on P4 on January 10.  going grander A view of Kollam port Infra, tips assured The Kerala Maritime Board will provide essential infrastructure such as wharves, cranes, reach stackers, 5-tonne mobile cranes (Hydra 825 truck-mounted), forklifts, and weighing machines to private agencies. Top officers of the board will also share technical expertise with the agencies. pressions of interest for operating the service from ports in the state. “A shipping service company in Kerala has expressed interest. As per the request received, guidelines will be given by the KMB, and the company has been advised to award the contract to a shipyard with experience and credibility in the field of shipbuilding,” Arun Kumar said. While the initial route will connect Kollam and Kochi, the KMB envisions extending the service to other ports, including Vizhinjam, Beypore, and Azhikkal. “Our aim is to have cruise services to all major ports, but the decision will depend on how the private agency proceeds. Currently, the agency has informed us of plans to start services from Kollam to Kochi. However, if they choose to extend services to other ports in future, we will fully support the decision. We are ready to provide all infrastructural and technical knowledge to ensure smooth operations,” Arun Kumar said. Grass route plan to fill jumbo bellies, prisons coffers S h a n A S @T’Puram After serving people through its jail kitchens, the department of prisons and correctional services is now looking to do something even grander: feeding jumbos. The department is planning to grow Hybrid Napier CO5 grass, a cross between elephant grass and bajra grass, on 40 acres of land on the Nettukaltheri open prison campus – it is being cultivated on 10 acres of the prison land at present – and sell it to the Kottoor elephant sanctuary that is located 4km away and houses 16 jumbos. At present, the cul- Napier grass grown on the Nettukaltheri open prison campus in Thiruvananthapuram tivated grass is given as fodder to the livestock reared by the inmates and sold outside to farmers. Prison sources said preliminary discussions were held between the forest and prison departments and the project is expected to take off by April once it gets final approval. Ajith Singh, agricultural officer of the open prison, said the project is the brainchild of Prisons Director General Balram Kumar Upadhyay. “The objective is to fully explore the potential of the open prison, which has got 474 acres of land,” he said. The execution will be in four phases, and the final phase will see cultivation being extended to 40 acres with the aim provide 2,500kg of grass daily to the jumbo sanctuary. “In the first year, our plan is to provide 500kg of grass daily. We will gradually raise the supply to 2500kg per day,” Ajith said. Sources said grass for Kottoor elephants is currently being purchased for `16 per kg. The prison officials said they can provide the grass at a reduced rate. “We can provide the grass at `6-7 per kg. The sanctuary lies about 4 km from the prison and we can transport the grass daily None can match out price as . the entire work is done by prisoners,” said a source. Works on slurry distribution, irrigation and fencing are on at the prison to facilitate cultivation. The fencing aims to ward off wild animals that ● More on P4 destroy crops.