kollam l thursday l april 03, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION KSDL to launch ultra-luxury E3,000 premium soap Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited is set to launch an ultra-luxury ‘Mysore Sandal Millennium Super Premium Soap’, priced at Rs 3,000 branded as exquisite collection Pink and cream pack for premium look Branded as its exquisite collection, “Kala Loka - Treasure of Karnataka”, the soap is made of high quality natural sandalwood oil, making it a premier product. It will be available only in shops at airports and exported based on demand. KSDL has designed an exclusive pack for this luxury soap, moving away from its usual green, red, and yellow theme. ■ ■ ■ It will come in a pink and cream pack, giving it a premium look As the product targets foreign customers, each box will have a card explaining the ‘Story of Mysore Sandal’. Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited will replace its plastic packaging material with ‘butter paper’ 42 Products offered by Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited 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 Amit Shah says govt has no intention of interfering in religious matters of Muslims S  amajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav claims Waqf bill is BJP’s ploy for polarisation NDA defends, Oppn fumes P T I @New Delhi The ruling NDA on Wednesday launched a feisty defence of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid the opposition’s charge that it was unconstitutional and targeted Muslims, as Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government had no intention of interfering in their religious matters and was solely driven by the aim of transparent adm i n i s t r a t i o n o f Wa q f properties. Shah’s intervention came during the day-long debate that witnessed a fierce exchange between the two sides, with Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi alleging that the bill was an attempt to attack the basic structure of the Constitution, defame minorities, disenfranchise them and divide the society . Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in his opening remarks rejected the allegation that the proposed law was an interference in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom in religious affairs. The bill has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties, he said tabling the Bill, which was examined and redrafted by a joint committee of Parliament. “The government is not going to interfere in any religious institution. The changes made in the Waqf law by the UPA government gave it overriding effect over other statutes, hence the new amendments were required,” Rijiju said amid noisy opposition protests. “You (opposition) tried to mislead the people on issues which are not part of the Waqf Bill,” she said to the opposition. Efficiency push Tribometer by CET scholars bags patent S O V I V I D YA D HA R AN @T’Puram  Researchers at the College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) have invented a tribometer that could pave the way for enhancing the efficiency and durability of automobile engines and a slew of other machines having reciprocatingsliding motion. Tribometer is a scientific instrument used to measure mainly friction, wear and lubricity between contacting surfaces under controlled conditions.  The invention, ‘Pin-on Reciprocating Plate Tribometer With Provision for C h a n g i n g Stroke Length’, has won the CET researchers a patent from the Union gover nment. It measures friction and wearloss in metallic materials having relative reciprocating motion with larger stroke length. It was developed under the guidance of Prof Rajeev V R of CET’s mechanical engineering department. The team included research scholars Harish T V and Premkumar J along with Unnikrishnan G, lab instructor of CET. “The tribometer is capable of providing stroke lengths ranging from 50 mm to 200 mm for tribotesting,” explained Rajeev, who guided the ● More on P4 project.  Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday | PTI Both ministers asserted that the proposed reforms would ensure the welfare of poor Muslims and women. The BJP was bolstered by a show of support from its key allies like the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while the INDIA bloc put up a united show in opposing the bill. Samajwadi Par ty chief Akhilesh Yadav claimed that the bill is a BJP’s ploy for polarisation following its reverses in the Lok Sabha polls, alleging that it will send a wrong message to the world denting the country’s secular image. The bill will prove to be a “waterloo” for the BJP as some of its allies might be claiming to support the bill but inside they are not happy about the development, he said. “Bringing Waqf Bill is the BJP’s political game, it is a new form of their communal politics. The BJP wants to appease those supporters who are now distancing themselves from the party because of its policies. After most of the leading opposition leaders had spoken, Shah launched a stout defence of the bill and rejected the most common criticism that the appointment of nonMuslims in the Waqf council and boards violated a community’s right to manage its own affairs. Police personnel patrol in a sensitive area on the day of tabling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday | PTI AI cameras yield dividend; `631 cr imposed as fines M a n i s h a V C S @Kochi The Kerala government’s decision to install Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras across highways to crack down on traffic offences, which had stirred up a controversy over its cost, is yielding dividends. Latest figures reveal that 98 lakh offenders were caught and the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) issued fines amounting to `631 crore since the AI cameras were installed in June 2023. Of this, around `400 crore has been collected. In the last fiscal that ended March 31, 2025, fines to the tune of `273 crore were He also warned against instigating Muslims against the law, noting that an opposition MP had said that the minorities will not accept this. “It is the law of the Indian government and Parliament. Everyone will have to accept it.” The bill will become a law after it is notified following its passage in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Shah said the government is not going to have any say in the matters of Waqf, endowments made by Muslims for religiously charitable and pious purposes, adding that the council and boards are aimed at the management of the properties to ensure that they are used in line with the stated aims behind their donation. He accused the opposition of “fear-mongering” over the bill’s provisions, saying this is how they raised a vote bank. He accused the Congress-led UPA government of effecting many amendments in the Waqf law in 2013 for its appeasement politics, saying these changes imposed through e-challans for traffic violations detected by the camera. Of this, around `150 crore has been collected by the department so far. The remaining amount will be collected over the next few months. Since the cameras’ installation, the MVD has collected over `400 crore in fines for various offences, officials told TNIE. “There is definitely a significant positive impact. Now, people are more conscious about the f act that they are under surveillance and try to follow rules more diligently said Transport Com,” missioner Nagaraju Chaki● More on P4 lam.  made the Act “extreme”. Had those changes not been made, the government might not have brought the bill, he added. He cited a host of instances from across the country about vast properties being claimed by different state Waqf boards, with a section of people involved in their management making personal gains while doing little for the community . The new law will catch such people and throw them out, he added. “This money is of the poor Muslims not for a few moneybags,” he said, citing the meagre income of Rs 163 crore from Waqf properties. Citing speeches of several opposition leaders, including RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, in 2013, he said even they had noted the rampant property grab in the name of Waqf law.Gogoi argued that the bill had not been adequately discussed with minority representatives. “In 2023, four meetings of the Minority Commission were held, and yet, there was no mention of the need for a Waqf amendment bill. I ask the government - was this bill drafted by the Minority Affairs Ministry or some other department?” The opposition MP also raised concerns over Clause 3, which defines individuals practising Islam. “Minorities are now being forced to prove their religious identity with certificates. Tomorrow, will people from other faiths also have to do this? This is against Article 26 of the Constitution,” he said. BJP’s Anurag Thakur said, “This bill is not about Hindu versus Muslim, this is law versus lawlessness, Constitution versus corruption.” P T I @New Delhi Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s purportedly saying in the assembly there would be no bye-elections even if BRS MLAs switched sides attracted Supreme Court’s ire on Wednesday . “If this is said on the floor of the house, your chief minister is making a mockery of the Tenth Schedule,” a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih remarked. The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution deals with provisions on disqualification on the ground of defection. Reddy allegedly stating in the assembly on March 26 that there would be no bye-elections even if BRS members switched A Revanth Reddy sides prompted Justice Gavai’s strong comments. The issue cropped up when the bench was hearing arguments on the pleas raising the issue of alleged delay by the Telangana assembly speaker in deciding on the petitions seeking disqualification of some BRS MLAs who had defected to the Congress. Senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for BRS leader In a first-of-its-kind gesture extended to welcome an incoming foreign diplomat, the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday evening screened the world premiere of The Diplomat, a film starring John Abraham, which is based on a real crisis that India’s new envoy JP Singh, was , involved in solving. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, met Singh, In- A n i l S @Madurai In what could indicate the future course of CPM’s approach towards the INDIA bloc, the leadership has warned against sacrificing its own interests for other parties, including the Congress, in the Opposition group. Presenting the political review report on the opening day of the 24th Party Congress in Madurai on Wednesday polit, buro coordinator Prakash Karat underscored the need to fortify the party’s strength, even while being part of the bloc. Karat indicated the Congress too has a role to play in keeping INDIA bloc alive and running. “Even while being part of the bloc, it should not eat into the CPM’s independent influence. On some occasions, we have made compromises by staying away from contesting, to support others in the Opposition platform. The position taken by bourgeoisie parties, including the Congress, are opposed to our own interests. So, the CPM cannot stand with the INDIA bloc by sacrificing our own interests,” said a source. As TNIE reported on Wednesday Karat underscored , the need to maintain the CPM’s strength in Kerala and for the recorded message, commended the main character of the film, emphasising that “an occasional insight into an unusual occurrence is always a welcome departure.” “I understand that The Diplomat is being screened in Israel for a select audience, including those from the diplomatic community. This film will naturally in- Padi Kaushik Reddy, referred to Reddy’s pur por ted statement. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the speaker, said the assembly proceedings were not in question in the matter pending before the apex court. “Something being said at Ramlila Maidan is different than what is being said on the floor of the house,” Justice Gavai said. Justice Gavai noted when a politician says something in the assembly, it has some sanctity . There were judgements which state that a minister’s statement on the floor of the house can be used for interpreting that statute, he added. express read Israel screens ‘The Diplomat’ for Indian envoy dia’s Ambassador to Israel, before the screening in the auditorium of the Ministry wishing , him a successful tenure ahead. He expressed regret at his inability to watch the film with a select audience due to an urgent call from the Prime Minister’s office. Exter nal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan interacting with politburo coordinator Prakash Karat during the inauguration of the CPM’s 24th Party congress at Tamukkam ground in Madurai on Wednesday. Politburo members M A Baby and Brinda Karat are also seen | K K Sundar SC slams Telangana CM Reddy for mocking the 10th Schedule First-of-its kind gesture P T I @Jerusalem CPM warns against sacrificing its own interests for others terest all those in our profession. It is a reminder that we need to think in our field that not every situation has an SOP . In fact, every day is a new day ,” Jaishankar, a career diplomat who had served as the Foreign Secretary stressed. , “Now, I myself was involved in this matter and, to that extent, have an insider’s perspective. But I haven’t yet seen the film, so I hesitate to offer more comments,” the EAM added. ASHA stir: Min to meet trade union reps today T’Puram: In a bid to resolve the grievances of the ASHA workers who are on a strike, Health Minister Veena George has invited representatives of all trade unions for discussions on Thursday. The meeting will include members of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association, which is spearheading the protest outside the Secretariat, along with representatives from CITU and INTUC. The invitation follows the minister’s discussions with the Centre on Tuesday | P4 No Cong mention Madurai: In a marked difference from previous editions, the CPM began its Party Congress with no open mention about the grand old party. It gave a call for a united fight against the Modi government for its neofascist characteristics. P5 Left government to continue in power for a third term. At the closed-door event, Karat stressed on an urgent need to protect the CPM’s independent strength. However, there’s no proposal for an exit from the Opposition platform. Karat reportedly pointed out that other parties in the INDIA bloc including the Congress, partially owe responsibility for the bloc’s existing weakness and lack of direction. An initial draft of the political review presented before the central committee earlier too had flagged the possible political danger of the INDIA bloc occupying the Left political space. It also called for countering any tendency to subvert the independent role and activities of the party vis-a-vis ● More on P5 the INDIA bloc.  SRH to give Hyderabad CA 3,900 free passes P T I @New Delhi Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) have reached a consensus to maintain the category allocation of 3,900 complimentary passes, following a meeting held here on Tuesday . On Sunday, SRH had appealed to the BCCI and the IPL Governing Council to intervene and address what they described as recurring “blackmailing tactics” by the HCA, a claim the state association denied. SRH had further threatened to consider relocating their home matches to another state if the HCA continued to “threaten” the franchise, primarily over the issue of additional complimentary tickets. SRH in turn threatened to move out their matches from Hyderabad. HCA Secretary R. Devraj arranged a meeting with SRH officials. SRH representatives Kiran, Saravanan, and Rohit Suresh were present for the discussions. “SRH proposed strictly adhering to the existing triparty agreement between SRH, HCA, and BCCI, ensuring that 10% of the available stadium capacity across all sections is allocated accordingly,” HCA and SRH said in a joint statement.