tadepalligudem l wednesday l may 07, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION time to look for the holy smoke from vatican’s sistine chapel All 133 Catholic cardinals to vote for a new pope arrived in Rome a day before the process to elect the next head of the 1.4 billion Catholics begins huge stakes on future of catholic church phone signals to be cut during voting Hailing from 70 countries across five continents, the group summoned following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 is the largest and the most international ever. At stake is the direction of the Catholic Church, a 2,000-year-old institution with huge influence but which is struggling to recover its reputation after allegations of child sex abuse by priests ■ ■ The 133 cardinals who will vote — all those aged under 80, minus two absent for health reasons — will gather on Wednesday afternoon under the frescoed splendour at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel The Vatican announced that it would cut phone signals within the tiny city-state for the duration of the conclave for security reasons 12 years duration of francis’ papacy before his death on april 21 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 India gets strategic partner amid conflict with Pak Up to 99% of exports to be exempt from tariffs India, UK seal free trade pact, script strategic partnership J AYANTH J ACOB @ New Delhi INDIA and the UK finalised a long-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) on Tuesday amid New Delhi’s efforts to strengthen global partnerships in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and the recent tariff tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump, which pushed both nations to accelerate trade negotiations. Sealed after three years of stop-start talks, the deal targets a $34 billion trade boost by 2040 through easier market access and fewer trade barriers. After speaking on phone with his British counterpart Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pact is ‘ambitious and mutually beneficial’. “Along with a Double Contribution Convention, these landmark agreements will deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and catalyse trade, investment, growth, job creation, and innovation in both our economies,” Modi wrote on X. Under the Double Contribution Convention, Indian workers temporarily in the UK and their employers will be exempt from paying UK social security contributions for three years—a move that could yield significant financial savings for Indian service providers, boost their competitiveness in the UK, and create new job opportunities for Indians working there. Starmer hailed the FTA as a step toward stronger alliance and lower trade barriers in a ‘new era for trade.’ Turning to the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the British PM reiterated his “deep contempt case SC warns AP Tahsildar of punishment 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 Tuesday came down heavily and expressed its serious displeasure against a Deputy Collector in Andhra Pradesh, who, in his capacity as Tahsildar, disobeyed directions of the High Court and forcibly removed slum-dwellers’ huts in Guntur district, when he said that he would not accept demotion as a punishment for contempt of court. The senior officer, Tata Mohan Rao, was facing initiation of contempt proceedings for disobeying the directions of the High Court and forcibly removed slum-dwellers’ huts in Guntur district. The top court on Tuesday questioned him, after warning that, if someone indulges in this thing, (disobeying High Court order) what can be said? “We are thinking of your children, we were trying to save you from going to jail. But if you want to go, then go. Stay there for two months. Your job will also go. You can’t go unpunished. Howsoever high one may be, no one is above the law,” the HC bench said. “We can’t permit orders of our HCs to be treated in such a contemptuous manner. We won’t let go of this without punishment,” said, the twojudge bench, headed by Justice P4 B R Gavai.  condolences at the tragic and senseless loss of life”. The deal cuts tariffs on goods such as advanced manufacturing components and food products, while setting mutual quotas for auto imports. It opens Indian markets to more British firms and allows Indian professionals to work in the UK without altering its points-based immigration system. An Indian government release said 99% of Indian exports will benefit from zero-duty access. The deal unlocks major export potential for India’s labourintensive sectors—textiles, leather, marine products, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems & jewellery—and key industries such as engineering goods, auto parts, engines, and organic chemicals. UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met with his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal in London last Tuesday where they re, solved most of the remaining issues. The pact also delivers a significant boost to trade in services, including IT/ITeS, finance, professional and business services, and education. Britain, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has not always supported India on security matters. The FTA with India marks a significant step forward, setting the tone for India’s upcoming FTAs with the US and the European Union. For the UK, the deal is a postBrexit milestone in asserting trade independence; for India, it counters the perception of being a reluctant free trade negoP10 tiator. THE BIG DEAL India-UK FTA to double the trade between the two countries to India will cut duties on 90% of tariff lines, with 85% becoming duty-free in 10 years Scotch whisky, gin, cars, aerospace parts, and food items from the UK will be cheaper in India Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved from 150% to 75%, and finally to 40% by year 10 of the deal TariFfs and the power of Sector Automotive tariffs will drop from over 100% to 10% under a quota system `4,000 cr Competitiveness boost to India companies in UK through social security exemption India will gain from tariff elimination on 99% of the tariff lines Zero @ Visakhapatnam After years of prolonged delays and shifting priorities, the much-awaited Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project in Andhra Pradesh is gaining momentum. The project, originally proposed in 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, is now moving swiftly toward execution, with the Andhra Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (APMRCL) conducting a pre-bid meeting and inviting tenders to select a consultancy firm. The finalisation of this consultancy, scheduled for June 9, is expected to set the pace for the construction phase. The Visakhapatnam Metro Rail Project is envisioned to provide a modern, efficient public transport system to the state’s largest city and emerging financial hub. Animal products Up to 20% Vegetable/Oil products Up to 20% Processed food Up to 70% Phase-II: 8 km stretch from Kommadi to Bhogapuram Airport, to begin after airport completion. Estimated acquisition cost: `882 crore covering almost 100% of the trade value Indian professionals in the UK will be exempt from social security payments for up to three years, reducing employment costs Dairy products, apples, cheese excluded from duty concession to protect Indian farmers Agri and Processed Foods 99.3% Tariff lines at zero duty 99.8% Tariff lines at zero duty 99.7% Tariff lines at zero duty Industrial Goods under fta — From 18% max to 0 Headgear/ Up to 12% Transport Up to 18% /Auto Minerals Up to 8% Glass/Ceramic Gems & Up to 4% Instruments Up to 6% Chemicals Up to 8% jewellery /Clocks Plastic/ Up to 6% Base metals Up to 10% Arms/ Up to 2% Rubber Mechanical Up to 8% Ammunition Leather Up to 16% machinery Furniture/ Up to 4% Wood/PaperUp to 10% Electrical  Up to 14% Sports goods Textile Up to 12% machinery (*Existing Duty Range) SEctor  *Duty Range Though it received in-principle approval from the Union Government in 2015, the project has seen multiple delays over the past decade, under both the TDP and YSRCP governments. The TDP government initially prepared the project but postponed tender finalisation due to the 2019 election code. Upon coming to power, the YSRCP government cancelled the earlier tenders, opted for a revised Detailed Project Repor t (DPR), and planned to expand the project’s scope. However, substantial progress remained elusive over the next five years. Now, with the TDP-led NDA government back in power both in the state and at the Centre, the project has picked up pace. Revised cost estimates, aligned with 2024 market prices, peg the total project P4 cost at ` 11,498 crore.  Phase-I: Length: 46.23 km Cost Estimate Corridors: 1. Steel Plant junction to Kommadi (34.4 km), 2. Gurudwara to Old Post Office (5.08 km), 3. Thatichetlapalem to Chinna Waltair (6.75 km) by 2030 *Duty Range Under FTA Consultancy for Vizag Metro to be finalised on June 9 E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e $120 bn `11,498 cr (2024 rates) Land Acquisition: Total: 99.8 acres State government land: 47 acres, Vizag Port Trust: 36 acres, Railways: 4 acres. Central government: 3 acres. Private land: 9 acres. 42 Stations in total Indian professionals to get better access to UK job market UNSC poses tough questions to Pak on Pahalgam massacre M U K E S H RAN J AN a n d RA J E S H K U M AR THA K UR @ Ranchi/New Delhi nent member of the UNSC. “Pakistan was questioned about the cross-border linkagAmid rising tensions between es, the terror groups active on India and Pakistan, the United its soil and the way many of Nations Security Council them have been operating with (UNSC) held a closed-door impunity. Despite trying hard meeting at Pakistan’s request, Pakistan couldn’t muster which ended without concrete enough support to come out resolutions. However, members with a statement,” well-placed raised questions for Islamabad sources said. about the Pahalgam terror atSources said that another tack, expressing concerns over point of discussion was Pakithe targeting of tourists stan’s “missile tests and based on their religion. nuclear rhetoric,” which Greece’s Permanent several members deemed Representative to the UN “escalatory”. While PaPakistan was and current Security questioned kistan presented the misCouncil President, sile tests as routine drills, about the Evangelos Sekeris, de- cross-border they raised international scribed the meeting as linkages to alarm about the “productive and helpful”, Pahalgam growing instaand terror though he acknowledged bility in the that no “specific out- groups active region. on its soil comes” were achieved. UN Assistant “The Security Council is Secretary-Gen- Sources always helpful in such eferal for Middle forts to de-escalate. It is the re- East, Asia, and the Pasponsibility of the Council,” he cific Khaled Mohamed Khiari, said. who briefed the Council, later During the meeting held in a told reporters that all members consultations room rather than expressed the desire for dethe main UNSC chamber, Paki- escalation. stan was questioned about the Pakistan’s Permanent Repreinvolvement of Lashkar-e-Toi- sentative to the UN Asim Iftba (LeT) in the Pahalgam at- ikhar Ahmad, said the consultack, with some members re- tations aimed at allowing j e c t i n g t h e “ f a l s e f l a g ” Council members to discuss narrative, sources said. Paki- the security environment and stan currently is a non-perma- rising tensions in the region. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday charged that an intelligence report was sent to Prime Miniter Narendra Modi three days ahead of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, following which he cancelled his Kashmir visit. “If the prime minister could change his plans, why were tourists left exposed?” Kharge wondered. He was addressing a ‘Samvidhan Mallikarjun Bachao Rally’ Kharge in Ranchi. The BJP in its pushback called it an irresponsible statement, adding Kharge could not have made a more reckless comment at a time of rising tensions with Pakistan. “What kind of comments is he making? On the one hand, he says at the (all-party) meeting that they are standing with the country, on the other, he is trying to weaken the country,” former Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Terming the Pahalgam attack an intelligence failure, Kharge said that the government had accepted the fact and assured to address it. India hits out at OIC Qatar backs India 250 civil defence dists India strongly criticised the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for its refusal to acknowledge the cross-border linkages to the terror attack in Pahalgam. It slammed the OIC’s remarks as “absurd” and accused it of acting at Pak’s behest Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani expressed full support to India’s fight against terrorism and all its actions to bring the perpetrators of Pahalgam attack to justice during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MEA said The government has identified over 250 ‘civil defence districts’ having sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries and hydroelectric dams, which will be covered under the mock drills held across the country on Wednesday E x p r ess Ne w s S e r v i c e @ New Delhi Gali, 3 others jailed for 7 years in Obulapuram illegal mining case T G N a i d u @ Hyderabad Almost 16 years after the case was registered, a CBI special court at Hyderabad convicted and sentenced Karnataka BJP leader and former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy and three others to seven years imprisonment in the investigation in the Obulapuram Mining Company case. The court also acquitted Sabitha Indra Reddy, who was handling the mines portfolio at the time in the undivided Andhra Pradesh government, and also acquitted former IAS officer B Kripanandam in the case. Soon after the CBI court pro- PM axed J&K trip after intel alert: Kharge nounced its verdict, the CBI took the four convicts into custody. The four convicts — Janardhan Reddy, his brotherin-law BV Srinivas Reddy, the managing director of the OMC and prime accused in the case, the then director of Mines de- partment VD Rajagopal and the former minister’s PA Mehfuz Ali Khan — were fined `10,000 each while the OMC was fined `1 lakh. Janardhan Reddy was arrested by the CBI on September 5, 2011 and released on bail by the Supreme Court on January 20, 2015, after spending nearly three and a half years in prison. The CBI had named eight persons, as well as the OMC, as accused in the case. Lingareddy A-5 in the case, died during , the trial. Senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, who was arrested and released later, was discharged in the case by the High Court in November 2022.  P4 express read Naidu revives supply of baby kits scheme Vijayawada: The coalition government on Tuesday decided to restart supplying baby kits to newborns from its own budget. It may be recalled that the popular scheme was discontinued during the previous YSRCP government. Each baby kit newborn, costs `1,410, a statement said | P3 TTD to enhance facilities on footpath routes Tirupati: Tirumala Tiruapti Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J Syamala Rao on Tuesday announced plans to improve facilities along the Srivari footpath routes to enhance the experience of pilgrims trekking to Tirumala for darshan during an inspection of Srivarimettu | P3 CJI walks the talk as SC judges’ assets go public s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y @ New Delhi IN a significant move to enhance transparency in the judiciary 21 Supreme Court judges, , including Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, have declared their entire assets, including those of their spouses, in the public domain. This decision was made in accordance with a full-court resolution passed on April 1, 2025. The declarations, now available on the Supreme Court’s website, reveal a wide range of assets owned by the judges. CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who will demit office on May 13, has declared assets including a three-bedroom DDA flat in South Delhi, a four-bedroom flat in Commonwealth Games Village, Delhi, and a share in a four-bedroom flat in Gurugram. He also has fixed deposits and bank accounts worth `55.75 lakh and `1.06 crore in Public Provident Fund (PPF), among other assets. Notably the CJI has no li, abilities or loans. Justice BR Gavai, the CJIdesignate, has `19.63 lakh in bank accounts, and declared a house in Amravati as well as a residential apartment in Mumbai and New Delhi. Justice Surya Kant has declared properties in Chandigarh, Gurugram, and New Delhi, including agricultural land and houses. Justice A S Oka, who is Twelve judges yet to declare their assets Justices B V Nagarathna, J K Maheshwari, Dipankar Datta, Manoj Misra, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Prashant Kumar Mishra, Satish Chandra Sharma, Prasanna B Varale, N Kotiswar Singh, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi set to retire on May 24, has declared `92.35 lakh in PPF, `21.76 lakh in fixed deposits, and a 2022 model Maruti Baleno car, along with a car loan of `5.1 lakh. Justice Vikram Nath has declared a 2-BHK apartment in Noida, a bungalow in Allahabad, and inherited agricultural land in Uttar Pradesh, along with investments worth `1.5 crore. Justice K V Viswanathan has declared investments worth `120 crore and has paid tax of `91 crore in the last 10 years. He owns properties in New Delhi, including builder floor houses in Safdarjung and Gulmohar Park.