BHUBANESWAR  SATURDAY  MAY 24, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  JEYPORE EDITION SOME RELIEF FOR HARVARD AS FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP FIAT A federal judge on Friday blocked a Trump administration decision to revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students ORDER VIOLATES FIRST AMENDMENT, SAYS UNIV DECISION IMPERILS FUTURE OF ALL STUDENTS The relief follows Harvard University suing the Trump administration’s decision to bar the Ivy League school from enrolling foreign students, calling it unconstitutional retaliation for defying the White House’s political demands. Harvard University said the fiat violates the First Amendment and will have a devastating effect for the university | P9 ■ ■ Harvard President Alan Garber said the decision imperils the future of thousands of students and scholars and serves as a warning to others The Harvard chapter of American Association of University Professors called the decision “the latest in a string of nakedly authoritarian moves against America’s oldest institution of higher education” 7,000 IS THE NUMBER OF VISA HOLDERS WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE ORDER 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 Double whammy, drama at 36K ft RBI announces Buzz on B’desh head Yunus 2.69 lakh crore considering resignation bonanza to govt REFORMS ROW S L A L I T H A @ New Delhi A Delhi-to-Srinagar IndiGo flight was forced to fly through a severe thunderstorm after being denied access to Pakistani airspace, according to an official statement released Friday by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The incident occurred on Wednesday when flight 6E 2142, an Airbus A321 Neo with 227 passengers, encountered a hailstorm and intense turbulence while cruising at 36,000 feet near Pathankot. The DGCA said the crew had initially requested a deviation from their planned route due to dangerous weather conditions but were denied clearance. According to the crew’s account, shared by the DGCA, they first contacted Indian Air Force’s Northern control requesting a leftward deviation toward the international border to avoid the storm, but the DAMAGED NOSE Our crew contacted Lahore to enter their airspace to avoid the weather but it was refused. Crew then chose to continue at same heading to exit the weather — DGCA statement on the Indigo scare request was denied. They then contacted Lahore Air Traffic Control for entry into Pakistani airspace, which was also refused. Caught in turbulent weather and with limited options, the pilots briefly considered turning back. However, with the thunderstorm already surrounding the aircraft, they decided to continue along the same heading, choosing the shortest path out of the storm toward Srinagar. While navigating through the thunderstorm, the aircraft was hit by hail and turbulence, triggering a series of warnings. The DGCA confirmed that the aircraft experienced multiple system alerts, including loss of Alternate Law protection, unreliable backup speed indicators, and “Angle of Attack fault” warnings. The storm’s powerful updrafts and downdrafts also caused the autopilot to disengage, forcing the crew to fly the aircraft manually. During the peak of the turbulence, the plane’s descent rate spiked to 8,500 feet per minute — a dangerously steep drop — while warnings for exceeding maximum speed and possible stalls were repeatedly triggered. Despite the chaos, the flight crew carried out emergency checklist procedures (ECAM actions) and declared a “PAN PAN” emergency — indicating a situation that is urgent but not immediately life-threatening — to Srinagar air traffic control. They then requested radar guidance and successfully landed the aircraft with autothrust systems functioning normally. No passengers were injured. Pakistan’s airspace has remained closed to Indian flights after Operation Sindoor. Addl commissioner of Revision Court exposes rot in land admin, seeks action 50% tariff THREAT BY TRUMP ON ALL EU IMPORTS FROM JUNE 1 P9 Trump threatens Apple with 25% tariff if it doesn’t build iPhones in the US. “I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the US will be manufactured and built in the US, not India, or anyplace else” P10 EXPRESS READ India will push against World Bank fund to Pak New Delhi: Despite a recent setback at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where India was unable to block a $2.4 billion loan to Pakistan, India plans to continue opposing Pakistan’s access to multilateral funding. A top government source told this newspaper that India will oppose the World Bank’s proposed funding of Pakistan’s development programme when the matter is taken up for discussion next month | P7 HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @ Bhubaneswar THE land administration system in the state, particularly in the most sought after capital region, seems to have fallen into a vice like grip of the land mafia and real estate operator with tehsildars playing the role of obliging facilitators. The extent of corruption has been exposed by the additional commissioner of the Additional Revision Court, Bhubaneswar, Pradeep Kumar Nayak highlighting how tehsildars in Khurda district have illegally effected mutations and corrected record of rights (RoRs) by undermining and subverting the law. In a letter (accessed by The New Indian Express) to the additional chief secretary (ACS) of Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM) department, the additional commissioner of Court-I, II and IV has flagged serious concerns over illegal land mutations and arbitrary correc- During hearings, it was found that the tehsildars of Bhubaneswar and Jatni have corrected RoRs involving transaction of the suit land in Sabik (old) RoRs, which is illegal and arbitrary PK Nayak, Addl Commissioner tions in RoRs by the tehsildars of Bhubaneswar and Jatni in connivance with real estate operators and land mafia. “During hearings in the court, it was found that the tehsildars of Bhubaneswar and Jatni have corrected RoRs involving transaction of the suit land in Sabik (old) RoRs, which is illegal and arbitrary This undermines the . authority of the Board of Revenue and the R&DM department as the illegal mutation is not tenable in the eyes of law and they have clearly guided by pecuniary/extraneous considerations,” the letter stated. Stating that the illegal mutations by tehsildars is nothing but a blatant violation of the Orissa High Court’s judgment in Harihar Mohapatra vs Commissioner of Land Records and Survey (OJC No. 9621/1996) case, the additional commissioner said, the judgment clearly prohibits tehsildars from admitting mutation applications related to pre-settlement land transfer transactions that occurred before the final publication of Sabik RoRs. Acting on the verdict, the state government had issued an order in May 1999, restricting revenue officers from entertaining such mutation requests. “It is a corrupt and criminal practice as there have been cases of illegal settlements/RoR corrections of government land/deity land/common property resources. This amounts to disrespect to law abiding citizens fighting their cases in revision courts and it is a case of criminal conspiracy by tehsildars and builders/land mafia by bypassing Revision Courts,” the CONTINUED ON P5 letter state. Decides to keep 7.5% of its balance sheet as a financial safeguard against unforeseen shocks D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi THE Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday announced a record `2.69 lakh crore as surplus to the Centre for 2024-25. The decision was taken by RBI’s Central Board of Directors on Friday at Mumbai under the chairmanship of governor Sanjay Malhotra. 2,68,590 SURPLUS The dividend will help CenTRANSFER 2,10,874 tre tide over challenges posed by US tariffs and higher deFIGURES IN RUPEES fence spending in light of the CRORE conflict with Pakistan. 87,416 The latest payout is higher 99,122 than the `2.11 lakh crore that 57,128 RBI transferred to the Centre last year, but is lower than the the `3-3.5 lakh crore projected 30,307 by analysts. This is due to the 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 RBI board’s decision to increase the Contingent Risk The dividend will help Buffer (CRB)—a fund set aside Centre tide over challenges to deal with unexpected situaposed by US tariffs and tions—to 7.5% of RBI’s balance higher defence spending in sheet from 6.5% earlier. light of conflict with Pakistan This is a prudent move given the pressure on US Treasury yields could increase revaluation loss on forex reserves, said CRB was increased to 6% for Gaura Sen Gupta, chief econo- 2022-23 and to 6.5% for 2023-24. mist, IDFC First Bank. AccordUnion Budget estimated `2.6 ing to her, upward pressure on lakh crore as dividend from UST yields could persist due to RBI and PSBs in FY26 against US fiscal risk concerns. `2.3 lakh crore in FY25. A highRBI said the surplus for 2024- er-than-budgeted dividend 25 was based on the revised would help ease the fiscal presECF (economic capital frame- sure on the Centre at a time work) approved by the central when GDP growth in FY26 is board on May 15. likely to slow down a bit. During accounting years “This (`2.69 lakh crore divi2018-19 to 2021-22, owing to the dend) is also `40,000-50,000 prevailing macroeconomic con- crore higher than the amount ditions and the onslaught of that was likely assumed in the Covid-19, the RBI board had de- FY2026 Union Budget, implycided to maintain the CRB at ing an equivalent upside to 5.5% to support growth and non-tax revenues,” said Aditi overall economic activity The Nayar, chief economist, ICRA. . @ New Delhi PITCH BLACK A bird takes flight as dark rain clouds hover over the skyline, in Bhubaneswar on Friday morning | DEBADATTA MALLICK @ New Delhi BANGLADESH’S interim leader Muhammad Yunus is considering resigning, citing mounting political deadlock and lack of consensus among key parties, according to a report by the BBC Bangla Service. Student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) chief Nahid Islam told the BBC that Yunus appeared deeply concerned about the worsening political climate. “He (Yunus) said he is thinking about it (resignation). He feels that the situation is such that he cannot work,” Islam said Thursday night after meeting the 84-year-old Nobel laureate. Islam said he met Yunus after rumours about his resignation spread throughout the day “Sir . said, ‘If I can’t work — I was brought here after a mass uprising to bring change and reMuhammad for m to the Yunus country. But in the current situation, with mounting pressure from movements and the way I’m being cornered, this isn’t how I can work,’” he quoted Yunus as saying. Another report citing unnamed sources close to the interim chief stated Yunus had voiced his intent to resign during a cabinet meeting on Thursday However, advisers persuad. ed him to remain in office. The resignation buzz comes amid growing friction with the military over election timelines and a controversial policy involving a humanitarian aid corridor into Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine state. Army Chief General Waker-UzZaman, recently pressed Yunus to hold elections by December. ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ SC POSER ON KOTA SUICIDES S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y 31 schools damaged in Pak shelling in Poonch, Rajouri Srinagar: At least 31 schools have been damaged in Pakistani troops’ mortar and artillery shelling in border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir after the launch of Operation Sindoor May 11. The twin border districts in Jammu were the worst hit by Pakistani shelling. At least 16 people — 13 in Poonch and 3 in Rajouri — were killed. Hundreds of structures, including residential houses and educational institutions, were damaged | P8 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE THE Supreme Court on Friday grilled the Rajasthan government over a surge in student suicides in Rajasthan’s Kota, calling the situation “serious”. A bench of justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan were told 14 suicide cases were reported from the city so far this year. “What are you doing as a state? Why are these children dying by suicide and only in Kota? Have you not given it a thought as a state?” Justice Pardiwala asked the counsel representing Rajasthan. The Supreme Court was hearing a matter of the death of a 22-year-old student from IIT, Kharagpur who was NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH The bench referred to a March 24 verdict of the top court which took note of recurring cases of student suicides and formed a national task force to address the mental health concerns found hanging in his hostel on May 4. It was also simultaneously dealing with another case of a girl, a NEET aspirant, who was found hanging in her room in Kota. In the IIT case, the bench lamabasted the defence over a delay in filing FIR after four days after the death of the student. In the Kota suicide case, the bench disapproved of non filing of an FIR. Rajasthan’s counsel said the investigation in the case was on and the SIT was aware of suicide cases in the state. “How many young students have died so far in Kota? You are in contempt of our judgement. Why have you not registered the FIR?” the bench asked Rajasthan’s counsel. The bench said the student was not residing in the accommodations provided by her institute, which she left in November 2024 and started living with her parents. The bench then summoned the police officer concerned in the Kota case on July 14 to explain the situation. STF NABS CM orders Vigilance probe into massive illegal mining in Sundargarh dist ARMS DEALER FROM BIHAR WITH GUNRUNNING LINK TO CUTTACK Intensifying its crackdown on the illicit gun manufacturing units in Odisha and supply of firearms to criminals outside the state, the Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch has nabbed a notorious arms dealer Md Aslam from Bihar’s Munger | P3 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar CHIEF Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday ordered a Vigilance investigation into the large-scale illegal mining in Hemgiri and Koira tehsils of Sundargarh district. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed by the anti-corruption bureau to probe the case. On April 4, a team of Sunda- rgarh administration had detected massive illegal coal inside Telendihi revenue forest. Subsequently, unauthorised coal mining was unearthed in Ratansara and Bhograkachhar forests. The administration found illegally-mined pits and coal dumps besides an unauthorised brick kiln with above two lakh finished bricks in Bhograkachhar forest. On April 18, the chief minister sent Steel and Mines minis- ter Bibhuti Bhusan Jena and Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia to the illegal mining sites and asked them to submit a report. The two ministers had visited around a dozen illegal mining sites and had discussed the matter with the mining and forest officials. Announcing the decision, steel and mines minister Jena said that the chief minister is known for taking a strong stand against corruption, particularly in mining activities. Jena said the action reflects the state government’s policy of zero tolerance towards any form of corruption. The chief minister has asked the Vigilance to expose all culprits involved in this illegal loot of mineral resources, the minister said. Stating that the government has taken the illegal mining activities very seriously the min, ister assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible. The steel and mines department said over 9,843 tonne of coal worth about `2 crore were found to have been extracted from 22 coal mines of Hemgir tehsil. Of these, 14 mines were in Gopalpur village, three were in Ratansara and five were in Bhograkachhar village. All these illegal mines were on forest land. There was also information that illegally mined coal was hidden in Jamkhan re s e r ve fo re s t a re a a n d Bhograchakar village. Similarly, in Koira tehsil, 50 illegal manganese and iron ore mines were detected and ore worth over `37 crore was found. From these mines, 20,000 tonne manganese and over 1,200 tonne iron ore were extracted.