BHUBANESWAR  SATURDAY  AUGUST 02, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  JEYPORE EDITION VICE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9 ELECTION COMMISSION ISSUES SCHEDULE As per the schedule announced by the ECI, a notification calling the election to the post of the Vice President of India would be announced on August 7 and the last date of making nomination would be August 21, with the scrutiny of the nominations scheduled to take place on August 22. The ECI said the last date for withdrawal of nominations is August 25 Election to the office of the Vice President was necessitated following a surprise resignation by Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 citing ill health HOW DOES THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE LOOK LIKE ■ ■ The Electoral College consists of 788 MPs, including 233 elected and 12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha and 543 Lok Sabha lawmakers; 5 vacancies in RS and 1 in LS means 782 MPs can vote The election is conducted through proportional representation through single transferable vote; each vote carries equal value | P7 293 WITH 293 LOK SABHA MPS AND 133 IN RAJYA SABHA, BJP HAS CLEAR EDGE 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 Start date of the levies pushed to August 7 41% Syria NEW TARIFF 40% RECIPROCAL Laos, Myanmar (Burma) Switzerland 39% Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Libya and South Africa Brunei, India, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tunisia Bangladesh, Taiwan, Sri Lanka , Vietnam Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Costa Rica, Côte d`Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia. Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe Brazil, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom 35% Iraq, Serbia 30% 25% 20% India bunched with small nations in high US duty rates D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi WITH the US embarking on a massive ‘protectionism’ era, India stands to be the biggest collateral damage of this exercise. The newly modified tariffs announced by the US government on Friday placed India among the major economies facing the highest duty rates — 25% or more. Other countries in this bracket are mostly smaller or geopolitically isolated nations such as Syria, Laos and Iraq. However, he pushed its start date toAuguts 7, injecting a little more uncertainty . What is particularly concerning is that most ASEAN and South Asian countries — key competitors in labourintensive exports such as textiles and leather — have been spared the steep hikes. Vietnam, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia now fall in the 19–20% tariff range. While China has been excluded from the latest tariff list, an earlier executive order on May 12 mandated a 34% tariff on its goods. The current executive order says the May 12 order remains in force. This means India still technically enjoys a lower tariff than China. However, the margin has narrowed, and given China’s well-known strength in low-cost manufacturing, that slight rate difference could easily be offset by sheer scale and pricing efficiency . What has baffled many trade experts is that Vietnam, with which the US had a trade deficit of $113 billion in 2024—the largest in Asia after China—has managed to stay within the 20% bracket. That said, the order clarifies that any trans-shipments through third countries like Vietnam will attract a 40% duty . Bangladesh, another direct competitor to India in textiles, has also been placed in the 20% tariff slab. The textile sector has already sought financial help to prevent massive job losses. Pakistan, which doesn’t pose significant competition in most export sectors, has received a 19% tariff rate — a development that is seen as more of a diplomatic win for India’s western neighbour than a commercial threat. Negotiations are on, but India is unlikely to yield on issues such as GM foods and dairy products. For now, India is staring at a 25% tariff wall, unless it chooses to bend over backwards to accommodate Trump’s whims and fancies. Economists hope that developed markets like the EU and UK would help India absorb some of the shock from US tariffs. “I remain hopeful that FTAs with other large economies will help offset some of the losses... Together, the UK and Eurozone account for over 18% of India’s export value,” says Debopam Chaudhari, chief economist, Piramal Group. 19% 18% 15% 10% Nicaragua Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson Arunish Chawla, DIPAM Secretary Rakesh Mehra, CITI Chairman Debopam Chaudhari, Piramal Group India and Russia have a time-tested partnership. Ties with various countries should not be seen from the prism of a third country We are doing capital review of all PSUs each week and working on strategies to insulate our economy from geopolitical risks US substantially reduce tariffs for competing nations like B’desh will compound the difficulties for India’s textile and apparel exporters FTAs with large economies such as UK and EU will hopefully help offset some of the losses arising from a slowdown in trade with the US INDIA EXPRESS READ SAYS NO TALKS ON F-35 FIGHTERS WITH US, REITERATES STRATEGIC BALANCE India has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with the US, while maintaining its traditional ties with Russia and emphasising sovereign decisionmaking in defence procurement | P10 EC announces schedule for Spl OTET question paper V-P polls, voting on Sept 9 leak: 1 more teacher held New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Friday announced that the election to the post of 17th Vice President will be held on September 9. The notification for the election will be issued on August 7 and the last date for filing nomination papers will be August 21 | P7 Cuttack: The Crime Branch of Odisha police on Friday arrested a teacher from Kalahandi district in connection with Special Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test question paper leak case. The accused has been identified as Prasant Kumar Khamari (56) of Jenakhalpada under Bhawanipatna police station | P3 Administrative panels get more power for incentives to food processing units E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhubaneswar IN a significant move to decentralise the decision-making process in the food processing sector, the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday approved the MSME department’s proposal for enhancing the administrative authority for according approval of fiscal incentive claims under the Odisha Food Processing Policy 2016. Under amended provision, the state-level committee (SLC) under the chairmanship of MSME secretary has been authorised to approve fiscal incentive claims of the promoter on an investment in plant machinery of more than `10 to `50 crore. Prior to this policy changes, the secretary had the limitation to consider and accord approval of incentives for more than `25 lakh up to `1 crore. Briefing mediapersons on the cabinet decisions, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said five proposals of four departments were approved. The MSME department proposed to bring CM Mohan Charan Majhi presiding over the cabinet meeting on Friday some amendments in the Odisha Food Processing Policy 2016 to simply the process of administration/ approval of fiscal incentive in line with corresponding provisions of the new version of the food processing policy made effective from September 30, 2022. He said previously, there were three committees. The state directorate-level committee (SDLC) under chairmanship of director of Industries had the power to accord approv- Draft roll out; EC pans Rahul’s vote theft slur M U K E S H R A N J A N & P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi THE Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday published the draft electoral rolls of Bihar after completing the first phase of collecting enumeration forms as part of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in a message to voters, “The draft electoral rolls of Bihar are being published on Friday Au, gust 1, at https://voters.eci.gov.in/download.” “Physical as well as digital copies will also be given to all recognised political parties in Bihar in all 38 Districts by all the 38 District Election Officers (DEOs) of Bihar.” There were 7.93 crore registered voters in Bihar before the roll revision process began last month. It is yet to be known how many voters are there in the just-published draft rolls. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a broadside said his party has foolproof evidence to prove “vote theft” by the ECI for the BJP, remarks that evoked a sharp response from the poll panel that termed his alle g ations as “baseless and wild allegations”. “I have said vote chori is happening and now we have proof that the Election Commission is involved in ‘vote chori’. I am saying this with 100 per cent proof. As soon as we release it, the whole country would know that EC is indulging in vote chori. It is doing it for the BJP Rahul alleged. ,” The ECI in a statement said it has chosen to ignore Rahul Gandhi’s “baseless allegations”. “It is very strange that he is making wild allegations, and threatening ECI staff,” the statement added. ‘GOT OUR PROBE DONE, FOUND AN ATOM BOMB’ New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi said the Congress has proof that vote theft took place in Maharashtra and MP, and is expected in Bihar too. “We got our own investigation done. What we have found is an atom bomb,” he said al of incentives up to `25 lakh while the sub-committee of the state-level empowered committee (SLEC) under chairmanship of MSME secretary had the capacity to approve incentives of more than `25 lakh up to `1 crore. The SLEC headed by chief secretary was approving incentives for more than `1 crore. With this amendment, now there will be three committees - the district level committee (DLC) headed by district collector which can approve incentives on investment in plant and machinery up to `1 crore, SDLC for investment of more than `1 crore up to `10 crore and SLC for investment of more than `10 crore up to `50 crore. “This simplification of procedures for administration of financial incentive to MSMEs under the Industrial Promotion Policy will lead to increase in pace of promotion of investment in food processing sector in the state and generation of more employment opportunities,” Ahuja CONTINUED ON P5 said. Ex-MP Prajwal convicted for rape R A K S H I T H G O W D A @ Bengaluru this and three other cases registered against Prajwal A special court on Friday and others, including his found former Member of parents: former minister Parliament from Hassan and Holenarasipura MLA Lok Sabha constituency HD Revanna and Bhavani Prajwal Revanna guilty in a Revanna. rape case filed by a domestic The SIT filed a 1,632-page worker. The quanchargesheet in Septum of punishment tember 2024, listing will be pronounced 113 witnesses. on Saturday. Ju d g e S a n t h o s h Prajwal, grandGajanan Bhat of son of for mer the special court prime minister HD for trial of criminal Deve Gowda and cases against MPs/ nephew of Union MLAs, concluded Minister HD Kuthe trial on July 18 Prajwal Revanna maraswamy, was and held Prajwal accused of raping guilty of the chargthe 47-year-old es. The minimum Videos did woman from KR punishment for the him in Nagar in Mysuru, offences committed The case came while she was workby Prajwal is 10 ing as a domestic years. to light after help at his far mSoon after the pen drives house in Holenarjudge pronounced containing asipura in Hassan. the verdict, Prajwal explicit videos The woman, who of Prajwal were bowed his head and filed her complaint broke down. He was circulated in with the cyber later escorted back Hassan, ahead crime police of CID to the prison under of Lok Sabha on May 5, 2024, had tight security. His polls in 2024 alleged that Prajwfather HD Revanna al raped her multirefused to react. ple times at his Gannigada Special Public Prosecutor farmhouse in Holenarasipu- Ashok Nayak said the prosra and at Basavanagudi in ecution examined 26 witBengaluru. She had also al- nesses. “The most crucial leged that he video-recorded evidence came from the victhe act. tim herself that was compelThe state government had ling ... This is a victory constituted a Special Inves- against abuse of power and tigation Team (SIT) to probe privilege.” 71ST NATIONAL AWARDS FIRST BEST ACTOR HONOURS FOR SRK, MASSEY, RANI A K S H AY K U M A R @ Chennai SUPERSTAR Shah Rukh Khan won his maiden best actor award for Jawan, and shared the honour with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail, at the 71st National Awards that were announced on Friday. Another firsttime winner was Rani Mukerji, who bagged the best actress award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs. Norway. Hindi films were the big winners of this edition as Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail bagged the best feature film, and Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani won the best popular film for wholesome entertainer award. Interestingly the Ran, veer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer also won choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant her second national award after her maiden win in 2000 for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’s Dhol Baaje. The awards were for films released in 2023. Sam Bahadur and Animal were the other significant winners. While the Meghna Gulzar film won the prizes for best costume, best make-up, and best film for promoting national, social, and environmental values, the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial won the awards for best music director — backg round score (Harshavardhan Rameshwar), best sound design (Sachin Sudhakaran and Hariharan Muralidharan), and a special mention for re-recording mixing by M R Rajakrishnan. The polarising Sudipto Sen film, The Kerala Story, won him his maiden award for best director and a best cinematographer nod for Prasantanu Mohapatra. Jawan also won Shilpa Rao her first award for best singer. The South representation was quite strong this year, too, as in addition to the best regional films, there were multiple winners in the major categories. ‘PUSHKARA’ BAGS NATIONAL AWARD, ODIAS WIN BIG D I A N A S A H U @ Bhubaneswar DIRECTORIAL debut of ace cinematographer Subhranshu Das ‘Pushkara’ has been named as the Best Odia Film at the 71st National Film Awards. The awards were announced by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in presence of chairperson of the feature film jury Ashutosh Gowarikar and chairperson of the non-feature film jury P Sheshadri on Friday . Starring Sabyasachi Mishra and Supriya, the film is based on writer Shankar Tripathy’s Odia novel ‘Nadabindu’ and was appreciated by both critics and film-lovers since its release in 2023. “People connected with the movie because of its Odia elements. It is a love story which evolves from a postdeath ritual Pushkara. Since the film is entirely based in Puri, we have featured rituals central to the town like Sahi Jata, Kartika Purnima, Boita Bandana which are an intrinsic part of Odisha’s cultural diversity Das said. He will receive a ,” ‘Rajat Kamal’ and a cash award of `2 lakh. This apart in the non-feature films section, director Subhash Sahoo’s ‘Mo Bou, Mo Gaan’ has won in the ‘Best Biographical/Historical Reconstruction/Compilation Film’ category Sahoo will also receive a Rajat . Kamal and a cash reward of `2 lakh. The film is the story of ‘Seba Bou’, an elderly woman who has groomed girls reaching puberty in all those set skills that a young woman needs to become a good wife and daughterCONTINUED ON P5 in-law.