SAMBALPUR  MONDAY  AUGUST 18, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  CITY EDITION SHUX RETURNS TO INDIA TO A ROUSING WELCOME A posse of people waving the Tricolour and beating drums welcomed astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla at New Delhi airport PIC: PTI/X MINISTER JITENDRA SINGH AT DELHI AIRPORT SPECIAL DISCUSSION IN LOK SABHA TODAY Shukla, who became the second Indian to undertake a spaceflight as part of the Axiom-4 mission, and his back-up astronaut-designate Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair were welcomed at the airport by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and ISRO Chairman V Narayanan. Shukla’s wife Kamna and son Kiash were present too ■ ■ The government has proposed a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday to mark Shukla’s return to India after ISS stay Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 private space mission that lifted off from Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26. He returned to Earth on July 15 18 DAYS IN THE ISS SAW SHUKLA CONDUCT MORE THAN 60 EXPERIMENTS 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 Maha guv Radhakrishnan is BJP’s pick for next V-P GST: WHY SMALL CAN BE BIG FOR ECONOMY I T may be pure chance that the next round of big-bang reforms directed towards India’s internal economy has come at a time of turbulence on the external front. But it’s a happy coincidence all the same that GST is getting pruned and simplified, offering a new impetus to consumption, at a time of very erratic weather for exports. The vexed Goods and Services Tax, which has completed eight years with a complex ziggurat-like architecture, is finally getting rationalised into a slimmer, neater structure. Three Groups of Ministers will be meeting next week, on Wednesday and Thursday, to finalise its blueprint. That will be submitted to the GST Council for a final round of consultations. If all goes well, come Diwali, our domestic bazaars will have an extra bounce to their step, freed from the knotted mass of reins imposed by multiple rates of taxation, which were often seen to be irrational in their very design. The new plan is to account for most items under two slabs — a lightweight 5% for mass goods and the higher one capped at 18%. Only ‘sin goods’ SANTWANA like tobacco etc BHATTACHARYA will cop the special rate of 40%. EDITOR The benefits are intended to devolve to all sides of the base of India’s pyramid. Compliance should become much easier for businesses. Farmers can hope for input costs to be reduced on vital items like fertilisers and seeds, which should create a vital surplus for millions of small Indians. That will enable them to join the class of ordinary consumers all around who can look forward to items of mass consumption getting cheaper. On both sides, hopefully small will get more , beautiful. On one side, small and medium-sized businesses, the muscles that keep the economic backbone straight and help the body stay bouncy On the other, the non-premium, budget . segment of goods that crores of Indians buy . The best-case scenario will see volumes offsetting revenue loss on account of lower taxes, which is the core doubt that states like Kerala may bring up at the GST Council deliberations. If that happens, it would be an echo of what happened in previous instances of global turbulence, like 2008, when the buoyancy of our domestic market created a healthy shock absorber. EXPRESS READ Ex-min’s son, daughter booked for ‘fraud’ Kendrapara: Kendrapara Town police on Sunday filed a case against BJD leader Ankit Pratap Jena and his sister Aishwarya Pratap Jena on charges of defrauding Cuttack-based SSB Electricals firm of `48 lakh. Son of former minister and senior BJD leader Pratap Jena, Ankit had unsuccessfully contested from Mahanga Assembly seat under Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 elections | P4 Disengagement, trust building at border talks New Delhi: In a renewed diplomatic push to resolve the long-standing border standoff and build mutual trust, Chinese Foreign Minister and Politburo member Wang Yi will arrive in India on Monday for a two-day visit. He will participate in the 24th round of the India-China Special Representatives (SR) talks on the boundary issue at the invitation of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval | P7 NDA will reach out to Oppn parties to seek their support: Nadda PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Haryana CM Nayab Saini also seen | PTI Need states’ cooperation to implement reforms: Modi HIGHWAYS INAUGURATED PM Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Delhi section of Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II worth `11,000 crore to reduce traffic congestion in the capital For us, reform signifies the advancement of good governance... In the near future, we are set to implement reforms aimed at making life and business operations smoother and more convenient A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre has circulated the draft of next-generation GST reforms among states and sought their cooperation to implement the proposal before Diwali. He said the move would benefit the poor, the middle class, and businesses of all sizes. Addressing an event after inaugurating two expressways, Modi said the Centre intends to make the GST law simpler and revise tax rates. The GST Council is expected to meet next month to deliberate on the proposal. “For us, reform means the expansion of good governance,” Modi said, adding that continuous focus was being placed on reforms. “This Diwali, citizens will receive a double bonus through the GST reform.” He expressed hope that states would swiftly support the initiative, ensuring the new structure could be rolled out before the festive season. Under the plan, the existing four GST slabs—5, 12, 18, and 28 percent—will be replaced with two: 5 percent and 18 percent, along with a special 40 percent bracket for demerit goods such as tobacco and online gaming. Items currently taxed at 12 per cent, like butter, fruit juices, and dry fruits, would move to 5 per cent, while electronics, cement, and other goods from the 28 per cent slab would shift to 18 per cent. The reform aims to prevent accumulation of input tax credit and reduce demands for further tweaks. While the changes may initially cause revenue loss, the Centre expects increased consumption to offset the impact. Nearly 99 percent of goods in the 12 percent category and 90 percent of goods in the 28 percent slab would move to lower rates, easing the burden on households and businesses. Alongside GST reforms, the Prime Minister reiterated his call for “vocal for local.”To make India stronger, we must take inspiration from Chakradhari Mohan (Lord Shri Krishna) to make India self-reliant, we must follow the path of Charkhadhari Mohan (Mahatma Gandhi),” he said. Naveen admitted to hospital with dehydration, condition stable now EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE Came to know about the illness of leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik. I pray before Lord Jagannath for his speedy recovery and good health @ Bhubaneswar FORMER chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik was admitted to a private hospital here on Sunday evening after complaining of uneasiness. He was diagnosed with dehydration and is stated to be stable after treatment. The hospital SUM Ultimate Medicare in a statement said Naveen was admitted at 5.15 pm due to dehydration. “He is responding well to the treatment and his condition is improving,” the hospital stated. Sources said the BJD president had complained of uneasiness on Saturday night and skipped a meeting of senior leaders at his residence Naveen Niwas. The meeting was convened to discuss strategy to counter the alleged move of the state government to curtail the power of panchayat representatives including block chairpersons by vesting more power Mohan Charan Majhi, CM with the block development officers (BDOs). The meeting was rescheduled while a team of doctors visited Naveen Niwas in the night to monitor his condition. He was shifted to the hospital for better treatment on Sunday evening. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished Naveen a speedy recovery while Health minister Mukesh Mahaling, Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and BJP MLA Babu Singh visited the hospital and inquired about the condition of the BJD president. “Came to know about the ill- ness of leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik. I pray before Lord Jagannath for his speedy recovery and good health,” Majhi said in a post on X. Mahaling said, he discussed with the team of doctors treating Naveen who apprised him that his condition was stable. The government has asked the hospital to provide him best treatment, the minister said. Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan also prayed for speedy recovery of Naveen. “ I came to know that former chief minister and leader of the Opposition Naveen babu. I pray to Lord Jagannath for his good health and long life,” he said in a post CONTINUED ON P5 on X. RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR & T MURUGANANDHAM @ New Delhi / Chennai THE BJP on Sunday named Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan (67) as the NDA’s consensus candidate for the Vice President’s post. BJP president J P Nadda made the announcement following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board. Apart from Radhakrishnan, the governors of Gujarat, Karnataka, and Sikkim were also in the shortlist. After thorough consultation with the core members of the BJP’s Parliamentary Board, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his final approval. “The NDA will speak to Opposition parties on getting their support to ensure the election for this second highest constitutional post goes unopposed. We have been through our senior leaders contacting the Opposition leaders and still we would be continuing in contact- C P Radhakrishnan MILESTONES  Joined Bharatiya Jan Sangh in 1974 at age 17  President of TN unit of BJP between 2004 and 2007  Chairman of the Coir Board, Kochi in 2016  Lok Sabha MP in 1998 and 1999  Governor of Jharkhand on February 18, 2023  Maharashtra governor on July 31, 2024 ing each of them,” said Nadda. With the nomination of Radhakrishnan, a seasoned leader from Tamil Nadu who belongs to the influential Gounder caste, an OBC community the , BJP hopes to bolster its strength in the southern state. Tamil Nadu, currently governed by the DMK, is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in 2026. If elected, Radhakrishan will be the third leader from Tamil Nadu to reach the second-highest constitutional position in the country—after Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (1952-1962) and R Venkataraman (1984-87). Both later became President. Born in Tirupur on October 20, 1957, Radhakrishnan took interest in the activities of the RSS at a very young age and joined the Bharathiya Jan Sangh, the political wing of the RSS, in 1974. Radhakrishnan’s nomination will be officially filed on 21 August, with all NDA leaders, including the chiefs of the TDP and JDU, accompanying the NDA nominee. ECI terms vote theft charges ‘baseless’, says SC fiat complied with Rahul begins ‘Vote Adhikar yatra’ from Bihar’s Sasaram M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna THE Election Commission of India on Sunday made public the list of 65 lakh omitted voters from the draft electoral roll of Bihar, following a Supreme Court directive on August 14. “Within 56 hours of the SC directive, the names of voters that were not included in the draft electoral roll have been posted on district magistrates’ websites,” Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said at a press conference. Asserting that the ECI is making all efforts to turn Bihar’s poll roll revision into a success, Kumar said those leveling allegations of ‘vote theft’ should either give proof under oath within the next seven days or their insinuations would be considered ‘baseless’. Addressing a press conference for the first time since the ‘vote theft’ controversy erupted, the CEC said if anybody wants to file a complaint without being a voter of that constituency, “he/she can do the same only as a witness under oath”. On July 31, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi held a press conference and accused ECI of indulging in ‘vote chori’. Gandhi cited data from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and claimed that over 1 lakh votes were “stolen” in Mahadevapura assembly in Karnataka through manipulation, duplicate voters, fake addresses LEADER of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched 1300-km long ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district and claimed that ‘vote theft’ was happening across the country . Amid presence of top-notch leaders of INDIA bloc, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Vikassheel Insaan Party’s Mukesh Sahani and CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Rahul said people of Bihar would not allow ‘vote theft’. in their state. “Strength of the poor is their vote. Today, that very strength is being snatched away— a conspiracy to steal votes is underway through SIR. We will stop vote theft at all costs,” he said. RJD leader Lalu Prasad said that a united INDIA bloc would throw out those stealing votes. “I urge you people to stand united, drive out the BJP-RSS combine,” Lalu said. The yatra will pass through Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Nalanda, Lakhisarai, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnea, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Chhapra and Ara. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar addresses a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday | EXPRESS and others. He alleged that similar irregularities had occurred in other states. Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, CEC Kumar said, “A lie, if repeated time and again, does not become truth.” The CEC said instances of a person holding multiple voter identity cards arise due to migration or administrative lapses and the poll authority is working to rectify such mistakes. While addressing a rally in Bihar’s Sasaram during the launch of his 1,300 km ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ on Sunday Gan, dhi had asked for a response from the ECI. He said he was asked to submit an affidavit after his press conference, but no such demand was made from BJP leaders, who had made similar claims in their press conference. The CEC said ECI’s doors are always open to everyone and ECI is working together with everyone in a “transparent manner” as part of SIR. Video statement of Balanga victim goes viral, police launch investigation J&K 7 DEAD IN FRESH CLOUDBURST IN J&K Heavy overnight rains in Kathua district of J&K led to the deaths of seven persons and injuries to five in two separate incidents of cloudburst in Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote early on Sunday; CM Omar Abdullah directed officials to carry out relief, rescue as top priority | P8 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar AROUND two weeks after a 15-year-old girl from Puri’s Balanga succumbed to burn injuries, a videographed statement of her claiming that she was abducted by three youths and then set on fire went viral on social media on Sunday . In the video, the girl can be heard mentioning that three unidentified youths with their faces covered abducted her when she was returning home. They then made her unconscious and set her on fire. After the video went public, Puri’s in-charge SP Pinak Mishra told mediapersons such act was illegal and strong action will be taken against those found involved in it. “The viral video is being examined to ascertain its genuineness. It appears to have been captured on camera while her statement was being record- ed in AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on July 19, a few hours after the incident had taken place in Balanga,” he said. Mishra said, police are trying to identify the person who leaked the confidential video and how it went viral on social media. They have also sought the assistance of Crime Branch to investigate the matter. He urged the citizens, who receive videos of such sensitive incidents, to not circulate them on social media. “Investigation is being carried out by following all the procedures and is in the final stages. We are awaiting some forensic reports,” he added. The girl had sustained 75 per cent burns and was admitted to AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on July 19. A day later, she was airlifted to AIIMS-New Delhi where she succumbed on August 2. Police sources said the girl had frequently changed her statements. “In AIIMS-New Delhi, the minor girl, in her statement which was recorded before a judicial magistrate, has said she had attempted to die by suicide and was afraid to reveal the truth. She even said nobody else was involved in the incident,” they added. Meanwhile, the BJD targeted the state government stating that the police claims were contradictory to what the girl had said in her statement. “Why is the state government not handing over the investigation of the case to the CBI as there are so many discrepancies?” said BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty. BJP spokesperson Surath Biswal hit back stating the opposition is politicising the sensitive issue. Soon after her death on August 2, the father of the victim had come out with a video statement saying she had died by suicide due to mental stress and depression.