hyderabad l sunday l august 31, 2025 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late city EDITION Court of appeals chucks don’s Tariff Power; case to go to SC A federal court ruled that President Trump had no legal right to impose tariffs on almost all nations. But his protectionist powers remain for now Tariffs Stay in Place Until mid-October Court Rejects Trump’s IEEPA Claim By 7:4, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a decision taken in May by a Manhattan Trade Court. Both courts concurred on the misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) under which the tariffs were ordered. But the ruling allows Trump’s administration until mid-October to appeal to the Supreme Court ■ ■ Trump’s attempt to justify tariffs under IEEPA was rejected, with court ruling trade deficit does not meet the criteria for an emergency Several legal challenges remain against Trump’s tariffs, including cases from businesses and states. While the recent ruling limits presidential power, the government is expected to appeal | P10 159 billion dollars may be refunded if tariffs are struck down 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 Local body polls next month with 42% quota Cabinet decisions Kodandaram Md Azharuddin Kodandaram and Azharuddin recommended for the Legislative Council nomination under Governor quota To set up Goshala Welfare Board to improve cattle care Directs officials to assess flood damage in the state To recover bidding amount paid to millers for 7 LMT of paddy in 2022-23 E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @ Hyderabad The state Cabinet on Saturday decided to hold local body elections in September by implementing 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the Assembly Committee Hall, also resolved to present and pass a bill on Sunday amending the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, to lift the existing 50% ceiling on reservations. In another key decision, the Cabinet recommended the nomination of Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) president Prof M Kodandaram and former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin to the Legislative Council under the Governor’s quota. The move follows a recent Supreme Court decision striking down the earlier nominations of Kodandaram and Amer Ali Khan as MLCs under the Governor’s quota, while giving the state Cabinet the freedom to restart the process. The Cabinet has now re-nominated Kodandaram, while replacing Khan with Azharuddin. Briefing reporters along with I&PR Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy BC Welfare and Transport Minister Ponnam , Prabhakar said: “After considering the high court order to conduct elections by September-end, the legal opinions obtained by the government and Cabinet sub-committee, as well as the views expressed by political parties in the Assembly we , have decided to hold local body elections next month with 42% reservations for BCs. Reservations for SCs and STs will be provided based on the 2001 Census.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to implement the Kamareddy BC Declaration. “As part of it, a caste survey was conducted, and two bills providing 42% BC quota in local bodies were passed by the Assembly and sent for Presidential approval,” he explained. Prabhakar criticised the BRS government led by former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, stating that the 50% cap imposed through the Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, and Municipal Act, 2019, created hurdles in implementing enhanced BC reservations. To address this, the Congress government amended the Panchayat Raj Act and sent it to the Governor for promulgation of an ordinance, which is now pending with the President, he said. On flood damage, Srinivasa Reddy said heavy rains had caused significant damage to property as well as road and rail , networks. The government has directed in-charge ministers and the chief secretary to hold a meeting with district authorities on Monday to assess the losses, after which funds will be released, he said. Other Cabinet decisions include formation of a Goshala Welfare Board to improve cattle care in goshalas, with funds raised through multiple sources, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from private firms; utilisation of funds and support from the National Hydrology Project for planning, development, and management of water resources, as well as real-time flood forecasting and reservoir operations; and recovery of the bidding amount from millers for seven LMT of paddy from the 2022–23 Rabi season. The Cabinet warned that the PD Act would be invoked against millers failing to cooperate. It was also decided to appoint in-charges to manage Fisheries Cooperative Societies until elections are held. Business at hand nThe state government will introduce Panchayat Raj Act amendment bill in the Assembly on Sunday to lift 50% cap on reservations and pave way for 42% quota for BCs in local body elections nTo table and discuss the PC Ghose Commission inquiry report on Kaleshwaram project nDuring the Business Advisory Committee meeting held on Saturday to finalise the agenda for the Assembly session, BRS accused the government of restricting the session to just two days and rejecting the Opposition demand for discussion on pressing issues Both sides are looking at long-term stability in their relationships while addressing larger geopolitical challenges All eyes on Modi-Xi talks to stabilise bilateral ties today Don no longer plans to visit India for Quad Summit: NYT J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in China for his first visit in over seven years, marking a significant moment in the evolving India-China relationship. Modi’s arrival in Tianjin on Saturday evening is set against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty by US tariffs, which have disrupted international trade and altered geopolitics. The timing of the visit couldn’t be more critical, with Modi scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday for a high-stakes discussion on “stabilising the bilateral ties long term” and enhancing economic cooperation. The buzzword ahead of the meeting is stability Both India . and China are seeking to chart a course that ensures long-term stability in their relationship, while also addressing larger geopolitical issues. With both countries being key players in the global economic landscape, the talks will focus on collaborating to restore stability to the international economic order, which has been shaken by trade disputes, especially those instigated by Trump’s tariffs. A source said: “The long-term stability in the bilateral relationship is what the two sides are looking at, through greater trust and sensitivity to each other’s concerns.” Both nations have already made efforts to normalise ties since Modi and Xi’s last meeting in Kazan, prior to the 2020 border clashes that severely strained relations. The economic angle is central to the discussions. With the trade relationship under pressure, both sides are keen to explore ways to expand economic ties. Additionally, the resumption of direct flights and the Express News Service @ New Delhi revival of people-to-people exchanges are expected to be key topics. “PM Modi himself spoke about the need for India and China, as two of the world’s largest economies, to work together to bring stability to the world economy amid current volatility said a ,” source familiar with the preparations. Modi’s visit is also set within a broader geopolitical context. With tensions in India-US ties over trade and tariffs, the prime minister’s diplomatic outreach to China is viewed as a move to carefully and pragmatically recalibrate India’s foreign policy in the face of shifting global alliances. The SCO summit, where Modi is attending, also provides an opportunity for him to m e e t Ru s s i a n P r e s i d e n t Vladimir Putin and other global leaders on the sidelines. As the summit progresses, all eyes will be on Modi and Xi’s talks, with the world watching to see how two major powers navigate the complexities of their ties and contribute to global economic stability . nHowever, Minister of Legislative Affairs D Sridhar Babu clarified that the government would continue the session after a break in view of Ganesh immersions and the ongoing flood situation | P4 KCR, Harish urge HC to restrain govt from taking coercive action T G N a i d u @ Hyderabad Former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao on Saturday approached the Telangana High Court, with two interlocutory applications in their pending writ petitions, challenging the constitution of the Justice PC Ghose Commission of Inquiry on the Kaleshwaram Project. The Commission, constituted through GO Ms No. 6 on March 14, 2024, submitted its report on July 31. The petitioners objected to the alleged findings against them, arguing that mandatory notices under Sections 8B and 8C of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, were not issued before making serious observations, amounting to a violation of natural justice. In their applications, Chandrasekhar Rao and Harish Rao sought suspension of the July 31 report and requested directions restraining the state government from taking any action based on the findings of the Ghose Commission. They argued that such interim relief was necessary until the writ petitions are finally decided. Look forward to meeting leaders: PM “Landed in Tianjin, China. Looking forward to deliberations at the SCO Summit and meeting various world leaders,” Modi said on social media Border peace is the basis of better ties Peace along the border remains a critical issue. A source added, “There is an understanding that peace along the border is the basis for the growth of our ties” GST loss: 8 Oppn-ruled states seek relief for 5 years P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Ghose panel report Prime Minister Narendra Modi with members of the Indian community in Tianjin, China | PTI US President Donald Trump no longer has plans to visit India for the Quad Summit later this year, The New York Times reported on Saturday, outlining how relations between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi deteriorated in recent months. In its report titled “The Nobel Prize and a Testy Phone Call: How the Trump-Modi Relationship Unraveled”, sources familiar with Trump’s schedule revealed that after initially assuring Modi of a visit to India for the Quad Summit later this year, Trump now has no plans to make the trip in the fall. There has been no official word on the NYT’s claims. The fallout reportedly began after the US President’s repeated claims that he had “solved” the India-Pakistan conflict in May — a statement India vehemently denied. The report indicates that Modi became increasingly frustrated with Trump’s interventions, with tensions reaching a boiling point after their June 17 phone call. Trump claimed during the call that Pakistan was going to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The not-so-subtle implication was that Modi should do likewise, the paper said. But Modi said US role had nothing to do with the truce. The Congress party announced on Saturday that eight opposition-led states have backed the proposal to simplify the GST rate slabs and reduce rates for mass consumption items. However, these states have stressed the need for safeguards to protect their fiscal interests. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged the Centre to ensure that the benefits of rate reductions are passed on to consumers and not used as a headline-grabbing tactic. He also emphasised the importance of advancing cooperative federalism during the upcoming GST Council mands perfectly legitimate and meeting. The eight states—Karnata- backed by research from the Union ka, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Finance Ministry’s National Institute Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telan- of Public Finance & Policy (NIPFP). gana, and West Bengal—have The Congress leader reitercalled for compensation for the ated that his party has long adpotential revenue losses they vocated for a simplified GST will incur due to the rate cuts, system, particularly one that with 2024-25 as the base year. benefits small and mediumThey have also demanded that sized enterprises (MSMEs). any additional levies on ‘sin’ The Congress leader said his and luxury goods be fully trans- Jairam Ramesh party has advocated for a simferred to the states. plified GST framework, particuRamesh further pointed out that larly for MSMEs, and hopes that the the Centre retains 17-18% of its reve- upcoming GST Council meeting will nue through cesses that are not shared prioritise genuine cooperative federwith the states. He called these de- alism over political posturing. WITH THIS ISSUE Memory Fights Back PLUS 12 P AGES Dhankhar seeks Raj MLA pension R a j e s h A s n a n i @ Jaipur Barely a month after resigning as Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar has applied for a pension as a former member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly . Dhankhar, who represented the Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district from 1993 to 1998 as a Congress MLA, has submitted his request to the Rajasthan Assembly Secretariat in Jaipur. If approved, he will receive a monthly pension of `42,000, along with other benefits available to former legislators in the state At 74, he joined the BJP in 2003 and had been receiving the MLA pension until 2019 when he was appointed Governor of West Bengal. After stepping down as Vice President in July citing health reasons, Dhankhar has largely stayed out of the public eye. Opposition questioned his resignation, but home minister Amit Shah said it was due to health reasons. Dhankhar’s political journey spans decades, and his pension application is under review. Roman de la Paris for SatChi after Olympic heartbreak 2 nd Second time the Indian pair has won a worlds medal 4th SatwikChirag’s fourth win against Malysian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty celebrate their win and secure second World Championships medal on Friday | BAI S w a r o o p S w a m i n at h a n @ Chennai PARIS is often referred to as the city of love. It’s easy to see why . The leitmotifs of the French capital has been one of romance, allure and seduction. The Notre Dame. The Monalisa. The Eiffel Tower. In Before Sunset, a movie set in Paris, Richard Linklater’s in a seminal three-part exploration of love and relationships, Jesse, played by Ethan Hawke, remarks to Celine (Julie Delpy), ‘Life is tough... If we didn’t suffer, we would never learn anything’. In a way wherever there’s love, heartbreaks linger. To a dreamer, pain is a reminder that they have to work harder. Eleven months ago, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were crestfallen. The dream of an Olympic medal had slipped past them in Paris, their favourite city Facing Malaysia’s . Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, their arch-rivals, in quarterfinals of the Games, they had come within five points. Post that loss, for three months, the duo didn’t play a competitive tie as they wanted to heal. What a difference a year makes. As India slept on Friday night, they exorcised those demons in the same city and against the same opponents in the quarterfinals of the World Championships. Sure, there’s perhaps no greater heartache than missing out an Olympic medal but winning a Worlds medal will act as a balm. The straight games win, achieved with uncommon comfort for such a stage, is also a reminder of the talent they possess. P11