SAMBALPUR l friday l january 30, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l CITY EDITION Maharashtra bids a tearful adieu to Ajit Pawar ‘dada’ a rich legacy turns into a memory As thousands gathered to pay their last respects, Pawar’s sons, Parth and Jay, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Pawar’s extended family. Sharad Pawar, Ajit’s uncle, sat quietly watching a legacy he helped build become a memory. The former deputy CM and four others had perished in a plane crash in Baramati Wednesday The 66-year-old NCP chief was cremated with full state honours at the Vidya Pratishthan college ground in Baramati on Thursday | P10 thackerays, bjp top brass pay tribute ■ ■ Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member, stood with his wife Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha member, to console her Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray and MNS chief Raj Thackeray offered floral tributes at Ajit Pawar’s home. The entire top brass of the BJP, led by Amit Shah, was in attendance at the funeral 16,500 hours was the combined flying experience of the pilots of the jet 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 Policy prescriptions Tariff impact Focus on building national capabilities and economic sovereignty in the face of shrinking space for rules-based trading, anti-immigrant stance, weaponisation of energy and export controls 2% Costly freebies Direct cash transfers to voters ahead of elections ­— a new strategy adopted by political parties — have long-term viability risks. Aggregate spending on such transfers would be `1.7 lakh crore in FY26, it warned Cool inflation Retail inflation is unlikely to cause any major worries for the economy, supported by favourable supply-side conditions and the gradual pass-through of GST rate cuts. Inflation is likely to average 2% this fiscal. The new CPI series, due to kick in on Feb 12, will have implications for inflation assessment, warranting careful interpretation of price dynamics G RAM G vs MGNREGS Learning outcome The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 was brought in because there was a notable decline in work under MGNREGS, the Survey said. Since its enactment in 2005, MGNREGS provided wage employment, stabilised rural income, and created basic infrastructure, but the nature of rural employment requirements transformed overtime. VB-G RAM G is a comprehensive statutory overhaul of the earlier scheme, it said Elementary school enrolment is near universal, but learning outcomes remain weak. National assessments show many upper primary students struggle with basic reading and arithmetic. Although India accounts for 27% of the global population in the relevant age group, its expected years of schooling is only 13, compared to 15.5 in China and Germany, and 15.9 in the US 27% Economic Survey 2025-26 Despite trade risks and global volatility, national GDP expected to grow at 6.8-7.2% for the next financial year India to keep fastest growth tag PUSHPITA D EY @ New Delhi INDIA’s economic engine is revving up and is expected to enter the next financial year at full throttle, the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled in Parliament on Thursday signalled as it projected a real GDP growth rate 6.8%-7.2% for FY27. This outlook follows a strong performance in FY26 where the economy is estimated to grow at 7.4%, reinforcing India’s position as the world’s fastestgrowing major economy for the fourth consecutive year. The Survey upgraded India’s medium-term potential growth rate to 7% from the previous estimate of 6.5%. However, it flagged global uncertainties and warned of a 2008-like crisis in 2026. Given the potential risks, having a strong and sustained manufacturing growth would be the need of the hour, the finance ministry said. “First Advance Estimates place real GDP growth at 7.4% with growth largely driven by domestic demand. Private consumption and capital formation continue to support expansion, while services remain the key contributor on the supply side,” the Survey said. SC stays UGC fiat on campus equity @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court on Thursday stayed till March 19 the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, notified on January 23 after hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Commission’s controversial order. The new Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Regulations, 2026 had revised measures to tackle castebased discrimination in campuses by restricting grievance mechanisms only for SC, ST and OBC categories. “The 2026 UGC regulations on what amounts to castebased discrimination shall be kept in abeyance. The 2012 Regulations will continue. The provisions are prima facie vague and capable of misuse,” the court said. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order noting that the court was prepared to examine the constitutionality of the new regulations. The petitions before the helped India make a calibrated fiscal strategy, anchored in credible deficit reduction leading to resilient revenue mobilisation, and better spending toward capital formation. The Survey listed strong fiscal indicators – revenue receipts rising from 8.5 % of GDP in the pre-pandemic period (FY16-FY20) to 9.1% in FY22FY25, moderation of revenue expenditure from 13.6% of GDP in FY22 to 10.9 % in FY25, and halving of fiscal deficit from India is indeed an oasis of macro stability in an otherwise turbulent world. Numbers speak for themselves — Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran Vague, capable of misuse SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY Higher tax collection, better export market, lower inflation and better employment will contribute to the growth momentum. The Survey tabled by , Finance Minister Nir mala Sitharaman in both Houses on Thursday, highlighted how internal resilience has helped create a buffer for the economy against external headwinds. The Survey highlighted the tax reforms – both in direct and indirect taxes – during the previous year, and noted that these court alleged that the UGC adopted a non-inclusive definition of caste-based discrimination and excluded certain categories from institutional protection. Several pleas challenged the regulations for excluding ‘general category’ students from the g rievance redressal mechanism. The court orally observed that if it does not intervene in the matter, it “will lead to a dangerous impact” and “divide the society”. In strong remarks during the hearing, the Chief Justice questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, asking whether the country was becoming regressive. It also questioned why ragging had been left out of the scope of the new regulations, though it is a common form of harassment within educational institutions. Referring to provisions in the new regulations that contemplate separate hostels for different castes, the court said, “For God’s sake, don’t do this. We all used to stay together.” The Centre, UGC and others have been asked to file their detailed responses by March 19. Food to carry less weightage in CPI D i pa k m o n d a l @ New Delhi FOOD items, often blamed for sharp volatility in inflation, will carry significantly lesser weightage in determining consumer price index (CPI) levels under the new series to be launched in February 2026. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revealed that the weight of food and beverages in the inflation basket has been reduced to 36.75% from 54.18% in the current series. In the new basket, food will have a weight of 34.77%, while beverages will account for 1.77%. At present, food makes up 44.6% of the combined CPI, which tracks retail inflation. The revised CPI basket is based on the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24. According to the survey, the share of food expenditure has declined from 52.90% in 2011–12 to 47% in rural areas, and from 46.62% to 40% in urban areas. Other components of the basket have also been reweighted to reflect changing consumption patterns. Transportation and communication will now have a higher representation of 12.4%, up from 7.6% earlier. The weight of health has been reduced marginally from 6.83% to 6.1%, while clothing and footwear have been lowered from 7.36% to 6.38%. MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg told TNIE that the CPI 2024 series has been comprehensively updated to mirror current household spending behaviour. “The objective has been to make the inflation measure more representative of how households actually consume today he said. ,” The CPI basket is set for a major overhaul with the launch of the CPI 2024 series in February, marking one of the most comprehensive updates to the inflation framework in over a decade. The base year for the new CPI series will be 2023–24. Tharoor gets his space, Rahul smokes peace pipe P r e e t h a N a i r @ New Delhi Amid reports of unease with the party leadership, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday held a detailed meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, signalling a possible thaw in relations. According to sources, Tharoor was assured by Rahul that he would receive due recognition within the party going forward as both sides emphasised unity and coordination as the party gears up for the crucial Kerala assembly elections scheduled for April–May The nearly two-hour meet. ing at Kharge’s Parliament office addressed concerns over Tharoor’s perc e ive d s i d e l i n i n g w i t h i n t h e Shashi Tharoor with Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjuin Kharge | PTI organisation and his role in the party’s future strategy ahead of the assembly elections. Sources said Rahul conveyed to Tharoor that his services were crucial for the Congress and assured him that he would be included in important decision-making processes going forward. His close associate said Tharoor’s main grievance stemmed from a sense that his stature and contributions were not being adequately acknowledged by the central or state leadership. This was the first time Rahul had spent such an extended period with Tharoor, noting that previous interactions were limited to brief meetings of five to ten minutes. Tharoor assured the leadership of his active participation in campaigning for the party in the state. “Tharoor discussed all his concerns with the leadership. He wanted to be taken into confidence, and the leadership assured him that this would be done,” said a close associate. Tharoor was happy and confident after the meeting, as the leadership addressed his concerns. The extended engagement, sources said, is also expected to send a clear signal to the Kerala state leadership, sections of which have been at odds with Tharoor. 9.2% in FY21 to 4.4% in FY26. The Survey advocated for more de-regulation to create a self-reliant (Swedeshi) Indian economy. At turbulent times when the “trade is no longer reciprocal” and “markets are no longer neutral”, Swadeshi-oriented policies will be empirical to Indian economic growth. Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran said Swadeshi Ecosystem could be achieved through deregulation, wh o l e - o f - g ove r n m e n t ap proach, and cluster-led growth, input costs reduction including removal of inversion and crosssubsidisation. And thus, having an entrepreneurial mindset is much needed to have a risktaking attitude. Economic Survey cites Odisha as a top example across multiple sectors Hemant Kumar Rout @ Bhubaneswar Probably for the first time, Odisha was frequently cited in the Economic Survey (2025-26) for policy innovations and onground outcomes shaping key reforms on growth, resilience and inclusion. From climate adaptation, skilling programmes and alumni engagement to semiconductor manufacturing and tribal livelihoods, the survey report repeatedly mentioned Odisha’s experience as a template for state-led initiatives driving India’s structural transformation. The state’s role in emerging and strategic sectors, including India Semiconductor Mission and the Semicon India programme was appreciated. Odisha figured among six states with ten semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects worth about `1.6 lakh crore and was lauded for complementing the national framework, with initiatives such as Odisha’s Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy . “As execution accelerates and capacity expands, these measures are expected to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities, enhance the resilience of critical supply chains and position India as a significant participant in the global semiconductor marketplace,” the report read. In higher education, initiatives such as Odisha’s Mo College programme and the Higher Education Programme for Excellence and Equity were cited for strengthening alumni engagement, research internships and centres of excellence. The survey spotlighted Odisha’s skilling reforms as a template for revamping ITIs. Through the Odisha Skill Development Authority the state’s ‘fix, scale, , accelerate’ strategy to address under-utilisation and perception challenges in ITIs, scale short-term training and establish advanced institutes was praised. Intervention such as ‘Strengthening of Livelihoods of a Rural Tribal Farmer’ initiative in Gajapati district was Continued on P7 cited.