kollam l saturday l February 21, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l city EDITION No cash payments at national highway toll plazas from April Starting April, cash transactions may not be accepted at NHAI toll plazas, aiming to create a fully digital National Highway toll ecosystem will aid transparency, says centre The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) on Friday said the transition will help to enhance ‘Ease of Commuting’ for highway users by improving lane throughput, reducing congestion at fee plazas and bringing greater consistency and transparency in toll transactions. Users are most likely to only be allowed to pay the road toll through digital or UPI mode ■ 1,150 looking at cutting cash transactions ■ As per current National Highway fee rules, vehicles entering a toll plaza without a valid, functional FASTag are charged twice the applicable user fee, if paid in cash, and 1.25 times from UPI mode These initiatives have collectively advanced the objective of reducing dependency on cash transactions and digitizing the toll framework toll plazas across the country are likely to be affected 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 Welcome THE GODDESSES OF BIG THINGS Presents 21 February, 2026 5 pm Presenting Partner Associate Partner Banking Partner Shri Suresh Gopi,Union Minister of State for Petroleum, DEVI AWARDS Knowledge Partner Celebration Partner Taj Vivanta, Marine Drive, Kochi Luxury Mobility Partner Content Partner Natural Gas and Tourism will be presenting the awards KOCHI US SC strikes SC directs use of judicial officers in Bengal SIR down Trump’s global tariffs s u c h i t r a k a lya n m o h a n t y 2.69 cr voters in final list in Kerala @ New Delhi Says US President acted beyond his legal authority in imposing sweeping tariffs P u s h p i ta D e y & J aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi IN a landmark judgment with significant implications for India’s trade outlook, the US Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump acted beyond his legal authority in imposing sweeping global tariffs under emergency powers. In a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court held that the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to introduce broad-based tariffs lacked Congressional authorisation. The justices ruled that IEEPA did not grant the power to the President to impose tariffs on trading partners. The court emphasized that the law of imposing tariff is only meant for use in national emergencies. In light of the US court ruling, more than half of Indian exports will not have to pay even the 18% tariff and, therefore, India may choose not to rush to sign the Bilateral Trade Agreement, say experts. “Removal of reciprocal tariffs will free about 55% of India’s exports to the US from the 18% duty, leaving them subject only to standard MFN (most favoured nation) tariffs. On the remaining exports, Section 232 tariffs will continue — 50% on steel and aluminium and 25% on certain auto components — while products accounting for roughly 40% of export value, including smartphones, petroleum products and medicines, will remain exempt from US tariffs,” said Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative. According to trade experts, the US court’s ruling brings significant legal clarity and reduces tariff uncertainty for India. “Under the interim trade arrangement, the US had agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs on India to 18%, which shall no longer remain relevant following the Court’s decision. This is likely to give the much-needed relief and a competitive boost to Indian exporters, while also paving the way for potential refunds of tariffs collected without adequate legal basis,” said Manoj Mishra, partner and tax controversy management leader at Grant Thornton Bharat. India joins US-led ‘Pax Silica’ alliance Exp r e s s n e w s s e r v i c e @ New Delhi INDIA on Friday for mally joined the Pax Silica coalition, which seeks to ensure strengthen strategic technology and supply chain cooperation between India and the US, while addressing China’s dominance in the critical minerals sector. The alliance is expected to bolster India’s growing role in the semiconductor sector. “The semiconductor industry will require one million new skilled professionals, and this is a very big opportunity for India,” said Minister of Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw. In a joint statement, India and the US said they plan to deepen cooperation under the Pax Silica framework to support future supply chains. “The initiative seeks to reduce overconcentration in global supply chains, prevent economic coercion,” a government P9 statement said.  The Supreme Court ruling is a big disgrace. I have a backup plan ready Donald Trump, US President shortly after the US Supreme Court fiat Refunds could be a mess The Treasury had collected more than $133 billion from the import tariffs Trump imposed. But Supreme Court did not address whether firms which paid tariffs can get a refund Critics welcome SC ruling Opponents of the tariffs are cheering it. ‘We Pay the Tariffs’, a group of businesses, called it a tremendous win IN a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court on Friday directed for deployment of judicial officers, including retired judges, for easy and smooth conduct of the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal, after noting that there was a clear lack of cooperation between the State government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). The court said it had to pass the “extraordinary order” due to “extraordinary circumstances.” The court requested the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul to allot serving THE Centre has designated the headquarters of the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) in the national capital as a “prohibited place” under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The decision is aimed at reinforcing security at the strategic installation and preventing any unauthorised access that could compromise sensitive information or cause damage to the premises, officials said. They said that the move is preventive in nature and intended to strengthen safeguards around the facility and and former judicial officers in the rank of district judges or above for SIR duties. Chief Justice Paul has been asked to convene a meeting on Saturday, to be attended by Chief Secretary, DGP, official from the EC, Advocate General of the state, Additional Solicitor General of the Centre and Registrar General of the high court on the issue. “There is an unfortunate blame game of allegations and counter allegations which shows trust deficit between the WB government and the ECI. Now the process is stuck at the stage of claims and objections It’s nothing but vendetta: Wounded SHIRTLESS PROTEST tantri targets state govt for arrest S h a n A S @T’Puram Stirring up a hornets’ nest, tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, who was g ranted bail on Wednesday in the Sabarimala gold theft case, has accused the state government of vendetta, alleging he was implicated for opposing its move to allow women of menstrual age into the hill shrine. In his bail plea before the Kollam Vigilance Court, the tantri contended that the SIT arrested him for taking a “strong stand on preserving temple customs and rituals.” He claimed he resisted political interference and even warned he would refuse to perform rituals if any attempt was made to tamper with established customs and practices. The petition alleged that at the instance of the CPM, a few senior police officers made attempts to facilitate entry of women into the temple. It claimed that his firm stand Centre invokes Official Secrets Act to secure currency printing office m u k e s h r a n j a n @ New Delhi We are left with hardly any option but to request Calcutta HC CJ to spare serving judicial officers along with former judicial officers who can aid in disposal of claims under logical discrepancy list — SC T’Puram: The final voters’ list for the coming assembly election in Kerala, prepared after completing SIR of electoral rolls, has 2.69 crore voters — around 9 lakh electors fewer compared to the list prior to the revision process. Of the total voters, 1.38 crore are women, 1.31 crore are men and 277 are transgender voters, Chief Electoral Officer- Kerala Rathan U Kelkar said. P6 of the persons who have been included in the logical discrepancy list,” said a three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipin Pancholi. Directing to appoint judicial officers to adjudicate claims and objections in the SIR process in WB, the top court clarfied that it was left with no other option but to involve the state judiciary for conclusion of the SIR exercise in Bengal. The court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the ECI’s exercise of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where ECI submitted that they were not being provided well-qualified officers to conduct SIR. noted that any breach of information or harm to the headquarters could potentially be exploited by forces inimical to India’s interests. By bringing the premises under the ambit of the Official Secrets Act, authorities have sought to create a stronger legal deterrent against trespassing, espionage or other security violations. The order also clarified that it supersedes an earlier notification dated February 15, 2022, except in cases where actions have already been taken under the previous directive. The notified premises comprise SPMCIL Headquarters Office located in Tower-G of World Trade Centre at Nauroji Nagar in Delhi. All about Official Secrets Act Under the OSA, areas designated as prohibited are subject to heightened security restrictions. Unauthorised access, photography, sketching, or collection of information in such premises can attract stringent penal provisions under the Act ‘Booked for strong stand on preserving customs’ In his bail petition submitted before the Kollam Vigilance Court, tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru contended that the SIT arrested him for taking a “strong stand on preserving temple customs and rituals.” The plea claimed that arresting him was meant to build a narrative that even the highest priest was involved in the alleged illegal transactions. against it had led to “public attacks from influential figures of the ruling front.” He further claimed that his opposition to opening the temple on all days ruffled many feathers, and that his implication in the gold heist was a retaliatory move aimed at tarnishing his reputation. The petition also alleged that booking and arresting him was meant to build a narrative that even the highest priest was involved in the alleged illegal transactions. The SIT, however, turned the tantri’s claim on its head, arguing that his assertion of supreme authority over the Sabarimala shrine underscored his responsibility — and his failure — to prevent the sacred artefacts from being handed over to the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti. Opposing the bail plea, the SIT told the court that the tantri was duty-bound to ensure that the deity’s valuable ornaments (thiruvabharanam) were not taken outside the temple premises. It argued that he was responsible for preventing the illegal entrustment of the sacred artefacts with Potti and their unlawful transfer to Smart Creations in Chennai — a chain of events that allegedly led to the misappropriation of the gold. e X P RESS NE W S SER V ICE @ New Delhi A group of Indian Youth Congress workers on Friday staged a bizarre, shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit, shouting slogans against the government and the India-US trade deal before being confronted by members of the public and escorted away by security personnel. The protesters were seen waving white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. Police said they had registered online and obtained QR codes to enter the venue. They allegedly concealed the T-shirts under their jackets and pulled them out dramatically when they reached Hall No. 5. The protest drew a sharp reaction from the BJP with party , spokesperson Sambit Patra saying, “For the Congress, I have just three words—topless, brainless and shameless.” IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib defended the action, saying, “Peaceful protest is our right in a democracy, and we will continue to raise the voice of the youth.” E X P RESS REA D Forceps left inside woman after surgery: Min admits to lapses Kerala’s new IT policy opens the door to affiliated private parks Warmest February in one decade, winter shrinks in J&K Alappuzha: Health Minister Veena George has admitted serious medical negligence in the incident where a pair of artery forceps was left inside a woman’s abdomen following surgery at Alappuzha MCH. The department has initiated a high-level probe into alleged lapses. P6 Kochi: In a significant shift aimed at accelerating infrastructure growth in the technology sector, the state’s new IT policy allows the setting up of affiliated private parks — a move experts say could transform sectoral landscape without burdening public finances. P7 Srinagar: Climate change and global warming have impacted the duration and intensity of winter in Kashmir. The day temperature is being recorded between 8 and 10 degrees above normal, making it the warmest February in nearly a decade. P10 celebrating trailblazers Arabian Sea to glow with ‘Devi’ radiance Exp r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e As the setting sun paints the sky crimson on Saturday, the Arabian Sea will glow with feminine energy as The New Indian Express Group hosts the 38th edition of Devi Awards in Kochi. Set to be held at Taj Vivanta, Marine Drive, the event will see Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Tourism Suresh Gopi present the awards to 11 women achievers from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. Since its inception in 2014, the Devi Awards, held across 10 Indian cities, has celebrated more than 300 inspiring women trendsetters from various fields, including arts, sports, cinema, science, education, social service, and business. This year’s Devis from Kerala are: animal conservationist Sosamma Iype, scientist A Seema, scholar Litty Chacko, educator Nalini Chandran, visual artist P S Jalaja, Koodiyattam exponent Kapila Venu, social worker Dr P Bhanumathi, entrepreneur Reshma Suresh, heavy vehicle driver Radhamani Amma, dancer-actor Paris Laxmi, and singer Abhaya Hiranmayi. Each of them has breached gender barriers, defied social expectations and rewritten professional conventions. This is the third time that Kochi is hosting the event. The first edition in the city was held in 2016, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the chief guest. In 2025, Governor Rajendra Vishwananth Arlekar gave away the awards. With presenting partner Adani, associate partner Joyalukkas, luxury mobility partner Volvo, banking partner Federal Bank, knowledge partner Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, supporting partner Manappuram Finance Limited, celebration partner Radico and content partner Indulge, the Devi Awards event will be a magnificent tribute to women’s empowerment and the trailblazing manifestations of ‘Devi’ radiance.