chennai l saturday l march 28, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l vellore EDITION military hardware buy worth `2.38 lakh crore cleared The Rajnath Singh-led defence ministry on Friday cleared a massive capital acquisition package meant for the Indian Air Force and the Army medium aircraft to replace An-32 fleet More firepower in form of s-400 The package includes 60 medium transport aircraft, five additional S-400 long-range air defence system squadrons and four squadrons of remotely piloted strike aircraft, artillery, ammunition and networked systems. The acquisition of 60 medium transport aircraft, pegged at around `1 lakh crore will help replace the ageing Soviet-origin AN-32 fleet ■ ■ Five additional squadrons of the Russian-origin S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, which played a key role in Operation Sindoor, and estimated to cost `50,000 crore, have been cleared For the Army, 300 Dhanush artillery guns worth around `2,500 crore have got clearance, which will take the total inventory to 444 `45K Cr cost of four squadrons of remotely piloted strike aircraft 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 Modi kindles Team India spirit West Asia situation dynamic, needs constant monitoring to evolve adaptive strategies: PM R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi Edappadi K Palaniswami campaigns at Nanganallur, Chennai, on Friday | Ashwin prasath AIADMK names 123 candidates; DMK stuck in talks with partners E x p ress Ne w s S er v i ce @ Chennai While the AIADMK released its second list of 123 candidates on Friday, taking the total number of candidates announced so far to 150, negotiations continued in the DMK alliance with the ruling party holding marathon talks with allies to settle overlapping claims for a few seats from partners. There were expectations that DMK president and CM MK Stalin would release the list of constituencies the party and alliance parties will be contesting by Friday evening and arrangements were under way at the party headquarters for the same. However, late on Friday, party sources said that the list can be expected only on Saturday as talks were still under way, especially with the Congress, DMDK and CPM, over their demands for a few specific constituencies. TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai told reporters that the party has finalised 23 of 28 seats with the DMK. Dissenting voices began to emerge from within the Congress later in Vijay slams cops for denying nod for meet Chennai: TVK chief Vijay on Friday said the police denied permission for his campaign in Perambur, scheduled for Saturday, and called it a deliberate attempt to crush the rights of a growing party. However, the returning officer said the request was rejected on safety grounds | P4 the day with party MP Jothimani strongly criticising TNCC for carrying out the finalisation of constituencies without any discussion or transparency. DMK sources confirmed that the list of constituencies for its other key allies, including VCK, CPI and MDMK, has been finalised. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, who has been mounting criticisms on DMK over alleged differences within their alliance, continued to lace into the DMK coalition on the issue during his campaigns in Alandur and Tambaram on Friday  . More on P4 Advisory to states States with citizens in West Asia should activate helplines, appoint nodal officers, and establish district-level support systems for affected families Engage continuously with industry and MSMEs to address concerns Coordination mechanisms needed at all levels, including regular reviews by Chief Secretaries and district-level monitoring for quick response to evolving situations Cabinet Secretary presents overview of situation, outlines recommendations for the states Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sought to kindle the spirit of Team India in the wake of the West Asia flare-up, in a virtual meeting with chief ministers of all states and Union territories except thise facing polls. The Centre and the states should work harmoniously to ensure economic and trade stability energy , security strengthen industry and supply chains, , as also safeguard citizens’ interests, as they did during the Covid pandemic, he said. Modi emphasised the need for advance planning in the agriculture sector, particularly in monitoring fertiliser storage and distribution. “There is the need for robust coordination mechanisms at all levels to enable quick response to evolving situations,” the PM said. Placing special emphasis on border and coastal states, he highlighted the need to address emerging challenges related to shipping, essential supplies and maritime operations. Modi advised all participants to be on alert and cautioned against the spread of misinformation and rumours, underlining the importance of sharing accurate and credible information. He also urged the CMs to take strict action against hoarding and profiteering. Referring to the situation in West Asia, the PM observed that India has prior experience in handling similar global disruptions. He recalled the collective response during the Covid pandemic, when the Centre and states worked together as Team India to mitigate impacts on supply chains, trade, and daily day life. The same spirit of cooperation remains India’s greatest strength in navigating the current circumstances, he said. The present situation, he added, is dynamic and requires continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies. Modi informed the participants that an Inter-Ministerial Group has been operational since March 3, reviewing developments daily and taking timely decisions. Highlighting the critical role of states, the PM noted that effective implementation occurs at the state level. He called for constant communication and coordination between the Centre and states, along with timely information sharing and joint decision-making to ensure swift and well-aligned responses. 28 74,904.91 Sensex dips 73,583.22 73,534.41 74,883.79 Previous close: 75,273.45 (-2.25%) Market cap: Market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies slumped `8.86 lakh cr to `422.15 lakh cr RUPEE NEARS 95/$ `8.86 lakh cr Erosion in investors’ wealth March 23 March 24 March 25 March 27 93.90 93.88 93.96 94.85 (-89 paise) COMMERCIAL LPG: Allocations raised from 50% to 70% Priority sectors for LPG allocation: Steel, automobile, textile, dye, chemicals, plastics Excise duty on petrol, diesel cut to help OMCs R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi aMID energy supply disruptions due to the Iran war, the Centre on Friday announced a `10 cut in central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption and slapped fresh export levies on key petroleum products to ensure domestic availability . According to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, the special additional excise duty was `10 per litre on diesel and `13 per litre on petrol. So, the `10 cut brings down the special duty on petrol to `3 and diesel to zero. However, the duty cuts are unlikely to lower retail prices of petrol and diesel as the move is to ease the burden of oil marketing companies (OMCs), which have been absorbing the rise in global crude prices. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the excise duty cut would shield consumers from rising fuel prices. Global crude prices have surged sharply since the conflict escalated, rising from $6570 per barrel to a peak of $119— an increase of 75%. As of Friday evening, the price stood at around $103 per barrel. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the government has taken a substantial hit to its tax revenues to offset losses incurred by OMCs. After the duty cut, the government is likely to incur a revenue loss of `5,500 crore every fortnight. The finance ministry also imposed export duties on diesel at `21.5 per litre and on aviation turbine fuel at `29.5 per litre to discourage outbound shipments and prioritise domestic usage. B’luru-Chennai Expressway hits legal hurdles, delayed indefinitely Anna varsity prof arrested for sexual harassment B A NB U S E LV A N @ Chennai E x p ress Ne w s S er v i ce @ Chennai A day after a final-year engineering student of Anna University lodged a sexual harassment complaint against a professor of the institute, the Chennai city police on Friday arrested the man from Tirunelveli. The accused, identified as A Gnanavel Babu, a professor in the industrial engineering department, will be brought to Chennai for inquiry and sent to judicial remand. Earlier on Friday after the al, legations surfaced, the university management suspended the professor following mounting protests by students over the charges and the administration’s alleged delay in acting on earlier complaints. A group of students also staged a protest on the campus, alleging inaction despite prior complaints against the professor. Police sources said an FIR was registered by the Kotturpuram All Women Police following the complaint lodged on Thursday A police team traced . the accused to Tirunelveli, and nabbed him on Friday evening. “ of now, we have registered a As case on the charges of stalking and women harassment. Only after further inquiry we can de, cide whether other sections need to be added,” a senior police officer told TNIE. Raising slogans, protesters alleged that the university’s Internal Complaints Committee did not conduct an impartial inquiry and instead delayed action citing lack of evidence. P5 State of the economy power handover Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah hugs outgoing interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki during his swearing-in ceremony, in Kathmandu on Friday | PTI | P9 The opening of the BengaluruChennai Expressway (BCE), a four-lane access-controlled highway, has been postponed indefinitely as work on the pending stretches in Arakkonam and Kancheepuram (26 km), which has remained stalled for nearly 10 months, is ensnared in troubles. The 262-km Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway was originally scheduled for completion by December last year, but the deadline was extended to June this year due to delay in land acquisition, shifting of hightension power lines and towers, and other factors. The expressway aims to reduce the travel WHEN is a game more than just a game? The one at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening is one that has a lot riding on it. Sure, 40 overs separate two points from the holders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, or 2024 finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad. But it doesn’t seem right to view the opener to the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 19th edition through the conventional prism of batters, bowlers, boundaries and team news. That feeling was reestablished after spending less than 30 min- utes inside the city’s largest sporting arena. There was ongoing developmental work and infrastructure was either coming up or existing infra was being upgraded. To supplement new changes, almost all of it to enhance safety and security measures following last June’s stampede outside the Stadium gates, some 400-450 AI cameras were in place. Any small inconvenience and the cameras will alert authorities. Blinking neon light warning systems are a go. The paying public — most of whom were subjected to ticket checks and long queues outside the Stadium — would now be RCB captain Rajat Patidar during nets session on Friday | shashidhar byrappa brought inside before ticket verification. The tragedy which claimed 11 lives in June 2025 jolted the establishment. Since @ New Delhi THE Delhi Police has registered a first information report (FIR) in connection with an alleged ticket-for-money case against important leaders of the Congress. It was alleged in the complaint that the money was demanded on the pretext of securing an election ticket in Haryana Assembly election in 2024. Media reports alleged that the case stems from a complaint filed by Suchitra, former general secretary of Haryana Mahila Congress. The FIR was lodged after Suchitra and her husband Gaurav appeared before investigators with their complaint where they claim that they paid as much as `7 crore to secure a party ticket for Suchitra. Among those named in the complaint were Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal, MP K Suresh and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra’s aide Shahab Khan, the reports said. Coming as it does ahead of the Kerala polls, the allegation could have a bearing in the state. The amount was reportedly given through multiple transactions, including bank transfers and cash payments. However, it was alleged that neither a ticket was provided nor was the money returned. While speaking with media persons, the complainant said he has provided all details to the Delhi Police. He also mentioned that while he was going to Delhi to protest, police stopped his vehicle and assured that all necessary action would be taken to address their grievances. According to police sources, the FIR was registered by the North Avenue police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, under various sections, including 61(2), 318(4) and 316(2). The complaint was filed earlier this month. The police said that all facts and evidence were being thoroughly examined. The under-construction Arakkonam-Kancheepuram section of the expressway | Express time between Chennai and Bengaluru to just three hours. Official sources from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) told TNIE that the concessionaire of ArakkonamKancheepuram section has approached the high court seeking permission to transfer the project to another contractor, and the matter is still pending. “Work has not resumed so far. Once it restarts, it will take at least 12 months to complete the remaining 15km. Only after the court case is resolved and civil works recommence can we confirm a revised deadline for the project,” an official said. Of the 26km in Arakkonam-Kancheepuram section, 11.2 km (54%) has been completed so far.  P5 Congress acts against six rebels in Pondy I P4 AIADMK TAUNTS DMK OVER SEAT-SHARE TROUBLE I P4 MUSLIM OUTFITS REACH OUT TO YOUTH I P6 tmc NAMES 5 CANDIDATES, RELEASES MANIFESTO I P4 E x p r e s s Re a d Refurbished Chinnaswamy ready for IPL @ Bengaluru e x p ress n e w s ser v i ce Assembly elections s t a mpe d e & a f te r s w ar o o p s w am i n atha n Haryana poll ticket for cash FIR hits Cong biggies that awful day RCB, the Karna, taka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and other stakeholders have taken baby steps towards bringing cricket back in some way, shape or form to this historic venue. Domestic games without crowds. A statement there. A permanent plaque. A tribute in a press conference. A message online. Something to rememb e r t h e v i c t i m s b y. On Saturday, the rapid work put in place by the association will finally see the light of day . After being enveloped by grief for months, the city will have the chance to rise as one to remember the departed souls.  Live-in between married man, woman not crime LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has said that a married man living in a consensual live-in relationship with an adult woman does not amount to a criminal offence under law. A division bench of Justice J J Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena made the observation while granting interim protection from arrest to two petitioners in the case. US to return three idols stolen from TN temples HC orders status quo on Palani temple work Washington: Three stolen idols from TN — ninth-century Shiva Nataraja bronze, a 12th-century sculpture of Shiva and Uma, and a 16th-century depiction of Saint Sundarar with Paravi — set to be returned to India from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington after research established that they were stolen from temples in TN | P5 Madurai: Acting on a petition that questioned the authority of HR&CE to use `162 crore temple funds for construction work at Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and a few other temple properties, the Madras HC on Friday ordered status quo on the proposed work. The bench also directed a panel led by a retired HC judge to inspect the work and file a report | P2