MANGALURU  SUNDAY  APRIL 19, 2026  `12.00  PAGES 28  CITY EDITION ‘90-PLUS PER CENT TRACKS IN INDIA SUBSTANDARD’: AFI SPOKESPERSON Athletics Federation of India spokesperson and World Athletics VP Adille Sumariwalla said running tracks in India are substandard. A look... REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE ‘WORLD ATHLETICS NOT HAPPY WITH QUALITY’ ‘GENUINE VENDORS’ TO BE LISTED SOON According to Sumariwalla, the AFI met World Athletics in Tokyo last year where World Athletics Championships took place. WA said that tracks in India did not meet set standards. “WA has called us and said ‘you need to get involved.’ They showed us some data, which was quite shocking,” Sumariwalla said in a press conference on Saturday | P15 ■ ■ Former Indian sprinter claimed that at places, tire rubber is used instead of polyurethane and it is painted on top. He went on to add that they will get ‘destroyed’ thanks to wear and tear Vendors responsible for bringing material are ‘fly-by-night.’ AFI to prepare list of genuine names who can provide good material 8 NUMBER OF ‘CLASS-1’ WORLD ATHLETICS - CERTIFIED TRACKS IN INDIA 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 PM seeks forgiveness from all women of the country as bill to expedite quota fell in LS Oppn will pay INDIA bloc for for its women’s quick rollout of bill ‘sin’: Modi the 2023 Act RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR icised the Congress’ stance on delimitation, alleging it was fuelling divisions. He said the PRIME Minister Narendra government had consistently Modi on Saturday berated the clarified that no state’s proporCongress-led Opposition for tional representation in Parliawhat he called was their ‘big ment would be affected, yet the sin’ of rejecting the Constitu- Opposition refused to relent. tional amendments to operaDescribing the Congress, tionalise the 33% women’s quo- TMC, DMK and SP as dynastic ta in the Lok Sabha the parties, he alleged they resisted previous day He said the wom- the bill out of fear of losing . en of the country would not control within their organisaforget how the Congress and tions and preventing women its allies like the DMK, outside their families Trinamool Congress from rising to leaderand Samajwadi Party ship. “Nari Shakti Vanopposed the legislation dan Amendment was aimed at advancing the need of hour and women’s representawe made an honest eftion in le gislative fort to ensure balanced bodies. empowerment across ‘Insult to His address to the the North, South, East statute’ nation came ahead of and West. But the Con“Opposition assembly elections in gress, which is a paraparties have two Opposition-held site on regional parties, committed a states, West Bengal and spiked them,” the PM sin. They will Tamil Nadu, where the charged. He accused surely be ruling TMC and DMK the Opposition of compunished for were among those that mitting the political this. The vo t e d a g a i n s t t h e crime of opposing Opposition amendments. amendments aimed at insulted our Launching a broadexpediting the impleside against the Con- Constitution by mentation of the resergress, Modi accused defeating the vation for women in the party of being anti- women’s bill,” Parliament and state Modi said women and opposed to assemblies. reforms in the nationExpressing confibuilding process. “The Con- dence in the country’s women, gress inherited the British leg- he said, “A woman forgets eveacy of divide and rule and rything, but not her insult; this spread the canard of North- insult will always remain in South divide. They opposed Ar- every woman’s heart.” ticle 370, triple talaq, PM Jan Describing the Opposition’s Dhan Yojna, Aadhaar, digital vote against the bill as “foetipayments, GST, reservation for cide”, Modi said, “Parties like the economically weaker sec- Congress, TMC, DMK, and SP tion in the general classes and are the culprits. By opposing many other efforts made in the this amendment, the Congress larger interest of the nation,” has attempted to push the fuhe alleged. ture of many regional parties The prime minister also crit- into uncertainty .” @ New Delhi CLOSE ENCOUNTERS RCB’s Virat Kohli (19 runs) and Phil Salt (63) during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals match at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. DC, chasing a target of 176, defeated RCB in the last-over thriller | KEVIN NASHON | P15 K’taka first state in country to tax beverages based on alcohol levels B A L A C H A U H A N @Bengaluru THE government on Saturday issued a draft notification to amend more than six-decadelong alcohol taxation policy to usher in ‘Alcohol-in-Beverage’ (AIB)-based excise duty structure. With amendment to the Karnataka Excise (Excise Duties and Fees) Rules, 1968, the state will become the first in India to introduce excise duty based on AIB. Though this rule is prevalent in the West and is seen as a golden standard, this is the first time an Indian state has moved towards changing the tax structure on alcohol, from volume based (per bulk litre) to AIB. The new tax regime which will come into play phase wise following the amendment will increase the MRP of alcohol EXPRESS READ Cabinet nod to 2% DA hike for employees New Delhi: The Union Cabinet Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday sanctioned a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), benefiting around 50.46 lakh central government employees and 68.27 lakh pensioners | P9 HC withholds its order on FIR against Rahul Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Saturday withheld its order directing registration of an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The court said an order could not be passed unless the prospective accused was given an opportunity to be heard | P10 Retd Armyman among 2 dead in Manipur ambush Guwahati: Two Tangkhul Naga civilians, including a retired Indian Army soldier, were killed when militants ambushed their vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul road in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on Saturday. It came a day after CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh had visited villages in the district | P10 WITH THIS ISSUE IT’S RAINING IPOs PLUS 12 P AGES sold in the first four excise slabs (the cheapest, with 42.8% alcohol v/v), while bringing down the cost of premium alcohol in the top slabs like Scotch (bottled in origin, with 40% v/v). Prices of mild beer (less than 5% v/v) may face lower taxes and become cheaper. According to sources, the AIB tax structure will “increase the MRP in the first four slabs up by a minimum 20%”. The first four slabs contribute around 80% towards the excise revenue. The brewers and distillers in Karnataka expressed their disappointment with the proposed amendment. “Alcohol sold in Karnataka in the first four slabs is affordable and considered common man’s alcohol. The MRP on these slabs will go up putting further pressure on common households, which are already burdened by inflation. The price increase in this segment will disrupt the market significantly, affecting revenue mobilisation,” said Karnataka Brewers and Distillers Association president Arun Kumar Parasa. He added that the industry is hugely disappointed with the government move to bring in AIB. “We will discuss it with the chief minister. We are confident that the government will consider our suggestions before the final notification,” he added. The MRP on these slabs will go up putting further pressure on common households, which are already burdened by inflation. The price increase in this segment will disrupt the market significantly — Arun Kumar Parasa, president, Karnataka Brewers and Distillers Association SC judge: Govt’s grants for courts ‘peanuts’ EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru THE government allocation for judicial infrastructure is “peanuts” compared to the revenue courts generate, said Supreme Court Judge, Justice Arvind Kumar, addressing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Saturday . He raised concerns over inadequate funding and delays in approvals for judicial infrastructure and staffing, while speaking at the 22nd biennial state-level conference of judicial officers with its theme “Reimagining the judiciary in the era of AI”, organised by the Karnataka State Judicial Of ficers’ Association. Justice Kumar acknowledged the state government’s support, but stressed that critical gaps persist in infrastructure creation, including court buildings and residential facilities for judges in districts. He pointed out that despite repeated proposals, approvals are often delayed or scaled down by officials. He noted a steady rise in litigation, with annual case filings increasing and adding pressure on the justice delivery system. However, proposals related to judicial appointments, public prosecutors and infrastructure are frequently processed slowly or curtailed, Justice Kumar said. P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi derlined that the Opposition was not against reservation for A day after the historic defeat women and would support the of amendments to the women’s Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, quota bill in Parliament, the if the government sought to opposition INDIA bloc decided implement it on the current to push for the immediate roll- strength of the Lok Sabha. out of the Women’s ReservaSpeaking to this paper, Contion Act, 2023, within the exist- gress MP Manickam Tagore i n g f r a m e w o r k o f t h e said Prime Minister Narendra 543-member Lok Sabha, while Modi has to clarify when the also seeking to counter the government will implement BJP’s narrative to portray the the Act. “For the PM, it was a Opposition in a negative light. face-palm moment after he At a meeting chaired failed in pushing by the Leader of Oppothrough a Constitusition in the Rajya Sabtional amendment,” ha, Mallikarjun said Tagore. Kharge, on Saturday, While there were top leaders of the allisuggestions among the ance agreed that each parties to hold a joint constituent party press conference of the ‘Plot would independently INDIA bloc or write a defeated’ push for the implemenjoint letter to the PM “What tation of the Act, while demanding implemenhappened also continuing to raise tation of quota for the issue in public to yesterday was women in the existing a very hold the BJP framework immediatesignificant accountable. ly, leaders said the upvictory for The meeting was coming elections in also attended by CPP democracy. The Tamil Nadu and West conspiracy to leader Sonia Gandhi, Bengal may pose a huralter the NCP (SP)’s Supriya dle for such joint acfederal Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s tion. “INDIA bloc parSanjay Raut, CPI(M)’s structure was ties will continue with defeated,” John Brittas, and CPI’s the coordination on Priyanka said P Sandosh Kumar, this issue, and we are among others. confident that we will It was decided that parties in be able to do it adequately. A the INDIA bloc will hold press joint letter to the PM may be conferences across the country prepared soon,” said a leader. and stress that they support Speaking to this paper, CPI women’s reservation, adding MP Sandosh Kumar said his Parliament had already passed party will hold press meets and the bill in 2023. By introducing will urge the PM to immediatethree new bills, they said the ly convene a special Parliagover nment was trying to ment session to implement the change the political map of the Women’s Reservation Act. country under its guise. Reacting to the PM’s address, At a press conference after he said Modi deliberately evadthe meeting, Congress general ed the fact that the Act was alsecretary Priyanka Gandhi un- ready passed by Parliament. Desi maritime insurance pool to protect cargo amid conflict R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi AS the war in West Asia disrupts oil and gas supply—partly due to reduced vessel movement linked to insurance constraints—the government has approved the creation of the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) with a sovereign guarantee of `12,980 crore. The government said the objective of the insurance pool is to ensure uninterrupted and affordable marine insurance for India’s shipping sector, while also reducing dependence on foreign insurers, particularly the International Group of P&I Clubs, which dominate the maritime insurance market. The war has led to many ship- India raises concerns after ships attacked The government on Saturday called Iran’s Ambassador Mohammad Fathali for a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to convey New Delhi’s “deep concerns” after two Indian-flagged vessels were fired at in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz | P9 owners halting operations. Some insurers have become unwilling to provide coverage due to heightened risks. According to the government, the BMI Pool will function as a collective of Indian insurance companies working together to provide marine insurance. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said public sector reinsurer General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) will act as the administrator of the pool. GIC Re will contribute `400 crore, while public sector general insurance companies will chip in `280 crore, with the rest coming from private insurers and oil marketing firms. “The BMI Pool will cut down the cost of insurance premium by at least 25% as of now,” Vaishnaw said. The pool will provide coverage for Indian-flagged vessels, Indian-controlled ships, as well as ships arriving in or departing from Indian ports. US extends sanction waiver on Russia oil till May 16 Final voters’ list is here, tryst R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi WITH the war continuing in West Asia, the United States has extended its waiver on sanctions for countries importing Russian crude by a month until May 16. This is the second such relaxation since the escalation of the West Asia crisis, which has disrupted the global crude supply following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the US Department of the Treasury, Russian oil and petroleum products loaded onto tankers—including those under sanctions—on or before 12:01 a.m. Easte r n D ay l i g h t Time (9:31 a.m. IST) on April 17 can be purchased and received by most countries until May 16. The previous waiver, issued in March, had expired on April 11. US Treasury Secretary Scott DAY 50 Bessent had earlier indicated that the waiver would not be extended. However, the ongoing conflict in West Asia —now lasting over a month — has significantly disrupted global crude and gas flows, prompting a reassessment. Russian crude is now expected to help offset supply shortages caused by reduced exports from Gulf producers. In addition, the US has also temporarily waived sanctions on Iranian crude imports for a month, with that exemption set to expire on April 19. As the world’s third-largest crude oil consumer, India relies on imports to meet over 88% of its demand. Russia has emerged as India’s top oil supplier since the outbreak of the RussiaUkraine war. Despite criticism from the West that purchasing discounted Russian crude effectively funds the war, New Delhi has continued to purchase crude from Moscow. with GBA polls gets nearer EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bengaluru BENGALURU has 88,95,361 voters in the ward-wise voter list of five urban corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), said District Election Officer and Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao. After releasing the final voter list for the elections in GBA on Saturday, he said that the revised draft voter list was released on March 9. The final voter list is being released after corrections and updates have been made. “The revised draft voter list for the GBA municipal corporation elections includes 45,71,169 males, 43,22,557 females and 1,635 other voters, for a total of 88,95,361 voters, and 8,023 polling booths will be set up,” he said.