TIRUCHY l tuesday l april 28, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Long queues at fuel outlets amid fears of post-election price hike Motorists thronged petrol bunks in parts of the country on Monday, amid buzz of a fuel shortage and a sharp price rise after the West Bengal polls Panic buying sparks shortage in andhra over 30% surge in fuel demand: ministry Rumours of an imminent price rise sparked panic buying in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in shortages and more than 400 petrol pumps running dry over the weekend. Long queues of vehicles were seen at many outlets across the state. “We are receiving information that diesel is getting exhausted everywhere from our dealers,” a fuel retailer’s association member in Guntur told reporters ■ ■ “We have observed... 30-33 per cent (growth) in demand for fuels like diesel. That is why certain retail outlets faced issues,” Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said In Andhra, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed state officials and OMC officials to work in tandem to restore normalcy in fuel supply Wednesday When the last phase of west bengal elections would be held 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 FTA inked, India to get Forces to stay after Bengal poll: Shah duty-free access to NZ Post-poll violence in the past has resulted in loss of lives and In what appeared to be an as- destruction of property . surance to West Bengal voters Addressing an election rally who had normalised in Behala, on the post-poll violence, Unsouthern fringes of ion home minister Kolkata, he said, Amit Shah on Monday “Brothers and sisters, Every resident of announced that the go and vote on the Central Armed Para- West Bengal, every 29th, do not worry family, is moving military Force (CAPF) about Didi’s (Mamata forward with one will remain deployed Banerjee) goons. The resolve, and that is in the state for 60 days Election Commission we must bring after the second and fiof India has deployed change now nal phase of polling. CAPF at every nook Narendra Modi, PM The announcement and cranny, and I am came on a day when telling you that even campaigning for 142 seats in though the BJP will come to the final phase ended. Shah has power after the elections, cenbeen camping here for over a tral forces will remain here for week to oversee the BJP’s poll 60 more days.” preparations. He added that if voted to S U B H E N D U M A I T I @ Kolkata Wellington commits $20 billion investment in India over 15 years P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi iNDIA and New Zealand on Monday signed a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) that offers duty-free access for 100% Indian exports to the island nation, which will get market access for 70.03% of the tariff lines covering 95% of the bilateral trade value. The remaining 29.97% tariff lines have been excluded to protect India’s sensitive sectors such as dairy and key agriculture. New Zealand has also committed to invest $20 billion in India over 15 years. The pact is expected to be implemented by the end of this year after New Zealand Parliament’s approval. “The investment commitment of $20 billion by New Zealand will further strengthen our cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and technology paving the way for , a more prosperous and dynamic future for both countries,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a social media post. Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said that New Zealand has committed market access in 118 sectors and most favoured nation status in 139 sectors while opening dedicated work, study, and holiday visa pathways for Indian professionals, students, and young travellers. An official statement noted that the FTA will significantly boost MSMEs and enhance competitiveness in labour intensive sectors such as textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods. E x p r e ss R e a d SL gang attacks TN fishers, one arrested Nagapattinam: A 27-year-old Sri Lankan national, part of a threemember gang that allegedly attacked TN fishers in mid-sea, was captured by Nagapattinam fishers and handed over to police in Vedaranyam on Monday. The suspect, Dayanas (27) of Anthoniarpuram in Jaffna, and five fishers are undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the clash at Government Medical College Hospital in Orathur | P4 Death for man who raped daughter reduced to lifer Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras HC has commuted the death penalty imposed on a Tirunelveli man, who sexually assaulted and impregnated his 14-year-old daughter, to life imprisonment till the remainder of his natural life. The bench opined that the trial judge was influenced by emotion, sentiment, and horror of the offence in awarding the death sentence | P4 Commerce minister Piyush Goyal with New Zealand trade minister Todd McClay during the signing of the free trade agreement in New Delhi Monday | PTI Key takeaways $20 billion investment commitment over 15 years Special emphasis on strengthening MSMEs and women-led enterprises India offers market access in 70.03% of the tariff lines, which covers 95% of New Zealand’s bilateral trade India protects key interests in dairy and agriculture; benefit for labour-intensive sectors like textile and leather India’s current tariffs on sheep meat, wool and coal from New Zealand will be scrapped immediately while duties on seafood and hor ticulture items—including cherries and avocados—will be phased out over seven years. India has cut tariffs on New Zealand wine by 66-83% over 10 years. Tariffs on New Zealand facilitates health and traditional medicine services for the first time Student mobility and post study work visa for STEM graduates, skilled professionals; opens new visa pathway for 5,000 skilled occupations bulk infant formula and peptones will be phased out in seven years. “We have committed to work closely with India to help Prime Minister Modi meet his ambition of increasing the earnings of Indian farmers and growers by 50%,” New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay said. Home minister Amit Shah at Kapil Muni Ashram in Gangasagar, West Bengal | PTI power, the BJP would initiate action against political violence and illegal immigrants. Shah also reiterated the party’s intention to implement a Uniform Civil Code in the state if it forms the government. Iran offers to open Strait of Hormuz if US lifts blockade, defers N-talks A g en c ies @ Washington/ Cairo Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports and ends the war, two regional officials said on Monday. But there will be no negotiations on its nuclear program for now. The proposal was passed on to the Americans by Pakistani officials. US President Donald Trump is expected to hold high-level talks with top security advisors to discuss it, reports said. The Strait’s closure has put pressure on him, as oil and gasoline prices have skyrocketed ahead of crucial midterm elections. However, analysts are skeptical about Trump accepting the Iranian proposal. They point out that lifting the US blockade and ending the war would remove Trump’s leverage in any day 59 Shots fired at ship with 17 Indian crew A Togo-flagged oil and chemical tanker was involved in an incident near Oman after warning shots were fired by Iranian authorities, though all 17 Indian crew onboard were safe, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Monday future talks with Iran. Sources told CNN that Trump will also weigh his options during the meeting, including whether or not to resume the US bombing campaign. In a related development, Ira- nian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin at St Petersburg. He blamed “excessive demands” from the US for the failure of talks. “The US approaches caused the previous round of negotiations, despite progress, to fail to reach its goals because of the excessive demands,” he said. Meanwhile, under a proposed Iranian law, the country’s armed forces would become the authority responsible for managing the Strait of Hormuz. The draft legislation also provides that financial gains from the Strait would be paid in Iran’s rial currency . Reports said Iran tried to persuade Oman to support a mechanism to collect tolls from vessels passing through the strait. Oman’s response wasn’t immediately clear. hc order in pondy liquor case CBSE rule: French to bid adieu from Pondy Schools TN police squash high D ebjani dutta @ Puducherry A recent a circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on implementation of three-language formula for students from Class 6 has sparked widespread concern in Puducherry regarding the future of use of French language, long regarded as a key part of the Union Territory’s cultural identity . The April 9 CBSE notification requires that from the 2026-27 academic year, at least two of the three languages taught must be native Indian languages. Since the new framework classifies English — the cur- rent medium of instruction — as a foreign language, schools are effectively forced to prioritise two Indian languages, making Hindi nearly mandatory This shift leaves almost no . room in the curriculum for foreign languages like French. As a result, schools in Puducherry are finding it difficult to continue offering French, raising concer ns among students, parents and educators. Several school principals have infor med parents that, in line with the CBSE directive, only Tamil and Hindi will be offered as second and third languages for Class- es 5 and 6 from the current academic year. Students who had opted for French will be required to revert to the second language they studied until Class 4. At present, students in Classes 7 to 10 can continue with French as a second or third language. However, the new policy will affect students entering Class 6 this academic year, who will be required to study two Indian languages till Class 10. Educationists have also flagged uncertainty for students who studied French from Classes 1 to 5 and now face a break in continuity . According to sources, nearly 30% of Pondy students opt for French, citing interest, opportunities in international education, and job prospects. Around 250 French teachers across schools could lose their jobs if the subject is discontinued. P5 spirits with hard limits B a g ala v an P erier B @ Cuddalore A recent Madras High Court order quashing criminal case against a man found with 1.68 litres of Puducherry liquor has sent drinkers’ spirits soaring in Tamil Nadu, and the state police into a damage-control mode. After some media reports and social media posts, citing the HC order, claimed that ‘4.5 litres of alcohol’ can be carried per person across the border, Cuddalore police have warned that action will be taken against traf ficking liquor. Police officials clarified that the HC order applied only to that particular case, and that they will continue to take action against transpor t of liquor from Puducherry . “Nowhere does the order Police personnel conduct vehicle checks at PEW checkpost in Allpettai | file pic state that liquor from Puducherry should be permitted. No orders have been issued to the government or its officials. An appeal will be filed against that HC order. As per law, not even a single bottle of liquor can be brought into Tamil Nadu from other states or Union Territories, including Puducherry,” a senior police officer from Cuddalore said.  P5 He further asserted that after May 4, the practice of polygamy would not be permitted in the state. After wrapping up his campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an open letter to the state, said: “Serving and securing West Bengal is my responsibility Turning every challenge . before West Bengal into an opportunity is also part of my destiny I won’t back down from this . responsibility .” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee undertook a 6 km roadshow in south Kolkata, which is part of the TMC’s fortress along with North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah. They account for 91 of 294 seats in the legislative assembly . State’s first floating solar plants to come up at 7 places S G U R U V A N M I K A N AT H A N @ Chennai Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) has proposed to set up the state’s first floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) plants at seven locations across the state. M e t t u r, B h av a n i s a g a r, Vaigai, Red Hills and Sathanoor reservoirs, and a site at Avalanche, which is a TNGECL-owned asset, are the places identified for implementing the pilot project. The initiative is aimed at expanding renewable energy capacity and optimising the use of waterbodies for power generation. TNGECL has approached the Water Resources Department (WRD) seeking permission to utilise the reservoirs and has engaged a private firm to conduct feasibility studies and provide technical support. An official announcement is expected after the Model Code of Conduct comes to an end. A senior TNGECL official told TNIE that the union government has assessed Tamil Nadu’s floating solar potential at up to 3,000 MW across 57 reservoirs. “As a pilot, the project will be implemented in seven locations with a combined capacity of 100 MW,” the official said. The feasibility study will examine project costs, battery energy storage systems (BESS), reservoir depth and site suitability. Implementation will begin once approvals are secured, the of ficial added. Another official told TNIE that FPV projects require around 20% higher investment than ground-mounted solar plants.  P5 Structural challenges Shortage of IPS officers cripples IB operations, 40% posts remain vacant M U K E S H R A N J A N @ New Delhi THE Intelligence Bureau (IB), India’s premier internal security agency, is facing an acute shortage of IPS officers especially in the mid-level ranks that are vital for operational effectiveness and coordination on the ground. The latest official data on sanctioned posts and vacancies in central police organisations and central armed police forces point to a sharp imbalance in the IB’s staffing structure. Senior leadership roles such as director-general, special director and inspector general are adequately filled. But, the situation changes drastically at the levels of deputy inspector general (DIG) and superintendent of police (SP), where vacancies have reached nearly 50% of the sanctioned strength. Out of a total of 203 sanctioned IPS posts in the IB, as many as 81 remain unfilled, indicating an overall shortfall of around 40%. The DIG rank alone accounts for 36 vacancies against 63 sanctioned posts, while at the SP level, 45 positions are vacant out of a total strength of 83. These mid-level officers play a critical role in the intelligence agency as they supervise field operations, handle sensitive inputs and coordinate with other agen- Why mid-level officers matter Mid-level officers play a crucial role in the intelligence gathering architecture. DIGs and SPs are responsible for supervising field operations, handling sensitive inputs, and ensuring the swift flow of actionable information across agencies. Their absence impacts operational efficiency and responsiveness cies. The absence of these officers, therefore, directly impacts the IB’s operational efficiency . Pointing to structural challenges behind the shortage, officials said the IB relies heavily on deputation from state cadres, but state police forces themselves are grappling with manpower constraints and rising law-and-order responsibilities. This has reduced the pool of officers available for central postings. Additionally shorter , tenures and frequent transfers hinder continuity in intelligence operations, while stateCentre dynamics further complicate deputation processes. The staffing crunch comes amid an increasingly complex internal security environment, marked by evolving threats such as terrorism, extremism, cyber espionage and organised crime, underscoring the urgency of addressing the gap. RS chair accepts merger of 7 AAP Mps with BJP Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Monday officially accepted the seven rebel Aam Aadmi Party MPs joining the BJP. After the merger, the BJP’s strength in the 245-strong Upper House increased to 113 | p7