kottayam l saturday l May 30, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Faced with high costs, U.S. firms look to cut back on AI spending Faced with steep IT costs, many US tech firms including Microsoft are ditching expensive AI agents like Claude Code, Axios reported U.s. Company gets $500 million claude shock Microsoft has reportedly cancelled most of its Claude Code licenses partly due to high costs, according to the Axios report. The tool had become highly popular inside the company since its introduction in December. As per the report, an unnamed US company spent half a billion dollars in a month after failing to put usage limits on Claude licenses for its employees ■ 70% Poor return on investment is the pain point ■ While AI costs keep piling up, companies using the technology have yet to see meaningful returns on their investment, the report said But corporations are not ditching AI altogether, the report noted. Instead, they are looking for cheaper alternatives that can deliver similar results without draining their IT budgets of fortune 100 companies use claude, as per reports 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 Guv accepts resignation, CLP set to Kerala govt bets big on elect DKS as Siddu successor today welfare, mega connectivity Siddaramaiah lobbies for loyalists as Dy CMs, ministers; oath-taking no later than June 6 10-member initial cabinet P reetha N air , B ala C hauhan an d De v araj B H irehalli Sources said DKS will be sworn in with nine others — including picks by Siddaramaiah — in the initial cabinet that will be expanded after the June 18 RS polls. Plans are on for the ceremony on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha @ New Delhi/Bengaluru Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Friday accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister, paving the way for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru to elect D K Shivakumar as the successor — scheduled for 4 pm on Saturday — amid hectic negotiations in New Delhi over ministerial berths. Shivakumar’s oath-taking date is yet to be decided. Governor Gehlot dissolved the council of ministers under Siddaramaiah — who was yet to arrive in Bengaluru at the time — but will continue to function as the caretaker CM until “alternative arrangements are made”. After the CLP meet elects Shivakumar as its leader, he will visit Lok Bhavan to stake his claim to form the new government. Shivakumar is likely to be sworn in no later than June 6, his mentor, spiritual guru and astrologer Rajguru Bellur Sankaranarayanan Jarkiholi on short list Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi being greeted by Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, in New Delhi on Friday | Express Dwarakanath told this newspaper. “I have told him to consider any of the three dates (May 31, June 5 or June 6) for oath-taking as they are auspicious for him. The time will, however, be 4 pm,” he said. In New Delhi, hectic parleys were on with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar lobbying with the high command, which is keen on having two deputy CM, although there are discussions on having four. It is learnt that the high command assured Siddaramaiah that his son and MLC Dr Yathindra will be inducted into the cabinet, besides former ministers G Parameshwara and Priyank Kharge. Sources said Siddaramaiah suggested to senior leader Rahul Gandhi that Yathindra and former ministers K J George and M B Patil be appointed as deputy CMs. However, names of Priyank Kharge and G Parameshwara The names of former ministers Ramalinga Reddy, George, Satish Jarkiholi and Byrathi Suresh are likely to be on the list on nine probables. Both Siddaramaiah and DKS have given their lists of MLAs for ministerial berths are also doing the rounds. One of them could also be appointed DCM, sources said. Siddarmaiah has also insisted on retaining his trusted aide Zameer Ahmed as minister and on inducting his legal advisor, A S Ponnanna, in the new ministry . Speaking to reporters after the daylong meetings, Shivakumar said, “Everything is happening as requested by the high command. Nothing has been decided.” Monsoon likely within a week, predicts IMD SC goes strict; HCs now have 24 hrs after hearing to decide on bail pleas S hainu M ohan @T’Puram @ New Delhi The much-awaited onset of the southwest monsoon remains uncertain, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday forecasting that the season is likely to reach Kerala within a week, even as many weather models predicted a June 2-4 arrival window. Previously the IMD had predicted an , early May 26 monsoon arrival. , Meanwhile, the El Nino threat looms large, with the IMD indicating possible development of a weak phenomenon in June, which could influence rainfall patterns throughout the monsoon season. IMD director Neetha K Gopal said a cyclonic circulation over Lakshadweep was currently affecting the strengthening of westerly winds essential for monsoon onset. However, it did not mean the monsoon was delayed, she said. “We cannot say yet it’s a delayed monsoon. It is still expected within the normal wind ow. M o n s o o n wo u l d b e considered delayed only if onset happens after June 8,” Neetha told TNIE.  ● More on P4 The Supreme Court on Friday imposed tight timelines on all high courts to issue orders on bail applications and reserved verdicts. It said bail application must be disposed of after hearing within 24 hours. As for reserved judgments, it directed that the verdict be pronounced within three months from the date of reservation. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice of In- Yellow alerts Sunday: P’thitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam & Malappuram Monday: Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Malappuram & Wayanad S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y dia Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued a set of binding directions while hearing a petition challenging the Jharkhand High Court’s delay in pronouncing judgments in criminal appeals reserved as far back as in 2022. The court said the order of bail or sentence suspension be communicated to jail authorities as soon as it is pronounced, and that the undertrial or convict be released, preferably the same day or at most the next day If a bail order is reserved, . it must be pronounced and uploaded the next day . If a reserved judgment is not delivered within three months, the Registrar shall place the matter before the chief justice. “The chief justice shall bring it to the notice of the bench within 2 weeks thereafter. If it is still not delivered, the chief justice may assign the case to another bench.” If a reasoned judgment is withheld, the operative part may be pronounced in the court, and the reasoned verdict uploaded within 15 days. Wunderkind Vaibhav rises to occasion As Sooryavanshi scored a crucial 96 which took RR to 214/6, a look at the tie and some talking points from IPL... BCCI bans smart sunglasses Sooryavanshi steals the show The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit has barred the usage of smart sunglasses by players and match officials in the ongoing IPL, citing its advanced communication features which allow live streaming and video calling through mobile data or Wi-Fi networks. In an advisory to the league’s franchises, the BCCI ACSU has stated that it has been noticed that some companies are marketing and selling smart sunglasses to players and support staff. If the 97 against Sunrisers Hyderabad made the world stand up and watch Sooryavanshi, the teenager on Friday rose to the occasion and played a crucial knock for Rajasthan Royals. Despite losing regular wickets at the other end, the 15-year-old soaked in all the pressure to smash 96 from 47 balls, helping RR post 214/6 against Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2. P11 Tuesday: T’Puram, Kollam, Alappuzha & Ernakulam Pant resigns, Pandya and others on radar While Rishabh Pant stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain, he may not be the only one to lose the job after this season. Following a poor show, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, Delhi Capitals Axar Patel and even Kolkata Knight Riders’ Ajinkya Rahane might not be leading their respective teams next season. Schoolgirls to get three-day menstrual leave E x press N e w s S er v ice @T’Puram The V D Satheesan government’s maiden policy address, delivered by Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Friday, unveiled a roadmap focused on the five Indira Guarantees, t r a n s p a re n t g ove r n a n c e through public disclosure of state finances, and ambitious infrastructure projects to position Kerala as a major port and aviation hub. Notably the address steered , clear of any direct criticism of the BJP-led Union government, providing the Opposition LDF with an opportunity to target the ruling front. Defending the omission, Chief Minister Satheesan said a policy address was meant to articulate the government’s vision and priorities. Any criticism of the Centre, if warranted, would be raised by the government in due course, he added. The address asserted the government’s commitment to implementing the Indira Guarantees, including free KSRTC travel for women, `1,000 monthly support for female college students, raise in welfare pensions to `3,000, health cover up to `25 lakh per family , and `5 lakh aid for young entrepreneurs. Even while acknowledging the severe strain on the state’s finances, the government expressed hope that the proposed white paper on Kerala’s fiscal health would pave the way for corrective measures. “The white paper will be placed before the people to provide a clear picture of the state’s finances and to lay the foundation for a transparent and re- E x press N e w s S er v ice @T’Puram Governor Rajendra Arlekar greets MLAs before his policy address in the assembly on Friday. Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sunny Joseph, Chief Secretary A Jayathilak and State Police Chief Ravada A Chandrasekhar are seen | Express Policy promises ‘Dream Projects’ to make Kerala port-led hub, civil aviation hub Comprehensive revision of Kerala Paddy & Wetland Act Water credits for incentivising water management in basins Crackdown on organised narcotics network, strengthening enforcement Academic Syndicate for admin, governance matters Support centres in all Collectorates for senior citizens Women Farmers Consortium to mobilise women farmers sponsible financial recovery strategy the governor said. ,” Under the banner of ‘Dream Projects’, the policy address unveiled plans to transform Kerala into an integrated portled economic hub by harnessing the full potential of its coastline. It also outlined a series of aviation infrastructure projects aimed at positioning the state as a key civil aviation hub in South Asia.  ● More on P4 In a first, girl students in Kerala schools will be entitled up to three days of menstrual leave every month, as the UDF government expands the benefit that was until now available only to students in higher educational institutions. The government, through the governor’s policy address, also announced six months of maternity leave for women in the unorganised sector. Women and children welfare emerged as a key pillar of the government’s policy agenda, with governor Rajnath Arlekar’s address outlining a series of initiatives aimed at improving health, education and workplace support systems. “Our commitment to girl students is reflected in the project ‘Menstrual Dignity’, under which we intend to make educational institutions and public spaces friendly for girls and women,” Arlekar told the assembly . In another major initiative, workplaces with more than 50 employees will be required to provide safe, high-quality daycare centres and creches. Also, as part of its goal of making Kerala the country’s first “orphan-free” state, the government plans to launch mission-mode adoption campaigns (time-based) and establish a network of trained and adequately compensated neighbourhood foster families, as per the policy address. PM supervising retest, says govt as apex court raps NTA S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Friday advised the National Testing Agency (NTA) to learn from bodies like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) that conduct large-scale competitive exams without paper leaks. The court made the observation while hearing a batch of pleas filed by the United Doctors Front and the Federation of All India Medical Associations seeking the disbanding of the NTA over the NEET-UG paper leak and the upcoming retest. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, assured the court that the government was treating the matter with utmost seriousness. “The Prime Minister is personally supervising the situation,” he said, adding the government plans to eventually shift NEET-UG to computer-based testing. “UPSC has never been in such a situation. You need to learn. Gen- eral liability clauses were not enough. The real problem won’t stop till actual accountability arises. Unless you identify the specific duty bearers, it will be difficult,” the bench said. “The problem is that most institutions are ad hoc. It’s a phenomenon that is everywhere in the country It’s not the individual who has . the capability but the institution,” Justice Narasimha observed. He asked the Centre to file an affidavit specifying how an “institutional memory of continuity” could be built by employing specialised personnel, enabling the NTA to conduct exams reliably in future. Dr K Radhakrishnan, head of the monitoring committee to suggest recommendations to strengthen NEET, described structural deficiencies within NTA in 2024, including lack of sufficient domain experts. He said major reforms had been undertaken in the transport of question papers as well, which had previously been vulnerable. AI-based tools shall be used for at least 85% of translation work... Randomisation, rotation is being institutionalised for engagement of paper setters, moderators, vetters, translators for exams — NTA affidavit Gaps ‘fixed’ Radhakrishnan, who headed the monitoring committee in 2024 to strengthen NEET, said the panel had submitted 35 long-term and 60 short-term suggestions, most of which had been implemented. He assured the court that the vulnerabilities exposed this year had been addressed for the retest next month a cut above the rest 23-yr-old sari drapist from Kuttanad goes whole ‘six’ yards E X P RESS REA D ‘Metro Man’, CM discuss high-speed rail project B I J U E PA U L @Alappuzha T’Puram: Giving a lease of life to the high-speed rail corridor project, ‘Metro Man’ E Sreedharan handed over an interim report to Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday. He also explained about the project which would require less land acquisition compared to SilverLine rail project. The government is expected to look into it soon | P4 sari draping has become a highly lucrative career option, and Kerala girl Clare Maria Sebastian an expert. At just 23, the resident of Kainakari in Kuttanad has already gained recognition for styling some of the country’s most influential women—from actors Amala Paul and Nimisha Sajayan to business icon Nita Ambani. While most wom- Clare Maria Sebastian with Amala Paul after helping the actor into a sari en drape saris themselves, special occasions like weddings often call for expert hands, like Clare’s. For the youngster, what began as a simple favour for a college mate has now taken her across the globe and into celeb- rity circles, transforming her life. Having lost her father while she was in Class 8, Clare was supported and encouraged by her mother Fancy and aunt Lalamma. Ever the stylist, Clare would Huge demand, big bucks There is a huge demand for professional sari drapists like Clare, especially during weddings and high-profile social events. They make big bucks, too — starting from a few thousands — for their work that requires immense precision, deft hands, and of course, an eye for style. drape saris on her cousins and neighbours while studying at St Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Chambakulam. And her eye for elegance and detail would always elicit praise. However, it was in 2022, while pursuing BBA at St Paul’s College in Kalamassery, that Clare’s destiny changed. During the college’s Onam celebrations, her friend Rinsa Parveen asked Clare to help drape her sari. Impressed by the final look, Rinsa recorded a video and uploaded it to Instagram. The response was overwhelming. Soon, Rinsa created an Instag ram page titled ‘Drapes by Clare’, posting more videos of Clare at work. One of the clips went viral. “Calls started pouring in,” Clare recalls. “People wanted me to drape saris for weddings and special occasions. That was the beginning of my ca● More on P4 reer,” she said.