tirupati l tuesday l september 30, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l anantapur EDITION India to build two cross-border rail links to Bhutan for `4,000cr Under the project, the two Bhutanese cities of Gelephu and Samtse would be connected with Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal ‘relationship of trust, mutual respect’ Vaishnaw: big push for bhutan’s economy The details of the project was made public by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday. Under the two projects, 89 kms of railway lines will be laid and work is expected to be completed in the next four years. “India and Bhutan share a relationship of exceptional trust, mutual respect, and understanding,” Misri said ■ ■ India’s announcement of the railway projects have come amid efforts by China to increase its geo-strategic influence over Bhutan Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said it is crucial to have a good seamless rail connectivity for the Bhutanese economy to grow as most of the trade of Bhutan is done through Indian ports | P7 `10K Cr is india’s assistance to bhutan for its ongoing 13th five year plan 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 Economy, defence, diplomacy, AI pose existential threats. New NSS is needed H a r p r ee t B a j w a @ Chandigarh CANADA on Monday listed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity for creating a “climate of fear and intimidation”. A terrorist listing means anything owned by that group in Canada — property , vehicles, money — can be frozen or seized, and gives law enforcement power to prosecute terrorist offences, including those related to financing, travel and recruitment. “The Bishnoi Gang is a transnationLawrence Bishnoi al criminal organization.. engages in murder, shootings and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation,’’ read a statement by Canadian government. The Bishnoi gang, which was implicated in Baba Siddique’s murder in Mumbai, has grown into a transnational crime syndicate with footprints in Canada and the US and active presence in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP and Rajasthan with over 700 sharp shooters. NSS will provide provide guidance to all organs of the govt on policy directions AP Maheshwari, ex-CRPF chief Canada lists Bishnoi gang as terror outfit It is encouraging that the National Security Doctrine is likely to be finalised by year-end Prakash Singh, ex-DGP Lt Gen (Rtd) D S Hooda Comprehensive security doctrine on its final leg S u m i t K u m a r S i n g h @ New Delhi India’s first comprehensive security doctrine — the National Security Strategy (NSS) — is expected to be completed by December this year. The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has almost finalised the doctrine, which provides multidimensional understanding on external and internal security challenges and threats together with real-time preparedness. “Last-minute deliberations are on. The secretariat has received all the relevant inputs from stakeholders. Once approved, the draft will be placed before National Security Council (NSC) — chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approval,” said a senior government officer. Defence modernisation, technological advancement, cyber resilience, internal security, hybrid threat management, economic stability and strategic diplomacy will be interlinked pillars of the holistic security doctrine so as to anticipate, respond and mitigate threats comprehensively . The process to formulate the NSS and the National Defence Strategy began under National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s watch in 2018. The NSCS was made the nodal body responsible for drafting the NSS. Deputy NSAs, domain experts, and retired military and senior police officers were drafted for the exercise. India has not had a security doctrine 26 years since the Kargil war. It’s not that India has never attempted such a doctrine before. Prakash Singh, former member of the National Security Advisory Board, said governments at different periods constituted committees that drafted them. “But they were never approved by the political establishment as they did not want to be bound down by any welldefined policy. Instead, they wanted to retain the discretion to deal with matters in the most politically convenient matter.” Major General (Rtd) Ashok Kumar said, “NSS is one of the most sought after documents by most countries. While its predictability is good, it also puts a strain for countries like India where emerging threats taking a different shape with every passing day Lt General (Rtd) .” Deependra Singh Hooda, said, “The formal articulation of NSS is a very welcome step.” Leh Apex Body to pull out of October 6 talks FAYA Z WA N I @ Srinagar THE Leh Apex Body (LAB) said on Monday that it would stay away from talks with the Centre till peace and normalcy is restored in Ladakh. “Dialogue cannot be held under the shadow of fear and repression,” said LAB chairman Thupstan Chhewang. The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which along with LAB is spearheading the protests for special rights to Ladakh, also supports the decision to suspend talks, a KDA leader said. The next meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC), through which the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) holds talks with the Ladakhi groups, is scheduled on October 6. LAB demanded a judicial probe into the violence in the September 24 protests, in which four persons were killed and 80 injured, and the release of activist Sonam Wangchuk and others detained in A farmer burns paddy stubble in a field on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab on Monday | pti E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by his wife Bhuvaneswari, offered Pattu Vastrams (silk robes) to Goddess Durga, adorned as Sri Saraswati Devi, at Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada on Monday, marking auspicious occasion of Moola Nakshatram. After Darshan, Naidu received Veda Ashirvachanam and Theertha Prasadam. A portrait of the Goddess was presented to him express read India vs Pak ‘India’s aviation takes off with 160 airports’ After Men’s Asia Cup, will the drama spill over to Women’s World Cup? Vijayawada: Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu said India’s aviation sector has witnessed revolutionary growth over the past decade. The country now has 160 airports, up from just 74 10 years ago | P4 Flood alert issued for Coastal Andhra Vijayawada: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Amaravati has forecast light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms over the next few days in ASR, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and BR Ambedkar Konaseema | P3 E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Chennai The Asia Cup, perhaps, ended in the most apt manner possible. After three weeks of back and forth, multiple handshakegates, geopolitical intrigue, ugly verbals, and press conference point scoring, the posttournament ceremony finished in farcical circumstances. India refused to take the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council chair Mohsin Naqvi (also Pakistan’s interior minister), Naqvi refused to cede ground and India celebrated with an imaginary one to end the night. While the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia promised a strong protest against Naqvi’s act, the focus now shifts to what happens when India and Pakistan’s women’s teams face each other in the World Cup tie on October 5 in Colombo. Will Har manpreet Kaur shake hands with Pakistan’s Fatima Sana? Will the mood be connection with the protests. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay accused the police and CRPF of using excessive force against the protesting youth. Late in the evening, the Home Ministry issued a brief statement saying the government is always open to dialogues on Ladakh matters with LAB and KDA. “We would continue to welcome the discussion with LAB and KDA through the HPC on Ladakh or any such platform,” it said adding, “We are confident that continuous dialogue would yield the desired results in near future.” Top leadership of Maoists heavily depleted Its apex body is left with just 13 leaders — four members of the Politburo and nine of the Central Committee — as others have been eliminated or arrested or surrendered, a govt dossier revealed | P7 ‘Super GST - Super Savings’ campaign launched in State Naidu offers silk robes to goddess atop Indrakeeladri stubble burning season begins LAB leaders Thupstan Chhewang and Chering Dorjay at a press conference in Leh | express more congenial? Will the current toxicity touch that game too? Only time will tell but the Indian captain wouldn’t be dragged to commenting on that game yet. On Friday, she said the focus is on the tie versus Sri Lanka on Tuesday. “Our main focus is on that because that game is going to set the tone. We can only control the things we can control. We are not going to entertain anything else on the field because we are here to play cricket. Our focus will remain on cricket only,” Kaur said. In a bid to ensure the benefits of GST 2.0 reach every household, the Andhra Pradesh government has launched a comp re h e n s ive aw a re n e s s campaign titled ‘Super GST Super Savings’. The initiative aims to educate citizens about the benefits of GST reforms through a series of awareness programmes across the State. During a video conference at his camp office on Monday, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the GST 2.0 campaign’s progress with the Cabinet Sub-Committee, directing officials to organise 65,000 meetings and events by October 19 to spread awareness about reduced taxes on daily essentials, medicines, stationery, textiles, sports equipment, transportation, and items for women and children. The campaign, themed ‘GST Benefits to Every Household’, has already made strides in creating awareness about tax reductions at the grassroots level. Naidu emphasised the need for sector-specific outreach programmes to ensure all communities, including farmers, MSME owners, students, and consumers, understand the financial benefits of GST 2.0. The government has planned a series of events from September 30 to October 19, covering sectors such as agriculture, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), handlooms, aquaculture, education, insurance, electronics, e-commerce, construction, tourism, hospitality transportation, logistics, , sports equipment, renewable energy and automobiles. , To engage farmers, the government will organise tractor rallies and farm machinery exhibitions to highlight tax benefits. MSME units, including those under APCO, Lepakshi, and the One District-One Product Scheme, will showcase their products at fairs, emphasising tax reductions. Awareness drives in salons, yoga centres, and gyms will focus on price differences due to lower GST rates. For students, essay writing and painting competitions will be held across 7,000 high schools and 4,000 junior colleges to educate them about reduced prices on s t a t i o n e r y, a n d o t h e r essentials. Further, the campaign will promote zero GST on life and health insurance, ensuring widespread awareness among citizens. Over 850 district, constituency, and mandal-level programmes will involve manufacturers and dealers to highlight price reductions on electronics P4 goods.  Bulk Drug Park Anitha faces fishermen’s stir heat E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Visakhapatnam Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha faced intense protests from fisherfolk during her visit to Rajayyapeta village in Nakkapalli mandal of Anakapalli district on Monday . The local community, protesting for the past 16 days against the proposed Bulk Drug Park, raised serious concern about its potential harm to their livelihoods, and the environment. Tension prevailed for some time when the fisherfolk blocked Anitha’s convoy, demanding a firm commitment to scrap the project. Police intervened to disperse the crowd. Later speaking to the media, Anitha noted that the people of Rajayyapeta, a TDP stronghold, invited her to address their grievances. She explained that her visit, initially planned after the Assembly session, was advanced by a day. She alleged that outsiders joined the protest, and caused disturbance, disrupting her interaction with the villagers. She recalled that the previous YSRCP regime had virtually laid the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park in February 2024, followed by another foundation stone-laying by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the NDA government in VisaP4 khapatnam.  Doctors to suspend OP, emergency services at 1,142 PHCs from today E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The Andhra Pradesh Primary Health Centre Doctors Association (APPHCDA) has announced the suspension of outpatient and emergency services across all 1,142 PHCs in the State from Tuesday . The association suspended outpatient services at the PHCs across the State on Monday de, manding solution to the long pending issues of doctors. The Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare invited APPHCDA leaders for talks to resolve the issue promptly But . the talks failed, and the APPHCDA had decided to intensify its stir. The suspension of outpatient and emergency services at the PHCs is likely to hit 1 lakh patients a day on an average, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where around 2,800 doctors serve local communities. Services at 10,051 Health and Wellness Clinics are also likely to be hit as cannot function independently in the absence of PHC medical officers. The association has planned a series of protests, including sit-ins at the district centres on September 30, October 1, and 2 to step up pressure on the government. A statewide hunger strike will be launched in Vijayawada on October 3 as part of the stir. Speaking to TNIE, Dr Vinod, treasurer and official spokesperson of the association, said they formally informed the government about their decision to suspend outpatient services at the PHCs on September 26, if their longpending issues were not reP4 solved.