FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 68 | BHOPAL | WEDNESDAY | AUGUST 27, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports SLI to build awareness, talent & fan base: Heena Sidhu P.14 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL NATION ‘Big’ fight escalates over voter fraud row between SP-BJP UJJAIN PUNE INDORE NASHIK ‘Exploration to continue’ The United States has issued a draft notice detailing plans to implement an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian products from August 27, impacting more than USD 48 billion worth of India's exports to the US. While India’s exports of low-margin and labour-intensive goods ranging from apparel, textiles, gems and jewellery to shrimp, carpets and furniture are set to become relatively unviable in the US market, competitors like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China and Pakistan, which currently face lower tariffs, are set to benefit from India’s potential losses in exportoriented sectors. With the new tariffs kicking in, trade experts estimate that the value of India’s merchandise exports to the US could drop substantially in FY26 from FY25 levels. According to think-tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India’s product exports to the US could fall to USD 49.6 billion in FY26 from nearly USD87 billion in the last financial year, as two-thirds of the India’s US exports by value will be hit by 50 per cent tariffs, taking effective tariff rates to over 60 per cent in a few product categories. Around 30 per cent of fp Briefs NEW DELHI ECI seeks public opinion The Election Commission of India on Tuesday sought public opinion on various concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which ignited a full-scale spat between the ruling and Opposition parties in Bihar, sources said. The poll panel has prepared a set of five questions to elicit people's views, in an apparent bid to galvanise support for the 'voter purging' campaign. NEW DELHI Af FM’s Delhi visit cancelled Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, planned for later this week, has been cancelled. Sources in Kabul said that the visit got cancelled because Muttaqi failed to receive a travel ban exemption from the UNSC. EXPORTERS WORRIED PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said,"In the coming time, our focus will be on futuristic industries. The Indian government is also aware of the shortage of rare earth magnets for the auto industry. To increase the capacity of the industry in this direction, we have also launched the National Critical Mineral Mission. Under this, more exploration missions will be conducted at different places...” Sensex tumbles 849 pts ‘Modi refused Trump’s calls 4 times’ Benchmark BSE Sensex tumbled 849 points to close below the 81,000 level on Tuesday due to widespread selling pressure after the US issued a draft notice on the implementation of an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian products. The 30share BSE Sensex tumbled 849.37 points, or 1.04 per cent, to close at 80,786.54 with 25 of its constituents ending lower US President Donald Trump made at least four attempts to talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone in recent weeks, but the latter refused to talk to him, according to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. The Mainzbased newspaper of record suggests this to be the result of the "depth of his (Modi's) anger, but also his caution" LATEST THREAT: US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose "substantial" new tariffs to restrict American chip exports to all countries that impose digital services taxes and related regulations on US tech firms. The US leader has been trying to pressure trade partners into dropping the taxes, which typically apply only to some of the largest and most established tech companies India’s exports to the US— valued at USD27.6 billion in FY25—will remain duty free as product categories like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and petroleum products have been exempt from tariffs, while 4 per cent of the exports— mainly auto parts—will face a 25 per cent tariff. The 50 per cent tariff imposed on the majority of goods being exported to the US includes the 25 per cent tariff rate announced by Trump late July, and an additional 25 per cent tariff announced early August as a “penalty” over Russian oil. The high tariffs mean that India’s goods exporters would be rendered uncompetitive in the US market, which is among the handful of trade The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) on Thursday expressed grave concern over the US government's imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian-origin goods, raising total duties on many export categories up to 50 per cent, with effect from Friday. FIEO President S.C. Ralhan described the development as a "setback". He said that the duty hike can severely impact India's exports to the US, with approximately 55 per cent of India’s US-bound shipments (worth $47– 48 billion) are now exposed to pricing disadvantages of 30–35 per cent, rendering them uncompetitive in comparison to competitors from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines and other Southeast and South Asian countries. partners with whom India has a net goods trade surplus. India runs a sharp trade deficit with China, Russia and the UAE, its other top trading partners in the goods category. 4Continued on | P8 ‘Swift, decisive responses will win us future wars’ FPNS/Agencies MHOW Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Tuesday called for swift and decisive responses across domains to ensure victory in future wars as battlefields of tomorrow will not recognize service boundaries. Addressing 'Ran Samwad' -a tri-services seminar on war and warfighting -- Gen Chauhan described Aatmanirbharta in defence and integrated logistics as key to victory in the wars to come. He reaffirmed that RAN SAMWAD CDS Gen Anil Chauhan 'jointness' was foundational to India's transformation. He underscored the need to institutionalise joint training and absorb constantly-evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence, cyber and quantum to enhance operational capability. “Developing capabilities in multiple domains is central for attaining victory in future wars,” he declared. Citing Kautilya, he said India has been a fountainhead of ideas and knowledge since ancient times. Navy commissions two stealth frigates equipped with BrahMos PTI VISAKHAPATNAM In a major boost to the country's maritime strike capabilities, the Indian Navy Tuesday commissioned two multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, each equipped with eight BrahMos missiles and featuring a suite of advanced weapons and sensors developed by the indigenous manufacturers. The commissioning of two state-of-the-art Project 17A stealth frigates, which was presided over by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh here at the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy, marks the first occasion when two frontline surface com- Now we've floating F-35: Rajnath Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the warships, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Navy and said, "You have launched the indigenous F35 warship. One nation has a flying F-35, and you have built a floating F-35, that also made in India." The Defence Minister was alluding to America's F-35 jets, which are known for their stealth and speed. He said the weapons and sensor packages make the warships the "invincible guardians of our seas". However, very little literature on scholarly analysis of Indian Wars or academic discourse on strategy exists. "Serious research needs to be done on various dimensions of war, leadership, motivation, morale and technology. India needs to be Sashakt, Surakshit, Aatmanirbhar and Viksit. This can only be achieved when all stakeholders participate collectively in the process of building future ready forces," he said. 4Continued on | P8 4Sudarshan Chakra | P5 NCLAT judicial member alleges being approached by judge for favour NEW DELHI missioned simultaneously.This development also underscores the growing maritime importance of India's eastern seaboard. "These warships' weapons and sensor packages make them the unparalleled guardians of the sea. It has been told to me that these warships also include many advanced capabilities. batants constructed at two different shipyards were com- In a rare incident, a judicial member of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has alleged being "approached by one of the most revered members of the higher judiciary", seeking an order in favour of a party, and has recused himself from hearing the matter. The Chennai-based bench of the appellate tribunal has even recorded the incidence in a two-paragraph order passed on August 13. Justice Sharad Kumar Sharma, the judicial member of the NCLAT, has recused himself from hearing the matter. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 offgrid ‘Addiction, sale of liquor increasing’ Immediately after the criticism of his statement by the BJP, Jitu Patwari said in Jabalpur that drug addiction was growing in the state and that the sale of liquor was increasing. He will not retract from the statement, Patwari said. The BJP has turned the state into a place of drunkards and unemployed youths, and the Congress will raise its voice a hundred times, he said. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL A statement by MPCC president Jitu Patwari has stirred up a hornet’s nest in the state. He told media persons that the state got the tag that women in the state consumed most of the liquor. Most of the liquor is consumed in MP. The BJP that speaks about prosperous MP has brought the state to the present condition. After Patwari’s statement, many BJP leaders have become aggressive.  Reacting to the Xi to welcome Modi, Putin BEIJING: President Xi Jinping will gather more than 20 world leaders at a regional security forum in China next week in a powerful show of Global South solidarity in the age of Donald Trump while also helping sanctions-hit Russia pull off another diplomatic coup. Aside from Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaders from Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia have been invited to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, to be held in the northern port city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. Cabinet okays 25K tablets to speed up police investigation In first phase, 1,732 tablets will be given to investigation officers Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In a move towards digitising law enforcement, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to purchase 25,000 tablets for the police. These tablets will come equipped with applications such as e-Vivechana, designed to streamline the investigative process by allowing officers to document crime scenes with photos and videos, record statements, and update case diaries in real-time. In the first phase, 1,732 tablets will be given to investigating officers of urban police stations. Centre cuts wheat stock limit for traders to keep prices in check IANS remark, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said Patwari must tender an apology to the women of the state. The Congress has insulted the Ladli Behnas on Hartalika Teej, Yadav said, adding that he should tender an apology to women. During its rule, the Congress did not run any scheme for the welfare of women, but now, the party is insulting half of the population, Yadav said. 4Continued on | P8 Delhi Metro Corp to be roped in The Cabinet approved the proposal to provide consultancy charges to Delhi Metro Corporation for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Mahakaleshwar Ujjain, Indore, and Pithampur Metro corridor. The consultancy charge will be given at the rate of Rs 9 lakh per km. Next civic body election to see voters pick Chairman: CM BHOPAL: Addressing his ministers before the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said Declares holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi The tablets will be purchased for Rs 75 crore under the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) project worth Rs 102.88 crore. This approval has hiked the sum of the amended CCTNS scheme to over 177 crore.  that in the 2027 election for civic bodies, voters will directly elect the Chairman. Announcing a holiday on Wednesday, for Ganesh Chaturthi, the CM said that this festive season, including the coming Navratri, indigenous materials must be promoted.  4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 5 killed, 10 injured in landslide near Vaishno Devi temple NEW DELHI As part of continuous efforts to moderate prices of wheat before the upcoming festive season, the Central Government has decided to reduce the wheat stock limit applicable to wholesale and retail traders as well as processors in all States and Union Territories until March 31, 2026. The stock limit of wheat for wholesalers has been reduced to 2,000 metric tonnes (MT) from 3,000 MT earlier, while in the case of retailers, the stock limit has been cut to 8 MT for each retail outlet from 10 MT earlier, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Tuesday.Similarly, for wheat processors, the wheat stock limit has been scaled down to 60 per cent of the monthly installed capacity 4Continued on | P8 Agencies KATRA At least five people were killed and 10 others injured as heavy rains led to a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's (J-K) Katra on Tuesday, officials said. Rescue teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident. The bodies and the injured were shifted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Katra. "Rescue operation is underway. Five bodies have been brought to CHC Katra. Ten to eleven people are reportedly injured. We will share further information as it comes," SubDivisional Magistrate (SDM) Katra Piyush Dhotra told ANI. The landslide that occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari cave temple, located on the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in J-K's Katra, left some people trapped. "A landslide incident has occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, some injuries are feared. Rescue operations are underway along with required manpower and machinery. Jai Mata Di," the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said in a post on X. Blackmailed by woman, liquor contractor ends life She took Rs 25L and threatened me with rape case, he wrote in 5-page suicide note Our Staff Reporter Women consume most of liquor in state: Patwari Insult to Ladli Behnas: CM E-paper Cinema Cinema joins Ganpati celebrations P.13 US TARIFF @50% SET TO HIT INDIAN EXPORTS TODAY FP Desk CHATURTHI Edit Don’t politicise a verdict P.6 LEVY LOAD | US issues draft notice detailing tariff plan; India’s product exports to the US could substantially fall to USD 49.6 billion in FY26 INDORE MUMBAI GANESH INDORE Liquor contractor Bhupendra alias PintuRaghuvanshi (46) allegedly consumed liquor, a poisonous substance and even injected a substance to end his life at his home in Annapurna police circle on Monday night. Before taking the extreme step, Pintupenned a five-page suicide note blaming one Iti Tiwari of blackmail and extortion.Claiming that they were in a relationship for the last two years, Pintu requested police not to harass his family and friends, he wrote that Iti was threatening to frame him in a rape case and had even extorted Rs 25 lakh. His driver Shubham told Free Press that Pintu had returned home in Bhawanipur Colony after midnight. He was found unconscious by his wife on the ground floor and rushed to a private hospital, where he breathed his last. Suspecting honeytrap, family members claimed that Iti could be a part of larger racket involved in extortion through blackmail. The autopsy revealed that Pintuhad consumed alcohol before taking some poisonous substance. He later injected another substance subcutaneously on one of his arms. The police said that Pintuof Bhawanipur Colony was into liquor business. A year ago he had closed Shosha, Pitchers and Skull pubs and started Kahani Restaurant at Apollo Tower. However, the restaurant was recently shut down owing to financial strain. Some of his properties were rented out. He had been avoiding friends and relatives for the last few months, claimed family members. Pintuis survived by his wife Aarti, a son, a daughter and elderly parents. His daughter works with an IT firm in the United States of America (USA). The last rites will be performed after her arrival on Thursday. 4Continued on | P8