FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 99 | BHOPAL | MONDAY | SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 | Pages 12 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in World Bad things will happen if Kabul does not return Bagram: Trump P.9 fp Briefs GAZA CITY 91 dead in Israeli strike Israeli forces killed 91 Palestinians in Gaza in a single day, including family members of a prominent doctor and several people fleeing northern Gaza City, as air and ground operations intensified to capture the enclave's largest urban centre, Al Jazeera reported. The strikes on Saturday targeted residential homes, shelters, tents for displaced people and a truck carrying civilians ordered to evacuate Gaza City. At least 76 people were killed in those attacks. GUWAHATI Thousands bid adieu to Zubeen The mortal remains of Assam's most loved singer, Zubeen Garg, reached his hometown on Sunday morning, triggering an outpouring of grief as thousands lined the streets to catch a last glimpse of their icon. The body, flown in from Delhi on a commercial flight, arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport around 7 a.m.It had been brought to the national capital from Singapore shortly after midnight, where Garg tragically passed away on Friday following a swimming accident. NEW DELHI India, US armies join hands Apart from the recently conducted joint military exercises between the armed forces of India and the US, senior Indian army officers arrived in America to study the medical facilities of the US military and boost defence medical cooperation and strategic cooperation between the two countries, Ministry of Defence officials said on Sunday. WASHINGTON Indian Embassy issues helpline The Indian Embassy in Washington on Saturday released an emergency assistance number for Indian nationals in need of immediate support foollowing United States President Donald Trump has signing a proclamation imposing an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visa applications. Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call cell number +1-202550-9931 (and WhatsApp). ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY UJJAIN PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK Brand Sutra Impact Over Income P.10 DOUBLE BONANZA | People’s dreams, from building a house to owning vehicles and travelling, will become easier to fulfil, says PM ‘GST Utsav begins, poor, middle class to gain big’ 375 items to get cheaper IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the implementation of next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms from September 22 will be a "double bonanza" for the “poor, neo-middle class, and middle class", as the reforms would "significantly ease the cost of living while boosting aspirations of millions". "From tomorrow, only two tax slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent will remain. This means that daily-use items such as food, medicines, soap, toothpaste, and insurance will either be exempt or taxed at just 5 per cent," PM Modi said in his address to the nation on Sunday evening.According to the Prime Minister, nearly 99 per cent of products earlier taxed at 12 per cent have now been moved into the 5 per cent category. He underlined that this reform would make essential and lifestyle goods — from groceries and medicines to TVs, refrigerators, twowheelers, cars, and even hotel stays — more affordable for citizens.Highlighting the socio-economic shift over the past decade, he said that in the last 11 years, 25 crore people have overcome poverty to One Nobel for each one: Don claims ending seven wars PTI NEW YORK/WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump has repeated his claim that he solved the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year with trade and asserted that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize for "ending seven wars". Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire after a "long night" of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim over 40 times that he "helped settle" the tensions between India and Pakistan. India has consistently denied any third-party intervention. "On the world stage, we are once again doing things that we are just respected at a level that we have never been respected before. 4Continued on | P8 From automobiles and electronics to food items and medicines, as many as 375 goods and services will become cheaper from Monday (September 22), as the new GST framework comes into effect. The major rate rationalisation, approved by the GST Council earlier this year, reduces the tax structure from four slabs to just two -- 5 per cent and 18 per cent.A special 40 per cent rate will apply on a select list of luxury and sin goods.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had described the reform as a “Diwali gift” for consumers, saying the move will not only lower costs for the middle class but also make business operations smoother under GST India Inc hails Swadeshi drive Now, with GST reforms, the poor, the neo-middle class, and the middle class are receiving a double bonanza Narendra Modi Prime Minister emerge as a vibrant "neomiddle class". "Now, with GST reforms, the poor, the neo-middle class, and the middle class are receiving a double bonanza. Their dreams — from building a house to owning vehicles and travelling — will become easier to fulfil," he added. Earlier this year, the government made income up to Rs 12 Apex business chamber CII hailed PM Narendra Modi’s clarion call to boost domestic manufacturing and demand for Indian-made products, giving a fresh momentum to the Swadeshi campaign powered by the cut in taxes under GST 2.0. The PM’s address marks a landmark for India’s growth path, with the reduction of taxes on essential and daily-use products under GST 2.0 reforms poised to enhance disposable incomes for households and stimulate domestic demand, the CII said in a statement.These reforms, which will kick in from Monday, will significantly boost domestic manufacturing and demand for Indian-made products, giving fresh momentum to the Swadeshi movement, it said lakh tax-free, a move that the PM described as a gift to the middle class.The Prime Minister said that when combined with recent income tax exemptions, the GST reforms would lead to huge savings annually for the people.“If we combine the income tax exemption and the GST exemption, the decisions made in one year will save the MP legal team, OBC Mahasabha gear up for 27% quota fight Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL With the Supreme Court scheduled to resume hearings on the 27% OBC reservation case from September 24, the Madhya Pradesh government and the OBC Mahasabha have intensified legal preparations. A strategic meeting was held in Delhi on Sunday, bringing together senior legal officers of the state and key representatives of the OBC Mahasabha to finalise arguments and action plans. The meeting, which lasted over two and a half hours, focused on how to remove the existing 13% hold on OBC-reserved posts and push for full implementation of the 27% reservation in the state. The discussion was led by senior advocate and former Additional Solicitor General of India, P. Wil- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, ex-ASG P. Wilson to appear in SC on September 24 son, who engaged closely with Madhya Pradesh’s legal team to align strategies for the upcoming hearings. This high-level meeting was organised with the approval and involvement of the OBC Mahasabha and included in-depth deliberations on legal tactics and constitutional positioning. Participants included Additional Advocate Generals Nilesh Yadav and Dhirendra Parmar, Standing Counsel Mrinal Elkar and Deputy Advocate General Harmeet Rooprah. 4Continued on | P8 ‘Bad things going to happen’ TRUMP WARNS AF Agencies WASHINGTON, DC US President Donald Trump demanded that Afghanistan return control of Bagram Air Base to Washington, warning the Taliban govern- ment that "bad things are going to happen" if they did not comply with his demand. "If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!" Trump warned in a post on Truth Social. Bagram Air Base is currently under the control of the Taliban government after the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump has repeatedly indicated that he would have kept control of the air base, given its strategic importance near the border between Afghanistan and China. See world people of the country more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore," he said. He also pointed to the enthusiasm among traders and shopkeepers, noting that the reforms reflect the mantra of "Nagrik Devo Bhavo"The Prime Minister stressed that reforms in the tax system are aimed at making life easier for common people and ensuring that their dreams can be fulfilled. Karnataka caste census from today BENGALURU: The stage is set for the Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census' in Karnataka from Monday, amid efforts by various castes and community groups to consolidate their respective population, aimed at ensuring their numerical strength. However, the survey may be delayed by a day or two in the Greater Bengaluru area. PTI TEKANPUR The Border Security Force (BSF) has updated its training curriculum and added drone warfare as a mandatory subject for its troops and officers, apart from commissioning an innovation centre to develop indigenous tools for the 6,000-km-long front with Pakistan and Bangladesh, apart from operating the home ministry's air wing for special missions. During Operation Sindoor, the force countered IANS LONDON In a coordinated diplomatic move ahead of the high-stakes United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session this week, three major Western countries — the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada — on Sunday formally recognised the State of Palestine, reviving global debate over the longstanding two-state solution. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK’s recognition of Palestine in a statement on social media.“Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a twostate solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine,” UK PM Keir Starmer said on X, signalling a shift in London’s Middle East policy.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed the same sentiment, releasing a detailed statement from Ottawa.“Since 1947, Canada has supported a two-state solution – Palestine and Israel living side by side in peace and security. Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of lasting peace in the Middle East,” the Canadian PM said on X. See world Get ready for SIR rollout by Sept 30: EC to poll officers PTI NEW DELHI The Election Commission has asked its state election officers to be ready for the SIR by September 30, in an indication that the poll authority could launch the voter list cleanup exercise as early as OctoberNovember. According to officials, at a conference of state chief electoral officers (CEOs) here earlier this month, the EC top brass asked them to be ready for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rollout in the next 10 to 15 days. But for the sake of greater clarity, the deadline of September 30 was set. The CEOs have been told to keep voter lists of their states, published after the last SIR, ready. Several state CEOs have already put up the voter lists published after their last SIR on their websites. The website of the Delhi CEO has the voter list from 2008, when the last intensive revision took place in the national capital. In Uttarakhand, the last SIR took place in 2006 and the electoral roll from that year is now on the state CEO's website. The last SIR in states will serve as the cut-off date, just as the 2003 voter list of Bihar is being used by the EC for intensive revision. Most states had the last SIR between 2002 and 2004 and have nearly completed mapping of current electors with those as per the last intensive revision. The EC has said that after Bihar, SIR will be carried out in the entire country. Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are due in 2026. The primary aim of the intensive revision is to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking their place of birth. Handshake freeze in Dubai HARD STAND | SKY stands firm, skips Salman again ANI DUBAI The Asia Cup Super Fours clash between India and Pakistan began with yet another “handshake halt” as Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav once again avoided the customary gesture with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss. Both captains maintained distance, avoided eye contact, and skipped the ritual – a repeat of the group-stage encounter that had already stirred headlines. Suryakumar, after winning the toss and opting to field, simply walked back to his team, leaving the gesture uninitiated. The backdrop to India’s stand was the Pahalgam terror Suryakumar Yadav (L) walks past Pakistan's captain Salman Agha during the toss at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday AP/PTI attack on April 22, in which 26 tourists lost their lives to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Postmatch, Suryakumar made it clear that India’s silence was a statement of solidarity. “Some things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We dedicate this win to our brave armed forces,” he told reporters. Pakistan, however, bristled at the stance. Head coach Mike Hesson hinted at disappointment, and captain Salman’s absence from the post-match presentation fueled speculation. (Detail match report on sports page) 4Continued on | P8 Rs 100 cr stolen: BJP leader alleges Tirupati theft under YSRC rule FP News Service Online Report MANDSAUR TIRUPATI A young woman practising Garba in a pandal in Khanpura area was abducted by a group of people here late on Saturday night. She was dragged out of the pandal by two women and six men while she was practising Garba. A video of the incident is also making rounds on the internet. In the viral video, it can be seen that a group of people approached her while she was practising Garba in Bhawsar Dharmshala and then dragged her outside. A woman came forward to help her while she was being forcibly taken away but abductors kicked her away and fled the scene. As per sources, one of the abductors even had a country-made pistol within two hours. Station incharge Pushpendra Singh Rathore said that the woman of Garoth police station area, had left her husband and had been in a live-in relationship with a man named Yash in Mandsaur for the past three months. A BJP leader has alleged that over Rs 100 crore was stolen from the donation box of the Tirupati temple during the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress regime. Bhanu Prakash Reddy, who is also a Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) member, claimed that temple staffer Ravikumar stole cash from the donation box and released CCTV footage to back his claim. Reddy alleged that crores of rupees were invested in real estate using the looted money and the illegal funds were allegedly diverted to Jagan Mohan Reddy's house, Tadepalli Palace. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 BSF adds drone warfare to training syllabus new-age warfare post-Operation Sindoor. The premier Officers' Training Academy of the about 2.70 lakh-strong force based in this Madhya Pradesh town near Gwalior has also created a drone technology lab for the students of Rustamji Institute of Technology (RJIT), the only higher education institute run by a paramilitary force under the Union home ministry. The BSF guards India's over UK, Australia, Canada recognise state of Palestine Woman practising Garba abducted by eight, rescued offgrid Commissions innovation centre E-paper Edit MAGA at the cost of India P.6 GST rate cut kicks in, goods & services become cheaper NEW DELHI MUMBAI drone attacks, loitering munitions and launched effective firepower against Pakistani positions along the border. Eighteen BSF personnel, including two posthumously, were awarded gallantry medals for displaying courage during Operation Sindoor, launched by India in May following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives. 4Continued on | P8 A woman being dragged away by a group of men and women during a Garba practice on his possession. The people present during the incident informed police. Acting swiftly, police cordoned off main roads of the district to nab the abductors. During checking, the vehicle was stopped in Chandwasa, under Shamgarh police station area and the woman was rescued Abuses hurled at Modi’s mother during Tejashwi’s rally, claims BJP Dheeraj Kumar PATNA BJP on Sunday alleged that abuses were hurled at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late mother by some RJD workers during party leader Tejashwi Yadav's 'Bihar Adhikar Yatra'. Abuses were allegedly hurled by RJD workers at Mahua in Vaishali district on Saturday in the last leg of Bihar Adhikar Yatra. The BJP also claimed that Tejashwi was on the dais when his party workers made derogatory remarks against PM’s mother. Sharing a video of the purported incident on his X handle, deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary wrote, "Tejashwi Yadav has once again insulted Modi ji's late mother. He has once again torn apart the culture of Bihar. In the rally, the RJD workers were hurling as many abuses as they could, and Tejashwi was encouraging them. The mothers and sisters of Bihar will surely hold him accountable for this thuggish mentality and abusive behaviour.” 4Continued on | P8