FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 231 | BHOPAL | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 3, 2026 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN MONEY Sports BELL’S BOUNDARY BLOCKADE P.14 PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK Cinema Grammys 2026 P.16 Trump cuts India tariff to 18% IANS In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that ‘Made in India’ products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent, as US President Donald Trump said India and the United States had reached a trade deal. PM Modi posted on X that it was “wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today”.“Delighted that ‘Made in India’ products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announce- ment,” Prime Minister posted on X. “When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace,” PM Modi further stated. He said he looks forward to working closely with Trump to “take our partnership to unprecedented heights”Earlier, In a post on Truth Social, US President said the agreement would immediately reduce the U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, calling it a major shift in bilateral trade ties linked to energy cooperation and broader geopolitical goals. Trump said the two leaders discussed “many things, including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine.” He claimed that Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to increase purchases from the United States and, potentially, from Venezuela.“This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!” Trump wrote.According to Trump, the trade deal would take effect immediately. He said India would “move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO.” Trump also said Modi committed to “BUY AMERICAN” at a much higher level. He added that India would purchase “over $500 BILLION DOLLARS of U.S. Energy, Technology, Agricultural, Coal, and many other products.” No jurisdiction: India Uproar over Rahul’s mention of ex-Army chief’s memoir holds firm against int’l court order Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI Agencies INDUS WATERS TREATY NEW DELHI India has strongly rejected a “supplemental award” issued by the Hague-based Court of Arbitration (CoA) concerning the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the body has no legal standing or jurisdiction over the matter. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India does not recognise the existence of the “socalled Court of Arbitration” and described its constitution as a serious violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). In a sharply worded statement, the MEA stressed that since India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, it is no longer bound by any of its obligations under the agreement. “No Court of Arbitration, fp Briefs TEHRAN Iran prez orders N-talks with US Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the start of nuclear talks with the United States, local media said Monday, after US leader Donald Trump said he was hopeful of a deal to avert military action against the Islamic Republic. Following the Iranian authorities' deadly response to anti-government protests that peaked last month, Trump has threatened military action and ordered the dispatch of an aircraft carrier group to the Middle East. much less this illegally constituted arbitral body which has no existence in the eye of law, has the jurisdiction to examine the legality of India’s actions in exercise of its rights as a sovereign,” the ministry said. The CoA had directed India to submit operational logbooks of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants by February 9 or formally explain its refusal to do so. 4Continued on | P8 The Lok Sabha witnessed heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches on Monday when, while speaking the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred to the unpublished memoirs of former Chief of Army Staff, General M.M. Naravane (retired), and an article related to it, to claim that all was not well on the China front under the present regime. Gandhi’s began reading from the unpublished memoir – titled ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ -- to counter BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s charge that during the rule of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, the President’s address reflected a “narrative of excuses” as the then govern- Rahul referred to the unpublished memoirs of former Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane (retired), and article related to it ment had failed on multiple fronts and because “weak leadership gives excuses” while “great leadership” delivers in the face of challenges. As Gandhi said “these are the memoirs of Army Chief Naravane… you will under- Two tigers found dead in Shahdol; probe underway Our Staff Reporter stand who is patriotic and who is not,” and began reading contents of the yet unpublished book related to the 2020 military skirmishes between India and China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interrupted him by asking whether the book had been published. Gandhi had barely spoken the words “national security”, “Chinese troops” and “eastern Ladakh” when he was again cut short by objections from the Treasury benches. Singh insisted that it was not right on Gandhi’s part to quote an unpublished work and that he should table a copy of the book. The Defence Minister also charged that Gandhi was misleading the House and rebuked him saying, “Do not try to mislead the House… unnecessary things should not be said here.” 4Continued on | P8 SC issues notice on plea over anti-conversion laws of states IANS BHOPAL NEW DELHI Sensation prevailed after a tigress and a tiger were found dead within twelve hours in Jai Singh Nagar of North Shahdol area. Their carcasses were discovered barely 100 meters apart. One died in a territorial fight while the other succumbed to electrocution. District Forest Officer (DFO) North Shahdol, Taruna Verma, told Free Press that the tigress was found first on Sunday, followed by the tiger carcass on Monday. When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Wildlife, L. Krishnamurthy said the tigress perished in a territorial fight while the tiger died due to electrocution. In response, local forest officials have been instructed to intensify combing operations and step up vigilance. DFO North said four villagers of Karpa hamlet were arrested in connection with the electrocution. Likewise, four others, on whose fields the animals were found, have also been booked. Interrogation of all accused is underway. Organs of both animals were found intact. Villagers reported seeing 3 cubs near the dead tigress. Forest officials carried out a search but could not locate the cub. Rising deaths Madhya Pradesh lost nine big cats in January alone. With these two deaths, total feline mortality rises to 11 so far. Electrocution is emerging E-paper Edit Menstrualhygiene a right P.6 PSB FDI CEILING RISE IN OFFING INDIA-US TRADE DEAL | Modi says he looks forward to working closely with Trump to take partnership to unprecedented heights NEW DELHI MUMBAI as a major threat. On January 16, a tiger died in Bandhavgarh due to electric shock. Forest department analysis from 2014 to 2025 shows 933 wild animals, including 39 tigers, died due to electric traps, mostly during winter. The recent death in North Shahdol occurred while Operation Wild Trap II was underway to protect wildlife. Head of Forest Force, V. N. Ambade, had directed field officers to exercise strict vigilance following past incidents. The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws enacted by multiple states. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought responses within four weeks from the Union government and the states concerned, and said the petitions would be heard along with similar pleas already pending before the top court. The petition, filed by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), has assailed the Freedom of Religion Acts enacted by Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Centre has taken note of water contamination incident in Indore: Min informs RS PTI NEW DELHI The Centre has taken note of the water contamination incident in Indore's Bhagirath Pura and is supporting states through financial and technical intervention schemes such as AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday. In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said that the area has old pipelines dating back to 1997, adding that "some of it is damaged, so the municipal administration identified the old stretches of pipeline and included them under AMRUT 2.0". In Indore's Bhagirath Pura, several people have died of diarrhoea and vomiting since the end of December. The minister said that the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has tendered four packages of water supply projects for Indore city under AMRUT 2.0, out of which execution of Package-1 has commenced and the remaining three packages are at the approval stage. The project covers the complete water supply chain and includes comprehensive overhauling, augmentation and modernisation of the 4Continued on | P8 Dalai Lama wins Grammy for audio book IANS DHARAMSALA Globally acclaimed spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, 90, has won his first Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. The Nobel Peace Laureate competed against Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan, US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, show host Trevor Noah, and actress Kathy Garver. Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on the Dalai Lama’s behalf during the ceremony streamed on YouTube. “Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama” is the entry from the world’s foremost Tibetan Buddhist, an album of innovative collaborations with Hindustani classical influences. Atop the music are collages of his remarks on themes like mindfulness, harmony, and health, captured over the last few years. Responding to the award, His Holiness said, “I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don’t see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility. I truly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings." “I’m grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely,” he said. Sixty-six years ago, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, disguised as a soldier, left Norbulingka Palace in Tibet, a Third Pole, and escaped into exile in India after his challenging 14-day journey. Since then, the longest, most respectable staying guest of the Indian government, who often says he’s enjoying every possible liberty, has been toeing a 4Continued on | P8 In 2026-27 MP will get Rs 7,678cr less than what it used to receive Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Union Budget has upset the MP’s budget estimation. The state budget session is beginning on February 16. The state’s share of the central taxes has been cut after the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. The state used to get 7.85% of the central taxes, which has been reduced to 7.34%. As a result, the state is likely to get Rs 1,12,133 crore from the central taxes instead of Rs 1,19,811 crore for 2026-27. In the next financial year, the state will get Rs 7,678 crore less than what it used to get from the Central Government. Since the state has been deprived of such a huge amount of central taxes, the government’s budget estimation has also been changed. In 2025-26, a budget worth 4.21 lakh crore was presented. It was expected that the size of the budget would be increased to Rs 4.85 lakh crore. Now, the amount may be reduced. Consequently, the government may cut some expenses in the upcoming budget. Now, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav may hold a meeting with the officers of the finance department to discuss the upcoming state budget. The state is likely to get Rs 1,12,133 cr from the central taxes instead of Rs 1,19,811 crore for 2026-27 In the next five years, MP will get its share of central taxes according to the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. Until now, the amount was increased every year. According to sources, the state will get Rs 45,000 crore less in the central taxes in the coming five years. This year, the state government is preparing a rolling budget on the basis of three years. The state is making its budget on the basis of its share of central taxes in the coming three years. The Union Budget has paid attention to the central schemes. Most of the central schemes will be run with the help of the centre and the state’s share of funds. The state government, too, has to make provisions for its share of funds for running the central schemes. Now, the state government has to focus more on providing funds for the central schemes than its own programmes. 5 injured as drunk driver goes on rampage on Khandwa Road CCTV footage shows vehicle hitting parents waiting for kids outside school Our Staff Reporter INDORE As many as five people were injured after a speeding loading vehicle driven by an intoxicated man struck multiple commuters and pedestrians on Khandwa Road under Bhanwarkuan police station limits on Monday afternoon. The vehicle continued its path of destruction for nearly 100 meters before finally crashing into the boundary wall of a private school which was captured in CCTV footage. The accident occurred near Radha Soami Satsang at 12:00 pm while the vehicle was heading toward IT Park Square from the Tejaji Nagar Victims were en route to job interview Bhanwarkuan police station in-charge Rajkumar Yadav said that the injured have been identified as Bhagirath Shukla (55) and his daughter Chetna (25), residents of Kasturba Gram; Rahul Singh and his wife Lalita, residents of Piplyahana; and another individual named Govardhan Lal (55). Bhagirath, a security guard at the Kasturbagram Rural Institute, was taking Chetna to Mhow Naka for a job interview when the accident occurred. Bypass. Of the five injured, three are reported to be in critical condition and have been admitted to the ICU. According to witnesses, the vehicle first rear-ended a car. Instead of braking, the driver, identified as Gajendra Prajapat (45) of Labariya Bheru, accelerated, hitting several more vehicles and pedestrians. The First-yr MBBS student hangs self in MGM Medical College Hostel Academic stress suspected Our Staff Reporter INDORE offgrid Union Budget upsets state estimation A 21-year-old MBBS student, Antariksh Agrawal, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room at MGM Medical College on Monday. Preliminary investigation suggested that the deceased was under academic stress which might have led him to take the drastic step. ACP Tushar Singh said that Antariksh was a first-year MBBS student of the 2025 batch and a resident of Gwalior. He was found hanging in room number 43, located on the fourth floor of the BR Ambedkar hostel. The incident came to light around 5:30 pm rampage ended only when the vehicle slammed into a school wall. Narrow escape for parents and students- The incident took place just as the school was closing for the day, with many parents waiting outside. 4Continued on | P8 AI pilot flags possible fuel switch issue IANS NEW DELHI when his roommate retur ned from coll e g e classes and found the d o o r locked from the inside. After receiving no response to repeated knocking, the roommate, with the help of other students, forced the door open to find Antariksh’s body. ACP Singh further said that Antariksh had not attended his college lectures earlier that day. While no suicide note was recovered from his place, his roommate told police that the deceased had been under significant stress regarding his academic performance. Tata Group-owned Air India on Monday said it has grounded one of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft after a pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch. The airline confirmed the development in an official response.Soon after receiving the information from the pilot, the aircraft was taken out of service as a precautionary step, Air India said.The airline has also involved aircraft manufacturer Boeing to examine the issue on a priority basis and address the pilot’s concerns.In its statement, an Air India spokesperson said the matter has been communicated to the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8