FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLI No. 237 | INDORE | MONDAY | FEBRUARY 3, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in World Elon Musk's DOGE gains access to Treasury data P.9 fp ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY ‘RBI’s interest rate, Q3 earnings key drivers’ UJJAIN PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit China’s ‘Eureka’ moment makes US anxious Brand Sutra Bathrooms Get A Makeover P.14 TRAGIC | Bus was en route to Dwarka Briefs 5 from MP die as bus falls into gorge in Guj JAIPUR Quake hits Bikaner Tremors of magnitude 3.6 were felt in Bikaner, Rajasthan on Sunday afternoon. No loss of life was reported in the quake. According to the meteorological department, an earthquake was felt in Bikaner and some surrounding areas at 12.58 pm on Sunday. According to the website of the National Centre for Seismology (NSC), the epicentre of the earthquake was 10 km below the ground near Bikaner. Its intensity was measured to be 3.6. GAROTH/MANDSAUR Ex-sarpanch's MD lab exposed Mandsaur police discovered an illegal methamphetamine (MD) manufacturing unit at a former Sarpanch house, seizing drugs around Rs 2.25 crore on Sunday. Neemuch Narcotics Wing made the discovery after arresting two suspects on Saturday night. The investigation began when police arrested Balu Singh Panwar (46) and Kamlesh Prajapat (34) near Neemuch bypass road, finding 800 grams of MD drugs with them. See Pg5 KUALA LUMPUR India defend U19 T20 WC In the battle of unbeaten sides, India successfully defended the Under-19 T20 World Cup title with a 9wicket win against South Africa on Sunday at Bayuemas Oval. After India prevailed in a low-scoring affair, the South African team formed a hurdle with tears streaming down the faces of the players. On the other hand, India's total supremacy was celebrated with beaming smiles. The BCCI on Sunday announced a cash award of Rs 5 crore for the Indian team and its support staff after the title triumph in the U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. (Detail on Sports Page) CM announces Rs 4L ex gratia Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Kids splash colours @ Free Press event The 14th edition of Free Press On-the-Spot Painting Competition was organised in Kalidas Sanskrit Academy premises in Ujjain on Sunday. More than 3,000 Class 1 to 12 students of city’s over 110 schools participated. Thirteen attractive prizes in each of the three groups of the competition were distributed. The event witnessed colourful cultural presentations by the participants. FP PHOTO BONANZA FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS PM wanted it but babus played hardball, says FM FP News Service NEW DELHI In a detailed discussion with PTI and NDTV on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shed light on the intricate process behind the Union Budget's landmark tax relief measures aimed at India’s middle class. Despite unwavering support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sitharaman revealed that the initiative faced significant resistance from within the government. Extensive internal discussions and datadriven analysis were necessary to win over key stakeholders, including the finance ministry and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Sitharaman explained that ISRO 100th mission runs into a snag FP News Service MUMBAI The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s 100th rocket mission encountered a setback when its navigation satellite, launched on Wednesday, experienced a technical issue on Sunday. ISRO explained that the "orbit raising operations towards positioning the satellite in the designated orbital slot could not be carried out, as the valves for admitting the oxidizer to fire the thrusters for orbit raising did not open." The NVS-02 satellite, built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, was meant to be placed in a geostationary circular orbit over India. However, due to an issue with the satellite's liquid engine, the attempt to reach the designated orbit has been delayed, and there is a possibility that it may be abandoned altogether. 4Continued on | P6 while Prime Minister Modi was fully supportive of easing the tax burden on the middle class, convincing bureaucratic bodies was more challenging. “It wasn’t a matter of convincing the PM at all,” she noted. “The real challenge was ensuring that the finance ministry and the CBDT were comfortable with the idea.” The boards were con- cerned about maintaining fiscal discipline and revenue streams that fund welfare and development schemes. After detailed discussions, the government ensured the tax cuts would not compromise fiscal stability, reaching a consensus on their necessity and sustainability. 4Continued on | P6 Warden booked for filming hostel girls changing clothes FP News Service BARWANI In a shocking incident, the warden of the Government Girls’ Hostel here was booked for allegedly filming the students while they were changing their clothes. The allegations against the warden surfaced following the disappearance of his mobile phone, which was reportedly taken by the students. Investigations revealed that it contained objectionable videos of the students. On Saturday night, the affected students and their families approached the Palsud police to file a complaint. Sub divisional police officer (SDOP) Ayush Alawa, along with other officials, promptly visited the spot. According to the district education officer, the students complained of in- appropriate behaviour by the warden, including unwanted physical contact. As protests erupted among the local tribal community, demanding strict action in the case, the police recorded the statements of the victims and registered an FIR against the warden. SP Jagdish Dabar said that a case had been registered against the warden and further probe was underway. The collector has also initiated an investigation into the matter. The warden’s mobile phone is currently in possession of the girl students. Raju Patel, state working president of Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti (JAYS), demanded immediate arrest of the warden and formation of a Special Investigation Team to look into the case. 4Continued on | P6 CM returns from 4-day Japan tour Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Chief Minister Mohan Yadav received a rousing welcome on his return from Japan on Sunday. After landing, the CM was received by senior BJP leaders, including party state president VD Sharma. A small felicitation programme was organised in his honour at the State Hanger. The CM said that he received overwhelming response during the Japan visit and there is immense scope of development in the state through the cooperation of Japan. He received many investment proposals during the tour and Japan will help in strengthening the state economy. He stated that he had gone to Japan to extend the invitation of GIS and instead received many proposals of investment. “As Japan follows Buddhism hence it feel close to India. The people of Japan believe in Karma and favours economic development. There is no retirement age in Japan,” Yadav added. He praised the visionary policies of Prime Minister Modi. BJP state president VD Sharma and other elected representatives were present on this occasion. Britain will become the first country to introduce laws against AI tools used to generate sexual abuse images, the government announced late Saturday. The government will make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate sexualised images of children, punishable by up to five years in prison, interior minister Yvette Cooper revealed. It will also be illegal to possess AI "paedophile manuals" which teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children, punishable by up to three years in prison. "This is a real disturbing phenomenon. Online child sexual abuse material is growing, but also the grooming of children teenagers online. And what's now happening is that AI is putting this on steroids," in- terior minster Yvette Cooper told Sky News on Sunday. She said AI tools were making it easier for perpetrators "to groom children, and it's also meaning that they are manipulating images of children and then using them to draw and to blackmail young people into further abuse. "It's just the most vile of crimes," she added. The new law would include banning "some of the AI models being used for child abuse," said the minister. "Other countries are not yet doing this, but I hope everyone else will follow," she added. TARIFF PAIN IS WORTH IT: TRUMP Mexico, Canada hit back with retaliatory tariffs Josh Boak & Zeke Miller PALM BEACH (US) President Donald Trump has pushed the world to the brink of an economic turmoil by imposing 10% tariff on all imports from China and 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada. The step drew swift response in the form of retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and Canada, America’s two largest trading partners. In a forceful response, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs against US. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, too, said she had BECOME A US STATE In a separate post, President Trump called yet again for Canada to become a US state, heightening tensions further after hitting it with heavy tariffs. While claiming the United States pays "hundreds of billions of dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada," Trump said "without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country." serious injuries and have been rushed to a civil hospital at Ahwa. Some others have sustained minor injuries. The rescue operation is nearly over," the official said. Patil said a total of 35 passengers were taken to the nearby community health centres (CHCs) for treatment, and 17 of them were referred to the civil hospital at Ahwa in the district. The pilgrims, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, had set out on four different buses on December 23, 2024, on a trip to religious places across various states, he said. Bizwoman blames EOW, ED, politicians for suicide bid Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL instructed her economy secretary to implement a response that includes retaliatory tariffs and other measures. The Canadian Prime Minister and Mexican President also held a call to close ranks in the face of Trump’s punitive action. In a shocking turn of events, Payal Modi, director of Jaishri Gayatri Foods, has blamed political leaders and law enforcement agency for her suicide bid. A video that had gone viral on social media captures her allegations against the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), and influential politicians, whom she accuses of relentless harassment leading to her desperate act. The turmoil began after ED conducted raids on January 29 at various locations in Bhopal, Sehore, and Morena. 4Continued on | P6 4Continued on | P6 choc-o-bloc UK to criminalise AI sexual abuse tools Online Report wheels near Saputara, a hill station, in-charge Superintendent of Police SG Patil said. He said the bus, carrying 48 pilgrims, broke the crash barrier and plunged 35 feet into the gorge. The passengers started at night for Dwarka in Gujarat from Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra's Nashik district. The official said they stopped for tea at Saputara before resuming their journey when the accident occurred 2.5 km from the hill station. "Five persons died on the spot, and 17 others suffered Vehicles move at a snail’s pace as commuters stuck on MR-10 in heavy traffic congestion for hours due to ongoing marriage processions and diversion for metro work offgrid LONDON Five pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh were killed and over 35 others injured when their bus plunged into a gorge in Saputara, Gujarat, on Sunday. The group was en route to Dwarka at the time of the tragic incident. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep concern over the death of pilgrims. He announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the family of each deceased, Rs 1 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 for those with minor injuries. The Chief Minister also asked officials to ensure that necessary medical treatment is provided to the injured. Among the deceased were the bus driver, who hailed from Vidisha, and four others from Shivpuri. Over 35 passengers sustained injuries in the tragic accident. The accident occurred around 4.15 am when the bus driver lost control over the AI tools are being used to generate child sexual abuse images by "nudeifying" real life images of children or by "stitching the faces of other children onto existing images," said the government. The new laws will also criminalise "predators who run websites designed for other paedophiles to share vile child sexual abuse content or advice on how to groom children," punishable by up to ten years in prison, said the government. VOLKSWAGEN CHALLENGES $1.4 BILLION TAX DEMAND FP News Service MUMBAI Volkswagen has filed a lawsuit against Indian authorities to challenge a USD 1.4bn tax demand, describing it as “impossibly enormous” and inconsistent with the country’s import taxation rules for car parts. In a 105-page petition reviewed by Reuters, the German automaker’s Indian subsidiary, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, argued before the High Court in Mumbai that the tax dispute threatens its USD 1.5 billion investment in India and could undermine the overall foreign investment climate. The tax notice, issued in September, is the largest-ever import-related tax demand in India. It accuses Volkswagen of manipulating import classifications to reduce duties. Volkswagen's legal filing claims the demand contradicts India’s efforts to create an investorfriendly environment and ease the process of doing business. The High Court in Mumbai is set to hear the case on February 5. Indian authorities allege that Volkswagen imported nearly complete vehicles in an unassembled state, which typically attracts a 30-35% tax rate for completely knocked down (CKD) units. However, the company is accused of evading these higher duties by classifying the imports as individual parts, subject to a lower tax rate of 5-15%. 4Continued on | P6