FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 293 | INDORE | TUESDAY | APRIL 1, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: Sports fp Briefs BEIJING Asian trio against tariffs South Korea, China, and Japan resumed economic dialogue after five years, aiming to counter U.S. tariffs and strengthen regional trade. The three trade ministers agreed to explore a high-level free trade agreement to boost economic ties and reduce dependence on the U.S. market. Discussions also covered supply chain cooperation, with Japan and South Korea seeking Chinese semiconductor materials, while China looks to import chips. The talks come ahead of President Trump’s expected tariff announcement on Wednesday, which he calls "liberation day" for U.S. trade. DHAKA Muhammad Yunus’ claims During his state visit to China, Bangladesh’s interim head, Muhammad Yunus, claimed that Bangladesh was the "only guardian of the ocean" for India’s Northeast, falsely suggesting the region was landlocked without access. He further proposed integrating it into China’s economy, calling it a "production house" for global markets. His remarks ignored India’s existing connectivity, including access via Assam and West Bengal. The statement, lacking basis, appeared to push China’s economic agenda, raising concerns about Bangladesh’s strategic intentions. NEW DELHI Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in August 2024, is set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2, sources told CNNNews18. The BJP reportedly consulted its allies before introducing the legislation, which has triggered strong opposition protests. The bill’s progression follows months of scrutiny by the JPC, with critics alleging it could intensify controversies around Waqf Board powers. The government, however, maintains it aims to streamline management of Waqf properties. MUMBAI Film director booked for rape An FIR has been registered against director Sanoj Mishra for the alleged rape, and assault of a woman. Sanoj is the same director, who offered his next movie to the viral girl from Kumbh Mela, Monalisa. Sanoj Mishra, 45, was caught from Ghaziabad, and was taken into custody after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Delhi High Court. The complaint is registered by a 28-year-old woman. Today in IPL WORLD MSD’s knee limits batting role P.14 Trump’s tariffs target all, India to feel pinch (Detail on sports Page) UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Modi’s overtures to the Sangh P.6 Cinema April Fool’s Day... P.12 ‘Panchayat & rural devpt dept most corrupt in division’ Aman Sharma INDORE If figures are any indicators, the panchayat and rural development department has emerged as the most corrupt government department in Indore division, as per the official data received from the Lokayukta. Over the last three years, the Lokayukta, special police establishment, has taken the highest Home dept second, followed by revenue, urban administration & development and health departments, as per official Lokayukta data number of actions against the department—almost half of the total—highlighting significant irregularities in its functioning. According to the data, the panchayat and rural development department leads the corruption list, with 57 out of 137 actions taken against its officials and employees. The home department ranks second with 14 cases, followed by the revenue department with 13, the Urban administration & development department with 10 and the health department with 8 actions. This data reflects a perturbing trend of corruption in key 9.5% Action by Lokyukta Revenue Departments Administration and Development 5.8% Health Departments chayats from April 1. The decision, taken during a cabinet meeting in Maheshwar, will impact cities like Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot and Amarkantak. Moreover, liquor sale will be banned in Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd and Linga gram panchayats. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Several key changes are set to take effect from April 1, impacting property buyers, electricity consumers and liquor sales in religious towns. Property registration rates will rise by 11% in Bhopal and 20% across the state, making homeownership even more challenging. Moreover, electricity bills will increase by 3.46%, adding to the financial burden of common people. The government has also ordered the closure of liquor shops in 19 religious cities and several gram panchayats as part of its new policy. The Bhopal district administration has approved an 11% increase in property registration rates, which will come into effect from April 1. This rise will directly im- Water tax hike likely Rush at registry office ISBT on last day of financial year as collector’s new guideline will go into effect from April 1. pact middle-class and lower-income families, making home purchases even more difficult. On a state level, registration rates will see an average hike of 20%, further pushing up property costs. Power costly The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed a 3.46% increase in electric- ity tariff, effective from April 1. This will add to the woes of consumers already struggling with inflation, as higher power bills will stretch household budgets further. Liquor ban The state government has ordered a complete shutdown of liquor shops and bars in 19 religious towns and several gram pan- Palestine poster at Eidgah sparks uproar amid Waqf Bill row Apart from these changes, Bhopal Municipal Corporation is considering a water tax and property tax hike, which may add further financial pressure on residents. An official decision on this is expected soon. Medicine price to see 1.7% rise Prices of many essential drugs are set to rise from today, with the National Pharmaceutical 4Continued on | P8 Sonia vs BJP: Education war escalates Our Staff Reporter FP News Service BHOPAL MUMBAI Many Muslims in Bhopal, Morena and other parts of Madhya Pradesh offered Eid prayers on Monday wearing black armbands in protest against the proposed amendment to the Waqf Bill. However, a major controversy erupted when some youths displayed posters in support of Palestine outside Bhopal’s Eidgah. The incident sparked outrage, with Mayor Alok Sharma and Minister Vishwas Sarang strongly condemning it. While the Waqf Bill protest remained peaceful, Muslim clerics voiced their opposition, arguing that the amendment undermines Muslim rights and seeks to seize Waqf properties. Despite the Palestine poster he had not seen anyone displaying such banners. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Modi government's education policy, branding it a "carnage" driven by centralization, commercialization, and communalization. Writing in The Hindu, she accused the government of sidelining state governments and systematically eroding the public education system. Gandhi alleged that the NEP 2020 masked a deeper agenda—tightening Union control over education, pushing privatization at the cost of the poor, and rewriting history to suit the ideological leanings of the BJP and RSS. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 controversy, the police claimed to be unaware of the incident. ACP Anil Bajpayee, who was present at the Eidgah, said that India braces for hotter-than-usual temp FP News Service MUMBAI India is expected to face hotterthan-usual temperatures from April to June, with an increased number of heatwave days in central and eastern India, as well as the northwestern plains, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Monday. Most of the country will ex- perience higher-than-normal maximum temperatures, with the exception of certain areas in western and eastern India, where temperatures are expected to remain normal. Minimum temperatures are also predicted to be above average across most regions, according to IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, who spoke at an online press conference. "From April to June, most parts of north and east India, central India, and the northwestern plains are expected to 25.5% Other Departments APRIL SHOCK: PRICEY PROPERTY, POWER Booze ban in religious cities 41.6% 10.2% Home Panchayat & Rural Departments Development 7.3% Urban SURGE | Property registration rates will rise by 11% in Bhopal and 20% in other regions of the state MATCH NO. 13 LSG Vs PBKS LUCKNOW; 7.30 PM INDORE see two to four additional heatwave days compared to the norm," Mohapatra stated. India typically records four to seven heatwave days during this period. States likely to experience above-normal heatwave days include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, 4Continued on | P8 government departments responsible for governance, infrastructure, healthcare and public welfare. The Lokayukta’s actions included cases of bribery, raids related to disproportionate assets and misuse of authority. However, there is one department, Madhya Pradesh Gramin Bank, which has had zero action against it in the past three years. SP Lokayukta Rajesh Sahay said, “We have taken 53 actions for bribery, raid and India refutes NYT report on sensitive tech transfer to Russia FP Online The Indian government on Monday refuted an article published in an American newspaper claiming that the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may have “re-routed British sensitive equipment” to Russia’s Rosoboronexport, which is sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the European Union. Responding to the article, a Ministry of External Af- fairs (MEA) source told a news agency that the report is factually incorrect, misleading, and it attempts to frame issues and distort facts to fit a political narrative. "The Indian entity (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HAL) mentioned in the report has scrupulously fol- Two booked for gang-rape of woman FP News Service DHAR A 43-year-old woman, who works as house help alleged that she was gang raped by two persons while she was returning home from work. Police assured fair probe and booked two persons under rape charges, said a police official. After media attention on the issue, police registered a case against Monu Thakur and Radhiya for rape and assault charges. As per kin, family launched a search operation when victim got missing on March 24. They found her severely injured on the next day. They threw the victim from an 8 to 10 feet high wall in naked condition which resulted in spinal injury. She was found in this condition by her family members while they were searching for her. Based on the victim’s statement, they went to the police station to file a com- Accused threw the woman from an 8 to 10 feet high wall in naked condition which resulted in spinal injury MUMBAI Is it time for Salman Khan to take VRS? That’s what many on social media are suggesting after the lackluster performance of his latest flick, Sikandar, at the box office. The film, directed by the hugely successful Chennai-based A.R. Murugadoss, was released on tain scenes depicting the 2002 Gujarat riots. In comparison, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan opened with `109 crore in September 2023. According to industry watchers, Salman has lost steam, and audiences found it hard to digest a 59-year-old hero (who will be a senior citizen by year-end) romancing 28-year-old Rashmika Mandanna. Most non-paid reviews slammed the film, citing its failure in nearly every de- IFS officer Nidhi Tewari appointed pvt secy to PM FP Online NEW DELHI plaint but cops turned the family away and refused to file a complaint. She was later admitted to a private hospital in Dhar, where she revealed that she had been raped by two individuals. Her daughter claims that there is significant pressure being exerted on them. Dr Saurabh Sisodia said that she suffered broken spine and was undergoing treatment. SDOP Dhamnod, Monika Singh assured fair investigation in this matter. After media attention on the issue, police have registered a case against Monu Thakur and Radhiya for rape and assault charges. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 SC TO HEAR PLACES OF WORSHIP PLEA TODAY Top court to examine if 1991 law blocking religious site changes violates constitutional rights FP News Service MUMBAI The Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge to the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, on April 1. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar will examine whether the law’s mandate to maintain the religious char- acter of sites as they stood on August 15, 1947, infringes on constitutional rights. The petition, filed by law student Nitin Upadhyay through advocate Shweta Sinha, questions the validity of Section 4(2) of the Act. This provision bars courts from entertaining cases seeking to alter the religious character of any place of worship. It also prohibits the filing of fresh lawsuits on such matters. According to the plea, the Centre has overstepped its legislative authority by denying judicial recourse. “The right to judicial remedy is a basic feature of the Constitution. The government cannot strip courts of their power to adjudicate such disputes,” it argues. While the Act prevents conversions of places of worship, it does not explicitly prohibit structural modifications. 4Continued on | P8 YANGON Sikandar sinks: Time for Salman Khan VRS? Sunday to coincide with Eidul-Fitr. It grossed only `54 crore on its opening day—a disappointing figure for a Salman starrer—while Vicky Kaushal's Chhava, directed by the lesser-known Laxman Utekar, raked in `47.25 crore. Sikandar was no match for the Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan, which collected `67 crore on its first day despite controversy surrounding cer- lowed all its international obligations regarding strategic trade controls and end-user commitments. India’s robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade continues to guide overseas commercial ventures by its companies. We expect reputed media outlets to undertake basic due diligence before publishing such reports, which was obviously overlooked in this case," the news agency quoted an MEA source as saying. 2014 Batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Nidhi Tewari has been appointed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Private Secretary. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved this appointment, which was officially announced by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). Nidhi Tewari has been serving as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) since November 2022. Before that, she worked as Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. According to the DoPT memorandum issued on March 29, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Tewari's appointment with immediate effect. FP Special S Balakrishnan misuse of authority in 2024, 42 in 2023 and 42 in 2022, totaling 137 actions over the last three years. Of these, 57 actions were against officials and employees of the panchayat and rural development department, 14 against the home department, 13 against the revenue department, 10 against the urban administration & development department and 8 against the health department.” partment. This was also his first Eid release in two years. Many suggested that Salman—who remains on the radar of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang for gunning down sacred blackbucks years ago—should hang up his boots or consider character roles. But the controversial actor has other plans. He has already announced his next film alongside his close friend Sanjay Dutt. However, many who attended the Sikandar press conference felt the actor looked jaded, frequently speaking about fate and death. Trade sources attributed Sikandar’s poor showing to widespread piracy, with as many as 600 illegal prints circulating on Saturday. But few were convinced by this explanation. Quake death toll at 2,056 The death toll from 7.7magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 2,056, with approximately 3,900 people injured and nearly 270 reported missing, according to the country's State Administration Council Information Team on Monday. Rescuers have been racing against time to save more lives in affected areas.