FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 131 | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | OCTOBER 24, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY Sports India’s fiery 340 ignites World Cup comeback P.15 Trump cancels meeting with Putin The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday (local time) imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine. The sanctions aim to degrade Russia's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. "Today's actions increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith. Treasury will continue to use its authorities in support of a peace process," the US Treasury's statement read. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, ac- fp Briefs NEW DELHI Process begins to appoint CJI The government on Thursday initiated the process to appoint the next chief justice of India as incumbent B R Gavai demits office on November 23, sources said. The letter asking Justice Gavai to name his successor is set to be delivered either this evening or on Friday, people aware of the procedure to appoint Supreme Court and high court judges told PTI. NEW DELHI India, Oman discuss ties The Indian Army and Royal Army of Oman held the third Army-to-Army Staff Talks in New Delhi, focusing on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation through expanded joint exercises, expert exchanges in niche domains and deepening training collaboration. The officials of two nations also held talks on capability development, professional military education and new avenues for partnership under the Defence Cooperation Plan 2026. BENGALURU CMS-03 launch in November ISRO has scheduled two launches of its heavy-lift rocket LVM-3 to place in orbit two satellites -CMS-03 and private US communications satellite BlueBird--before this yearend, chairman V Narayanan said on Thursday. Narayanan said the NASAISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite, launched on July 30, was currently in the calibration stage and will become operational within 10-15 days. US President Donald Trump has said that he has cancelled his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts. "We cancelled the meeting with President Putin," Trump told reporters on Wednesday at the White House. "It just didn't feel right to me." "It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump added. He said last week that he will meet with Putin in Hungary's Budapest for talks, following a phone conversation between the two leaders. ‘Act of war against Russia’ It’s a process: Don on Russian oil Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said the new US sanctions against Russia and President Donald Trump's cancellation of the Budapest summit are "an act of war against Russia." "If any of the numerous commentators still have any illusions, here's what you get. The US is our enemy. And their talkative 'peacekeeper' is now fully on the warpath against Russia," he said US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that India has agreed to "stop" buying oil from Russia and would bring them down to "almost nothing" by the end of the year. However, he said, it is a process and will take some time. Trump also said that he would try to persuade China to do the same. China and India are the two biggest buyers of Russian crude oil cording to the statement. "Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions," he added. Rosneft and Lukoil are now designated, resulting in the freezing of their assets in the US and restricting US persons from engaging in financial transactions with them. All entities owned 50% or more by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked, regardless of whether they are designated by OFAC. 4Continued on | P8 70% NEW FACES INDUCTED INTO HEMANT’S NEW TEAM Rahul, Lata, Manisha, Gaurav become general secretaries; Ashish remains in charge of media cell Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL BJP’s state unit president Hemant Khandelwal has announced the names of much-awaited office-bearers of the party’s executive committee. Khandelwal announced his team three months after taking over as the head of the party’s state unit. Most of the leaders who were office-bearers during the tenure of VD Sharma as party president were removed and new faces have been inducted into the team. Up to 4 nominees for bank accounts NEW DELHI: Beginning next month, a bank customer can opt for up to four nominees in her or his account with a view to ensure uniformity, and efficiency in claim settlement across the banking system. The key provisions relating to Nomination under the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 will come into effect from November 1, 2025, a finance ministry statement said on Thursday. As per the amendments, it said, customers may nominate up to four persons, either simultaneously or successively, thereby simplifying claim settlement for depositors and their nominees. See Money INDORE NASHIK PM to attend India-ASEAN summit virtually NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for annual ASEAN meetings due to scheduling issues and he will join India's annual summit with the 10nation grouping virtually. Following a phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Modi said he was looking forward to joining the ASEAN-India summit virtually, and to further deepening comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent PM Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 27, according to an official statement. 4Continued on | P8 Elder daughter undergoing treatment Our Staff Reporter INDORE A tragic incident unfolded early Thursday morning, wherein businessman and Congress leader Pravesh Agrawal, owner of a Mahindra showroom, died of suffocation after a fire broke out in his penthouse. His elder daughter is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital. Agrawal lived with his wife banned in Bhopal Ashish Agarwal Gaurav Randive Impact of Sangh, coordination of other leaders seen The team set up by state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal indicates the coordination of all leaders, including the office-bearers of the RSS. Among the close associates of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Nandida Pathak, Lata Wankhede, Rahul Kothari, and Prabhulal Jatav have been included in the team. Prabhuram Choudhary has been inducted into the team for his connection with union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Shailendra Barua, Surendra Sharma, Nishant Khare, Sumer Sloanki, Lokendra Parashar, and Shyam Mahajan have been included in the team from the RSS quota. Only 11 office-bearers of the previous committee have found a place in the new setup. Treasurer Akhilesh Jain and media in charge Ashish Agarwal have been kept in the new team. 4Continued on | P8 Drug case: Dawood aide deported from Dubai IANS MUMBAI In a major breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against the Dawood Ibrahimlinked drug network, the Mumbai Crime Branch has taken into custody Dubaibased handler Mohammed Salim Sheikh, who was deported to India in connection with the Salim Dola drug trafficking case, officials said on Thursday. Sheikh, identified as one of the key coordinators operating from abroad alongside Salim Dola, is accused of ma- E-paper naging drug operations linked to a large-scale mephedrone manufacturing network in Maharashtra. Both Sheikh and Dola are said to be close aides of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. A Red Corner Notice had earlier been issued against Mohammed Salim Suhel Shaikh. He was apprehended in the UAE a few weeks ago and brought to India following completion of legal formalities. On October 22, the Mumbai Crime Branch formally arrested him and produced him before a court, 4Continued on | P8 Land disposal rate fixed at full Collector guideline value Our Staff Reporter 810 new posts sanctioned in hospitals BHOPAL The state cabinet has approved a major change in the land disposal policy, deciding that the reserved price of land will now be fixed at 100% of the area as per the Collector’s guideline rate. The move is expected to increase revenue for the state government. As per the amendment to clause 10.11 of the Re-densification Policy 2022, the offset value—earlier determined on the basis of 60% area and 100% guideline rate—will now be calculated on 100% area and 100% guideline rate. Officials said this adjustment will help generate more funds for development projects. BHOPAL: In view of increasing accidents and noise pollution during festive celebrations, Bhopal Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh on Thursday issued an order imposing a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, and sale of carbide guns, illegal firecrackers, and sound-producing explosive devices across the district. The order has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023. The Collector clearly stated that no individual or trader will be allowed to manufacture, sell, or display carbide guns or any such banned explosive materials. 4Continued on | P8 Shweta, elder daughter Somya and younger daughter Mayra in a penthouse located above their showroom. The family was asleep when the fire broke out.   Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya While satellites and modern forecasts guide most of the world, the tribal communities of Jhabua still trust their age-old tradition to read the skies. Like every year, thousands of villagers climbed Chui Hill in Ranapur area after Diwali to perform the ancient weather-prediction ritual on Baba Dev Hill. The highlight of this cen- turies-old custom is the symbolic sacrifice and rolling of a buffalo’s carcass. According to belief, the direction and distance of its roll reveal how the coming year’s weather and crops will be. This year’s reading brought smiles and hope – elders predicted that 2026 would see good rainfall, lush greenery and a prosperous harvest season, especially during the months of Jeth, Bhadar and Haravan. proved the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Valuation Scheme for the next five years. Under the plan, SDG implementation and monitoring will be carried out at the state, district and block levels. Districts will be ranked through a dedicated dashboard. The top two districts will receive awards of Rs 1 crore and Rs 75 lakh respectively, which can be used toward any of the 17 SDG targets. The scheme will cost about Rs 19.10 crore and aims to promote social, economic and environmental development. said that, as per preliminary investigation, the fire is suspected to have started from an oil lamp (akhand jyot) burning in the home temple. However, the possibility of an electrical short circuit has not been ruled out. 4Continued on | P8 Mother takes Somya to hospital R amesh said that on coming to know about the incident, he and another guard went upstairs and found Shweta and Mayara on the balcony. The two of them managed to get the mother-daughter duo downstairs while they entered the penthouse and found Somya unconscious. They took her downstairs and Shweta immediately took her to the hospital. After that Pravesh was taken out and rushed to the hospital. Tejashwi INDIA bloc’s CM face in Bihar, Sahani to be his deputy PTI PATNA The opposition INDIA bloc on Thursday declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav its chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar assembly polls, in what is being seen as a last-ditch effort to put an end to squabbles after weeks of intense deliberations and project unity ahead of the elections. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who has been in Patna since Wednesday to resolve differences with the Opposition bloc, also said that Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahni and leaders from other sections of society will be deputy CMs if the INDIA bloc comes to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav with Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani power in the state, "keeping in mind the complex social structure of Bihar". Addressing a joint press conference along with Yadav, CPI (ML)-L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and other members of the INDIA bloc, Gehlot said,"We have de- cided, after consultations with our national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, besides all coalition partners who are here, to name Tejashwi Yadav as our chief ministerial candidate." Sahani, who wields influence among Mallah and Nishad communities, reportedly drove a hard bargain during seat-sharing talks. A former Bollywood set designer, the 45-year-old leader entered politics in 2014 when he campaigned for the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, only to allege, later, that the party failed to keep its promise to grant Scheduled Castes status to his community. 4Continued on | P8 India to add Rs 79,000 cr military hardware PTI NEW DELHI The defence ministry on Thursday cleared proposals to procure weapons and military hardware worth Rs 79,000 crore, including Nag missiles, amphibious warfare ships and electronic intelligence and surveillance systems, to boost the combat capabilities of the three services. The procurement proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. It is the second major decision on procurement following Operation Sindoor. Procurement projects worth Rs 67,000 crore were approved on August 5. The DAC approved various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 79,000 crore, the defence ministry said. 4Continued on | P8 Faith over forecast: Buffalo predicts good harvest FP News Service Interest-free farm loan scheme extended- The cabinet approved the continuation of the zero-interest short-term loan scheme for farmers for 2025–26. Loans will be disbursed through cooperative societies, with the due date for Kharif 2025 set as March 28 and for Rabi 2025– 26 as June 15. No interest will be charged on loan up to Rs 3 lakh. The state has set a target of Rs 23,000 crore for loan distribution. New scheme to track SDG progress- The cabinet also ap- Pravesh Agrawal offgrid JHABUA The cabinet sanctioned 810 new posts for operation and upgradation of district hospitals in Tikamgarh, Neemuch, Singrauli, Sheopur and Dindori, including expansion of facilities by 100 beds in each hospital. Penthouse fire claims bizman-Cong leader’s life ‘Carbide guns’ Rahul Kothari MUMBAI Cinema How Gen Z stars lit up Diwali P.14 US SANCTIONS 2 MAJOR RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES WASHINGTON DC PUNE Edit Negligence mars pilgrimage P.6 Revenues rise, profitability dips UKRAINE WAR | Washington calls on Moscow to agree to ceasefire Agencies UJJAIN People gathered for a programme on Chui Hill in Ranapur cultural heritage. Jhabua MLA Vikrant Bhuria and BJP District President Bhanu Bhuria also attended, calling the ritual a “living symbol of tribal wisdom” that continues to prove accurate even in the satellite age. Women, though not allowed to climb the hill since Baba Dev is a bachelor deity, watched the event from below with devotion. The hilltop turned festive as villagers, farmers and 4Continued on | P8 youth gathered with drums and songs, celebrating their Cochin Shipyard delivers first indigenous anti-submarine vessel Mahe to Indian Navy See Nation IED blast in Assam disrupts train services PTI KOKRAJHAR Railway services across lower Assam and parts of north Bengal were disrupted on Thursday after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) went off on the tracks in Kokrajhar district, officials said. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said police have identified one suspect for his alleged involvement. The explosion took place at 1 am, around 5 km away from the Kokrajhar railway station towards Salakati in Alipurduar division of the Northeast Frontier Railway, an official said. "The blast ripped apart nearly three feet of railway line with fragments of the damaged track found strewn several metres away," he said. Kokrajhar's Senior Superintendent of Police Pushpraj Singh said there were no reports of any casualties or derailment in the incident. 4Continued on | P8