FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLII No. 237 | INDORE | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 3, 2026 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN MONEY Sports BELL’S BOUNDARY BLOCKADE P.14 PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema Grammys 2026 P.16 MEGA AGREEMENT | US cuts levy from 25% to 18% with India stopping Russian oil buy; Delhi pares tariffs to nil, to hike American purchases Trump seals deal, lowers tariff FP News Service American President Donald Trump on Monday said the US and India had agreed to a bilateral trade deal that would lower reciprocal tariffs between the two countries. Announcing details of a phone conversation with PM Narendra Modi, Trump said Washington would reduce its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18% , effective immediately. In return, he claimed India would move to cut its own tariffs and non-tariff barriers against US products to “zero." Trump made the remarks in a lengthy post on social ‘Thanks from 1.4 bn Indians’ M Narendra Modi on Monday welcomed the US trade deal. “When two large economies and the world’s largest democracies work together, it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation,” Modi said. “Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement,” he wrote on X. “President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” the PM added. P media, describing Modi as “one of my greatest friends" and saying the two leaders had discussed trade, energy cooperation and the war in Ukraine. “Out of friendship No jurisdiction: India holds firm against int’l court order and respect for PM Modi, and as per his request, we agreed to a trade deal between the US and India," Trump wrote. “He (Modi) agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the US and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!" he added. Trump further claimed that New Delhi will significantly increase purchases of American goods and services. 4Continued on | P8 OM BIRLA SILENCES GUNS OF NARAVANE 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 after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred to the unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane while speaking during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, triggering objections from the government and repeated adjournments of the House. Gandhi cited the yet-to-bepublished memoir, titled Four Stars of Destiny, and an article related to it to argue that the situation on the China front was not as secure as projected by the government. He was responding to BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s charge that the President’s Ad- dress during the Congress-led UPA years reflected a “narrative of excuses”, with Surya asserting that “weak leadership gives excuses” while “great leadership” delivers in the face of challenges. As Gandhi began reading from the memoir, saying, “These are the memoirs of Army Chief Naravane… you will understand who is patriotic and who is not,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened and asked whether the book had been published. When Gandhi mentioned “national security”, Two tigers found dead in Shahdol; probe underway Our Staff Reporter “Chinese troops”, and “eastern Ladakh” in connection with the 2020 military standoff with China, Treasury benches raised strong objections. Singh insisted that it was improper to quote from an unpublished work and demanded that a copy of the book be tabled. He accused Gandhi of misleading the House and cautioned him against raising “unnecessary things”, saying such remarks should not be made in Parliament. Gandhi countered that the Centre was trying to silence him. 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 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 Grammy winners take aim @ ICE, Trump parel, while Justin and Hailey Bieber, Carole King, Teddy Swims, Joni Mitchell, Finneas, Billie Eilish, Samara Joy, Lachi and Kehlani wore pins reading “ICE OUT”.  Bad Bunny, who is set to perform at the Super Bowl next weekend, won three Grammys, declared, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” he said. Deeksha Pandey MUMBAI The 68th Grammy Awards turned into a night of music and protest, as some of the world’s biggest artistes openly criticised US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and President Donald Trump, prompting a sharp response from the president, who threatened legal action against host Trevor Noah.  Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens wore protest ap- 4Continued on | P8 China slams Dalai award China on Monday criticised the decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama, calling the honour a form of political manipulation against the country. The Dalai Lama won his first Grammy in the category of audiobook, narration and storytelling for his book Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 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 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. 4Continued on | P8 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-132 fuel switch glitch revives AI-171 crash scare Dhairya Gajara MUMBAI Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet is under renewed scrutiny following a serious technical occurrence of the fuel cut-off switch on flight AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, as it involves the exact same mechanical failure suspected in the catastrophic AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad last June. The cockpit crew of the Boeing 787-8, registered as VT-ANX, reported that the left engine fuel control switch exhibited abnormal behaviour during operation on Monday. 4Continued on | P8