THURSDAY 06 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR P10 SENSEX 73,730.23p740.30 WEATHER Generally clear. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 30°C and 22°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 84% P6 22,337.30p254.65 ` vs $ 86.93 India in his sights, Trump talks up reciprocal tariffs The US President said the reciprocal tax will kick in from 2 April I Min: 29.3˚C SUN SETS 17:36 hrs MOON SETS 11:05 hrs Full Moon on 14 March THUMBNAILS People gather at shops to buy colours for the upcoming festival of Holi, in New Delhi on Wednesday. n ANI Successive quakes hit Manipur districts, no casualties reported: Two consecutive earthquakes, including one of 5.7 magnitude, jolted several Manipur districts and adjoining northeastern states, officials said. According to disaster management officials, there was no immediate report of loss of life or damage to property due to the two earthquakes, one of 5.7 magnitude and the other measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, both taking place in Kamjong district. n what is expected to upset New Delhi after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent successful visit to Washington, USPresidentDonaldTrump targeted India and other countries on import duties and announced reciprocal tariffs from 2 April. In a speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Mr Trump specifically mentioned Indian tariffs on automobile imports, saying: "India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent". The US President said the reciprocal tax will kick in on 2 April. He said that the US has been"rippedoff"fordecades by nearly every country on earth and vowed not to “letthathappenanylonger.” “Under the Trump administration, you will pay a tariff and in some cases a rather large one. Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades and now it's our turn to start using them against those other countries. On average the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades and now it's our turn to start using them against those other countries. On average the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico and Canada...charge us tremendously higher tariffs than we charge them. It's very unfair. India charges us auto tariffs higher than 100 per cent. DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT „America is back,‰ US President Donald Trump said as he vowed to keep up his campaign of „swift and unrelenting action‰ in reorienting the nationÊs economy, immigration and foreign policy in an unyielding address before a joint sitting of the US Congress, even as he emphasised his administration's rapid actions, claiming to have achieved more in 43 days than most administrations do in years. „We have just started,‰ he said. (See Page 10) Mexico and Canada, have you heard of them, and countless other nations charge us tremendously highertariffsthanwecharge them. It's very unfair. India chargesusautotariffshigher than 100 per cent," the American leader said. Therewasnoimmediate reaction from the Indian government. Mr Trump also spoke about the tariffs imposed by the European Union, China, Brazil and Mexico and announced that the USA will impose tariffs on other nations based on what they are imposing on Tamil Nadu all-party meet demands freeze on delimitation for 30 years STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHENNAI, 5 MARCH mentary constituencies, another resolution described it as posing “a serious threat to India’s federal structure and the political representation rights of Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states.” Further, it said: “It is completely unjust for Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states to have their parliamentary representation reduced solely because they have successfully implemented population control measures for the country’s benefit.” The all-party meeting called for a Constitutional amendment if increasing the number of MPs is necessary, by addressing the concerns of southern states. “If the number of MPs in Parliament is increased, the Union Government must amend the Constitution to ensure that distribution of constituencies among states follows the same proportional ratio as in 1971, thereby preserving Tamil Nadu’s rightful representation,” another resolution read. While making it clear that Tamil Nadu is not opposed to delimitation in principle, it was pointed out that “it should not be implemented in a way that penalises states that have successfully implemented social and economic development policies for over five decades.” To carry forward this demand and to take up awareness campaigns among people, the meeting decided to set up a Joint-Action Committee (JAC), comprising MPs from Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states. A formal invitation would be sent to relevant political parties for this purpose. Earlier, speaking at the , meeting, Mr Stalin described the proposed delimitation exercise as a ‘conspiracy and a Damocles sword hanging over the Southern states and said the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu might go down to 31 from the present 39. If it was carried on a pro-rata basis, the state could get an additional 22 seats. his country. "China's average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them. And South Korea's average tariff is four times higher. Think of that four times higher and we give so much help militarily and in many other ways to South Korea. But that's what happens, this is happening by friend and foe," he said. Mr Trump said: “This system is not fair to the United States and never was. And so on April 2nd, I wanted to make it April 1st, but I didn't want to be accused of April Fool's Day. That's not - this one day was - cost us a lot of money. But we're going to do it in April.I'maverysuperstitious person. April 2nd, reciprocal tariffs kick in. And whatever they tariff us, other countries, we will tariff them.” "That's reciprocal, back and forth. Whatever they tax us, we will tax them. If they do nonmonetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we will do non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market. There's a lot of that, too. They don't even allow us in their market.” AGENCIES BENGALURU, 5 MARCH in just 15 days, raising suspicions. Investigators suspect she may have been smuggling gold on multiple occasions. Authorities say Ms Rao exploited her father’s position -- Director General of Police (Police Housing Corporation) -- to avoid scrutiny at the airport. Upon landing, she would reportedly call police personnel to pick her up, who then escorted her home. Officials are now probing whether any police officers were complicit in the smuggling network. Following her arrest, the DRI raided her upscale Lavelle Road apartment in Bengaluru on Wednesday, where she paid Rs 4.5 lakh in rent. The search led to the discovery of additional gold and cash, taking the BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 69.31q1.73 India will establish National Large Language Model to develop AI capabilities: PM Modi NIKHIL VYAS NEW DELHI, 5 MARCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India will establish a National Large Language Model to develop artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities adding that the country's private sector also needs to be one step ahead of the world in this direction. The prime minister was speaking in a post-budget webinar on employment via video conferencing. He highlighted the importance of the theme of the webinar, "Investing in People, Economy, and Innovation," which defines the roadmap for Viksit Bharat. “The future of the nation is determined by investments in innovation,” said Mr Modi, highlighting that AI has the potential to contribute several lakh crore rupees to India's economy, underscoring the need for rapid progress in this direction. Mr Modi mentioned the allocation of Rs 500 crore in the budget for AI-driven education and research. Mentioning the plans to establish a National Large Language Model to develop AI capabilities in India, the prime minister urged the private sector to stay ahead of the global curve in this field. “The world awaits a reliable, safe, and democratic nation that can provide economical AI solutions,” he added, emphasising that investments made in this sector today will yield significant advantages in the future. “India has become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world,” said the prime minister, adding that several measures have been introduced in this budget to promote startups. Mr Modi mentioned the approval of a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus fund to boost research and innovation. The prime minister emphasised that this will increase investments in emerging sectors through the ‘Deep Tech Fund of Funds’. Mr Modi noted the provision of 10,000 research fellowships at IITs and IISc, which will foster research and provide opportunities for talented youth. The prime minister also highlighted the role of the National Geo-spatial Mission and the National Research Foundation in accelerating innovation. He stressed the need for collective efforts at all levels to elevate India to new heights in research and innovation. Underlining the significance of the Gyan Bharatam Mission in preserving India's rich manuscript heritage, Modi announced that over one crore manuscripts will be digitized under this mission, leading to the creation of a National Digital Repository. This repository will enable scholars and researchers worldwide to access India's historical, traditional knowledge and wisdom, he added. Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise over 100 provisions: Sitharaman AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 5 MARCH Rachin Ravindra scored 108 runs off 101 balls as New Zealand posted a massive total of 362-5 in their Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa. The Kiwis won by 50 runs to go through to (Match report on Page 16) the final, scheduled for 9 March, where they will face India. n BCCI/X Sources revealed that the actress had made four trips to Dubai in just 15 days, raising suspicions. Investigators suspect she may have been smuggling gold on multiple occasions. that Rs 2.67 crore in cash. Ranya Rao was apprehended on Monday night upon her arrival at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on an Emirates flight from Dubai. The DRI, acting on prior intelligence, deployed a four-member team at the airport, anticipating her arrival. Sources revealed that she had made four trips to Dubai P16 SIZZLING KNOCK Kannada actress arrested for ‘smuggling’ 14.8 kg gold at Bengaluru Airport The arrest of Kannada film actress Ranya Rao, daughter of a senior IPS officer in Karnataka, has exposed a major gold smuggling operation. Investigations by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) revealed that the 31-year-old actress used an unusual method to evade security checks -- she attached 14 gold bars to her thighs using adhesive, wrapped them with tape, and concealed them under a crepe bandage. Officials described her arrest as one of the biggest breakthroughs in recent gold smuggling cases. So far, authorities have seized 17.29 kg of gold and cash in the case. This includes 14.8 kg of gold worth Rs 12.56 crore recovered at the airport, Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold from her Bengaluru residence, and apart from SILVER 1,07,000 GOLD 88,955.00 NEW DELHI, 5 MARCH Min. 70% Demanding a freeze on the delimitation exercise for the next three decades, the allparty meeting convened by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday, resolved to form a Joint Action Committee comprising MPs from southern states to create awareness on the adverse impact of delimitation based on population. The meeting, attended by 40 registered political parties, barring the BJP and two other minor parties, endorsed the resolutions placed by Mr Stalin. “The Prime Minister must assure in Parliament that the 2000 agreement – where the then Prime Minister guaranteed that constituency distribution would continue to be based on the 1971 population for fairness – will be extended for another 30 years beyond 2026,” one of the resolutions said. Opposing the populationbased delimitation of parlia- P5 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE TEMPERATURE Max: 36.2˚C SUN RISES 06:04 hrs MOON RISES 00:18 hrs NIFTY AUS SKIPPER STEVE ‘WOMEN FORCED TO MORTGAGE JEWELLERY SMITH RETIRES FROM ODIS UNDER MODI GOVT’ ‘CONGRESS AIDING BJP'S RISE’ ZELENSKYY WANTS PEACE, READY TO ACCEPT A MINERALS DEAL: TRUMP total seizure to Rs 17.29 kg of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash. Her father, Ramachandra Rao, has distanced himself from the case, stating they have not been in touch since her marriage four months ago.Ranya Rao, known for her role opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in ‘Maanikya’, has also acted in other South Indian films. She was produced in court on Tuesday and remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue into her smuggling network and possible accomplices. Kejriwal faces intense criticism for big cavalcade STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE CHANDIGARH, 5 MARCH The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday said that it was condemnable that a curfewlike situation had been created for farmers who were not being allowed to come to the capital to register their protest even as a red carpet welcome was being accorded to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal with more than 100 vehicles escorting him for a Vipassana session from here to Hoshiarpur. Asking Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to explain this state of affairs, senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said in a statement: “The Chief Minister should tell why Kejriwal was being accorded a welcome reserved for heads of states when he did not have any Constitutional authority and had no relation with Punjab.” He said the CM should also tell Punjabis why he had invited farmers for talks and then insulted them by walking out of the meeting in a huff when reminded about the promises made by him and his boss Kejriwal to farmers. BJP leader Tarun Chugh said: “Arvind Kejriwal has come with his group to Punjab with the ill-intention of looting the state…In what capacity is a cavalcade of 100 vehicles accompanying Kejriwal? How is he holding a meeting of government officials and how is he giving them direction?” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday that the government is committed to encouraging global economic partnerships, leveraging technology to strengthen traditional sectors and to significantly enhance the export potential of India. Addressing a post-budget webinar on the theme ‘Regulatory, Investment, And Ease Of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms’, she said the government will now bring in the general Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise more than 100 provisions in various laws. It will further simplify processes for businesses, the minister said. The Finance Minister emphasised that the government remains committed to ensuring the timely implementation of all budget announcements for the year 2025-26. Highlighting the focus laid on capex, Mrs Sitharaman said that the pathway for reforms is complemented by the government's unwavering focus on capital expenditure as a driver of economic growth. For the year 202526, total effective capex is proposed at 15.48 lakh crores, which is 4.3 per cent of the GDP, with 11.21 lakh crore allocated as core capital expenditure by the Centre, which is 3.1 per cent of the GDP. This unprecedented investment in infrastructure development is already creating jobs, strengthening industries and laying the foundation for private sector participation in India's growth story, the FM said.