BHUBANESWAR l thursday l april 02, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late CITY EDITION IAF, HAL to hold critical review meet as tejas mk1a delay drags on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Indian Air Force will hold a critical programme review this month to finalise a revised induction timeline Meet to assess progress on key requirements Air force grapples with squadron shortage Sources in the defence establishment said senior IAF and HAL officials will meet in New Delhi to assess the progress made on mandatory operational requirements. “The outcome of the review will be decisive... The IAF is seeking clarity on when the first aircraft, already over two years behind schedule, will finally be inducted,” a source said | P7 ■ ■ Beyond delays in the supply of GE F404 engines from the United States, the integration and certification of the Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA radar has added to the programme’s timeline pressures The delays come as the IAF grapples with a squadron shortfall, operating just 29 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ordered by the Indian air force CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI PM lauds CM Majhi for Odisha’s progress, assures more support Indian tanker Jag Vasant, owned by Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd, after clearing the Strait of Hormuz, is seen anchored at the LPG discharge terminal, in Mumbai on Wednesday | PTI E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar PM takes stock of steps to safeguard citizens from crisis Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the fast-paced development of Odisha under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership in the last two years and assured continued support going forward. In a four-page letter sent from his camp office in Dibrugarh, the PM extended warm greetings to Majhi and the people of Odisha on the occasion of Utkal Divas. “One can only marvel at Odisha, its glorious history and the people of this exceptional state,” Modi wrote. Recalling his long association with the state since his tenure as Gujarat CM, Modi said the relationship has only deepened over the years. “My close interaction with Odisha has continued after I took oath as Prime Minister. I consider it my privilege and the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath that over the last decade, I have got the chance to work towards the progress of Odisha and the prosperity of its people,” he said. Emphasising the Centre’s development push, the Prime Minister pointed to record investments in infrastructure, particularly in railways and roads. “A glimpse of this can be seen in the fact that this year has seen the highest allocation of funds in railways and roads to Odisha,” he noted. He added that the railway allocation has risen sharply to `10,600 crore for 2025-26, which Jayanth Ja c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security to review India’s preparedness amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, directing officials that “all efforts must be made to safeguard citizens from the impact of this conflict.” The second such review in recent days held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg focused on mitigating disruptions across key sectors including energy agriculture, ship, ping, aviation, logistics and MSMEs. The government assessed supply chains and explored contingency measures to ensure stability in essenInterventions tial commodities and services. Supply proposed to be diversification for LPG and LNG, fuel taken for duty reduction and power sector emerging measures were reviewed to ensure challenges in stability of essential supplies. various other sectors such as A key focus area was energy secuagriculture, civil rity Cabinet Secretary T V Somanath. aviation, shipping an briefed the meeting about the acand logistics were tion taken to ensure supply of also discussed petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and sufficient power avail- Govt statement ability Measures such as exempting . certain gas-based power plants from pooling mechanisms and increasing coal supplies to thermal stations were reviewed to ensure uninterrupted electricity during peak summer demand. The government noted that “enough coal stock exists” to meet power needs in the coming months. On the agriculture front, the PM reviewed fertilizer availability Efforts are underway to maintain urea pro. duction and coordinate imports of DAP and NPK fertilizers. States have been asked to intensify monitoring and take action against diversion and black-marketing. day 33 Costly fuel 25% Price hike cap on aviation turbine fuel on domestic routes announced to prevent steep rise in airfares, though ATF rates have more than doubled to `2.07 lakh due to West Asia crisis `195.50 Hike in cost of commercial LPG rates per cylinder `2 per litre Jump in XP95, Power95, and Speed fuels `51 More for 5 kg mini LPG cylinder Just 8.5% up Price of jet fuel in Delhi is `1,04,927 per kilolitre, only 8.5% higher than `96,638 in March. Earlier in the day, OMC website showed the price at `2,07,341.22 per kilolitre for this month April 16-18 spl session to add LS seats for women quota PR E E T H A N A IR @ New Delhi with an eye on the upcoming assembly polls, the Centre may convene a special session of Parliament from April 16-18 to bring a bill to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 so that 273 of them could be reserved for women in Lok Sabha, sources said. While the Budget Session is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, the government may prorogue it and convene a ‘special session’ ahead of the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu on April 23, and West Bengal polls on April 23 and 29. “The House will not be adjourned sine die but will be adjourned with the announcement that it will meet again on a specific date. We will meet again this month,” said a source, indicating the third week of April. The government recently proposed an early delimitation exercise to fast-track the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act. The proposed changes include linking the Act’s implementation based on the 2011 Census for a quicker rollout and potentially increasing the number of Lok Sabha and Assembly seats by 50% on a proportional basis. Though Home Minister Amit Shah held discussions with some NDA allies and some nonCongress opposition floor leaders last week, consultations with the Congress and TMC were yet to take place. The Opposition has demanded an all-party meeting to discuss the roadmap. The Congress also opposed the proposal to raise the size of the Lok Sabha by 50% saying such a move would “disadvantage” smaller states in the The proposal Budget session supposed to end on Thursday But session unlikely to be adjourned sine die Govt planning to summon it again for 2-3 days in April 3rd week Plan to raise LS seats to 816, with 273 reserved for women Constitutional amendment bill to amend Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to be brought Another bill to tweak Delimitation Act Redrawing of constituencies to be based on 2011 census South, Northeast, and West. The provision to provide 33% reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023, but it will come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise. According to the broad contours available, the number of Lok Sabha seats would be increased from the present 543 to 816, with 273 seats reserved for women. The reservation will also be done on a “vertical basis” with seats allocated for SCs and STs. The redrawing of the constituencies will be done on the basis of the 2011 census rather than the proposed 2027 census. A similar exercise will be carried out for state assemblies where seats will be reserved on a pro-rata basis. While a Constitution amendment bill will tweak the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, commonly known as women’s reservation law, another ordinary bill will amend the Delimitation Act. Once approved by Parliament, the proposed laws will come into force on March 31, 2029 and will help reserve seats for women in the next Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections in Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh. Trump says war to be over in 2-3 wks, weighs NATO exit a g en c i e s @ Washington, London, Tel Aviv President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the US could end its operations in Iran in two-three weeks with or without a deal. However, a third US aircraft carrier, USS George H W Bush, set sail for West Asia on Tuesday. Trump is expected to address the nation on Wednesday night (Thursday 6.30 am IST). The US president sharply escalated his confrontation with Europe over the war, saying he is strongly considering pulling his country out of NATO. “Oh yes, I would say it’s (US exit from NATO) beyond reconsideration,” he told a reporter at a White House briefing. In a further sign of stress on the transatlantic alliance, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain needed to forge a “closer partnership” with the EU on defence, security and the economy He vowed not . to let the UK get dragged into the war against Iran. Meanwhile, Trump claimed Iran’s president has asked for a ceasefire. Iran’s president “has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed the remarks as “false and baseless”. Bosnia Herzegovina beat four-time champions Italy on penalties to enter football’s greatest showpiece event. Incidentally, Italy’s last qualification was in 2014, the same year Bosnia played at the quadrennial event | P11 This is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik whose life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Amid strong blowback, FCRA bill put on hold Although the bill was listed for consideration in the Lok Sabha on the Centre on Wednesday put the Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs proposed amendments to the For- Minister Kiran Rijiju said it would eign Contribution (Regulanot be taken up for discustion) Act (FCRA) on hold sion after massive protests amid mounting opposition by the Opposition to the contentious changes members. and political heat ahead of As soon as the Question t h e Ke r a l a A s s e m b l y Hour began at 11 am, oppoelections. sition members, mainly While the amendment bill from Kerala, started raising has drawn sharp criticisms `22,000 cr slogans against the proviinflow from the CPI(M), church sions of the Bill. groups, and the Congress “I had told the Congress Currently, around which termed it ‘draconian’, 16,000 associations party yesterday that since the BJP’s Kerala unit chief are registered under the Bill has been introRajeev Chandrasekhar said duced, it has been listed for the FCRA and the Centre would not proconsideration and passage receive `22,000 ceed with the proposed for Wednesday. But, today crore annually, amendments without adthe FCRA (Amendment) according to the dressing the concerns raised Bill is not being taken up for statement of by various sections, includ- objects and reasons discussion,” Rijiju said. ing Christians. He accused the Congress of the bill Chandrasekhar said the and Left parties of misleadBJP’s Kerala unit has requested the ing the people of Kerala, which facCentre not to pass the FCRA amend- es Assembly polls on April 9. ment bill at this stage. Countering the Opposition chargThe FCRA (Amendment) Bill, in- es that the bill would impact minortroduced in the Lok Sabha last week, ity institutions, Rijiju said the insparked a row as it gives the Centre tent is to protect national security the power to appoint a designated and interest and asserted that it was authority which would control the not aimed against any religion or funds and assets in case the FCRA organisation. It was aimed at precertificate is cancelled, surrendered, venting misuse of foreign contribuor ceased. tions, he adedd. PR E E T H A N A IR @ New Delhi Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister is expected to significantly improve c o n n e c t iv i t y, l o g i s t i c s a n d tourism. Modi highlighted Odisha’s growing prominence in maritime development, industrial expansion and emerging sectors such as semiconductors and rare earth minerals, noting that these will strengthen the state’s role in strategic minerals and advanced and future-ready manufacturing. He praised CM Majhi’s leadership over the past two years. “I am confident that no stone will be left unturned to fulfil people’s dreams,” Modi said, while appreciating initiatives like the Subhadra Yojana E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar SC sceptical on bid to limit birthright citizenship | p7 italy miss 3rd time in-a-row The PM’s participation in the Pahandi ritual during the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is a symbol of the deep cultural unity that binds the nation Biju Babu an inspiration for all, says PM; Dubey tenders apology inside world cup File photo aimed at women empowerment. The Prime Minister said Odisha’s industrial progress is equally praise-worthy “The laying of foun. dation stones and inauguration of over a hundred major projects, with record investment and employment potential for lakhs of people, reflect clear momentum in implementation,” he noted. He also urged the state to prepare an ambitious roadmap as it approaches its centenary. “The Government of India will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Odisha in advancing our shared resolve of Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat,” Modi said. In his response, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the letter had deeply resonated with the people of the state. Majhi highlighted the cultural ties between Odisha and Gujarat and appreciated the Prime Minister’s reference to shared traditions such as the Sun Temples and Rath Yatra. The PM’s participation in the Pahandi ritual during the Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is ‘a symbol of the deep cultural unity that binds the nation,’ the CM said. Thanking the PM for his acknowledgement of Odisha’s flagship initiatives for women empowerment, Majhi said such encouragement will strengthen the state’s commitment to advancing the cause of Nari Shakti through programmes like Subhadra Yojana and ‘Lakhpati Didi’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who paid rich tributes to the illustrious figures of Odisha on Utkal Divas described the legendary Biju Patnaik as an inspiration for all. In his four-page letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Modi highlighted Odisha’s glorious legacy and saluted its iconic personalities, with a special mention of Biju Babu. The PM paid homage to Maharaj Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Buxi Jagabandhu, Veer Surendra Sai, Gangadhar Meher, Madhusudan Das, Harekrushna Mahtab, Malati Choudhury, Sarala Devi, Parbati Giri and Biju Patnaik saying the legen- dary figures and countless others from the state have left an indelible mark on the nation. “This is the soil that nurtured the great Biju Patnaik whose life epitomises strength, courage and an unwavering commitment to nation-building. Biju Babu’s multi-faceted persona inspires us all,” he noted. The Prime Minister’s mention assumed significance as it came amid widespread outrage over BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s recent comments on Biju Patnaik. Dubey had remarked that Biju Patnaik acted as a ‘link’ between the US government, the CIA and the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru after the 1962 Sino-Indian war, drawing criticism across partylines and all walks Continued on P5 of life.