eye THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE Grand Dame of Indian Fashion KOLKATA,LATECITY AUGUST17,2025 Ritu Kumar, 80, is writing a book on reclaiming lost textile traditions FOUR-PAGE PULLOUT 12+4PAGES,`7.00 (`12 IN NORTH EAST STATES, ` 20 IN ANDAMAN) DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PATNA, PUNE, VADODARA WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM PUTIN DEMANDS KYIV CEDE DONETSK; ZELENSKYY REFUSES, SET TO MEET TRUMP TWO-RATE STRUCTURE, 5% AND 18% meeting on Trump echoes Putin stance on Ukraine GoMreforms next GST war as Alaska meet ends without truce week, tight timeline ED raids homes of TN minister, kin; DMK says bid to deflect from ‘vote chori’ During the ED searches at one of the properties in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. PTI ARUN JANARDHANAN CHENNAI, AUGUST 16 OFFICERSFROMtheEnforcement Directorate(ED)launchedsimultaneous searches on Saturday at the properties of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister IPeriyasamy,hisfamilymembers, and linked premises in Dindigul andChennai,revivingayears-old disproportionateassetscasethat had been dismissed but was recently reopened by the Madras High Court. About a dozen ED officials, splitintothreeteamsandbacked by armed Central Reserve Police Force personnel, arrived at three residential locations in Dindigul — Durairaj Nagar, Vallalar Nagar, and Seelapadi — around 7:30 am. Local DMK cadre quickly gathered near the sites as police tightened security. The searches targeted the minister’shome,aswellasthatof hissonandDindigulEastMLAIP Senthil Kumar and his daughter Indra. In Chennai, ED teams conducted searches at Periyasamy’s official bungalow on Greenways CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 STEVE HOLLAND, ANDREW OSBORN & TOM BALMFORTH US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Saturday that Ukraine should make a deal to end the war with Russia because “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not”, after hosting a summit where Vladimir Putin was reported to have demanded more Ukrainian land. Inasubsequentbriefingwith Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,asourcefamiliarwith the discussion cited Trump as sayingtheRussianleaderhadoffered to freeze most front lines if Kyiv’sforcescededallof Donetsk, the industrial region that is one of Moscow’s main targets. Zelenskyy rejected the demand, the source said. Russia already controls a fifth of Ukraine, including about three-quarters of Donetsk province, which it first entered in 2014. Trumpalsosaidhehadagreed with Putin that a peace deal should be sought without the prior ceasefire that Ukraine and itsEuropeanallies,untilnowwith US support, have demanded. Zelenskyy said he would meet Trump in Washington on Monday, while Kyiv’s European allies welcomed Trump’s efforts but vowed to back Ukraine and tighten sanctions on Russia. The sourcesaidEuropeanleadershad also been invited to those talks. Trump’s meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday, the first USRussia summit since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of UkraineinFebruary2022,lasted just three hours. “It was determined by all that the best way to NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 INSIDE United States President Donald J Trump with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. AP US team visit ‘halted’ for now, trade talks with India stuck NegotiatorsweretoarriveinIndialater thismonth;agrisectormainhurdle RAVI DUTTA MISHRA NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 THE INDIA-US negotiations for a trade deal, which began in February after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UnitedStates,havebeenpaused, with the scheduled visit of officials from Washington DC to India later this month “halted” by the US for now, a source aware of the development told The Indian Express. Thebreakdownintradetalks assumes significance as US President Donald Trump has announced 50 per cent tariff on Indian products, the highest on any country globally. While 25 per cent tariff has already come into effect, government officials have said the levy of another 25 per cent — for Russia oil trade — could depend on “how geopolitical events unfold”. The Indian Express had first reportedonAugust8thatthearrival of the US trade team was uncertain, as no formal communication had been received from their side. Deal stuck over agriculture The deal has been stuck over India’s long-standing stance of protectingfarmersineverytrade agreement. The US, under Trump, is prioritising market access for its agricultural products. In his Independence Day CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 HANDSHAKES, LIMO PUTIN EMERGES FROM SUMMIT RIDE... ABRUPT ENDING WITH INCREASED STATURE Meanwhile, India hails meet, Trump sends positive signal on ‘penalty’ SHUBHAJIT ROY NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 INDIA ON Saturday “welcomed” the meeting between US President Donald Trump and RussianPresidentVladimirPutin in Alaska and “appreciated the progressmade”.Meanwhile,before his meeting with Putin, Trump indicated that the US may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russian crude oil. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 UKRAINIANS DISMAYED BY MEET OUTCOME, OPTICS P8 IF INDIA was counting on a clear and positive outcome from the Alaska summit to avert the additional 25 per cent US tariff on Indian exports, it will be disappointed by the inability of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to deliver last night. The unfinished US-Russian talks in Alaska leave a cloud of uncertainty over India’s trade negotiations with Washington. On the upside, though, there was no breakdown of engagement, and the two leaders remain hopeful of an accommodation. As the details of the summit conversations comeintopublic view, India will have to look beyond the tariff question at the implications of a potential reset in Russia’s relationswiththeUSandtheWest. At their joint press appearance, Putin spoke of the “agreement” between the two leaders that “will pave the path toward peace in Ukraine”. Trump was less definitive. “There’s no deal until there’s a deal,” he said. “We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there... There are just a very few (sticking points) left,” Trump said. “Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant — but we have a very good chance of gettingthere,”headded,without identifying the issues. Whiletheinitialassessments of the summit focused on the lack of an agreement on ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump and Putin CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GEM AND JEWELLERY SECTOR FEARS RIVALS COULD UNDERCUT EXPORTS P9 BIHAR SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION PHASE-2 ENDS SEPTEMBER 1 Centre to SC: Setting deadline for President, As last date for papers looms, some confused, others unaware: ‘Will father’s passbook work?’ Governors can cause constitutional disorder SANTOSH SINGH ANANTHAKRISHNAN G NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 OPPOSINGTHESupremeCourt's decision to fix a timeline for the President and Governors to act on Bills forwarded by State Legislatures, the Centre has underlined the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary, and said the order has the potential to “destabilise the constitutional balance between (the) organs of State”. It has emphasised that “gubernatorial assent is a high prerogative, plenary, non-justiciable power”. In a written submission to the court on August 12 — a fivejudge bench is hearing a reference made by the President on whether timelines can be fixed for the actions of the President orGovernors—SolicitorGeneral Tushar Mehta said the judiciary does not hold answers to all problemsinademocracy,and“if any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 SAMASTIPUR, AUGUST 16 FOR THE last 10 days, Kumar, a teacher, has been shuttling betweenhisschooland“fieldduty” in a village in Sarairanjan Assemblyconstituencyof Bihar’s Samastipur district. A volunteer for the Election Commission of India, he has a list of about 120 women whom he has to help with documents to ensure they make it to the final electoral roll. “I have prepared an allwoman list because they are the oneswhoarestrugglingforidentity documents — both of them- Pre-filled returns, refunds within fixed time among other proposed changes ANIL SASI & P VAIDYANATHAN IYER NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 C RAJA MOHAN WASHINGTON, MOSCOW, KYIV, AUGUST 16 for Council’s nod THE GROUP of Ministers (GoM) on Rate Rationalisation is set to meet in the coming week to discuss the proposal on next-generation GST reforms Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcedonFriday.TheGoMhas ministers from six states: Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka. While the proposal was shared with the ministers from the six states a day before the PM’sIndependenceDayaddress, the Department of Revenue in the Union Ministry of Finance will make a presentation to the GoMwhenitmeets,sourcessaid. Sources in the Union Finance Ministrysaidtheywereconfident theGoMandlatertheGSTCouncil would find merit in the proposal. Internal calculations by the Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry suggest that grossGSTrevenuesundertheproposedtwo-pillarratestructureof 5percentand18percentwillnot be lower than what it is now. Giving a broad idea of the COUNTINBIHAR selves and their parents,” says Kumar, whose first name has been withheld to protect his identity. The second phase of Bihar’s ● Behind the timing THE CENTRE is learnt to have factored in at least three meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM) before a final proposal is put before the GST Council. Indications are that a rollout is being targeted well ahead of Diwali, since the industry needs time to reconcile to the new rate structure and any disruption ahead of the festive season would need to be avoided. proposal, sources said most of the products and services would be placed in either of the two rates — 5 per cent or 18 per cent. Goods and services used by the common man, or as inputs by farmers, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, will attract the lower 5 per cent duty. This will reduce the tax burden and is expected to drive consumption. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Lower 18% for small cars, tax on luxury cars may remain high AANCHAL MAGAZINE NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16 THE PROPOSED overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is likely to bring relief to those looking to buy cars, especially smaller cars, with the government looking at creating a distinctionintaxratesforsmaller andbiggercars.Smallcars,which currently attract 28 per cent GST plus small cess rates of 1-3 per cent,couldgetmovedintothe18 per cent bracket in the new dispensation, government sources said.BiggerluxurycarsandSUVs are likely to be shifted into the special rate category of 40 per cent after the removal of the 28 per cent slab, they said. “Small cars are not luxury items or demerit goods. Only 57 items are going to be retained inthe40percentslab,”agovernment source told The Indian WHAT WILL NOT E EXPLAINED DA CASE REVIVED India will have to look beyond tariff, at reset of US-Russia ties, its implications SaysUkrainehas tomakeadeal: ‘Bestwayispeace agreementand notceasefire…’ Express. The benefits are also expected to accrue for entry-level motorcycles.GSTon350ccbikes is 28 per cent at present, which may be brought down to 18 per cent, while bikes with an engine capacity of more than 350 cc may get charged the higher rate. Atpresent,bikeswithenginecapacity of over 350 cc attract a GST rate of 28 per cent along with a cess of 3 per cent, taking the total tax levy to 31 per cent. Among cars, smaller cars, including entry level hatchbacks, small sedans and mini-SUVs attract 28 per cent GST along with cess rates of 1 per cent or 3 per cent at present. For instance, small cars with engine capacity upto1200ccandlessthan4metres in length figure in the highest slab rate of 28 per cent and face a cess of 1 per cent (petrol) and 3 per cent (diesel). CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GOVT & POLITICS MukeshKumarfromDighashowshisAadhaarcardanddriving licence,bothof whicharenotamongthe11 EC-mandated documents; Pramila Devi of Samastipur district is banking on her son, a DU student, for help. Rahul Sharma & Santosh Singh Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — during which the EC has invitedclaimsandobjectionstoits draft electoral roll that was published on August 1 — ends on CHINA’S WANG YI TO ARRIVE MONDAY, HOLD TALKS WITH NSA DOVAL SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA RETURNS TO INDIA TODAY, TO MEET PM PAGE 6 September 1. While data released by the EC showed over 7.24 crore people had submitted their enumeration forms, many CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 ‘Bengali honour, language’: Row echoes in Kolkata football field as fans play up banners PAGE 1 ANCHOR ATRI MITRA KOLKATA, AUGUST 16 AS THE row over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in various states grows in the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly polls, the issue seems to have also stirred up Kolkata's famedsportingarenawithasection of football fans now using thestadiumspacetohighlightit. LastSaturday,duringamatch between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Diamond Harbour FC in the current Durand Cup tournament, several supporters of Mohun Bagan unfurled a large banner at the stands of the Salt Lake stadium, which showed lines inspired by a Tagore song: “Bangalir pon, Bangalir asha, Bangalir kaj, Bangalir bhasha – Satya houk, Satya houk, Satya houk hey Bhogoban (The honour of Bengali, hope of Bengali, work of Bengali, language of Bengali – let it be true, let it be true, let it be true, oh God!)." Mohun Bagan routed the DHFC 5-1 to clinch a quarter-final berth. Atthesamevenuethreedays earlier, during a Durand Cup's Oneof thebannersdisplayedbyEastBengalFCsupportersatSaltLakestadiuminKolkata. Express group league match, East Bengal’s supporters displayed a tifo in Bangla, which read: “Yesterday, we were hanged fighting for India’s freedom. And today, for speaking our mother tongue, we become Bangladeshi?" East Bengal FC edged out its rival Namdhari SA 1-0 in the match. Setting the tone for the Bengal polls slated for early 2026, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has accused the BJP dispensation of “unleashing terror on Bangla” and “detaining” Bengali migrants in the BJP-ruled states by labellingthem“Bangladeshis”.It has also accused them of “pushing into Bangladesh” several of these migrants. This is not the first time that the Kolkata football fans have used the stadium space to send their messages over burning political issues. Lastyear,inthewakeof massive public outrage and doctors' agitation over the rape-andmurder of a junior doctor in Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, the state administration had called off a Kolkata derby clash between Mohun Bagan and East BengalonAugust17.Onthatday, thousands of supporters of the city's three football giants — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting – took to the streets outside the Salt Lake stadium to protest against theRGKarincidentanddemand justice for the victim's family. Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose was among the prominent faces who joined this protest. "The RG Kar incident was absolutely horrific and mind- numbing, but the details coming out along with the authorities’ attempts to hide the truth and silence the people is beyondshocking,’’Bosehadthen CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Kolkata