HAL boss says cash in hand negative. Economy cashless, says BJP leader
New Delhi, Jan 08: Pawan Khera couldn't help pressing his palm against his head in disbelief. "Priceless," said one political analyst, tweeting a howling emoticon to boot.
The reason for all this incredulity and mirth? On an Aaj Tak TV debate (which featured Khera, a Congress leader), BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain replied to a remark on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) cash crunch like this:
"We are cashless economy people. Why do you want cash in hand?"
He said this, apparently, in all seriousness.
Now, what was the exact context? The anchor had just pointed to comments made by the HAL's CMD, R Madhavan, about the defence PSU's finances. "Our cash in hand is in the negative," Madhavan told a leading daily. "We've had to borrow close to Rs 1,000 crore as an overdraft."
When Shahnawaz Hussain replied as he did, the anchor said the panelists were having a serious discussion.
"Yes, it's a serious discussion," Hussain said. "What do you want? You want cash in hand?"
The anchor explained that the HAL boss was talking about paying employees' salaries. Pawan Khera's forehead disappeared behind his palm.
"There is no cash in hand these days," Hussain later said.
Here's a sample of reactions on Twitter, which have clips of the exchange.
I don't know why people are frothing in the mouth!
— Akash Banerjee (@akashbanerjee) January 7, 2019
Have you EVER seen a party spokesperson stun a primetime anchor into silence so quickly?
This is beyond the capability of even @sambitswaraj Ji ? pic.twitter.com/txJ3iZDY9g
Brilliant rebuttal by Shahnawaz Hussain: Why does HAL need "cash in hand" when we are a cashless economy? #KamalKeFools pic.twitter.com/552jq1iaWF
— Ruchira Chaturvedi (@RuchiraC) January 7, 2019
"Why does HAL need cash? We are a cashless economy," he says. Priceless. ??? https://t.co/XHhtKRDPzC
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) January 7, 2019
Courtesy: www.indiatoday.in
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Two arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint in Kochi
Kochi (PTI): Two persons have been arrested after a three-member gang allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint near Ernakulam Junction Railway station, officials said on Friday.
The arrested accused were identified as Danish (26), a native of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, and Rahul (39), a native of Paravoor in Kollam district.
Police officials said they were searching for the prime accused, Sanjay, a native of Aroor in Alappuzha district.
According to police, the incident occurred on the night of May 5 when the victim was chatting with her friend near a closed hotel near Ernakulam Junction Railway station.
Officials said the accused approached them, attacked the victim’s friend and then allegedly threatened the woman with a knife before sexually assaulting her.
Police said the accused also allegedly disrobed the victim during the attack.
However, the woman managed to escape from the spot and approached a nearby shop for help.
Police were informed immediately and shifted the victim to the police station.
Officials said the accused were heavily drunk at the time of the incident and went into hiding soon after the attack.
Police registered a case on May 6 under charges including rape, disrobing a woman, criminal intimidation and robbery.
The two accused were later arrested in the city, while efforts are continuing to trace Sanjay, police said.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
