Kerala facing 'unprecedented financial crisis': Finance Minister K N Balagopal
Thiruvananthapuram: K N Balagopal, Kerala Finance Minister, said on Tuesday that the state is struggling to overcome an unexpected financial crisis that was caused by multiple reasons, but had developed plans to do so successfully.
The crisis in Kerala was the outcome of recurring natural disasters, the pandemic, distorted policies of the Centre, the implementation of GST without much contemplation, the delayed distribution of GST compensation and the imposition of cuts in the borrowing limit of the state by the Central government, among other reasons, he said.
Balagopal clarified while answering a question during the Question Hour of the Assembly that the Left government in Kerala had well-laid out plans to fight the problem and would implement the plans, The Economic Times has reported.
The government had been trying to strengthen the tax system, implement a strict financial discipline, avoid unwanted expenses and keep expenses to a minimum, to fight the situation, the minister added.
He said that the current financial year had witnessed a dip of Rs 6,716 crore in the revenue deficit grant (released to the state by the Centre), as against the previous financial year.
When asked if the wrong financial management by the state was found to be the reason for the crisis, however, Balagopal replied in the negative.
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Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
