Kerala woman doctor's suicide; Minister orders probe into dowry allegations
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 7: Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday ordered a probe into the death of a young woman doctor who died allegedly of suicide here on December 5.
Shahana, a 26-year-old postgraduate doctor at the surgery department in the Government Medical College here, was found unconscious at her apartment and later declared brought dead at the hospital, police had said.
Medical College police, which registered a case of unnatural death, has started a probe and recorded statements of the deceased doctor's relatives. Though police didn't divulge much details, sources said a purported suicide note was recovered from the apartment in which the victim has stated that "everybody wants money only".
In a statement, George said the probe was ordered after allegations of dowry related issues causing the suicide cropped up.
Directions have been given to the director of the Women and Child Development Department to carry out a probe and submit a report, she said.
The state Minority Commission also intervened into the issue and initiated a case on its own based on media reports in this regard.
Its Chairperson A A Rasheed directed district collector, city police commissioner and director of medical education to appear before the Commission during its next sitting here on December 14 and submit a report on the incident, an official statement said.
Persons close to the deceased's family alleged that Shahana was depressed as her friend, who was also a doctor, backed out of their marriage citing dowry as the reason.
Though Shahana's family was ready to give dowry, the groom's family had later demanded a heftier amount which the former was unable to meet, a local councillor alleged.
"They demanded a huge amount as dowry and later backed out from the proposal. Dr Shahana was depressed over that," the councillor alleged.
State Women's Commission Chairperson P Sathidevi visited Dr Shahana's home in nearby Venjaramoodu and consoled her mother.
The victim's father, who was working in the Middle East, died recently.
Expressing grief and concern over the alleged suicide of the young doctor, Sathidevi said stringent measures should be taken if the mental agony caused due to dowry had forced her to take the extreme step.
A serious and comprehensive probe should be carried out into the incident, she demanded.
The women's panel chairperson also said youngsters should be prepared to say no to marriages involving dowry.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
