Bike-Bus Collision: Two-Wheeler Rider Killed in Bus Accident
Mangaluru: Tragedy struck on Sunday, February 11, as a 34-year-old two-wheeler rider lost his life in a collision with a KSRTC bus near Arkula Dwara at Adyar on the national highway.
The victim, identified as Charanraj, a local resident, was entering the highway from an inner road when the bus collided with his vehicle.
Survived by his wife and child, Charanraj had been married for just a year and was the only son of his parents.
The incident sparked anger and frustration among locals, who blocked traffic to protest the lack of safety measures implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Residents expressed grievances over inadequate safety precautions and alleged unscientific work on the highway.
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Reports revealed that the accident spot had a barricade intended to control vehicle speed, but it had fallen down after being struck by a vehicle the previous night. This allowed the bus to approach at high speed, resulting in the fatal collision. Shockingly, locals claim that over ten deaths have occurred in similar circumstances following road construction by the NHAI.
This tragic incident comes in the wake of a similar accident last December, where another bike rider lost his life at the same location in a collision with a bus. Despite repeated pleas from residents, local authorities have failed to address their concerns.
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Maharashtra government considers tweaks to Ladki Bahin scheme amid fiscal strain: Reports
Mumbai: A day after the Mahayuti coalition secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, attention has turned to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that played a pivotal role in attracting women voters.
The scheme, launched in July 2024, offers ₹1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 65. The Mahayuti, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month, a promise now under scrutiny due to fiscal concerns. With the scheme projected to cost the exchequer ₹33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025, bureaucrats are exploring ways to revise its provisions to prevent a financial imbalance.
Finance Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar hinted at the challenges, stressing the need for "financial discipline." A senior bureaucrat confirmed that plans are underway to prune the list of beneficiaries, citing the inclusion of ineligible individuals due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding and lack of required ration cards. According to the finance department, nearly one crore women out of the 2.43 crore registered beneficiaries may not qualify for the scheme.
The state’s debt burden is already projected to reach ₹7.82 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Officials warn that continuing the scheme in its current form could impact the government’s ability to pay salaries by January. Despite these concerns, the ruling coalition is hesitant to reduce the beneficiary list, likely due to the upcoming civic elections.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik is expected to present renegotiation proposals to the new chief minister soon. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde credited the scheme for increasing the number of women voters and boosting the coalition’s vote share. NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also acknowledged the scheme’s role in mobilising women voters.
Other welfare measures introduced by the government include an electricity bill waiver for farmers and three free LPG cylinders annually for six million households. However, the financial viability of such initiatives remains a pressing concern.
