44 people shot within 14 hrs in Chicago
Chicago, Aug 6 : Police in Chicago have said that 44 people were shot within 14 hours out of which five were killed, the media reported.
In three hours beginning at 1.30 a.m. on Sunday, police records show that 30 people were shot and two killed in 10 incidents, reports CNN.
The shootings lasted till 2 p.m.
"The city of Chicago experienced a violent night. Some of these instances were targeted and were related to gang conflicts in those areas," Bureau of Patrol Chief Fred Waller said Sunday afternoon.
In at least one incident, shooters opened fire into a crowded street party, Waller said.
Of the wounded, the oldest was 62 years of age and the youngest was 11. Before the particularly violent Sunday, there were six shootings, none fatal, on Friday, and 15 shootings, one fatal, on Saturday.
Chicago has struggled with high shooting and murder rates in recent years. But according to Waller, shootings were down 30 per cent from 2017 and murders decreased by 25 per cent.
June marked 15 straight months of fewer killings and shootings. However, on June 25, at least 21 were shot and two died.
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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.
