Centre creating ''deliberate'' financial stress, claims TN CM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday hit out at the BJP government for not releasing funds to even central government schemes thereby creating a stress on the state's finances.
The Union government every year keeps reducing the share of Tamil Nadu in the taxes, "deliberately and artificially" creating a financial crisis, he said at an event organised by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees' Organisations (JACTO-GEO).
"Due to the changes introduced in the Goods and Service Tax (GST), the state's tax revenue continues to decline. In such a situation, we must still implement welfare schemes across all departments. Low income, high expenditure. This is our current situation." he said.
Recalling late Chief Minister C N Annadurai's comments, Stalin said, "there is a box, there is a lock (for the box). There is a key. But the box is empty (without funds)."
"They (BJP government) are deliberately and artificially creating this financial stress. We are successfully managing them not just politically, but administratively and continuing to fulfill the demands of the government employees." he said.
Former Chief Minister and late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi always ensured the welfare of government employees and teachers, Stalin said.
It is the government employees who fulfill the great responsibility of successfully taking the welfare schemes directly to the people.
Referring to the request made by the government employees regarding the Old Pension Scheme, he said, "under whose rule was your right snatched? Under the AIADMK rule."
Stalin said in order to address the demands put forth by the government employees, the government formed a panel headed by Additional Chief Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi which submitted its report. "Following this, ministers E V Velu, Thangam Thennarasu and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi held discussions with you" he said.
"Taking into account of your welfare, the financial situation of Tamil Nadu, and the responsibility to ensure that all government employees and pensioners receive their salaries and pensions without any hindrance in the future, the government announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme," he said.
Under this scheme, the Tamil Nadu government would provide an additional Rs 13,000 crore to the Pension Fund. Furthermore, the government must provide Rs 11,000 crore annually as its contribution.
"Even in the severe financial situation currently faced by the Tamil Nadu government, I assure you that the government will bear all these expenses to protect the welfare of the government employees and teachers, " he said.
Hailing the teachers that they were not merely doing 'job' but a 'service', Stalin said, "It is because of you that our Tamil Nadu stands today as the second-best state in the country in school education. Those who were shaped by your hard work are in jobs and roles world over bring pride to us, Tamil Nadu and to the country."
The DMK government is one that protects the welfare of the teachers and professors who have created and continue to create, the future of the country -- the students, he said.
Listing out some of the government's schemes including 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam', 'Magalir Vidiyal Payanam', he said, "If such schemes have brought a good name to the Dravidian Model government, a major share of that credit goes to you(the government employees)."
Taking a dig at the AIADMK, Stalin said, "Will those who have formed alliances against the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu will truly be supportive of government employees?"
"Think about it. We are not like that. I say this firmly. We will surely continue to fulfill your demands and expectations even in the Dravidian Model 2.0 regime." he said.
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Man chased, brutally stabbed inside public toilet in northwest Delhi; one arrested; juvenile held
New Delhi (PTI): An alleged road rage incident took a fatal turn when a 27-year-old factory worker was chased down by assailants and stabbed multiple times inside a public toilet in northwest Delhi's Ashok Vihar area, police said on Thursday.
According to police, the incident took place on Wednesday night, when witnesses saw the victim, Santosh Kumar, running into a public toilet in a desperate bid to save his life, with his attackers hot on his heels.
"A PCR call was received at 6:23 pm on April 8 regarding a man being stabbed inside the compound of a Sulabh Sauchalaya located at the fish market in Wazirpur Industrial Area," a senior police officer said.
A police team rushed to the spot and found the victim lying in a pool of blood inside the toilet premises. The victim, originally from Nepal, was residing in Macchi Market area, the official said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the incident stemmed from an altercation between the victim and a motorcycle rider. The verbal spat soon escalated into a physical scuffle, during which the accused, along with an associate, allegedly attacked Santosh with a knife.
Police sources said in a desperate attempt to save himself, the injured victim ran towards the nearby public toilet and tried to latch the door from inside. Eyewitness accounts suggest he tried to take refuge inside the public toilet and shut the door to prevent his attackers from entering. However, he was chased down, overpowered, and stabbed multiple times.
Santosh collapsed on the spot, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
A case under sections 103(1) (murder) and 3(5) (common intentions) was registered at Ashok Vihar police station and an investigation was taken up.
During the probe, police arrested one accused identified as Tanish (19), a resident of CSA Colony in Macchi Market area, and apprehended a juvenile allegedly involved in the incident.
Police said the motorcycle used by the accused, which they had abandoned while fleeing after the attack, was recovered near the crime scene.
Family members and acquaintances of the deceased expressed shock over the killing. Santosh's uncle, who reached the spot after being informed, recounted the scene.
"When I came here, I saw him lying on the floor, dead. I noticed that he had been stabbed twice. I am not aware of what exactly happened. He was just 27 years old and used to work in a steel company with me. I don't know how many people were involved in the attack. We are from Nepal, and I have been working here for 15 years. I think he was stabbed outside and later came inside the toilet to save himself. There was a bike outside which I think belonged to the attackers," he said.
Police said the motive behind the crime appears to be road rage -- a sudden and heated altercation on the road that spiralled into a violent assault resulting in the victim's death.
Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend any other persons involved in the attack. Police teams are analysing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and examining local witnesses to piece together the sequence of events.
