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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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
