Time, cost of domestic remittances must reduce: Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday called for a reduction in the time and cost of domestic remittances, saying they help the economies of several eastern and northern states, including Uttar Pradesh.
In a post on X, he noted that while India's remittances from abroad get more policy attention than domestic remittances, this must change due to the volume of domestic remittances as well as their socio-economic profile.
"India's remittances from abroad in 2025 totalled about USD 135 billion. This is around 3.4 per cent of GDP. These remittances have been exceedingly important for managing the country's balance of payments and have been crucial for the economies of a number of states like Kerala. These remittances have been well studied," Ramesh said.
On the other hand, he pointed out, there is less awareness regarding the scale of domestic remittances, which refer to money sent by migrant workers from one state to another within India.
He cited estimates for Kerala, indicating that domestic remittances from the state may account for about one-third of the overseas remittances received by it.
Ramesh referenced an article by Robbin Van Jan Duijne, a scholar at the University of Amsterdam, published in The India Forum, which estimates domestic remittances across India to be between USD 36 billion and USD 48 billion in 2024.
"This is anywhere between a third and two-fifths of remittances to India from overseas. Unfortunately, these domestic remittances generate less headlines, create less enthusiasm, and do not get the policy attention that overseas remittances get.
"This must change, given both the volume of domestic remittances as well as their socio-economic profile. The time and cost of such remittances must get reduced. Domestic remittances are significantly helping the economies of the eastern states as well as some northern states like UP," the Congress leader said in his post.
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Karnataka: College student dies by suicide in Dharwad, 3 policemen suspended
Dharwad (Karnataka) (PTI): A college student allegedly died by suicide here, following which three policemen were suspended over allegations of harassment linked to his death by the victim's family.
Aditya Myageri, a BSc student at a private college here, was among 18 students detained by the Vidyagiri police on April 25 during an anti-drug drive, police said on Wednesday.
He hailed from Belur village in Bagalkot district, but was staying with his friends at a rented accommodation in Girinagar area of Dharwad city, police said.
Among the 18 students tested, Aditya was among the 10 who had tested negative for ganja consumption and was subsequently released.
Some of his roommates, however, tested positive.
According to police, Aditya's family alleged that despite testing negative, he was harassed by police. They also claimed some policemen demanded Rs 2,000 to settle the matter and threatened legal action if he failed to pay.
He had called his mother asking for money, but she could not arrange it immediately, the family claimed.
On Monday night, Aditya allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his rented accommodation, with his family alleging police harassment and pressure over demand for money drove him to the extreme step, a senior police officer said.
Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told PTI that an unnatural death case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station. Three policemen have been suspended over the allegations, and further investigation is underway.
