CPM activist’s murder case: case registered against 3
Kasargod: The police have lodged a case against three persons in connection with the murder of CPM activist Abubakar Siddique of Somkalu.
The investigating team led by Kasaragod DySP MV Sukumaran has filed a case against three accused, including BJP activist Ashwath.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Siddique was killed for raising voice against alcohol sales. Abu Bakar Siddique, a 21-year-old employee in Qatar, had recently come to his hometown. He had raised voice against local liquor sales. It is said that the miscreants left a bike on the spot after the committing the crime.
A 15-member investigative team consisting of two circle inspections led by Kasaragod DySP MV Sukumaran has been formed to probe the case. The team, which has been investigating, has already identified three accused and filed a case against them. The police, who have suspected the possibility of the accused hiding in Mangaluru, have extended the probe to the city.
CPM to stage Hartal in afternoon
In the wake of CPI (M) activist Abubakar Siddiqui's murder, there has been an unannounced-hartal kind of situation in Manjeshwar taluk. Roads have been blocked in some areas. In some other regions, shops have remained closed. Bus services have been suspended. The police have taken appropriate precautionary measures at sensitive locations.
Meanwhile, the CPM has called for a hartal in Manjeshwar taluk today (August 6) afternoon from 2 pm.
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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.
