CM Bommai announces farmer-friendly schemes by raising loan term limits, agri subsidies
Karnataka budget
Bengaluru (PTI): Seeking to woo farmers in an election year, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday announced an increase in the limit of interest-free short-term loan given to farmers from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh from the coming financial year.
This would ensure availability of hassle-free and need-based loan facility for making necessary preparation for farm-related activities, Bommai, who also holds the finance portfolio, said presenting the 2023-34 budget in the state Legislative Assembly.
"This year, loan of Rs 25,000 crore will be distributed to more than 30 lakh farmers," he said.
The government, Bommai said, has decided to give an additional subsidy of Rs 10,000 in the year 2023-24 under a new scheme 'Bhoo Siri' for 'Kisan Credit Card' holders.
This would facilitate the farmers to purchase seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other farm inputs in times of exigencies, the Chief Minister said.
The state would contribute Rs 2,500 and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) would give Rs 7,500. "This will benefit around 50 lakh farmers of the state," he said.
Assembly elections in Karnataka are expected to be held during April-May.
The Chief Minister, in the budget, has also announced 'Shrama Shakthi' scheme that would provide financial assistance of Rs 500 per head every month to landless women farm labourers through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
Aimed at enabling all children who graduate from high schools to continue their higher education, he announced free education in Government Pre-University and Government Degree Colleges under 'CM Vidya Shakti Scheme'. This will benefit eight lakh students of the state, he added.
Noting that for the first time in the state, post COVID pandemic, revenue receipts are estimated to be more than revenue expenditure by Rs 402 crore, Bommai said this is a "revenue-surplus" budget.
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Bomb hoax: Security beefed up across Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was beefed up in several parts of the national capital after more than 80 schools in the Delhi and NCR received bomb threats via emails, officials on Wednesday said.
Police said that so far all bomb threats have been found to be hoax, but they have stepped up security at all metro and railway stations, bus stands, and markets.
"We have stepped up security at every station. We have also alerted our staff to keep strict vigil on any suspicion activity," Deputy Commissioner of Police (railways) K P S Malhotra told PTI.
A senior security officer said, "A general advisory has been issued in the Delhi Metro network and CISF personnel have been asked to remain extra vigilant."
Another officer said that additional police force, along with paramilitary, has been deployed in several parts of Delhi and barricades have been installed at city borders.
"We got to know that the Delhi Fire Services, since 6 am, received over 80 bomb threat calls from different schools. We are investigating the matter," the officer said.
Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said all calls are being attended diligently.
A source said that the Delhi Police Cyber Cell has tracked the IP address of the threatening mails.
The source claimed that the e-mail, which was originated from Russia, and may have been sent using a VPN, was aimed to create panic in Delhi.
Education Minister Atishi writing on X requested the parents not to panic.
"Some schools have received bomb threats this morning. Students have been evacuated and those premises are being searched by Delhi Police. So far nothing has been found in any of the schools. We are in constant touch with the Police and the schools," she wrote in a post.
"Would request parents and citizens not to panic. School authorities will be in touch with parents wherever needed," she added.
