Karnataka launches helpline to support borrowers in financial distress
Bengaluru: The All-India Financial Borrowers Federation (AIFBF), in partnership with the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), has launched a helpline to support borrowers facing financial distress, particularly farmers and daily wage labourers.
The helpline, accessible by dialling 080-45888789, offers psychological counselling and financial advice for borrowers in distress. Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao inaugurated the service by making the first call, The New Indian Express reported on Saturday.
According to data shared by AIFBF, an estimated 14 farmers take their lives every day across India due to debt-related distress. The organisation said it hopes the helpline will serve as a timely intervention to prevent such tragedies.
In addition, AIFBF has reportedly written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging reforms to make borrowing more inclusive and borrower-friendly. The suggestions include empowering women entrepreneurs and startups, strengthening the Make in India initiative, boosting India’s GDP, and curbing non-performing assets and farmer suicides.
FKCCI president M.G. Balakrishna expressed gratitude to AIFBF for facilitating the discussion. “Borrowers or not, they are taxpayers and nation-builders. We believe in building an ecosystem where borrowers are respected; they are an asset to this nation,” TNIE quoted Balakrishna as saying.
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Maoist carrying bounty of Rs 15 lakh among four killed in gunfight with security forces in J’khand
Hazaribag (PTI): Four Maoists, including one carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district on Friday, police officials said.
The encounter took place in the Khapia forest area within the Keredari police station limits, following a tip-off.
"Four Maoists were killed in a gunfight with joint forces in 'Operation KotiNeer'. The Maoists killed have been identified as regional committee member Sahdeo Maho, carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, Ranjit Ganjhu, Zonal committee member, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh," IG, CRPF, Saket Kumar Singh told mediapersons.
The remaining two are Area Commander Budhan Karmali, carrying a reward of Rs one lakh and sub-zonal committee member Natasha, a woman who hailed from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.
SDPO of Barkagaon, Pawan Kumar, said that no security personnel were injured in the operation.
The Maoists killed were wanted in about 80 cases.
With the encounter, only 57 Maoists are left in the state, the IG said.
A number of arms were also recovered during the operation including two AK 47 and one INSAS rifles.
The development comes close on the heels of a fierce exchange of fire between a Maoist squad headed by Misir Besra, who carries a bounty of Rs 1 crore, and police personnel on April 15 in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum. Four security personnel were injured in the encounter.
The Centre has already informed the state governments that there are no Naxal violence-affected districts in the country, more than five decades since Left Wing Extremism (LWE) originated in India.
The declaration followed a high-level security review held earlier this month by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the mandated 'National Policy and Action Plan to Address Left Wing Extremism' formulated in 2015.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on March 30 that India was free from Maoists.
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