Won't let any impediment affect recovery of economy post-COVID: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Mar 16: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said his government would not let any impediment hit the speedy economic recovery post-COVID in the State.
"You all know what kind of situation was created due to COVID-19 in the last two years. The effect was not just limited to health sector but impacted every sphere of our life and put a brake on our economic development," Bommai said while participating in a discussion on the budget for 2022-23.
He said Karnataka was quick to recoup from the COVID effect once the infections came under control.
Reading out the achievements of his 'Amrit' schemes as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' (platinum jubilee of Indian independence) which were launched on August 15, 2021, and various pro-people policies including health, education, transport, industrial development, infrastructure, skill development, nutrition, woman and child welfare, and agriculture schemes, Bommai said he would firmly move to achieve the goals set by his government.
Regarding the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah's concern over the increasing borrowings, Bommai said in the last two years the revenues were not up to the mark due to COVID-19.
In 2020-21, there was a reduction of Rs 11,444 crore in the commercial tax, Rs 2,079 crore in motor vehicles-related revenue, Rs 1,500 crore in the stamp and registration and Rs 540 crore in other revenues, the Chief Minister said. He said there was reduction of Rs 6,897 crore of the central aid.
"Overall, there was a reduction of Rs 21,835 crore in the revenue in 2020-21. While on the one hand there was reduction in revenue, on the other hand the spending on health increased due to COVID-19," said Bommai
The Chief Minister explained that limiting the fiscal deficit to three per cent was ideal in normal circumstances and not in an abnormal situation caused by the pandemic.
He said the borrowings of Karnataka doubled when Siddaramiaah was Chief Minister.
"From the time we got independence to 2013-14, the total borrowings were Rs 1.38 lakh crore but from 2013-14 to 2018-19 when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister who also held finance portfolio, the total borrowings increased to Rs 2.96 lakh crore. This was 107 per cent increase in borrowings in just five years," said Bommai.
He said this happened despite there was not any emergency like COVID-19 and the situation was normal and the economy was booming.
"In 2019-20, the borrowing increased to Rs 3.27 lakh. In just four years, the borrowings saw an increase of 58 per cent despite all these problems (COVID and floods)," he pointed out.
Bommai refuted the charge that the Central grant to Karnataka has reduced and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been generously giving financial grant to the State.
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Saif Ali Khan’s attacker allegedly let in by house help, Police investigate
Mumbai: Mumbai Police suspect that the attacker who stabbed actor Saif Ali Khan six times during an alleged burglary attempt was let into his Bandra residence by one of his house helps. The house help is currently under scrutiny as police investigate the incident. The 54-year-old actor, who sustained injuries, including one near his spine, has undergone surgery at Lilavati Hospital and is reportedly out of danger.
The attack occurred late at night, and preliminary investigations suggest the assailant may have entered the premises hours earlier and waited for an opportunity to strike. CCTV footage from the residence did not capture any recent entry, strengthening the suspicion that the attacker was assisted by someone inside.
Police reported that the incident began as a scuffle during the burglary attempt. “An unidentified person intruded into the residence of Actor Saif Ali Khan. The actor and the intruder had a scuffle. The actor is injured and is being treated. Investigation is ongoing,” officials said.
The attack has raised questions about security in Mumbai’s high-profile areas. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the state government, highlighting similar incidents such as the murder of Baba Siddique and the firing outside Salman Khan’s residence. “If celebrities in Bandra are not safe, who in Mumbai is? This is a serious failure of law and order,” she said.
Actor Pooja Bhatt also expressed concerns, urging authorities to address the issue urgently. “Can this lawlessness please be curbed? Bandra has never felt so unsafe before,” she tweeted, tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior officials.
Police are now focused on identifying the attacker, who fled the scene, and examining the possible role of the house help in the incident.
