J&K L-G empowered to nominate members to assembly for inclusivity, representation: MHA to HC
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 11, 2025
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New Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala FM Balagopal meets Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks nod to borrow additional Rs 6,000 crore this fiscal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K N Balagopal met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Monday seeking permission to borrow an additional Rs 6,000 crore this financial year and restore the amounts that were deducted on various counts in a bid to reduce the strain on fiscal health of the state and to meet expenditures related to Onam season. Highlighting the challenges being faced by the state in meeting its expenditure commitments due to shrinking fiscal space, Balagopal urged the Union minister to allow the state to borrow Rs 6,000 crore in the current financial year without any conditions, over and above the net borrowing ceiling fixed by the centre. Balagopal also brought to her attention that 25% of land acquisition cost of National Highway widening was met through borrowing. However, it was deducted from the annual borrowing limit of the state. This is against the Union government's policy of encouraging capital expenditure by the states as capital expenditure should be encouraged for India to get out of the middle-income trap, he told the Union minister. Balagopal also sought release of Rs 1,877 crore that was allowed for the state in 2023-24 on account of variation in the Gross State Domestic Product, which was adjusted in 2024-25. He also wanted the Centre to restore Rs 3,323 crore that was deducted from the state's borrowing limit for a shortfall in Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) contribution. He said the state has already constituted GRF and contributions at one percent for next five years are slated to commence within the current quarter of the fiscal year itself. Balagopal also drew the minister's attention to deduction of another Rs 965 crore from Integrated Goods and Services Tax and sought its restoration.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Akhilesh slams BJP after Hindu groups vandalise centuries-old tomb in Fatehpur
New Delhi: Akhilesh slams BJP after Hindu groups vandalise centuries-old tomb in FatehpurSamajwadiParty chief Akhilesh Yadav has sharply criticised the BJP following fresh tensions in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, where Hindu groups vandalised a tomb, claiming it was originally a temple. In a statement, Yadav accused the BJP of pursuing divisive politics, saying, 'Only when society is divided and hatred is spread will the BJP be successful in politics. These people are following an ideology created by the British.' The incident took place at the centuries-old tomb of Nawab Abu Samad. On Monday, a group of Hindu activists staged a protest outside the structure, alleging that it was built after demolishing a Hindu temple. They reportedly sought permission from the district administration to conduct prayers at the site. Video clips circulating on social media show members of Hindu organisations vandalising parts of the mausoleum and hoisting saffron flags on it. The visuals have sparked outrage among the local Muslim community and political opposition. Following the unrest, police deployed tight security around the site to prevent further escalation. The administration is said to be investigating the matter, though tensions remain high. Yadav also pointed out that Fatehpur has witnessed similar communal incidents in the past, recalling that a mosque in the district was earlier demolished for being 'illegal' on the grounds that its construction map had not been approved. He added that in a separate earlier incident, a youth was killed, and action was taken only after considerable public and political pressure. Minister Kapil Dev stated that the Uttar Pradesh administration is fulfilling its responsibilities and emphasised that no individual will be permitted to take the law into their own hands. Minister Nand Kishor Gurjar commented on the controversy surrounding the site, asserting that there was no tomb originally present there. He claimed that the structures were built after the 17th century and linked their existence to the historical persecution of Hindus and the destruction of temples. He acknowledged that the recent vandalism was a reaction to that history, saying, 'Ideally, such actions should have been carried out through proper administrative channels. While those involved were not bad people, the act should have been conducted within the framework of the law.'
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
US tariffs push Andhra shrimp farmers to the brink, MP seeks urgent relief
Tirupati: Tirupati MP Dr Maddila Gurumoorthy on Monday voiced the mounting distress of thousands of shrimp farmers in the State, telling the Lok Sabha that steep US import duties have crippled exports and sent farm-gate prices tumbling. The slump, he warned, has pushed many farmers into heavy debt and threatens the state's aquaculture sector, a key source of livelihood for lakhs, with severe economic fallout. Dr Gurumoorthy told the Lok Sabha that Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for the lion's share of India's shrimp exports, has been hit hardest. Nearly 70 percent of the state's produce is shipped to the United States, but with Washington imposing an effective tariff of nearly 60 percent, consignments have slowed to a trickle. Tirupati district alone cultivates shrimp in over 28,000 acres, yielding about 1.25 lakh tonnes annually. The MP explained that the trouble began after the US slapped an additional 25 percent import duty – on top of the existing 25 percent coupled with 3.96 percent anti-dumping and 5.76 percent countervailing duties. 'Within two days of the announcement, prices crashed by 10–15 percent,' he said, noting that the 30-count variety has slid from Rs 450 to Rs 400 per kg, while the 50-count variety dropped from Rs 330 to Rs 300. According to industry estimates, Andhra Pradesh has about 6.5 lakh aquafarmers, with another 30–40 lakh people dependent on allied activities such as hatcheries, feed supply, processing, and logistics. Losses are running between Rs 50,000 and Rs 80,000 per tonne, leaving farmers unable to recover even their input costs. Adding to the woes is the absence of adequate cold storage facilities. Farmers are often forced to offload their harvest immediately at distress prices, as holding stock is not feasible. Efforts to divert exports to China or cater to local processors have met with only limited success. Dr Gurumoorthy urged the Centre to intervene with a relief package, price stabilisation measures, and investments in storage infrastructure. He also pressed for a push to open alternative export markets so that the livelihoods of lakhs of coastal families do not sink further.
