KCCI calls it an eco-agri budget

[email protected] (The Hindu)
March 1, 2011

budget

Mangalore, March 1: The Union Budget has evoked mixed reaction from industry representatives here.

G.G. Mohandas Prabhu, president, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that the Union Budget was an “eco-agri” budget. Its emphasis on agriculture and focus on cold chains was a far-sighted thought made by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The concessions to electric vehicles (EVs) would limit country's dependence on fossil fuels.

The Central Excise rates had been maintained, which was welcome. Industry circles expected an increase. However, nothing had been mentioned about tax, he said. About 130 items had been brought under the Central Excise (of a nominal 1 per cent). Implementation of direct taxes from April 2012 and the tabling in Parliament of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill was welcome. The budget could have been more liberal on Income Tax, he said. The fiscal deficit of 4.6 per cent of the GDP indicated a robust economy.

B. Madhava, secretary, Dakshina Kannada district unit of the CPI(M), welcomed the doubling of the “miserably-low” salary of “anganwadi” workers. Connecting the wages of those working within the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) to the consumer price index was welcome, he said.

The Income Tax exemption for the middle classes and the proposal to reduce eligibility age for pension from 65 to 60 were good initiatives, he said.

But the budget was insensitive to the problems of the common man, according to him.

The Finance Minister's speech expressed concern over price rise but said nothing about controlling it. Strengthening of PDS was assured by political parties (that 35 kg of rice at the rate of Rs. 2 per kg would be given to each nuclear family) but never implemented, he said.

B.A. Nazeer, president, Kanara Small Industries' Association (KSIA), Baikampady, welcomed the implementation of Direct Tax Code (DTC) from April 1, 2012, and the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitution Amendment Bill in the present session of Parliament.

The proposal to enhance IT exemption limit by Rs. 20,000 was marginal compared to the high inflation rate. Excise duty could have been reduced to 8 per cent to stimulate the manufacturing sector particularly SSIs.

The SSIs' demand of increasing Central Excise limit to Rs. 3 crore had been ignored. No encouragement to SSI sector had been proposed, he said.


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News Network
November 11,2024

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Mangaluru: In a deeply tragic turn of events, a 28-year-old woman named Ranjitha, who had recently given birth but tragically lost her newborn, ended her life by suicide on Monday. She reportedly leapt from the fourth-floor window of Lady Goschen Hospital’s luggage room.

Ranjitha, whose strength and resilience had carried her through a difficult pregnancy, was scheduled for discharge on Monday. Her journey to Lady Goschen Hospital began on October 24, when she was transferred from Karkala. She was a high-risk patient, battling both hypertension and diabetes. At the time of her admission, she was just 27 weeks pregnant.

Due to the complexities of her health, doctors made the difficult decision to perform an emergency C-section on October 30. She delivered a baby girl, premature and weighing only 960 grams. The newborn was immediately moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where doctors did all they could. Despite these efforts, the baby passed away on November 3.

Ranjitha’s sorrow was profound. She stayed under hospital care even after her initial recovery and was preparing to go home on November 9. She had even requested a couple more days at the hospital, seeking time perhaps to cope with her unimaginable grief.

On the day of her discharge, a discharge card ready and her family eagerly waiting to take her home, Ranjitha reportedly made her way to the luggage room in the early hours. There, standing on a cot placed for patients' family members, she climbed to a window and fell from the fourth floor. Despite the attempts of another visitor to intervene, tragedy was inevitable. She was rushed to Government Wenlock Hospital, where doctors confirmed the worst—she was no more.

Dr. Durgaparasad M R, the Medical Superintendent at Lady Goschen Hospital, shared his grief and spoke of the ongoing investigation. A post-mortem is to be conducted, and the local Tahsildar will complete the necessary inquest procedures. Ranjitha’s exact reasons for taking this step are yet to be confirmed, though the weight of her recent losses paints a sorrowful picture.

If you or anyone you know is struggling emotionally, please remember that help is available. Reach out to mental health experts who can provide support and guidance. The toll-free helpline number 9152987821 is available to assist anyone in distress.

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News Network
November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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November 12,2024

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Mysuru, Nov 12: Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka, who stirred a controversy by addressing the Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’ has tendered apologies for his remarks.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Minister Zameer stated that he will apologise if remarks have hurt JD-S workers.

“We both are very close. Then, in a total of 24 hours, we were together for 14 hours. He used to fondly address me as “kulla” (shorty) and I used to address him as “kariyanna” (blacky, kaalia),” Minister Zameer stated.

“I am not addressing him as ‘kaalia’ for the first time. I have not said something highly derogatory. It is being made as big in the backdrop of elections. With love, he used to call me a shorty and I called him a blacky. If I had caused pain to anyone by my words I apologise,” he said.

He further stated: “Kumaraswamy had said that he didn’t want the votes of the Muslim community. But now they are attempting to purchase Muslim votes. Against this backdrop, I have made the remark.”

Minister for Home G. Parameshwara stated on Tuesday, “Minister Zameer and Kumaraswamy are close friends. Their comments against each other are not significant.”

Zameer Ahmad Khan, the Tourism and Waqf minister of Karnataka stirred a controversy on Monday as he addressed the Union Minister as ‘Kaala Kumaraswamy’.

JD-S on Tuesday demanded a public apology and resignation of Minister for Waqf and Tourism Zameer Ahmad Khan over his ‘racist’ remarks.

“Remember, there is no place here for your divisive policies. You have insulted the people by making ethnic, racist and discriminatory statements. You should apologize to the people of the state and resign,” the JD (S) demanded in the post.

Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju reacted sternly to the racist jibe and stated, “I strongly deplore Congress Minister Zameer Ahmed calling Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Kumaraswamy as 'Kaalia Kumaraswamy'.

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