Tamil Nadu to wave farm loans, jewellery loans & loans of SHGs

In Manipur, the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) which got two seats in the recently concluded General Elections in Manipur has extended unconditional support to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the formation of a new State government. KPA President Tongmang Haokip along with two newly elected MLAs - Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Chinlunthang submitted their letter of support to the Governor of Manipur La. Ganesan at Raj Bhavan In Imphal on Friday. Earlier, Janata Dal (United) extended unconditional support to BJP in the formation of a new Government in the State.  Independent MLA-Sapam Nishikanta Singh also extended his support to BJP in the formation of a new Government in the State. It may be recalled that BJP received a thumping majority by winning 32 seats in the 60 member Manipur Legislative Assembly election. 

-Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan presented the state Budget to the Assembly Friday, saying the revenue deficit will be reduced by Rs 7000-crore  from the estimated figures next year. He expressed confidence that the fiscal deficit also will see a reduction from 4.61 percent last year to 3.8 percent, despite the challenges like Covid-19 pandemic. He, however, cautioned that the ongoing Ukraine crisis may cause an impact on the economy by affecting demand shocks and supply disruptions. The state revenue expenditure is estimated at more than two lakh 84-thousand crore rupees next financial year, whereas the capital expenditure is pegged at about 43-thousand crore rupees. Referring to law and order issues that arise due to fake news in social media, he said Special Social Media Monitoring Cells would be set up. 18-thousand classrooms for schools are set to be built. Book fairs in all districts and modernizing libraries and skill development schemes are some of the other announcements that were made in the budget. AIR correspondent reports, over 4100-crore rupees have been allocated for the waiver of farm loans, jewelry loans and the loans of Self Help Groups. The food subsidy for next year is pegged at 7500-crore rupees. All the girl students who studied in government schools and pursue higher education will be given a thousand rupees per month till they complete the course. The outstanding debt for the state is put at about 6-lakh, 53-thousand and 350 crore rupees. The principal opposition AIADMK boycotted today's budget presentation.

-In Ladakh, people celebrated  three religious occasions in Kargil on March 18. The Buddhist Community celebrated the Tangpe Choga at Kargil headquarters during which His Eminence Choskyong Palga Rinpoche and devotees from all over Kargil participated in the celebration. Palga Rinpochey urged the people to maintain the age-old communal harmony of Ladakh while interacting with the media. The Hindu Families of Kargil celebrated the festival of Colour, Holi with great religious fervour and zeal along with their Muslim Neighbours. The Muslim celebrated Shab E Barat with full religious fervour all over Kargil.

-In Kerala, four construction workers were killed when earth caved in at a construction site at the Special Economic Zone  at Kalamassery in Kochi Friday afternoon.All those killed in the mishap were migrant workers hailing from West Bengal. The accident took place when earth was being removed for the construction of a building at the Nest Electronic City. Two workers,   rescued from the accident site have been admitted to the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital. Authorities said their condition is stable. Search is on for another person who is believed to be trapped underneath.

-Holi also known as the festival of colours, was celebrated throughout the country on Friday. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and marks the onset of the Spring season. On this day, people smear each other with colours, exchange greetings and savour sweets on the occasion. Revellers hit the streets, dancing to the popular songs as children splash colour balloons to celebrate the festival. The Holi celebrations begin with Holika Dahan, on the night before Holi where people light a bonfire after sunset, perform rituals and sing traditional folklore. People across the country celebrated Holika Dahan yesterday with COVID protocols.