‘AP’s Financial Position Is Alarming’
Amaravati: Casting a shadow over the state's 12.23 per cent economic growth story, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that their financial position was indeed "alarming".
"It's alarming. We are in deep trouble," the Finance Minister told the press on Tuesday on the sidelines of a pre-budget meeting here this afternoon. He attributed the situation to a sharp drop in revenues and an "extraordinary" hike in both fiscal and revenue deficits in the 2016-17 budget.
The Finance Minister said the state's revenue has decreased by seven per cent in December, as compared to November post demonetisation, but did not specify the exact amount of shortfall. "We are still computing the figures," he added. While AP's budget for 2016-17 was pegged at Rs 1,35,688 crore, the government has already spent Rs 94,415 crore. "The departments have now come up with fresh proposals for an additional expenditure of Rs 22,160 crore, over and above the budgetary allocations. We have to borrow heavily for this and we are seeking a one per cent relaxation in the FRBM limit. The Union Cabinet has to take a decision on this," Yanamala said.
The Finance Minister, however, claimed the increased revenue expenditure exemplified "good development". "We are spending more on energy, infrastructure, capital city, water resources and panchayat raj and rural development. This is a good sign of development," he noted.
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A woman was killed and four other civilians were injured in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district as the Pakistan army intensified artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, officials said, adding that a large number of houses have also been damaged in the cross-border shelling.
Reports state that a Pakistani shell struck the vehicle the woman was traveling in, resulting in her death. The woman was identified as Nargis Bashir, and some of her family members had boarded a vehicle to flee from the Razarwani village in Uri that was hit by the mortar and artillery shells from Pakistan.
In an attempt to educate and make people aware about the consequences of war amid Pakistan's continuous firing in the border states, the Delhi government did a mock drill to test air raid sirens installed at the Public Works Department (PWD) at ITO and asked people to not react out of panic.
District Magistrate (Central) G. Sudhakar also urged people to remain calm and not be alarmed when they hear the sirens.
At least twice, sirens sounded during the drill, which started at 3 pm.
PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said 40-50 more such sirens will be installed across the national capital, each of which will cover an area of 8 km.
Residents present in Rajouri along the Line of Control have started moving to safer areas after heavy cross-border shelling and attempted drone and missile attacks last night by Pakistan. All drone and missile attacks were intercepted and foiled by India's air defence system.
#WATCH | J&K | Residents of Rajouri living along the LOC have started moving to safer areas after heavy cross-border shelling and attempted drone and missile attacks last night by Pakistan.
— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025
All drone and missile attacks were intercepted by India's air defence system and foiled,… pic.twitter.com/XITK0CsejT
Pakistan has claimed that its Economic Affairs Division account on social media has been hacked and called the post where it appealed for more loans from the international community owing to losses from Operation Sindoor "fake."
In a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fact Checker shared a picture of the post and mentioned that it was "fake." Additionally, it asserted that the account had undergone hacking.
A missile-like object is found deep inside the Dal Lake after loud explosions were heard on Saturday morning in Srinagar, which is a major tourist attraction. The defense ministry also confirms that Pakistan has intruded into Srinagar's airspace in a press release.
Since the early hours of Saturday morning (10th May), Srinagar has been rocked with multiple explosions, and now electricity is taken off in various places across Kashmir. The reason for this is yet to be determined, as reports indicate multiple places in Kashmir have lost power. The Indian Army released a statement after the press briefing, where they mentioned that they have attacked and neutralized multiple terrorist launchpads in a coordinated fire assault, razing them to cinders.