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Agricultural Bank of China Limited ( OTCMKTS:ACGBF – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 29,572,400 shares, a growth of 81.1% from the November 30th total of 16,326,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 24,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1,232.2 days. Agricultural Bank of China Trading Up 6.3 % Shares of ACGBF stock opened at $0.56 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $0.51 and its two-hundred day moving average is $0.46. Agricultural Bank of China has a 12 month low of $0.37 and a 12 month high of $0.58. About Agricultural Bank of China ( Get Free Report ) Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agricultural Bank of China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agricultural Bank of China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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Green and Louisiana Tech win 85-79 in OT over Southern Illinois at Gulf Coast ShowcaseNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global live music market size is estimated to grow by USD 35.56 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.38% during the forecast period. Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 17.38% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 35563.9 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 13.27 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, UK, Japan, Germany, and France, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Brazil, India Key companies profiled Alliance Tickets, Bassett Events Inc., Coast To Coast Tickets LLC, CTS Eventim AG and Co. KGaA, Eventbee Inc., Eventbrite Inc., Event.com Inc., Live Nation Entertainment Inc., Lyte Inc., SeatGeek Inc., Sunrise Records Ltd., The Ticketline Network Ltd., Ticket City Inc., TicketNetwork Inc., TickPick LLC, TiqIQ LLC, TodayTix Inc., Viagogo Entertainment Inc., Vivendi SE, and Vivid Seats Inc., SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group Market Driver Live music market is a thriving industry that caters to the worldwide demand for authentic and great musical experiences. Trends in this sector include live music concerts, mobile apps, and the rise of DJs. Genres such as Blues, Pop, Rock, Metal, Electronica, and more continue to shape audience preferences. Industrial developments, urbanization, and technology adoption have led to the automation of production lines and the integration of technology in music events. Customer preferences drive emerging trends like local talent, interactive activities, and art installations at music festivals. Macroeconomic factors, disposable incomes, and social media influence ticket sales for B2C enterprises. Event organizers leverage user metrics, online purchase, and modeling approaches to optimize their operations. The live music market is a cornerstone of the entertainment sector, providing livelihoods for musicians, artists, agents, promoters, ticketing companies, contractors, record companies, music composers, corporate brands, and sponsors. The sector includes small clubs, theatre-sized venues, arena shows, and stadiums, featuring international stars and local talent. Festival dates, performance schedules, and promotional campaigns are crucial elements of successful live music events. Risk takers, fee negotiations, and show production are integral parts of the business. The future of the live music market is shaped by virtual online platforms, holograms, and fan bases. The sector continues to evolve, offering unique experiences for fans and like-minded individuals. The live music industry has experienced a notable increase in the utilization of virtual and hybrid events due to technological advancements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Artists and event organizers have responded to evolving circumstances by adopting innovative approaches, enabling them to deliver live music experiences to global audiences despite challenges posed by large-scale gatherings. Virtual and hybrid formats have gained popularity as a solution to the disruptions caused by the pandemic, allowing musicians and artists to continue engaging with their fan bases. Market Challenges Live music market is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, encompassing various elements such as concerts, mobile apps, DJs, artists, and genres like Blues, Pop, Rock, Metal, and Electronica. Challenges in this sector include urbanization, production lines, automation, and technology adoption. Industrial developments and macroeconomic factors influence music events worldwide. Customer preferences and emerging trends shape the landscape, with local special circumstances and social outlook also playing a role. Live music events offer unique experiences for consumers, bringing together like-minded individuals and passionate audiences. Younger generations value experiences over material possessions, driving growth in music festivals and virtual online platforms. Technology, such as holograms and social media, has transformed the industry, enabling B2C enterprises to reach wider audiences and increase Gross Merchandise Value. Event organizers face various challenges, including ticket sales, artist contracts, and production logistics. Collaboration between agents, promoters, ticketing companies, contractors, record companies, music composers, corporate brands, and sponsors is crucial. The live music market is a cornerstone of the entertainment sector, providing livelihoods for musicians, crew members, and industry professionals. As the industry continues to evolve, understanding consumer behavior, representing the social outlook, and adapting to technological advancements will be key to success. Goldman Sachs predicts continued growth in the sector over the next few decades. Ultimately, the live music market offers a unique blend of art, social interaction, and entertainment for fans and artists alike. In today's digital marketplace, the music industry has seen a significant shift towards online platforms and applications. This transition brings new opportunities for live music market providers to reach their audience with customized offerings. However, it also poses new challenges, particularly in the area of data privacy. To effectively target customers, service providers collect data through cookies, which track customer preferences. This data is then utilized for customer profiling, behavior analysis, and data mining. While this information aids in delivering personalized services, indiscriminate use can infringe on customer privacy. Moreover, location-based services, which require geo-location information, raise privacy concerns. As the IT industry continues to create an open, competitive electronic marketplace, it is crucial to provide secure and reliable infrastructure for the seamless transfer and integration of critical information. Ensuring data privacy and security is essential to build trust and maintain customer loyalty. Research report provides comprehensive data on impact of trend, driver and challenges - Request a sample report! Segment Overview This live music market report extensively covers market segmentation by Revenue 1.1 Tickets 1.2 Sponsorship 1.3 Merchandising Genre 2.1 Pop 2.2 Rock 2.3 Hip-hop 2.4 EDM 2.5 Metal music and others Format Event Type Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Tickets- The ticketing segment is a pivotal part of the global live music market, facilitating fan access to live music events through ticket sales and distribution. Online ticketing platforms, such as Ticketmaster and StubHub, have become popular due to their user-friendly interfaces and secure payment gateways. Mobile ticketing, featuring digital tickets accessible on smartphones, enhances the ticketing experience and reduces the risk of counterfeit tickets. Secondary ticketing platforms, like Viagogo and SeatGeek, offer fans an alternative to secure tickets for sold-out events. Data analytics and personalized marketing strategies are emerging trends, enabling ticketing companies to provide customized recommendations and targeted campaigns. These advancements are anticipated to boost the growth of the ticketing segment in the live music market. For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) - Download a Sample Report Research Analysis Live music concerts continue to captivate audiences worldwide, bringing people together through the power of music. Mobile apps have revolutionized the industry, allowing fans to access tickets, merchandise, and real-time updates on their favorite artists. From Blues to Pop, Rock, Metal, Electronica, and beyond, music events cater to diverse customer preferences. Emerging trends include the integration of technology, such as holograms and virtual online platforms, into live performances. Local special circumstances and macroeconomic factors can impact the livelihood of musicians, influencing tours and festivals. Social interaction and the connection with like-minded individuals are cornerstones of the live music experience, spanning decades. The younger generation continues to discover new artists and genres, ensuring the industry's longevity. Live music events offer more than just entertainment – they provide a unique experience for fans to engage with their favorite musicians and create memories that last a lifetime. Market Research Overview Live music concerts have seen a significant growth in popularity with the advent of mobile apps, allowing fans to easily discover and purchase tickets for their favorite artists and genres, including Blues, Pop, Rock, Metal, Electronica, and more. The live music scene is not just limited to concerts but also includes parties and music festivals, which offer unique experiences for like-minded individuals. Urbanization and industrial developments have led to the adoption of technology in music production lines and automation, transforming the way music is created and performed. Emerging trends such as virtual online platforms, holograms, and interactive activities have added new dimensions to live music events, catering to the younger generation's preferences for experiences over material possessions. Music festivals have become a cornerstone of the live music industry, attracting passionate audiences from worldwide, with genres ranging from local talent to international stars. Event organizers leverage social media and ticket sales to reach consumers, while B2C enterprises focus on Gross Merchandise Value and user metrics to optimize their offerings. The live music industry is influenced by various macroeconomic factors, including disposable incomes, consumer behavior, and emerging trends. Representativeness, social outlook, and urban population play a crucial role in shaping the industry's future, with Goldman Sachs predicting a decade-long livelihood for musicians, tours, and festivals. Live performance remains the heart of the industry, with artists, DJs, agents, promoters, ticketing companies, contractors, record companies, corporate brands, and sponsors all playing essential roles in bringing the music to the fans. From small clubs to arena shows and stadiums, the live music industry continues to evolve, offering unforgettable experiences for fans and artists alike. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Revenue Tickets Sponsorship Merchandising Genre Pop Rock Hip-hop EDM Metal Music And Others Format Event Type Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/live-music-market-size-is-set-to-grow-by-usd-35-56-billion-from-2024-2028--growing-demand-for-live-music-experiences-to-boost-the-market-growth-technavio-302314961.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
When the Nebraska football team gathered for its Thursday practice prior to the Wisconsin game, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen wanted to see a game-ready unit. Anything other than the best wasn’t good enough, and Holgorsen backed it up. The players who made mistakes, even committing false start penalties during that practice didn’t play on Saturday because of it, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said. Those who did their job got their chance, though, with Rhule identifying senior wide receiver Isiaha Garcia-Castaneda as one such beneficiary. So while Holgorsen’s playcalling was part of Nebraska’s 44-point outburst against the Badgers, his general approach is what Rhule appreciates most. “You hear Dana on the headset, the whole time he’s just talking about execution,” Rhule said. “... There’s a real focus on execution and when the guys execute the play calls. I think that was the message to the guys — if you execute and practice at a high level, you’re going to have an opportunity to play in the game.” People are also reading... Recap: Here's how Joey Graziadei will win 'Dancing with the Stars' They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead on I-29 in Missouri Zitel bound over to district court in death of child Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday No change in bond amounts in child abuse death case Clabaugh family presents Outstanding Educator award Harmonizers to perform At the courthouse, Nov. 16, 2024 Inside Nebraska volleyball’s finishing kick for a Big Ten title: First up, Wisconsin Chamberlain among seven inducted into Nebraska Baseball HOF Just Askin': Dana Holgorsen noncommittal on future, ranking a big week for Nebraska Athletics How one Virginia woman persevered through abuse, oppression in Christian 'cult' Streaming review: 'Landman' gives Billy Bob Thornton a real gusher of a series Changes have been limited in Holgorsen’s short time as NU’s offensive coordinator, but he did make sure the Huskers scaled back the number of plays in their playbook. “We’re still doing a lot,” Rhule said, while crediting assistant coaches Glenn Thomas, Garret McGuire and Marcus Satterfield for their work in helping Holgorsen get accustomed to the team’s offensive setup. A “collaborative” gameplanning process that involves those coaches poring over game film and strategy together has led to results, but Rhule again emphasized that improvements from the players, not the coaches, is what has led to better results. When Nebraska was in rhythm on Saturday and stayed ahead of the chains, the Huskers were nearly impossible to slow down. When penalties, turnovers or miscues like snapping on the wrong count happened, though, the offense’s progress was halted. The clear difference? Execution. “It’s kind of a blend of everything we’ve been trying to say to them all year coming to life,” Rhule said of Nebraska’s 44-point performance. “I think the thing Dana’s done a great job is, he’s cut things down to a degree, but he’s demanding that they execute if they want to get on the field.” Nebraska also couldn’t have cut apart the Wisconsin defense without a reinvigorated showing from quarterback Dylan Raiola. Having thrown at least one interception in his previous five starts, Raiola finished the game turnover-free for the first time since September. The freshman also completed 28-of-38 passes for 293 yards and one touchdown, his biggest passing output other than a 297-yard performance against Illinois. Part of the reason for the turnaround was health-related following the back injury Raiola suffered against UCLA. Held out of practice over the bye, Raiola was “ginger” the whole game against USC according to Rhule but was more comfortable with moving around and sliding up in the pocket last Saturday. Getting the ball out quickly and accurately also helped Raiola’s timing within the offense. “He was just taking completions, taking what was there and not trying to do too much,” Rhule said of Raiola. “Playing as a freshman in the Big Ten is really, really hard; it requires tough people and I think Dylan’s been tough in that he’s gotten better every week.” Nebraska’s progress will be tested in a matchup against the nation’s No. 12 scoring defense, an Iowa unit that is allowing just 17.7 points per game. Another week with Holgorsen at the helm will help Nebraska with that challenge as the Huskers look to build on their recent offensive surge. “Just the rhythm of the way he does things means total sense to me,” Rhule said of Holgorsen. “... If I coach with Dana for one more week or if we coach together for the next 10 years, I’ll be a better coach as a result.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!West Indies poised to win 1st test from Bangladesh after 17 wickets fall on Day 4 - Hindustan Times
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Addressing a gathering at the "Odisha Parba" event in Delhi, the prime minister said investments of Rs 45,000 crore have been approved within 100 days of the formation of a new government in the state. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that his government considers India’s eastern region as the country’s growth engine, while the area was considered backward earlier. Addressing a gathering at the “Odisha Parba” event here, the prime minister said investments of Rs 45,000 crore have been approved within 100 days of the formation of a new government in the state. “Odisha has always been a land of seers and scholars. The way the scholars here took our religious texts to every household and connected the public with those, it has played a crucial role in the cultural prosperity of India. “There was a time when India’s eastern region and the states there were called backward. However, I consider India’s eastern region as the country’s growth engine. That is why we have prioritised the development of India’s eastern region,” he said. “The budget that we now allocate to Odisha is three times higher than what it was 10 years ago. We are working rapidly in every sector for Odisha’s development and the budget has been increased by 30 per cent this year,” Modi added. The prime minister informed that the Centre is committed to promoting ease of doing business in Odisha and said investments of Rs 45,000 crore have been approved within 100 days of the formation of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. “Last year, the G20 Summit was held in India. During the G20 Summit, we showcased the photo of the Sun Temple (in Konark). I am also glad that all four doors of the Jagannath temple (in Puri) are open now. Besides, the Ratna Bhandar of the temple is also open,” he added. “Odisha Parba” is a flagship event conducted by the Odia Samaj, a Delhi-based trust engaged in providing valuable support towards the preservation and promotion of Odia heritage. This year, “Odisha Parba” was organised from November 22 to November 24 to showcase the rich heritage of Odisha, displaying colourful cultural forms and exhibiting the vibrant social, cultural and political ethos of the state. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga
Arm Holdings Stock Has Surged This Year. Analyst Says It Can Keep Going.After a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbk
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former This Morning presenter Judy Finnigan has made a rare TV appearance as she was spotted in the audience of Princess Kate Middleton's carol service. However, the broadcaster was spotted looking particularly emotional as the Royal Ballet School took to the Westminster Abbey stage. A number of stars attended the royal's carol service, with the likes of Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery, actor Sophie Okonedo, Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty and singer Paloma Faith among those in the audience. Several ITV stars were also invited to the service - including Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley, who was sat next to his wife Judy Finnigan throughout the event. While Judy, 76, is best known for hosting This Morning with husband Richard, she has mainly stayed out of the limelight, with her last presenting role being in 2020 for Richard & Judy: Keep Reading and Carry On. However, the TV star was spotted in the audience of Princess Kate's service - and even looked emotional during points of the night. Fans took to X to comment on how Judy looked tearful during The Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet School's performance to the Colours of Christmas . One wrote: "Oh Judy Finnigan crying at the little ballet dancers," alongside a heart emoji. Meanwhile, another viewer wrote on social media: "Same Judy Finnegan, same," with a crying emoji. Airing on ITV tonight, Together at Christmas was filmed on Sunday , hosted by the Princess of Wales in her first major public appearance since undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Speaking ahead of the programme, the Prince and Princess shared a teaser of the show on Instagram, including Kate's personal message. It read: "Across the United Kingdom, there are so many inspiring people embracing those in need. "This carol service is a heartfelt celebration of everyone of you and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other. Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other's light. I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas." At the weekend, an expert analysed The Prince and Princess of Wales' Christmas card - claiming that it highlights the stark contrast between the couple and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle . Prince William and Princess Kate shared their 2024 festive card on social media last week, featuring an adorable photo of the couple and their children, Prince George , Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis .S ocial security pensions are grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons in Kerala. Towards the end of November, the State Finance Department published a list of 1,458 government employees, which included gazetted officers, assistant professors, and higher secondary teachers, who were drawing social security pension despite not qualifying for it. The list sparked outrage as the monthly payment of ₹1,600 per person is meant for the disadvantaged sections of society. A few days later, an audit by the State’s Finance Department revealed that many wealthy people, including owners of high-end cars, in Kottakkal municipality of Malappuram district, had snuck into the list of beneficiaries, presumably with the connivance of government officials. The Finance Department then issued instructions to government departments to initiate disciplinary action against all those who were fraudulently claiming pension and recover the money in full at a penal interest rate of 18%. Last week, the State Soil Survey and Soil Conservation Department suspended six employees who were illegally drawing social security pension. More departments are expected to follow suit in the following weeks. The government has also taken steps to weed out ineligible recipients from the list of beneficiaries. Over the years, Kerala has been a model State in the distribution of social security pension. The support system ensures that nearly 50 lakh people receive a monthly payment of ₹1,600. The beneficiaries include people who are 60 years or older, the disabled, widows, unmarried women above 50 years, and agriculture labourers. The government increased the pension amount from ₹600 per beneficiary in 2016 to ₹1,600 in 2017. A revised government order issued in 2017 was specific about ineligibility too, stating that income tax payers, service pensioners, and people with an annual family income of more than ₹1 lakh do not qualify for pension. According to the Economic Review published by the State Planning Board, the number of social security pensioners rose from 34 lakh in 2015-16 to 52.38 lakh in October 2022. It came down to 46.77 lakh in November 2023. If we add welfare fund board pension to this list, the number would be closer to 62 lakh. The latest Economic Review breaks up the categories as follows: 56.5% of the beneficiaries are those aged 60 years and above, 27.1% are widows, 7.8% are the disabled, and 6.8% are agricultural workers. A little more than 81,300 unmarried women are also among the recipients. Those who have been illegally drawing pension have been mostly doing so under the disability and widow category. These figures illustrate the enormous financial load on the Kerala government. The government needs more than ₹900 crore every month to pay social security and welfare fund board pension. Social security cesses on Indian-Made Foreign Liquor, petrol, and diesel, announced in the 2023-24 State Budget, scarcely cover even one month’s payment. The first two quarters of 2024-25 yielded just ₹549.71 crore from these levies. According to Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal’s office, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government, which came to power in 2021, has so far spent ₹33,800 crore on social security pension alone. The State government also claims that a Central share, albeit small, for which 5.88 lakh of the pensioners are eligible, is in arrears. All this means that the Kerala government, which is already battling a financial crunch, cannot overlook any leakage and pilferage in public funds. A January 2020 Finance Department circular indicates that the government was aware that government employees and service pensioners were illegally drawing social security support. The circular instructed them to return the money in full and get their names deleted from the beneficiary list. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India had also flagged the issue of ‘irregular disbursement’ of pensions to service pensioners and employees in a performance audit report for 2022. The latest developments yet again call for tighter surveillance on the outflow and utilisation of funds for social support schemes as well as periodic reviews and updates of the lists of beneficiaries. Further, action must be taken against government servants who were complicit in this. tiki.rajwi@thehindu.co.in Published - December 25, 2024 02:29 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Kerala / pension and welfare / wage and pension