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The Narendra Modi Government’s economic policies including demonetisaion in November last year, have lead to increasing joblessness in the country making a mockery of ache din projected by the Prime Minister when he took over in May 2014.The economic crisis has accentuated in the rural areas with the demonetisation as despite all talks of supplying notes to the rural banks, the situation is grave and the cash based trade in the rural areas, has collapsed. Since many of the links have been disrupted, it will take time for the rural businesses to come back to the normal condition.

Recent developments in Uttar Pradesh appear to have catapulted BJP into pole position, ahead of principal rivals Samajwadi Party and BSP as the election campaign goes into overdrive with poll schedule from February 11. This is a poll for the BJP not to loose and if it fails to win a majority that has to be seen as a vote against demonetisation which has caused job losses in UP. If that happens it augur badly for UP and in rest of the country, as it suggests demonetisation is being badly received.

BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav’s complaint about poor quality food being served at border posts in the western sector should not be taken lightly. A mere departmental enquiry ordered by the home ministry is not enough considering the seriousness of the charge, for the allegations also include illegal selling of ration supplies and other provisions meant for the force in collusion with vested interests.

India favours pro-active participation in the deliberations at the coming meeting of the Arctic Council in Alaska in the middle of 2017.As a country with observer status, India will like to leverage its present strength in scientific research in view of the geo-strategic importance of the Arctic Sea and the region’s important role in governing climate change that has global consequences. India will be cooperating with the other interested countries like Russia, China, USA, Norway, Japan and South Korea in stepping up research activities so that the Arctic resources can be utilized for global development.

BHOPAL: Never in the history of Madhya Pradesh transfer of a police officer had evoked such a massive protest as has happened in Katni district of the state on January 10.

With India emerging as a “major global power”, its defence needs have also multiplied. It has been spending a huge portion of its budgetary allocation on defence, but in recent years, after 2001, the Indian defence industry has grown up substantially. The government capital spending has quadrupled from $ 3 billion in 2000 to $12.2 billion in 2010. India is the sixth biggest spender on defence from 2000 to 2010.

Shyam Narayan Chouksey has done a disservice to his own cause. In his zeal to inculcate patriotism in the average citizen, a situation has been created in the wake of his petition to the Supreme Court, which can lead to overt disrespect being shown to the national anthem and also the tricolour.

The post-Jaya era in Tamil Nadu has begun with ruling AIADMK facing a tough transition amid emerging fissures within, while a fluid situation kindles hopes for re-energised rival DMK to play its game. More ambitious seems to be BJP, inconsequential in the state, but powerful at the Centre to apply the necessary levers and shepherd AIADMK for its own political advantage.

After Uttar Pradesh, the Punjab Assembly polls next month are the most keenly watched elections. Opinion polls predict mixed results. An India Today-Axis survey brings cheers to the Congress Party predicting a comeback winning 56-62 seats. It predicts Aam Aadmi Party emerging as the second largest party with 36 to 41 in the 117-member Assembly. The ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine, which is bidding for power for the third consecutive time may be, reduced to18 to 22 seats. The BSP, which commands sizeable Dalit votes in the state, may bag one to four seats.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the face of it, CPI(M general secretary Sitaram Yechury did a deft balancing act while tackling the organizational problems the Kerala CPI(M) faced in the wake of the Polit Bureau Commission report against party veteran VS Achuthanandan.