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Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Arvind Subramanian was correct in his observation that internal controls and external regulatory systems in public sector banks have broken down. But what is really disturbing and at the same time scandalous is his assiduous silence on identifying the nature of the Rs 11,500-crore Punjab National Bank fraud.

It is not just a question of boycotting a proposed Joint Parliamentary Committee probe against Nirav Modi looting a PSU bank of Rs 11,000 crore: in Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also blocked a State Assembly discussion on a controversial public religious conversion by militant Hindus. On both issues, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), palpably on the ropes, has won much-needed relief.

Delhi’s unique position as the union capital, under the Constitution, has led to constant tension between the Centre and the state government. If the governments at the two centres of power are of the same party, there is less bickering. In the event, however, of two different political parties ruling the Centre and Delhi, there is bound to be trouble, as in the present case. There has been constant trouble between the BJP-led government at the Centre and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party government. This is not to justify the midnight drama at Kejriwal’s residence wherein in the presence of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary was reportedly roughed up. This is, perhaps, the first instance of this type and needs to be condemned and dealt with firmly.

The issue of exorbitant profit on drugs has been highlighted in the past few months. Several civil society organisations including the All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN) and Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) have been taking up this issue for long and have submitted memoranda to the government several times. Now the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has also admitted this fact. Public outcry and media reporting in this regard in the wake of hefty bills by some corporate hospitals even when the patients could not survive have brought the issue more in to focus and decision making bodies have started showing some sensitivity.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A polite but firm message to the Kerala unit of the CPI(M) from general secretary Sitaram Yechury; a public rebuff of Kannur CPI(M) secretary, P. Jayarajan; and an open expression of warmth towards Kerala Congress(M) chief K M Mani by CPI(M) leaders, EP Jayarajan and A Vijayaraghavan. These were the highlights of the first day of the CPI(M)’s State conference.

Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat draws a link between the AIDUF’s expansion in Assam to a ‘planned illegal immigration’ taking place because of a ‘proxy war’ engineered by Pakistan and China and all hell breaks loose. ‘Muslimeen’ politician Asauddin Owaisi promptly attacks the Chief and the rest of them follow suit – the Congress Party, Brinda Karat, Majeed Memon... CPI leader Atul Anjaan equates Gen. Rawat to fanatic Pakistan dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, much to the outrage of the BJP.

Meghalaya, the only State in the north-east which is headed by a Congress chief minister, is going to polls next Tuesday. In 2013, the Congress won 29 seats in the 60-member House. Together with the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) eight legislators, it formed the government with Mukul Sangma of the Congress heading the coalition. Politics in Meghalaya has undergone a sea change since then. This time, the BJP is making a desperate bid to dislodge the Congress and come to share power in alliance with some regional parties.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s three minor children can withstand the north Indian winter in rolled-up cotton shirt sleeves because Canadian children start shovelling snow from age two. It has got nothing to do with a meal of goat curry, basmati rice; tomato sauce with onion on the side, as told by an Internet troll gunning for Trudeau and his Khalistani-fare.

Monday midnight Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash goes to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. Kejriwal is not alone. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is there. So are some AAP MLAs. Among them Amanatullah and Prakash Jarwal. Next day Prakash alleges assault at the CM’s house. AAP refutes charge. The police arrest Jarwal. Amanatullah surrenders to the cops. Kejriwal scraps Aadhar requirement for ration procurement in Delhi.

BHOPAL: With the stormy electioneering over, voters of Kolaras and Mungaoli will exercise their franchise on February 24. Both BJP and Congress have campaigned for the by-elections as if in a general election.