A MONTH has elapsed since the security clampdown on Jammu & Kashmir was imposed on August 5.  For 30 days, the people of Kashmir have been deprived of all basic rights. They have been confined to their houses. There is no communication with mobile phone networks, landlines and internet connection closed down; they have no right of movement with barricades being put up in main roads and highways; there is no public transport. 

MUCH awaited monsoons in the country may be deficient in rainfall, but flooding even with scant rainfall has become a common phenomenon. The cities happens to be the worst resilient with the kind of infrastructure that has been constructed over the years. This leads to loss of lives and property. Just in three states, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka, 227 people have died and the number may be higher as there are a large number of missing persons.

ON July 29, the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission were suddenly modified by a presidential order. The commission is now being asked to examine whether a separate mechanism for financing expenditure on defence and internal security should be set up, and how it can be operationalised.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on August 27

THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly disapproves of the manner in which the Reserve Bank of India’s reserves are being sought to be utilised to meet the fiscal deficit. Similarly, in the past, profit making public sector navaratnas like ONGC had been fleeced to meet the Modi government’s extravagant expenditure like those on propaganda.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on August 28

THE Supreme Court heard the petition on habeas corpus filed by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury to produce CPI(M) leader and four time MLA, Yusuf Tarigami whose whereabouts are unknown since August 5.