The CPI(M) staged a major protest in Agartala on August 17 against abnormally high electricity bills, steep tariff increases and the forced installation of smart meters, warning the Tripura government that people would not tolerate the use of technology to mislead or exploit consumers.

The so-called golden period of almost two and half decades of BJP-JD(U) rule has left the state bankrupt. The failure of the government to pay salaries to government employees and teachers on time and fulfill its social security responsibilities is being raised in different forums. Even the meagre amount of 1000 rupees for senior citizens is not being paid on time.

The agreement reached between the Jharkhand government and the students protesting over the recruitments done by Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) issue is welcome. The cancellation of the JSSC-CGL (Combined Graduate Level) and examinations conducted by the private outsourcing agency TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), along with the decision to investigate irregularities in recruitments made since 2014, is a significant achievement of the sustained student movement.

Thousands of mid-day meal workers in Haryana went on a successful strike independently for the first time. On the same day, thousands of workers reached Kurukshetra to participate in the mass protest, expressing their deep anger and resentment. The strike and mass protest were called by the Mid-Day Meal Workers Union Haryana (CITU). It is noteworthy that Kurukshetra is the home district of the Chief Minister of Haryana and houses his camp office.

SCHOOLS CLOSURE UNDER NEP AND CHIRAG SCHEME

Junior doctors across Andhra Pradesh have launched a strike, demanding the immediate release of stipend arrears, implementation of the mandatory stipend hike, and strict adherence to the National Medical Commission regulations on regularisation of monthly payments.