A REPORT in The Hindu (May 6) suggests that the Planning Commission is at its old game again which is to “remove” poverty in the country through a sleight-of-hand, by taking recourse to spurious statistics. Consumption expenditure estimates from National Accounts Statistics show a far higher level than those arrived at on the basis of the National Sample Survey.

AS we go to press, the penultimate eighth phase of this marathon nine-phase general election has been completed. Though only one phase is left, this would be a decisive phase in certain states like West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. While the polls have, by and large, not been marred by large-scale violence and terror, there have been notable exceptions. During the last phase, the third phase in West Bengal, large-scale reports of terror intimidation and booth capturing by the ruling party in the state, Trinamool Congress, have been reported.

THE last phase of the Lok Sabha election which will conclude on May 12 has brought forth certain disturbing features. First, the communal temperature has been rising with the concerted communal campaign being conducted by the BJP and the RSS, which is especially concentrated in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

MORE than 24,000 drivers and conductors, working in the transport division of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST), recently went on a two day heroic strike to protest against the unilateral action of the management to enhance working time from 8 to 12 hours, adversely restructuring their service conditions.
The strike was total in the entire BEST operation in all the 26 depots across the Mumbai city, totally paralysing the service on April 1 and 2, 2014.

ANTICIPATING imminent disgraceful defeat in both the parliamentary seats of the state, instead of waiting for the counting of votes, the Congress has preferred boycotting of counting on the ludicrous plea of so-called large scale irregularities in the elections.