THE PTI (physical training instructors) teachers, 1983 in number,  were appointed by the Haryana Staff Selection Board (HSSB) on April 10, 2020. The PTI teachers were then posted in schools across the state of Haryana. Those who were not selected challenged the selection procedure in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The high court passed an order on September 11, 2002 and set aside the selection of the PTI teachers. The PTI teachers and the Haryana government challenged this order of the high court in the supreme court.

IT is clear that the political and economic interests of the Congress, the BJP and a section of media have created a smokescreen and is trying to distract the investigation from the issue of gold smuggling. The basic and crucial questions are: who smuggled the gold, who did it for whom, for how long has it been happening, which are the forces that helped it, and who all benefited from it.But this group is not keen to get into these questions. It is proven that they would go to any length to prevent the investigation from addressing these basic questions.

THE gold smuggling case in Kerala is being used by the Congress-led UDF and the BJP to tarnish the image of the LDF government and a joint effort to destabiliSe the government headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.The Congress and the UDF have demanded the resignation of the chief minister and have launched a “struggle” to achieve the same. The BJP is also conducting protests with the same demand.

THE employees and officers of BSNL, organised black-flag demonstrations throughout the country on July 16, 2020, protesting against the cancellation of BSNL’s tender to procure 4G equipments. Day-long black-badge wearing was also done by the employees and officers on that day.The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), the umbrella organisation of all the major trade unions and officers’ associations, organised these programmes. Lockdown, prohibition under section 144 and other severe restrictions are imposed throughout the country, to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

A CRUCIAL section of Covid-19 frontline workers – all women and ill-treated all through – has been fighting the dual dangers of the pandemic and the increased hunger and malnutrition due to the lockdown. Not even considered as “workers” by the government, Anganwadi workers and helpers, ASHA workers and Mid-day Meal workers have been risking their lives as they worked to alleviate the sufferings of the people during the pandemic as India’s ruling class is busy toppling governments, selling off the country’s assets and sovereignty.