THE All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation, in a statement issued on May 21, has strongly condemned the proposal of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) to enhance the third party insurance premium rates for the motor vehicles including agriculture tractors. The proposal is irrational, non transparent and highly exploitative. The proposal is made when the entire country is eagerly waiting for the parliament election results and the new government to take oath.

AIDWA, in a statement issued on May 10, has strongly condemned the stand taken by Dr Santanu Sen, president, Indian Medical Association, seeking 'comprehensive review, repeal and re-conception' of PCPNDT Act and deplored the fact that the president and the general secretary of the highest medical body in India considers it a 'harassment' for doctors to maintain transparency of their practice by complying with the rules and regulations of the Act.

BRITAIN, as the leading capitalist country in the world, had a current account deficit vis-à-vis the newly emerging countries, such as Continental Europe and the United States, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In fact it is the nature of the leading country to have such a deficit, since it provides the scope to others to grow within the international currency arrangement presided over by the leading country.The US likewise has a current account deficit vis-à-vis today’s emerging countries.

ASHOK Dhawale, Central Committee member , CPI(M) said that the Modi – Shah duo is bent upon dividing India in the name  of religion, community, caste and region which is dangerous to the unity and integrity of the country. He was addressing a massive rally at Ropar – Punjab, on May 11. The rally had been organised in support of Raghunath Singh, CPI(M) candidate from  Sri Anandpur Sahib  constituency.

ODISHA is reeling under one of the worst cyclones since the Super Cyclone of 1999. The Fani Cyclone that hit the Odisha Coast wreaked havoc and unprecedented destruction of houses, crops, trees, electricity poles and also took the lives of around 70 people. More than 14 million people are estimated to have been affected in a region spread over 16,000 villages. Standing paddy crop, coconut trees, cashew trees and various other crops on 1,52,000 hectares are estimated to have been destroyed. Livestock has also faced the brunt with many animals reported killed.