THE index of industrial production for 2015-16 which has recently been released shows that the growth rate of the industrial sector for the financial year (over the previous year) comes to a meagre 2.4 percent. This virtual stagnation in industrial output is not just some sporadic occurrence. In fact the industrial growth rates for the last four financial years have been as follows: 2012-13: 1.1 percent2013-14: -0.1 percent2014-15: 2.8 percent2015-16: 2.4 percent This constitutes industrial stagnation with a vengeance.

Is there any constitutional provision that a person who is under jail custody is deprived of their right to vote whereas any accused has the right to contest any kind of election from jail custody.  There are quite large number of voters detained in several jails (near about 4 lakh) throughout the country during 16th Lok Sabha election in 2014.  What is your view?G K Seal, Kazipara, Barasat, Kolkata AS per the present law, any person who is in jail or in the “lawful custody” of the police is not eligible to vote in an election.  This includes both convicted prisoners and t

AFTER a gap of five years, LDF scored a huge victory in Kerala. It is a verdict against the UDF government’s anti-people policies, corruption and appeasement of communalism. People’s ire was against the Congress in the election. The verdict clearly shows that the LDF has got support from all sections of the people. Secular minded people from the majority and minority communities stood behind the LDF this time. Women whole heartedly lent their support for the LDF in the light of Jisha’s murder.Congress, the leader of the UDF lost badly in the elctions.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement on May 19, 2016.

THE Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the murderous attacks launched by the RSS in various parts of Kerala following their miserable defeat in these elections.

In one such attacks, bombs were hurled at an LDF victory rally in Dharmadam constituency, which elected CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan, killing one CPI(M) worker and seriously injuring five others.

22-year-old construction worker named Devendra, from Jharkhand, was killed in an accident at the AP temporary secretariat complex construction site at Velagapudi village on May 10 where a Government Interim Complex (temporary secretariat) is being constructed.The incident took place when the worker was cleaning a cement mixer with a crow bar. He was trying to clean the inside of the drum when he was sucked in and got crushed to death. It has emerged later that the worker was not wearing the mandatory crash helmet.