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Tough poll panel makes parties squirm,Sheila Dikshit meets CEC.

All political parties are facing the heat of an extra vigilant Election Commission this time,with zero tolerance for any violations major or minor of the model code of conduct. While all parties,including the BJP and AAP,have written to the Chief Electoral Officer on the problems they are facing with ECs crackdown,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her Cabinet colleagues went a step ahead to meet Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath on Tuesday. One among the many complaints was ECs requirement for pre-certification of publicity material. The Delhi Election Commission has been very tough on publicity material,with over 200 FIRs already registered for code violations,many for printing and pasting of unauthorised posters and banners. Delhis Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev has called a meeting of all political parties on Friday to give them an opportunity to talk about the problems they are facing.

ASSOCHAM releases growth agenda for city for political parties

With a view to create consensus among parties on issues that matter to Delhi,apex industry body ASSOCHAM has released a seven-point growth agenda for political parties to include in their election manifestos,in the run-up to the Assembly elections. The paper titled ASSOCHAM Suggestions for Election Manifesto of Political Parties in Delhi was released by Dr Lalit Khaitan,chairman of the Northern Region Development Council of ASSOCHAM.

The 23-page paper has been given to all major political parties BJP,Congress,AAP,BSP,SP and others to help them chart a manifesto relevant to the most pressing issues facing the city. It highlights primary issues related to the citys politics,governance,infrastructure,livelihood security,economic security,energy security,ecological and state security.

In the backdrop of the gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedic student in the city last year,the paper suggests the government create a safe,supportive and responsive environment for women,children and senior citizens.

There is an urgent need for setting up more working women hostels to enhance safety of women at the workplace. The government should create a roadmap in this regard, said Dr Khaitan,speaking at the papers release.

It also emphasises the need for developing an affordable and accessible quality healthcare system,both through PPP partnership and through improvement in the condition of government hospitals.

Talking about the education system in the city,the paper strongly suggests for pushing private schools to provide admissions to children hailing from economically weaker sections and for giving Rs 1,000 to underpriveliged children every month,instead of annually.

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Arvind Kejriwal to field questions from around the world on Oct 20

Reaching out to people across the world,Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will be hosting a Google-Hangout with Arvind Kejriwal on October 20. Through the event that will go on AAPs website on the same day,participants will get a chance to interact with and ask questions to Kejriwal. The event is scheduled at 6 am Indian time. Participants keen to ask Kejriwal questions have,however,been asked to send the questions to the moderator. At last count,about 192 questions from 200-odd people have already been listed on the site.

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