Straight bat

Getting close to 90-odd references relating to the violation of Model Code of Conduct every day, the Election Commission of India has now shot off a missive to all Chief Electoral Officers in states and Union Territories asking them to preferably deal with these complaints at their own level and not forward everything to the ECI. The EC has further asked the CEOs that only cases which are either not covered under its standing instructions or where there is ambiguity or doubt about the applicability of those instructions to a specific case should be forwarded to it.

PLANNING AHEAD

While the BJP may think its victory is a foregone conclusion, there is at least one person in the government who is preparing to implement the Congress manifesto. Earlier this week, Health Secretary Luv Verma took a two-hour-long meeting to brainstorm about a roadmap for Right to Health, which finds a mention in the Congress manifesto.

MANY TAKERS

Job openings for the post of members of the Income-Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) always draw keen interest from the lawyers’ fraternity. However, this time, the number of applicants has surpassed previous figures. Over 650 candidates have applied for 25 posts of member ITAT in various parts of the country and the selection committee headed by Supreme Court judge Tirath Singh Thakur is planning to start the interview process from April 4. The selection process is likely to continue for at least two-three months as the panel wants to give every candidate a fair chance.

WORK AS USUAL

Thought Smriti Irani’s name is being considered by the BJP leadership as party candidate against Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, the BJP MP does not seem to be losing sleep over her impending assignment. Pending an official announcement of her candidature, Irani, who is also incharge of party’s Goa unit, is busy in electoral preparations in Goa. On Friday, she tweeted pictures of party’s booth-level workers’ meetings for two LS seats in the state.