On November 23, the Kerala State Planning Board appointed a Committee to study the impact of demonetisation on the economy of Kerala. The committee has come out with a report, the excerpts of which were published in the issue dated. Below are the recommendations of the committee.117.     Despite the damage it has done, the central government is politically unwilling to reverse its demonetisation decision. On the other hand, full “remonetisation” of the economy is unlikely before the third quarter of 2017. As of now ceilings on withdrawals remain in place.

THERE are a lot of people who need to be thanked for their wishes on the Women's Day. Indeed the list is quite long, but taking into consideration the constraints of time and space here are a few that should not be missed at any cost.Let's start with the pradhan mantri, err, pradhan sewak. Not the one to shy away from showing his strength in using the 140-character handle, he 'twished' (this is a tweet+wish) saluting the 'indomitable spirit, determination & dedication of Nari Shakti on International Women's Day'.

HUNDREDS of activists of the Left and Democratic Front in Mumbai belonging to various parties, viz CPI(M), CPI, Lal Nishan Party, CPI(ML) Liberation and Bharip-Bahujan Mahasangh participated in a militant demonstration on March 6 at Dadar Railway Station in Mumbai.

KERALA finance minister Thomas Isaac presented the budget for 2017-18 in the Assembly on March 5. The budget was a bold attempt to save the state’s economy and to provide maximum relief to the common people facing a crisis created by the central government’s demonetisation move and neo-liberal economic policies. The budget attracted a wide applause from every section of society. The opposition parties have not raised any objection to the budget provisions.The second budget of the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan draws a road map for comprehensive changes in infrastructure.

AT the call of the Anganwadi Mulajam Union, Punjab CITU, a colourful public rally was held at Sirhand in Fatehgarh Sahib district on March 8. The state office of Anganwadi Mulajam Union, Punjab was inaugurated in Sirhand, a short distance from the capital Chandigarh on March 8, 2017 on the occasion of the International Women's Day. This is the first building owned by any union of anganwadi employees affiliated to All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH).