PFI hails decisions for separate minority quota in Lokpal Bill

December 23, 2011

Mangalore, December 23: Popular Front of India Central Secretariat has welcomed the key provisions of Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill-2011, which was tabled on Thursday in the Lok Sabha.

In a press release issued here, the organisation led by minorities has lauded the Central Government for providing constitutional status to the anti-graft ombudsman and reserving 50% of members of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas for SCs/STs, OBCs, women and minorities.

“It is noteworthy that inclusion of reservation for minorities, an omission in the original bill, was made possible due to the strong intervention of BC party leaders like Mulayam Sing Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav. At the same time, it is strange enough to note that with the exemption of MIM, those MPs who claim to represent Muslims and other minorities proved their lack of interest in this vital issue also. The reactionary stand taken by BJP and its allies on the minority issue has once again illustrated their core ideology of minority hate”, the release stated.

The Central Secretariat of PFI has urged the Team Anna Hazare to come out with their opinion on the issue of providing minority quota in Lokpal.

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Screen silence: Karnataka’s bold ‘switch-off’ strategy to boost SSLC scores

News Network

February 5,2026

In an era where digital distractions are the primary rival to academic excellence, the Karnataka Education Department is taking the fight directly to the living room. As the SSLC (Class 10) annual examinations loom, officials have launched a localized "digital strike" to ensure students aren't losing their competitive edge to scrolling or soap operas.

The 7-to-9 Lockdown

The department has issued a formal directive urging—and in some cases, enforcing via home visits—a total blackout of mobile phones and television sets between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. This two-hour window is being designated as "sacred study time" across the state until the examinations conclude on April 2.

Key Pillars of the Initiative:

• Doorstep Advocacy: Teachers are transitioning from classrooms to living rooms, meeting parents to explain the psychological benefits of a distraction-free environment.

• Parental Accountability: The campaign shifts the burden of discipline from the student to the household, asking parents to lead by example and switch off their own devices.

• The Timeline: The focus remains sharp on the upcoming exam block, scheduled from March 18 to April 2.

"The objective is simple: uninterrupted focus. We are reclaiming the evening hours for the students, ensuring their environment is as prepared as their minds," stated a senior department official.

Student vs. Reality

While the student community has largely welcomed the "forced focus"—with many admitting they lack the willpower to ignore notifications—the move has sparked a debate on enforceability. Without a "TV Police," the success of this initiative rests entirely on the shoulders of parents and the persuasive power of visiting educators.

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