EC talks tough on black money
Lucknow, January 8
Hours after the Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi voiced concerns over the role of moneypower in election-bound states of UP, Punjab and Goa, a sitting MLA from Charkhari constituency in Mahoba, Anil Kumar Ahirwal,was detained by the police after he was found carrying unaccounted cash in his car.

Drapes for Maya’s elephants

Complying with Election Commission orders, workers cover statues of elephants, the BSP symbol, under a fountain at the Samajik Parivartan Pratik Sthal in Lucknow on Sunday. Within minutes, partymen removed the veil and fled. — PTI

In Punjab, some varsities & colleges only on paper
Chandigarh, January 8
With nearly three weeks left for polling, the ruling SAD-BJP government in Punjab appears to be claiming credit for some public initiatives it never took.

Pak govt finds way to check army, judiciary
Makes it mandatory for judges, military officials to declare their assets
The Pakistan government, pushed on the backfoot by the army and the Supreme Court on Memogate, has hit back by making it mandatory for all civil servants, judges and military officials to declare their assets. Parliamentarians are already required to do so. The cabinet has approved an amendment to this effect in a draft bill.