-The Hindu Opinion polls should be regulated, not banned. Ideally, it should be self-regulation by pollsters and media organisations. The debate around the latest proposal to ban opinion polls is an opportunity in disguise. Beneath the familiar acrimony of partisan debates, a much-needed middle ground has emerged quietly. All we need is a group of stakeholders - pollsters, researchers, media heads and political leaders - to come together to turn this possibility...

-The Hindustan Times New Delhi: With general Elections due next year, the UPA has drawn up plans to project itself as a business-friendly regime, as investors are side-stepping India following criticism that the government has been unable to push through enough reforms to revive a stalling economy. A white paper on economic reforms, under preparation, lists out moves such as allowing FDI in multi-brand retail. Last week, global ratings agency Standard & Poor's...

-The Hindustan Times New Delhi: The UPA government is set to toughen a key law that protects India's Dalits against discrimination by introducing several new provisions which will criminalise acts, such as denying them access to temples and forcing them to quit Elections. The Social Justice and Empowerment ministry is likely to move the cabinet shortly to get the proposed amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act,...

-The Hindustan Times The UPA government will be giving a final push for minority appeasement before the 2014 general Elections with the Cabinet on Thursday approving a proposal to spend additional Rs. 100 crore for scholarships to minority children. This would be complimented with a new campaign to reach out to the minority community and tell them about the difference the UPA government policies have made in their lives. Minority, especially Muslims,...

-Outlook Chennai: The Election Commission of India today notified the period between November 11 and December 4 prohibiting conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising in print or electronic media in the poll-bound and bypoll-bound states, including Tamil Nadu during the period. The bypoll to Yercaud (ST) Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu will be held on December 4. The ECI notifies the period between 7 am on November 11, the first day...