CPI(M) raises pulse price, other issues with Kejriwal

A CPI(M) delegation today called on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raising issues like rise in prices of pulses and seeking "political vigilance" in state's areas where Ramlila celebrations were allegedly misused to promote communal slogans.
The Chief Minister assured the delegation led by politburo member Brinda Karat of "appropriate action" in this regard, the Left party said.
"The delegation pointed out disturbing features in some areas in south, north and east Delhi where some platforms of Ramlila celebrations were being misused to promote communal slogans. It asked for political vigilance. The Chief Minister said he was aware of such efforts and would take appropriate action," the party said in a statement.

"Kejriwal gave a categorical assurance on food security issue. He said his Government would ensure pulses would be distributed at subsidised prices through ration shops. He also assured he would consider the delegation's demand for giving minimum of 35 kg per family instead of the present reduced allocations of food grains," it said.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed its disagreement with the government's proposal to reduce the age of juveniles in cases of sexual assault accusations to above 15 and asked the Kejriwal dispensation to implement Justice J S Verma Commission recommendations instead.
The Government had proposed to prosecute juveniles aged above 15 years of age as adults after two boys, aged 16 and 17, were accused of raping a two-and-a-half year old girl in west Delhi's Nihal Vihar recently.

The Verma Commission had in 2013 rejected the demand for reducing the age of juvenility from 18 to 16 saying jails in the country do not have reformatory policies and breed more criminals including juveniles.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal also assured that in villages pointed out by the delegation, where compensation for crop loss has not been given, it will be given immediately, CPI(M) said.