Page 332 - Environment
CM concedes scams took place in Jalyukt Shivar scheme
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis admitted Thursday that scams did take place in the execution of his government's water conservation scheme 'Jalyukt Shivar', but said action was taken in such cases. Replying to a discussion over the drought situation in the state in the Legislative Assembly, he said half of the state has been declared as drought-affected. Replying to opposition's allegations of scams in the Jalyukt Shivar scheme, Fadnavis said, "This is the first scheme which has large scale public participation, and it has been successful across the state. "Because of its huge scale, covering five lakh works, scams did take place in a few places, but we have taken action in these cases," the chief minister said. Thanks to the scheme, farm productivity increased even after inadequate rainfall, he said. Citing a report by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Fadnavis said the works carried out in the last two-three years under the scheme led to rise in the
Separate strategy for power transmission in hilly areas required: CM
A separate strategy is required to be chalked for developing cost-effective and reliable power transmission and distribution system for the hilly areas, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said Thursday. Laying transmission lines in the hilly areas is difficult as compared to plain areas and therefore special strategies needed to be chalked out for providing reliable, uninterrupted and cost effective power supply to the consumers, he added. Himachal became fully electrified way back in 1988, and now the government is focusing on quality and uninterrupted power supply, he said adding that efforts were also being made to promote solar power potential in the state. He was speaking at the national conference on 'Challenges in Construction of Transmission Lines in the Hilly Region' organised by Central Board of Irrigation and Power and CIGRE-India and co-organized by Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation here Thursday.
PM Modi to participate in two key trilateral meetings on G-20 sidelines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in two important trilateral meetings with world leaders here in Argentina on the sidelines of ongoing G-20 summit, said sources.The world leaders will discuss major global challenges and developments during the meetings.The Prime Minister will participate in the first-ever trilateral meeting between Japan, America and India and the second Russia, India China (RIC) trilateral meeting, which is taking place after an interval of 12 years.It can be noted that 'I' (India) is the common factor in JAI and RIC which is indicative of India's growing diplomatic and economic profile in the world.The timing of the meetings is directly related to the period of major global developments.India is the global engine of economic growth and will be in the top five economies of the world and is also the factor of stability in the region.India's diplomatic front reflects the recognition of the country in assuming the leadership role on global issues of ...
Mekedatu: DMK, allies to hold stir on Dec 4 against Centre
The DMK Thursday announced a protest demonstration on December 4 at Tiruchirappalli to urge the Centre to rescind its nod for a Detailed Project Report to Karnataka for building a dam at Mekedatu across Cauvery river. After chairing a meeting of allies -Congress and IUML- and friendly parties including the MDMK and VCK, DMK chief M K Stalin told reporters a "massive protest demonstration," will be held at the delta town in which leaders of all friendly parties will take part. Demanding a special session of the Assembly to pass a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw its permission to Karnataka for preparing the DPR, the Leader of Opposition appealed to leaders of all political parties to take part in the stir transcending party lines. Recently, the Central Water Commission had allowed Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of a balancing reservoir cum drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery. On Tuesday, Chief Minister K
Pakistan apprehends 22 fishermen off Gujarat coast
The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) apprehended 22 Indian fishermen and seized three boats off Gujarat coast Thursday, Porbandar-based National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF) said. The boats and the fishermen belong to the coastal town of Veraval in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat, said Manish Lodhari, secretary of the NFF. The PMSA apprehended them near the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Arabian sea, he said. The fishermen were on board three boats -- Kusum, Annapurna and Kajal. The PMSA regularly captures Indian fishermen off Gujarat coast, accusing them of crossing into Pakistani waters.
Chinese official identifies agriculture among several common
A senior Chinese official on Thursday said that China and India have several common things like agriculture. Deputy Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Song Joguo was speaking at the two-day Global Agriculture & Food Summit (GAFS) which got off here. Agriculture cooperation is better for investment. China and India has several common things like agriculture. We welcome agriculture companies from India and Jharkhand, Joguo said, adding work jointly to protect the interest of developing countries. The Chinese official said that GAFS is a beautiful platform and it is pleasure to be a partner country. China along with Tunisia, Mongolia, Israel and Philippines are participating in the event as partner countries. Morocco is the focus country of the meet. Arvin De Leon, the Deputy chief of Mission, Embassy of the Philippines, said that agriculture is the backbone of food security. This summit opens doors for collaboration between ...
Centre proposes prohibition of performance of animals in any circus; activist hail move
The Centre has proposed prohibition on the use of animals for performances, exhibition at any circus or mobile entertainment facilities, a move hailed by animal rights activists as "progressive and laudable". The Environment Ministry, in a draft notification dated November 28, has invited comments from various stakeholders on the issue within 30 days. "In the Performing Animals (Registration) Rules, 2001, under rule 13, the following shall be added - 13A - prohibition on exhibiting and training of animals for specified performances. No animals shall be used for any performances or exhibition at any circus or mobile entertainment facility," the draft notification said. The draft also defined "circus" as "means of a large public entertainment, typically presented in one or more very large tents or in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, among others." Hailing the move, Trustee, People for Animals, Gauri Maulekhi ..
Jharkhand govt to provide free mobile phones to 28 lakh
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Thursday said the government will provide free mobile phones to 28 lakh farmers and a separate electric feeder for them for agriculture purpose. The mobile phones will be given to the farmers by 2019/2021 with an aim to keep the middle men away and also help farmers to have greater information about the market, he said while speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day Agriculture & Food Summit here. This will also help them (farmers) know about market rates and other information relating to agriculture, Das said. Addressing the function in the presence of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and other dignitaries, Das said a separate electric feeder would be set up by May next year for farmers for agriculture purpose, providing them six hours of uninterrupted electricity. Das reiterated that power supply will reach to every household by December this year and by May, 2019 separate feeders would be set up for ...
Will conduct public hearing on Polavaram in Odisha, Chhattisgarh: Centre to SC
The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was ready to appoint an independent agency to conduct public hearing in states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Indira Sagar Polavaram Project on river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The government told this to a bench comprising justices Madan B Lokur, S Abdul Nazeer and Deepak Gupta after the court asked whether the Centre would conduct public hearing over the Polavaram project in these two states. The Polavaram project on river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh is a multi-purpose irrigation project which has been accorded the status of a national project. The project is under construction in West Godavari District and East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh and its reservoir spreads to parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha. During the hearing, the Centre told the court that public hearing was already conducted in Andhra Pradesh way back in 2005. The counsel representing Andhra Pradesh said that Odisha government does not want to hold a ...
KARNA to implement Rs 25,495 cr elevated corridor project in
The Karnataka government has decided to take up a elevated corridor project to decongest city roads from January 2019 at an estimated cost of about Rs 25,495 crore, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said Thursday. The project is also aimed at providing effective modes of transportation, minimising maintenance cost of vehicles and ensuring road safety along with limiting carbon emission, he said. "Due to traffic congestion on city roads, we have decided to go ahead with construction of corridors to ease traffic in North-South, East-West and central parts of the city," Kumaraswamy told reporters here. The total length of the first phase corridor is 102.04 km and it is estimated to cost Rs 25,495 crore, he said, adding that 92 acres of land was required for the project. The project would be taken up under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, he said. Officials have been instructed to ensure there were no legal hurdles and that complete transparency was maintained, ...
Agri minister congratulates Jharkhand for leaving Southern
Jharkhand has left states of the south behind in fisheries and established itself as one of the leading states in producing fish, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said Thursday. The minister credited Chief Minister Raghubar Das for this. This is the faith of the farmers in Chief Minister Raghubar Das that Jharkhand has left states of the south behind and becoming one of the leading states in the country in fish production, Singh said. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu along with West Bengal and Gujarat have been leading producers of fish. Addressing on the first day of the two-day Global Agriculture & Food Summit here, Singh said two lakh tonne fish were produced in 2018/19 compared to one lakh tonne in 2013/14. In the production of fish seeds, the state produced 1060 crore seeds in 2018/19 compared to 100 crore fish seeds in 2013/14, he added. State Emergency Fund had Rs 33 crore four years ago, set up to help the farmers, and he has gone up to Rs 61
Ancient wildfires helped spread grasslands on Earth: Scientists
Ancient wildfires played a crucial role in the formation and spread of grasslands that now cover large parts of the Earth, according to a research.
Labourer killed by lion in Gujarat safari park
In a shocking incident, a labourer was killed and two persons injured after a lion attacked them in Devalia Safari Park in Gujarat's Junagadh district on Thursday. The lion first attacked a labourer, identified as Rajnish Keshwala (32), and dragged him inside the park this morning, said D T Vasavada, chief conservator of forests (CCF) (Junagadh Wildlife Circle) told PTI "When another labourer, Dinesh Sakhat, tried to save Keshwala, the lion attacked him also. While Sakhat managed to flee, the lion dragged Keshwala inside the park's forest. Dinesh then alerted the staff about the incident," he said. Sakhat, who was severely injured, was taken to the Junagadh Civil Hospital and forest officials immediately launched a search for Keshwala, the CFO said. "During the search operation inside the park, the staff found Keshwala's body. While the body was being recovered, the lion also attacked a forester," Vasavada said. The forester sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, he ...
PMAY crosses 63 lakh houses mark, 50 lakh more by mid-2019: Puri
Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said that the construction of over 63 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) has been sanctioned and "50 lakh more would be sanctioned by mid-2019".
Firecrackers developed by NEERI can't be manufactured, says
A representative of the firecracker industry said here Thursday that low-emission firecrackers developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) can not be manufactured in factories. Industry representatives and officials of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) met scientists of NEERI here Wednesday. As per the Supreme Court order, firecrackers can be burst only from 8 PM to 10 PM on festivals and only the sale of 'green crackers' with a low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals is allowed. Speaking at a press conference here Thursday, general secretary of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association K Mariappan said it was not possible to produce, in a factory, the three types of green crackers developed by NEERI. "They have produced three products and have used a very basic technology, combining water with aluminium. Under PESO guidelines, there should be no water in the factory. Because ...
Innovative ideas, collaborative approach among stakeholders
Innovative ideas and a collaborative approach among different stakeholders hold the key to ensure sustainable development in the North East, according to representatives of various organisations engaged in the social sector in the region. Peace, sustainable livelihood models, developing infrastructure and an inclusive development was the basic requisite for improving the quality of life in the region, National Foundation of India's Executive Director Jashodhara Dasgupta said at a round table discussion on 'Tap Assam-Building a Collaborative Corridor' on Thursday. There is a need to promote common platforms that encourage the bringing together of various players to ensure resilient and sustainable development, she said. In Assam, besides the civil society, the private sector and the state government are working towards changing the situation by way of implementing and supporting initiatives that improve people's well being and impact the State Development Indicators, NFI
Jharkhand farmers to get interest-free loans for one year: CM
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday announced interest-free agricultural loans for one year if farmers pay back their loan to the banks within a year.
Himachal CM bats for reliable power transmission for hills
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday favoured a separate strategy to develop cost-effective and reliable power transmission for the hilly areas to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
PM sends good wishes to start of Global Agriculture & Food
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday expressed his pleasure on organising the two-day Global Agriculture & Food Summit (GAFS) here and reiterated his government's resolve to double the income of the farmers by 2022. Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Randhir Kumar Singh read out the message of the PM at the venue before Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, other union and state ministers, thousands of farmers, Indian and foreign delegates. It is pleasure to learn that GAFS is organised in Ranchi on (November) 29 and 30th, 2018. Agriculture continues to be a major source of livelihood for our country. So we are working to double the income of our farmers by 2022," said the message. Jharkhand has developed multi pronged strategy to improve the quality of agri products and farmers, he said and added that GAFS 2018 is good platform for domestic and foreign investors. I convey good wishes for the summit, read the PM's message. The ...
Air quality remains 'very poor'; authorities forecast significant deterioration on Sunday
Delhi's air quality continued to remain in the 'very poor' category Thursday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions that slowed down dispersion of pollutants even as authorities forecast "significant deterioration" in pollution levels over the weekend. The overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 353, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The CPCB said seven areas in Delhi -- Ashok Vihar, Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Vivek Vihar and Wazirpur -- recorded 'severe' air quality. Twenty areas in the national capital recorded 'very poor' air quality while it was 'poor' in six areas, it said. The level of PM2.5 -- particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres -- was recorded at 206 and the PM10 level was recorded at 360, it said. In NCR, Ghaziabad, ...
