240 chemical units flouting norms
Ahmedabad: The state government has admitted that 240 complaints of irregularities have been reported about chemical units in Ahmedabad city and district. The state government was replying to the question
Ahmedabad: The state government has admitted that 240 complaints of irregularities have been reported about chemical units in Ahmedabad city and district. The state government was replying to the question
152 Of 225 Talukas Affected, State To Seek . 18k Crore From Centre Gandhinagar: A high-level cabinet sub-committee on Tuesday declared more than half of Gujarat – 152 talukas out of 225 – scarcity-hit. The committee, headed by finance minister Vajubhai Vala, concluded that scarcity condition prevailed in all these talukas as they have received less than 150 mm rainfall. A government resolution (GR) declaring these talukas as scarcity-hit is being prepared.Relief work for the affected population will begin in these talukas, where cheaper fodder and agricultural subsidies will be provided.
As half of India huddled in darkness earlier this week, Gujarat remained unaffected. The state now has ambitious plans of becoming India’s biggest solar power hub. But how viable is this source of energy? And is it easy on the pocket? Just off the road heading towards the salt pans of the Great Rann, a desolate swathe of desert shines brightly. Across a big expanse — till the eye can see — it seems the whole patch has turned into a silver plate. On closer look, though, one realizes that it is the solar panels — hundreds of them spread over an area of 3,000 acres — that are reflecting the sunlight and, in the process, turning it into energy.
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Friday green-lighted the felling of trees to expand highways in Saurashtra by rejected a PIL which sought to restrain the administration from chopping down nearly 10,262 trees. While dismissing the PIL, however, the bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala ordered the authorities to plant three times to the number of trees that will be chopped off in the road-widening process. This means the authorities will have to plant 30,000 trees.
GANDHINAGAR: The state government has told Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar that out of a total urban population of 2.57 crore in Gujarat, "nearly 2 crore people, 80% of the urban population , are likely to face drinking water crisis". Of this, 1.60 crore population belong to the eight municipal corporations, while the rest, around 40 lakh, to 69 municipalities, the state officials stated while making a presentation before Pawar and his team. The issue which needs to be urgently addressed is about drilling new tube wells, installation of additional hand pumps, laying connecting pipelines, and supply of water through tankers, the presentation said.
AHMEDABAD: The central government has announced Rs 320 crore aid for drought relief for Gujarat even though there was no demand from the State. Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and Jairam Ramesh came on their own on a two day visit to assess the situation. During a review meeting with the State Government officials the Centre announced that Rs 425 Crore for supply of drinking water would be released immediately. The ministers also announced 150 day employment under the MNREGA scheme. At present there is a provision for 100 days employment. They further announced that employment under MNREGA would be given not on per person basis but on family basis.
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court asked the state government to take immediate action about land sold by Maldharis to others, in and around the lion’s abode, Gir sanctuary. A division bench of Justice P B Majmudar and Justice Mohinder Pal ordered the administration to implement a 2010 high court decree to conduct an inquiry and follow due process of law in connection with nearly 292 plots, now occupied by non-Maldharis, without delay.
NADIAD: If you think 'Rakshabandhan' is all about sisters tying rakhis to their brothers, you may have to do a rethink. For this village in Nadiad has vowed to save water and to mark this event they have decided to tie Rakhis to all their water sources - be it their village wells, water taps, tube wells and hand pumps. The biggest Rakhi in the state was tied to a village well, which measured almost 28 feet.
AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Thursday asked Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) and electricity providers to explain the hike in tariff that came into effect last month. A bench of chief justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and justice J B Pardiwala issued notice to GERC, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd and four state electricity distribution companies in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by Consumer & Education Research Society. CERS questioned GERC's decision to raise the tariff on June 1. The new tariff structure has been fixed for the year 2012-13.
AHMEDABAD: A professor from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) is drafting a report for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to keep average global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius. PR Shukla is among the lead authors from around the world, who are preparing a report on the expected emissions and the actual global emissions consistent with the 2 degree Celsius target. Keeping average global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius has been the focus of international efforts crystallized first in Copenhagen in 2009, in Cancun in 2010 and reaffirmed in Durban in 2011.
AHMEDABAD: Officials of Gujarat Pollution control Board (GPCB) issued immediate closure notice to Spectrum Dyes and Chemicals located at Baleswar of Palsana taluka of Surat District some 20 km off Surat city. This action was taken after the unit management was found guilty of releasing untreated Chemical water directly in to Baleswar creek through a fake pipeline installed by them . Baleswar Khadi (Creek ) is located some 500 meters off the site of the unit. "We had received a complaint that unit management is releasing the untreated harmful water waste in the creek directly during the night hours.