Maharashtra possibly has among the worst track records when it comes to learning a thing or two from a crisis. In the midst of its fourth drought since 2000, the government has set in motion a slew of time-tested measures with what bureaucrats say is an unprecedented liberal hand. But there is little or no thought yet on why one of India’s most developed states repeatedly seeks drought relief dole.

Pointing out that higher fertiliser subsidy on urea has led to unbalanced fertiliser usage in parts of the country, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday sought the support from MPs to incentivise the subsidy towards balanced fertiliser usage. “Initially, the government focussed on enhancing fertiliser usage. As a result, agricultural productivity was increased by 50 per cent with the help of fertilisers during the first Green Revolution. But now we find that the increased fertiliser usage is not witnessing commensurate productivity increase.

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) in association with the World Around You (WAY) launched a new initiative called 'Study to identify good environment-friendly practices in Gujarat'- to identify, acknowledge and document practices that have proven capacity and have made significant contribution towards saving environment.

A K Verma, member secretary of GEC said, "Nowadays, we see that people care about environment. We intend to bring forward efforts that have made significant contribution towards saving environment. It will also inspire other people and organizations to join hands and adapt such practices".

The 3,000MW NTPC-Kaniha power station which consumes about 55,000 tonne of coal per day has introduced various environment friendly steps to control both water and air pollution strictly as per the norms of state pollution control board.

According to the plant authorities, this ultra modern plant is equipped with electro static precipitator having efficiency of more than 99% for controlling air pollution. The details of emission and environment related data of the plant are scrutinized by government authorities from time to time.

New Delhi Concerned over the adverse impact of fertilisers on soil and crops, government plans to reduce subsidy on them and divert funds to organic manures, bio-fertilisers, green manures and promotion of organic farming.

“During the first Green Revolution, productivity was increased by 50% with the help of fertilisers. But today balanced fertilisers are needed. Urea is being used by farmers in high quantity which is affecting productivity,” agriculture minister Sharad Pawar informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

With a view to improving the fertility of soil after ascertaining the minerals and micronutrients it lacks, the agriculture authorities have issued 16,000 soil health cards to farmers in Sirsa. Samples of soil taken from the fields of 16,000 more farmers have been collected and the authorities hope to issue cards to them by next month.

“The agriculture department has set up a laboratory in the district where the soil is tested for NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) culture,” said the Deputy Commissioner J Ganeshan.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna announced that 50 per cent seats of Van Panchayat Sarpanch will be reserved for women in addition to which, all Van Panchayat members will be insured by the State Government. The Chief Minister made these announcements while speaking at a State level workshop on strengthening and developing Van Panchayats organised by the Forest Department on Monday.