Stung by criticism that tribals and farmers are being uprooted to make way for industrial projects, the Orissa government has scaled down its land acquisition drive.
The recommendations of the high-powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on Urban Infrastructure, set up by former urban development minister Jaipal Reddy, have to traverse some more distance. Constituted in 2008, HPEC submitted its findings last month on the problems of leap-frogging urbanisation and the financial measures necessary to make our cities more efficient and liveable.
The reforesting proposal may be a no-go for the environment ministryIn the latest round of sparring between the environment ministry and the coal ministry over mining access to the
The Lavasa Hill Township and its holding company HCC are caught in a legal logjam. Following the 25 November show-cause notice and stop-work order from the environment ministry (MoEF), work at the township site near Pune has come to a halt. According to the company, 10,000 workmen are sitting idle.
Maharashtra has proved to be the slow but steady winner. On the surface a proverbial tortoise without any flashy attributes, the state has performed as well as a long-haul horse in a gruelling race. The study of the Institute for Competitiveness has adjudged Maharashtra to be the No. 1 state in overall business competitiveness.
