Faces Hurdles In Environment Clearance In Andhra Pradesh

There seems to be no end to the trouble of the state PSU, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC). Under fire from activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal for an alleged scam of Rs 20,000 crores for its offshore gas exploration in KG Basin, off Andhra coast, the premier bluechip company is now facing the ire of the Andhra Pradesh government for failing to take forest and wildlife clearance.

It has asked GSPC executives to “stop work” of laying down a crucial submarine pipeline to take gas from KG Basin to its onshore gas terminal (OGT) via an area which is 10 km of the Corianga sanctuary without necessary clearances. It asks them to explain “why action shouldn’t be taken” for violating forest and wildlife laws.

Govt Mulls Increasing Rates For Homes, Farms, Industries

Gandhinagar: A major proposal is pending in Gujarat’s top corridors of power. It recommends a sharp increase of water rates for all three categories of consumers – irrigation, domestic and industry. This is aimed at meeting operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, which Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) would need to bear, to keep the Narmada project going.

Gandhinagar: A recent study has taken strong exception to those who argue that Gujarat’s poverty levels have gone down drastically, and the main reason for this is the “economic model” of chief min

Says A Govt Proposal That Is Being Touted As Only Viable Biz Model For The PSU

Gandhinagar: Only a viable business model, which includes stopping some of the unprofitable foreign operations immediately where huge sums have gone down the drain and progressively getting out of its other oil-and-gas explorations, can help Gujarat government’s premier PSU Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC). Well-placed sources told TOI, a blueprint of the business model, discussed at a recent GSPC board meeting, is already under consideration at the “highest level”, and a final decision in the matter may be taken after the state assembly polls.

Economist Says 10% Growth Doable, But Increasingly Difficult

Gandhinagar: Well-known economist Bibek Debroy, who shot into prominence after he quit the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in 2005 following a controversial report where he rated Gujarat No. 1 in economic freedom index, has stated that it may not be sustainable for the state to continue with a high 10 per cent rate of growth in the coming years.

Gandhinagar: A high-level official report, prepared by the Gujarat Ecology Commission, has taken strong exception to unprecedented mining activities bordering the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.

Gujarat Ecology Commission’s Survey Of 19 Coastal Spots Rings Alarm

Gandhinagar: Coastal tourism in Gujarat is proving to be a non-starter. More than the economic downturn, the main reason for this is the gross mismanagement of numerous beaches dotting the state’s huge coastline of 1,600 km. Experts who carried out a recent study of 19 major beaches along the state’s coastline have taken strong exception to complete mismanagement on the part of authorities towards the development of coastal tourism. The study is featured in a book which was released recently by the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC).

Central Team Apprised Of Drought-Like Situation Despite Recent Rains

Gandhinagar:The Gujarat government has asked the Government of India (GoI) to provide Rs 450 crore as “help” to fight vulnerable nutrition levels in 132 talukas, mainly belonging to Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat, where the government believes a drought-like situation prevails, despite recent rains. The demand comes significantly close on the heels of Narendra Modi’s controversial statement where the chief minister said that middle class girls are so health conscious that they do not consume milk, hence suffer from poor nutrition levels.

SSNNL-Sponsored Survey Flies In The Face Of State Govt’s Claims Of Drought

Gandhinagar: A just-published study, sponsored by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), suggests that even the existing incomplete canal network should have considerably eased the current scarcity conditions, claimed to be prevailing in large parts of Gujarat. The study acquires significance, as it comes almost about the same time when the Gujarat government regarded “lack of rains” as the chief criterion to declare 91 out of 225 talukas as “scarcity hit”. Based on the same, the state has demanded Rs 18,000 crore from the Centre as drought relief.

Gandhinagar: In a systematic blow to high accolades Gujarat received from the Centre over the “net increase in the mangrove cover”, reports from Jambusar in Bharuch in south Gujarat suggest that things may now be moving in the opposite direction. The reports point to the coastal areas in Gulf of Khambhat where the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) and NGOs jointly developed dense mangroves plantations.

The government has received a complaint from a civil society activist, who happens to be a member of the state-sponsored Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, that heavy mangroves plantation is in the danger of being wiped out.