Scheme will be launched in December, will benefit 75% rural and 50% urban dwellers

The Maharashtra government would launch the United Progressive Alliance’s ambitious food security scheme from December in the state. Of the state's 112 million population, 70 million beneficiaries would be covered under the scheme.

But Cidco yet to complete negotiations with project affected persons

The Centre has granted the much-awaited Phase-I clearance and wildlife clearance for the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport. "The ministry of environment and forests last week accorded Phase-I clearance.

Scheme will be launched in December, will benefit 75% rural and 50% urban dwellers

About 70 million of the 112 million residents of Maharashtra will be covered under the UPA's ambitious food security scheme, when the state launches the programme in December. The state government proposes to replace the yellow, white and saffron ration cards currently in use under the public distribution scheme with bar-coded smart cards that bear the photograph of the family head.

The draft policy envisages establishment of an independent, remote-sensing, satellite-based monitoring system

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has released a draft policy on inspection, verification, monitoring and overall procedure relating to the grant of forest clearances.

Committee asks company to submit compliance report

The experts appraisal committee (EAC) of the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has deferred Tata Power's application for green note for converting a 500 -Mw oil-fired unit at its Trombay plant here to a coal-fired one.

The company is supposed to supply two reactors of 1,650 Mw each to the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) for Jaitapur

Areva, the Paris-based partner for the government in the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra, has asked the French government and banks for help on cost-sharing.

Efforts to ease scepticism, safety fears

On the heels of the Supreme Court giving a green signal to the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), setting up the plant, has stepped up efforts to reach out to the locals, explaining the safety features of the project.

NPC is busy carrying out project site development and CSR activities

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s green signal to the Kudankulam nuclear project, those protesting against the proposed 9,900-Mw Jaitapur nuclear project in Maharashtra are gearing to intensify their agitation. NGOs including Raigad Bachao Samiti and Konkan District Jagruk Manch said they will launch the stir afresh to mobilise villagers against the Jaitapur project, raising security concerns. Shiv Sena, the lone political party in Maharashtra opposed to the project, also said a fresh round of agitation will be unleashed soon.

Meeting slated for May 1, makes strong case for hydro to be declared as renewable energy, Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will chair an advisory group on May 1 to discuss the bottlenecks in the development of hydro power projects, falling share of hydro power, delays in environment and forest clearances and high capital costs.
The group, which also includes high-profile private sector players, is expected to make a case for hydro power to be declared renewable energy, by making it obligatory to increase its share to 20 per cent of total generation by the 15th Plan from the present level of 16 per cent.

Experts say the membership will help India procure more fuel and nuclear components

Indian nuclear experts have told Business Standard that it is an opportune time for the country to gain membership of the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG), despite reservations expressed by China and some smaller European states such as Ireland, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The experts strongly feel that this would not only help India procure more fuel and nuclear components, but also be an opportunity for the Indian industry to aggressively tap the global market.

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