Panel is investigating alleged violations of environmental laws by APSEZ in Mundra.

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.

In its interim report, the Supreme Court-appointed Technical Expert Committee has unanimously recommended a 10-year moratorium on field trials of GM food crops

Farmer community in Gujarat has raised objection to the union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar's appeal to the state governments to permit field trials of genetically modified (GM) food crops. Farmer body, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has alleged that Pawar has colluded with the multi-national seed companies to act against the interests of the country's farmers.

SSNNL Too Gets Notice For Poor Maintenance

Gujarat high court on Thursday issued a notice to the state government and Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) over a PIL emphasizing the poor condition of sub-minor canals because of non-maintenance. A bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala sought an explanation from the authorities for the condition of these small canals near Dholka, Dhandhuka and in Central Gujarat. This came about after the petitioner, Amrish Patel from Jan Sangharsh Manch, placed photographs showing the dilapidated canals before the court.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Solar Park project inaugurated with much fanfare in Charanka village of Patan district recently has courted controversy.

The Gujarat high court on Thursday sought explanation from the state authorities over allegations of huge irregularities in land acquisition process for the project. Petitioner Farsubhai Goklani filed a PIL through advocate Hriday Buch claiming that certain people close to the ruling party purchased land much before announcement of the project in this village.

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

Gujarat State Petroleum Corp (GSPC) going solo in acquisition of British energy major BG Group's stake in Gujarat Gas Co Ltd (GGCL) was a result of Oil Ministry blocking its PSUs from joining the Gujarat government firm.

Originally, a consortia of GSPC, Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) was to buy 65.12 per cent stake in the nation's biggest private gas distributor. BG Group too had shortlisted GSPC-ONGC-BPCL as a consortia for the stake sale.

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.

AHMEDABAD: The inspection of Adani Power Ltd (APL) and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) by a special committee of Ministry of Environment and Forest is likely to begin in Kutch from October 29.

A five-member team headed by Sunita Narain was formed by the ministry last month after allegations of violation of environmental and coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) norms were leveled against these two companies by a local fishermen's association - Machhimar Adhikar Sangharsh Sangathan (MASS) and another NGO named Kheti Vikas Sewa Trust (KVST).

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.