In a significant development, the UT Administration today agreed to reduce the stretch of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary to less than 2.5 km.

The UT has to declare and submit the report on the ESZ to the Ministry of Environment and Forests before May 15. Today, in the meeting chaired by UT Administrator Shivraj V Patil, the UT officials discussed as to in how much area around the sanctuary developmental activities should be prohibited. Initially, the officials were of the view that the developmental activities in the 3-km area around the sanctuary should be regulated, but today the officials agreed to declare less than 2.5-km area as the eco-sensitive zone.

The sewage disposal system maintained by the local municipal council seems to be on the verge of a breakdown as only one of the five motors installed is working.

Form strategy to reduce water use, Montek Singh Ahluwalia tells Chief Minister

The Annual Plan for 2013-14 for Punjab has been finalised at Rs 16,125 crore, a jump of 15 per cent over last year. The Plan size was finalised at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today.

Says Punjab, Haryana have failed to cut down on use of pesticides

In Punjab, one person succumbs to cancer every minute-and-a-half. On an average, 18 persons die of cancer everyday. But these statistics may soon change. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has called for remedial measures after taking cognisance of Punjab and Haryana Governments’ failure to prune the use of pesticides.

Can approach purchasers, receive payments directly as govt prunes their role

Arhtiyas or commission agents in Punjab will not be able to reap the healthy benefits of a good harvest. Pruning the role played by arhtiyas in procurement, the Punjab Government has decided to provide farmers an option of directly receiving payments for their produce after holding negotiations with the purchasers.

The UT Administration has finally given its nod to the eco-sensitive zone around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. The decision was taken at a meeting of officials chaired by UT Adviser KK Sharma. The decision was hanging fire for the past two years following differences between various departments.

Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Forests had extended the deadline from February 15 to May 15 as the UT Administration failed to declare the eco-sensitive zone on time.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed PUDA to ensure that the builders do not use underground water for construction. Directions were also issued to the authority to ensure installation of electric water meters on bore-wells.

The directions follow notifications issued by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), placing restrictions on the use of underground water for construction purposes in 35 blocks in Punjab.

With a number of thermal power plants being developed by private companies getting delayed due to non-availability of coal, the Punjab Government's captive coal mine at Pachwara (Jharkhand) is in the centre of confrontation between the warring parties.

Private companies are seeking a share in the coal produced from the mine. The under-construction thermal plants are running behind schedule due to a stand off between the state government/PSPCL and the companies on the supply of coal.

Caught in the throes of cancer, Punjab seems to have finally heard the wake-up call.

Last month the Bhatinda Municipal Corporation put stickers on all 540 handpumps in the town, warning people that the water from them is unfit for drinking.