Jaipur: The Rajasthan Housing Board (RHB) is all set to expedite land acquisition process to launch another big housing scheme for the residents of the city.

According to officials, directions have been issued to acquire 990 bighas of land near Bassi, Agra road to launch a housing scheme in a recent meeting. “Directions were given by the commissioner to initiate the long-pending land acquisition so that RHB can plan to launch its housing scheme by the end of this year,” said an official.

Move May Break Deadlock With JDA & Agitating Farmers

Jaipur: The Union ministry of urban development’s suggestion to construct the ring road project on self-financing basis can solve the long-pending problems of the state government. As the deadlock over the construction of ring road on 360 meters continues between the state government and farmers, the suggestion of adopting self-finance model can act as tool to resolve the issue. In the ministry’s advisory for the state, it said Surat in neighbouring state of Gujarat, has planned a self-financing model for development of its ring road and has received positive results.

Jaipur: The environment report card is out and Rajasthan is among the worst performers in the country. A latest compendium of “Environment Statistics India 2012” released by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MOSPI) indicates that Rajasthan’s environment situation is appalling.

The state has the fifth highest consumption for pesticides in the country. This despite Rajasthan’s contribution to agriculture being under 10% nationally. Moreover, agrarian states like Punjab and Haryana have witnessed a dip in usage of pesticides even as it goes up in Rajasthan. The report noted that the due to excess use of pesticides, organisms develop resistance and lead to major health issues.

Jaipur: The Man Sagar is teeming with birds these days and it’s time again for the annual bird fair in Pink City. Compared to previous years, the lake has significantly improved.

Identifies 266 Projects In 12th Year Plan

Jaipur: Assessing the critical infrastructure gaps in the state, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has identified 266 projects under the 12th Five Year Plan, entailing a financial outlay of Rs 5,028 crore. However, for the financial year 2013-2014, the agency has drawn up a list of 50 projects covering priority areas such as minor irrigation, warehousing, animal husbandry and rural connectivity.

The 16th Birding Fair, starting at the scenic Man Sagar lake here this Friday, will be devoted to conservation of urban lakes which are getting extinct at an alarming rate because of lack of priority and inadequate administrative control in most of the cities. Ironically lakes are dying out at a time when the crisis for water is increasing.

The two-day fair, organised by the Tourism and Wildlife Society of India, will be led by Rani Vidya Devi of Jaipur's erstwhile royal family. Columnist Sohail Hashmi will address a session to demonstrate how citizens can be involved in the drive to save lakes.

Will supply 24 units of the S88-2.1 MW wind turbine generators

Mines Dept Sends Proposal For Minimum 3% Reservation For Widows Of Mine Workers

Jaipur: The department of mines and geology has submitted a proposal to the state government seeking reservation and preferential rights in allocation of mining leases to widows of mine workers who have died due to occupational diseases and accidents. According to the United Nations Human Rights Report- 2012, out of the total miners in the state, nearly 37% are women and most of them are dalits and tribals. Now, in a bid to provide definite source of livelihood such widows, the department has recommended a minimum of 3% reservation to them in mining leases.

Jaipur: After making alternations in the design several times, the state government has finally decided to shelve the Bus Rapid Transit Service (BRTS) project proposed from Panipech to Sanganer.

Finding it non- viable due to space constraints along the road, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) took the decision to drop the project. “The proposal to shelve the project will be intimated to the Centre for its approval during a meeting scheduled on January 31,” an official said. “Due to space constraints and the Metro project on Tonk Road, the JDA has taken the decision,” he said.

Sariska: Re-populating of the Sariska tiger reserve continued for the second day on Wednesday with the relocation of yet another tigress from Ranthambhore. Two-year-old Beena 2, sibling of the tigress relocated on Tuesday, was tranquilized and taken by road to Sariska.

Officials said the tigress was tranquilized in Ranthambhore at 9 am and a satellite collar fixed on her. Later she was put in a cage on a Canter as she began her six hour journey.