JAIPUR: After lodging 18 FIRs against illegal marble mining in Makrana, the CBI is now preparing to investigate the role of government officials in the matter. CBI officials claimed several officials of Railway Protection Force (RPF), police and mining departments are under the scanner.

Though names of these officials have not been identified in the FIRs, they have a hand in allowing illegal mining in Makrana. Officials said that first mine owners will be quizzed and then the officials will be called for questioning.

JAIPUR: For optimum utilization of available land in Model 4 buildings of the upcoming affordable housing schemes, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) is planning to construct G+7 high rises. On Thursday, JDA officials gave directions to prepare an expression on interest (EOI) in this regard.In Model 4 affordable housing schemes, the developer will construct the buildings on government land. The JDA has identified 14 such government land in a consolidated area of the city for constructions under this model.

JAIPUR: After mining denuding the topography ruthlessly, there is hope for the Aravalis and Vindhya ranges in the state as Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) undertakes restoration of ecological status through reforestation. The project would also increase green cover, improve water table and augment the economy of the villagers besides reducing dependence on the forests.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 284.33 crore for the first phase of the greening project. The total outlay is more than Rs 900 crore which will be distributed in three phases to the forest department.

The Rajasthan Government has adopted a new wind power policy to facilitate installation of wind energy plants of 3,000 MW capacity during the next three to four years and promote private investments in the sector through a slew of incentives and concessions.

State Energy Minister Jitendra Singh said here on Thursday that the Government-owned power discoms would purchase electricity from the plants at the rates decided by the Power Tariff Regulatory Commission while the investors would be free to sell electricity to any other institution.

JAIPUR: If you have a gutkha habit, now would be a good time to stop. The Rajasthan government on Wednesday decided to ban production, storage, distribution and sale of gutkha in the state, clearing the proposal during a meeting of the council of ministers.

The ban would come into force with immediate effect once the state government issues the notification. In fact, the ban would mean a revenue loss of Rs 125 crore for the state government.

JAIPUR: Each and every maternal death in the state will be audited on a monthly basis at the district health society meetings headed by district collectors. The decision was taken to bring down the high rate of maternal deaths, which is currently 318 per 1,00,000 lakh live births.

Principal secretary, health, B N Sharma said the district health society meeting, headed by the collectors, will audit each and every maternal and infant death. Besides, each death would be reported at the medical directorate.

JAIPUR: Six new antiretroviral therapy (ART) centres will be opened this year in the state to provide free drugs to people living with HIV, as the National Aids Control Society (NACO) has approved funds for the purpose in its annual action plan 2012-13.

The new centres would come up at Bharatpur, Jhunjhunu, Barmer, Dungarpur, Nagaur and Jalore. The NACO has approved Rs 32 crore for preventing new infections, care support and treatment, institutional strengthening and strategic management information system. Last year too, NACO had approved almost an equal amount for the state.

JAIPUR: The work on the Ghat ki Guni tunnel project has hit another roadblock, this time, in the form of protests by residents on acquisition of land for widening of the road from Jawahar Nagar end to the tunnel.

The project on the Jaipur-Agra national highway has already missed its June deadline. Now, officials fear the protests could further push the August 15 deadline. Residents along with public representatives launched a strong protest on Sunday against the 200-feet road widening plan that would require the authorities to acquire land.

There appears to be considerable opposition from the local population to the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) proposed to be set up at Rawatbhata near Kota in Rajasthan. The complex, with an envisaged capacity of 500 tonnes fuel a year, is to cater to the four PHWR (Pressurized heavy water reactors) plants of 700 MWe capacity each coming up by 2016 in Rajasthan and Gujarat. In capacity, the Rawatbhata fuel complex is to be next to only Hyderabad NFC in the country which produces 850 tonnes fuel a year.

Jaipur: The forest department has finally notified the buffer zones of Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore National Park. The notification of buffer zones would help regulate commercialization of revenue land and create a better habitat for the big cat.

As per the notification issued under Wildlife (Protection) Act, a 298 sq km of buffer area has been added to the Ranthambore park which is spread over approximately 400 sq km. Similarly, 392 sq km buffer area has been added to the STR, which is spread over 800 sq km.