in a landmark ruling on April 30 the High Court (hc) of South Africa announced prepaid water meters cannot be imposed on residents of Phiri

Environmentalist Subhas Dutta on Monday filed a petition in Calcutta High Court, alleging that the state government had failed to carry out court orders to protect the Victoria Memorial Hall from pollution. The order, passed on September 28 last year by a division bench, had asked the government to follow certain guidelines to cut down on the pollution level around the monument.

Amid pouring rain, about 500 residents of Versova

THE Madras High Court has upheld an order dated November 3, 2006, of the Industries Department, acquiring 395.87 hectares of land in Oragadam and Sennakuppam villages in Kancheepuram district for setting up special economic zones (SEZs). In their writ petitions, M Haridoss and 15 others had challenged the acquisition proceedings on various grounds. Dismissing the petitions, Justice P Jyothimani observed that there had been compliance of service of notice and hearing of petitioners' grievances.

The Digamber Kamat-led Goa Government will have to consesually get their way out with the SEZ promoters in the State. The Union Commerce Ministry has said that they cannot offer much help for the State Government to denotify three notified SEZs in the State. The letter came as a blow to the State Government which is currently reeling under severe political pressure to save its existence. State chief secretary JP Singh said that the Government has received such a letter and we will take the stand within a couple of days after thorough discussion on the issue.