The High Court has issued notice to the State and the Union governments regarding the issue of mining lease to the companies without steel plants.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice P D Dinakaran and K L Manjunath was hearing a petition filed by Satyamurthy seeking a direction to prevent fresh lease and renewal of lease to the companies without steel plants.

RAGHUNATHPUR (Purulia), Feb. 26: While laying the foundation stone for Shyam Steel Industries Ltd's greenfield steel plant at Loshmanpur village mouza, near Purulia, chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee expressed his hope that the area would soon grow into an industrial hub.

- Illegal mining and mushrooming sponge iron units spell pollution peril for Giridih

SHAHNAWAZ AKHTAR

Up in smoke: Iron and steel factory in Giridih
Giridih, Feb. 24: For a getaway once famed for its uncontaminated ambience, this is a shocker. Rampant mining of coal and mica and poison fumes billowing out of sponge iron factories have left Giridih in its dying breath.

Goa

GUWAHATI, Feb 23

Nahan: Setting the tone for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, Chief Minister Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal today urged the people to vote for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha elections to help form a BJP-led Government at the Centre and ensure unhindered development. He was addressing a massive gathering at Nahan after inaugurating a science block built at a cost of Rs 54.54 lakh.

Govt

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today laid a foundation stone of the proposed Rs 3,500-crore integrated steel plant in Purulia district.

Though hit by the slowdown in realty, cement and steel makers are pinning their hopes on government