The Meghalaya government will not go in consonance with the apex court order banning sand mining in the State instead it will put in place regulative mechanism that can provide the sand miners with alternative options for sustainable livelihood.

The categorical statement was made by the Chief Minister in the sidelines, after the conclusion of a review meeting held at the State Secretariat on Wednesday. Sangma stated, "It is not necessary to ban but what is required is regulation of all these activities."

The State Cabinet on Thursday allowed stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said different interpretations of Section 42(2) of the Karnataka Forest Act made the Mines and Geology department issue circulars banning stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders. A large number of crushing units had consequently shut shop, resulting in a severe shortage of jelly stones, he said.

The State government seems to be keen on relaxing the norms to allow stone quarrying within 100 meters of forest areas across the State.

Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said the 2013 Land Acquisition Act would come into force on January 1, 2014.

The Ministry’s website specifies draft rules elaborating the process of implementation of the law, and also invites comments from stakeholders, including industries, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

Chairman, State Water Resources Regulatory Authority (SWRRA) and former Chief Secretary, S S Kapoor today chaired a high level meeting of Deputy Commissioners of various districts of Jammu division

Forum of Regulators has stressed need for invoking existing regulations of imposing non-compliance charge

Faced with the prospect of state distribution utilities not complying with renewable power obligation (RPO), Forum of Regulators (FOR), a representative body of Central and state regulators, has called for amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, empowering regulators to impose penalty for non- compliance. FOR has also stressed the need for invoking the existing regulations of imposing non-compliance charge.

Umbrella body mooted to oversee accreditation of institutions and for setting up ethics committees

An official expert committee has recommended major changes in the guidelines for approval of new drugs, clinical trials and banning of medicines.
It suggested setting up of a council to oversee the accreditation of institutions, clinical investigators and institute ethics committees for clinical trials in the country.

In the case of net metering, renewable energy plants with battery can supply the consumer load in the event of a grid failure

Power supply from renewable energy sources to consumers will soon be metered, with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) formulating the draft Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2013.

Regulations would be applicable for all Grid Interactive Renewable Energy Plants seeking connectivity with grid at 415 V & below voltage levels

Now the power supply to consumers from the renewable energy sources will be metered. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has formulated the draft Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2013.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to apprise it within four weeks of the steps being taken for appointment of a national regulator for evaulating projects, enforcing environmental condit