Swachh Bharat Mission: Gujarat leads the implementation
In its assessment for 2014-15, the Union Urban Development Ministry has reported that Gujarat has topped the list of states in implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. While Gujarat lead in construction of household toilets, Odisha made its mark in construction of community toilets by building 740 of them during the last financial year. Gujarat was also No.1 in Solid Waste Management, by reporting 100% collection and transportation of municipal solid waste.
POSCO might bid goodbye to Odisha soon
Per a Bloomberg report, the South Korean multinational company POSCO has been trying to withdraw its investments on the proposed $12 billion steel plant in Odisha. The major reason attributed for POSCO's decision to withdraw is the protest by tribals and locals against mining, which is why the former's project has failed to take off since 2005. However, representatives of the steel giant have denied any plans of backing away and stated that they are awaiting further progress of the project.
Rs 58.64 crore benefit to Adani company thanks to wrongly classifying forest land
The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) has observed incorrect classification of forest land in Kutch by the Gujarat Government. This has resulted in a financial benefit worth Rs. 58.64 crore to Gautam Adani-promoted Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZL) in 2008-09. The Government wrongly classified the diverted forest lands in Mundra and Dhrub villages under Eco-Class IV having poor vegetation instead of Eco-Class II having littoral and swamp forest.
Welcome back Indus after two centuries
Recent satellite images have shown that the Indus or Sindhu river has re-entered India feeding the Nal Sarovar in Gujarat. The river shifted its course following an earthquake in 1819. This September, the Indus water was observed to be inundating the Great Rann of Kutch after which it reached the Little Rann and then Viramgam near Ahmedabad. Siltation in the basin is the possible reason attributed for the river changing its course from west to east now.
Himachal Pradesh all set to revive Mandi's hot water spring
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has announced the restoration of the hot water sulphur springs of Tatta Pani in Mandi district that were submerged due to the construction of the 800 MW Kol Dam project. Hot water beds through pipes will be drilled to explore the possibility of reviving the hot water springs. Along with the springs, the Kol dam reservoir has submerged nearly 41 villages within it.
This is a roundup of important news from March 31 - April 6, 2015. Also read last week's policy updates.