In a move that could further delay South Korean steel giant Posco’s plan to build a $12-billion steel plant near Paradip in Orissa, the expert appraisal committee of Coastal Regulation Zone on Tuesday decided to defer its decision on giving approval to the project. The panel has cited absence of sufficient details on the likely environment impact of its captive port at Jatadhari, near Paradip, said people involved in the matter....
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State fails to expedite land titles distribution to tribals by Ashish Tripathi
Considered a potent weapon for combating Naxalism, the distribution of land titles to tribals and forest workers under the forest rights act (FRA), 2006, is not moving at a satisfactory pace in UP in comparison to other states. This, despite chief minister Mayawati's repeated orders to expedite the process. The Naxals mislead tribals living in abject poverty. The latter are also exploited by forest officials and police. The FRA recognises...
More »Action Plan for 60 Naxal-hit districts by Vinay Kumar
Each to be given a block grant of Rs. 25 crore With the aim of giving a fillip to development schemes in tribal and backward regions, mostly affected by Naxal violence, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday approved the commencement of an Integrated Action Plan (IAP) in 60 selected districts. The IAP would be an additional central assistance scheme on a 100 per cent grant basis. It is aimed...
More »‘Sangharsh' holds dharna against displacement, land acquisition by Jiby Kattakayam
Activist Medha Patkar addressing a rally in New Delhi on Monday against the land acquisition policy of the UPA government. “Sangharsh,” a collective platform of social movements and people's organisations fighting displacement and forcible land acquisition, began a five-day dharna at Jantar Mantar here on Monday. Representatives of people's movements from Assam to Tamil Nadu participated in the “Sansad Gherao” dharna. Among the struggles highlighted was the Assam-based Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti's...
More »Forest panel rejects Posco clearance
In the latest setback to Posco's Rs. 54,000-crore integrated steel plant in Orissa, an Environment Ministry panel has recommended that its forest clearance be rejected. After dithering for almost four weeks after discussing the Posco proposal at its October 25 meeting, the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has finally made up its mind to reject the clearance due to violations of the forest rights act (FRA), listed by the Mena Gupta and...
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