After farmers threatened to commit suicide protesting grant of Mining leases in Bichwa and Tekadi villages in Saoner tehsil, two Mining officials visited Bichwa to take stock of the situation. TOI on February 17 reported how four affected farmers from Bichwa threatened to commit suicide after forcible acquisition of farm land for dolomite and manganese extraction. Conservationists also said Mining activity will pose threat to tiger corridor, especially against the backdrop...

The city crime branch on Friday filed a voluminous supplementary chargesheet in the RTI activist Amit Jethava murder case. The report was filed after the arrest of the sixth accused Shailesh Pandya, who is a sharpshooter. One Bahadursinh Rathod, who is believed to have helped the accused persons in carrying out illegal Mining activities in the prohibited Gir sanctuary, has been shown as an absconder in the chargesheet. The investigating agency...

The government is getting ready to grant lease for granite Mining despite strong opposition from the tribals in many areas of Palakonda in Srikakulam district. The irony is that the authorities are planning to grant these leases at the very place where they had already issued pattas to the local tribals. The tribals are already up in arms over the Mining lease issue at Kannedhara Konda in Seetampeta mandal, Yelukalametta...

A day before the Group of Ministers meeting on environment clearances, the Environment ministry has expressed willingness to increase the coal Mining area to 74 % in 28 blocks, which fall in forests, as against 65% earlier. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh is expected to inform the GoM that he was willing to allow coal Mining in 28 coal blocks, which fall in 'No-Go' areas by redefining its boundaries. This means that an...

Has Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who till recently was known for his green ‘overdrive’, toned down? Conditional clearance to several high-profile projects, including Posco and SAIL, is a pointer to how his ministry has softened its stand. Ahead of a meeting of the group of ministers (GoM) tomorrow, on the ‘no-go’ issue related to coal projects, 16 coal projects, that have been stuck for a year now, are set to get...