Chaotic scenes; coalition MPs say the draft was “outsourced” After accusations and counter-accusations through unprecedented chaotic scenes at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) here on Thursday, 11 of its 21 members recorded their “vote” to “reject” the draft report on 2G scam circulated to the members by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Wednesday. The majority that voted to reject the report said they intended to send recorded rejection...

Bill to create independent nuclear authority soon On a day when the world marked the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, India reaffirmed its commitment to an ambitious nuclear energy plan by pushing ahead with the first phase of the controversial nuclear power plant project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra with additional safety measures and a “generous new compensation package” to be announced soon. But in a concession to heightened public awareness...

Coincides with Conference of Parties to Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Geneva Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan went on a seven-hour fast at the Martyrs' Column here on Monday demanding a ban on Endosulfan and seeking Central assistance for the victims of the pesticide. About 500 people from different walks of life joined the fast, held as part of a State-wide observation of Anti-Endosulfan Day by the government. Later, they...

The government is pushing ahead with the Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra, with plans for a new compensation package for displaced local persons, and will ensure that all safety conditions are adhered to in the 9,900 MW project, a minister said on Tuesday. "A generous compensation package had been worked out by state government and NPCIL ( Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) and will be announced soon," minister of...

As Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan led a fast in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, demanding a nationwide ban on Endosulfan, the Union government on Monday said it would take a view on the issue “in the best interest of the country” after the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) submitted its report. Consensus needed “The use of Endosulfan has been banned in Kerala. However, imposing a nationwide ban would require national consensus backed...