The state government is in the process of introducing a land lease policy whereby landowners can lease out land for setting up windmill projects in the state. The policy would help in resolving various issues between companies and landowners and is expected to expedite the process of setting up windmill projects. As per the draft policy, landowners would continue to be the owners of the land, unlike in many cases...

They are based on faulty medical categorisation and miscalculated figures: survivors' organisations The report on the Bhopal gas leak submitted by the Group of Ministers (GoM) to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday drew mixed reactions from survivors' organisations here, which have decided to write to him to allow them a hearing at a Cabinet meet to be held on Friday. While welcoming it as “at least some hope after all,”...

Companies that do not set up a sexual harassment complaints committee within their organization can be penalized under sweeping provisions proposed in a draft Bill to check sexual abuse at the workplace. The Bill, cleared by the law ministry and expected to be discussed in the Cabinet by mid-July, also seeks to make false complaints of sexual harassment punishable under service rules. In an effort to cover every working woman...

Farmers in Chhattisgarh are rallying against the multi-national seed companies planning to enter the state and threatened to launch a vehement protest against them. The farmers' body in the state alleged that the state government was trying to pave way for the multinational seed companies to enter the rice bowl of the country. The agriculture department intends to use hybrid seeds to enhance the productivity. The department has invited proposals for...

One year after anti-Maoist operations began in this district, it is a story of mixed success. While normal life has been restored, with offices, shops and schools having re-opened, vehicles back on the roads and farmers back in the fields, an eerie calm prevails. Villagers still complain of late-night gunfights and sudden police raids keeping them up through most nights. They are haunted by fears of discovering a bullet-riddled body...