-The Indian Express The government will spend over Rs 6000 crore on clean drinking water scheme, said CM Vasundhara Raje Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje presented the state financial budget for fiscal year 2017-18 in the Assembly. Here are some of the major announcements made by the chief minister: * 13 districts to benefit from Chambal water * Rs. 10 crore for GIB conservation in Desert National Park by improving grasslands * Launch of Project Leopard to...

-PTI New Delhi: A Rs. 48,000-crore Budget for the national capital was presented today by the AAP Government, laying major focus on improving transport, health, water distribution and education infrastructure. In its third Budget, the Arvind Kejriwal Government abolished the PLAn and non-PLAn expenditure heads and presented it in terms of revenue and capital classification in line with the Centre’s decision. There was no proposal on levying any new tax. 'Outcome budget' In a first,...

-The Hindu Indiscriminate digging of farm ponds has accelerated groundwater extraction The Maharashtra government’s flagship Jalyukt Shivar Yojana has been touted as a drought-proofing scheme, but a field study conducted by South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) gives a different picture. The organisation carried out the study at Hiwargaon-Pawasa, a backwater village with a population of 1,500, in Ahmadnagar district’s Sangamner Taluk. The research presents a microcosmic example of how...

-The Financial Express Kochi: Drought and high temperatures in the PLAntation regions of Kerala are likely to cause irreparable damage to the crops. Association of PLAnters of Kerala reports that the PLAntation sector is facing one of the worst drought conditions in last 115 years and crop production had reduced by 30% in tea, 14% in rubber, 60% in cardamom and 40% in coffee. Most of the agri-commodities are highly monsoon sensitive...

-The Hindu British doctor started with a roadside clinic, was deported from Bangladesh and jailed in Bengal There was nothing on his wrinkled face or in his demeanour, to give an inkling of the remarkable life that he has led over the past four decades. Age has withered him, but has not broken the indomitable spirit of this octogenarian. Dressed carelessly, he stood with just a little stoop, talking affably, shaking hands with...