Into the void

Uranium reserves almost over, little plutonium and chased away by people from digging new mines -- India's nuclear establishment is under tremendous pressure. By 2020, it has to prepare for the thorium-based third phase of the nuclear programme. If this doesn't begin on time, the programme would turn out to be a colossal waste of national resources since Independence. Thorium, the government says, is a boon.

Notice to Mundra for flouting laws

The Union environment ministry on December 15 issued a show cause notice to the Adani group promoted Mundra SEZ and Port in Gujarat. The ministry has asked the company to reply within 15 days as to why the clearances given to it for developing the port and a township should not be cancelled for environmental and coastal destruction. The ministry has charged the company with destruction of mangroves, reclamation of land and filling up of creeks without obtaining the mandatory clearance under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 1991.

Oil’s crude touch in Gujarat

Oil wells fitted with pumping devices are a common sight in Mehsana district, north of Ahmedabad. For the state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) the district is the most prized onshore oil asset in India, producing about 40,000 barrels crude oil a day. But for farmers the wells spell ruin.

Go wild

IT IS an aphrodisiac. Treats fatigue and bone weakness. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) occupies a prominent position in traditional health systems like Ayurveda.

Homeless hilsa

At Chandpur, about 150 km south of Dhaka, Anisur Rahman has a scientific explanation for the predicament of fisher people like Samaad.

Cultural icon

In Bangladesh, journalist Shankarlal Das recounts that hilsa could be had for a taka some 40 years ago. “During monsoons my father would come home dangling a hilsa from both hands. Mother would then take over.

Vote in panchayat polls or else...

THE Gujarat government is again pushing for legislation that makes it mandatory for all adult citizens to vote during panchayat and municipal elections. Those who fail to cast their votes would have to report to the authorities within a month. They would have to give valid reasons for not voting, else they would be labelled defaulters.

Bill not debated in public

Increasing women’s reservation and compulsory voting have been clubbed in the Gujarat Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill Compulsory voting goes against right to freedom of expression Bill not debated in public forums and academic circles Ignores government duty to enrol all eligible voters and issuing them identity cards

Save power the smart way

Till September 6, Gujarat’s Secretariat campus in Gandhinagar boasted the largest installation of solar panels in India. Now it has another distinction— the campus has become home to the country’s first smart grid. A smart grid transmits and distributes electricity using information and communication technology. It helps control electricity use by making consumption patterns more visible.

From roaming to home delivery

The public distribution system is throwing up innovations, with officialdom seeking new ways of cracking the problem. However, some have remained non-starters despite their usefulness.