Teesta-III project in Sikkim gets a green signal
In order to give a push to the renewable energy sector, the Centre has cleared the disputes blocking the Teesta-III hydropower project worth Rs 9000 crore. 90% work on the Teesta is already completed and with the resolving of its years-long delay, it is expected to be commissioned by March 2017. Now, the next target of the Power Ministry is to speed up the 2000 MW Subansiri hydroelectricity project which is about eight years behind schedule.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has orderd multiplexes across the country to not prohibit patrons from carrying drinking water inside cinema halls. Also, multiplexes should provide free drinking water inside the theatre. In case free drinking water is not made available to cinema-goers and they are made to purchase it at a cost higher than the market price, then the multiplex is liable to pay a fine of Rs 11,000 to the patron under Section 2 (r) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
The Environment Ministry, in its fresh draft guidelines on sustainable sand mining, has proposed strict monitoring and crackdown against illegal mining rampant in many states. Along with this, the Ministry has advised the States to use technology like android apps, GPS and unique bar-coding systems to track the vehicles of illegal miners. The final guidelines will be issued once the Ministry receives the stakeholders' view on further streamlining the monitoring process.
The West Bengal Government has taken up the 'Jalatirtha' scheme under which 800 check dams, water harvesting structures and surface flow minor irrigation schemes will be constructed. The objective behind the programme is to conserve surface and rain water to provide round the year assured irrigation. The Rs 500 crore scheme that aims to facilitate irrigation of nearly 32,000 hectares in the state has been taken up in four districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and Paschim Medinipur.
The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to 14 builders in Delhi-NCR for illegal extraction of groundwater for construction purposes. Prior to this, the Tribunal had formed a Committee comprising of the Central Ground Water Authority, Delhi Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board and also the Haryana Pollution Control Board, to inspect all construction sites in Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida for their source of water.
This is a roundup of important policy matters from September 8 - 14, 2015. Also read last week's news updates.