CM Ashok Chavan Gifted 2500 acre Tribal and Protected Forest land to ‘Reliance ’ without Application and Environment Clearance

VIDARBHA NEWS

Monday, November 1, 2010

CM Ashok Chavan Gifted 2500 acre Tribal and Protected Forest land to ‘Reliance ’ without Application and Environment Clearance

CM Ashok Chavan Gifted 2500 acre Tribal and Protected Forest land to ‘Reliance ’ without Application and Environment Clearance

Nagpur -2^nd November,2010

The complete partial functioning of UPA Govt. is seen when Vedanta project at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district of Orissa refused permission by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) to protect primitive Dongria Kondhs tribals even Congress leader Rahul Gandhi flying down to the area to tell the tribals that he would fight their case but this is not with Primitive Kolam Tribals of the Yavatmal districts where Congress ruled Maharashtra Govt. has given the mining lease to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd in the area admeasuring more than 2500 acres belonging kolam tribals and part of Tippeshwar protected forest that too with out taking any N.O.C.from concerned forest department .

The most controversial decision of Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan of M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd. giving mining lease to company who has not even official applied for the ML and just day before the model code of conduct of 2009 assembly election are imposed by election commission has left enough room for activist to move against the CM decision as this is not only completely illegal but have ignored existing guidelines Tribal and the Ministry of Environment and Forest and also attracts penal action under vert strigent acts for prevettino of environment and rights of primitive kolam tribals but nothing has happened as on today due to undue protect to Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan by UPA chief Smt.Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhji .alleged Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) farmers and kolam tribal advocacy group in vidarbha

Completely exposed Maharashtra most corrupt chief minister over the 'Adarsha society saga' now likely to face the heat of his number of controversial decisions of giving land allotment to corporate houses and congress leaders in next two days before much awaited ouster of most hostile chief minister of Maharashtra as another the decision Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to grant Rs.88 crore land in farm suicide hit Yavatmal district to MPCC President Manikrao Thakare is being raised by the congress leaders against Ashok Chavan and Manikrao Thakare both Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) farmers activist group has taken up the issue of granting more than 1000 hector land to Anil Ambani’s M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd around villages Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Koregaon the same area in yavatmal district tribal belt where agrarian crisis is at it’s peak and area known as epicenter of farmers suicides of vidarbha .

Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) has alleged that Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has favored M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd in exchange multi-thousand crore deal for himself and his congress party just before the assembly election and demanded detail probe in to land deal.

“This is gross misuse of power and floating the rules farmed by central and state Govt. for mining and setting up the thermal power plant as whole 1000 hector area 10 k.m. patch left side is ‘Tippeshwar reserved forest and right side is Wainganga River hence EIA clearance and forest ministry clearance is impossible. we have poper locus in this case and will move the high court against this illegal order ” Kishore Tiwari Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) informed today.

we have given details of this mega land scam to UPA chief Smt.Sonia Gandhiji and Finace Minsiter Pranav Mukharji and here are details

Mahrashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has ordered under section of 11(2) of the MMDR Act, 1957 to grant Mining Lease for Lime Stone to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai over an area of 1008.33 H/R situated at Mauza Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Karegaon, Taluka Kelapur, District Yeotmal on 25th august 2009 just before the code of conduct is imposed by Election Commission of India .

Earlier VJAS in letter to Lokaukatta made series of allegation to claim the decision to grant the mining lease was malafide and ill managed as while giving the order Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan but all complaints were shown dustbin

Observations are :-

I quote

Text of Chief Minister Ashok Chavan order

On perusal of the records and taking into consideration oral / written submissions of the applicants and going through the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Mineral Concession Rules, 1960,1 have made following observations:-

(i) At Mauze Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Koregaon the area available for grant of ML for Lime Stone is 1008.22 H./R.

(ii) Since the area under consideration for grant of P.L. has been notified u/s 11(2) and 11(4) of the MMDR Act, 1957, the selection of applicant will be governed by the relevant Rules and Regulation. This selection will have to be made in consonance with guidelines issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Mines letter No. 7160/2006-MIV, dated the 24.06.2009.

2. The Inter-Se-Merit Chart has been formulated and appended herewith as Annexure 'A' which includes the reasons for acceptance / rejection of particular application. It may be noted that it is vital part of this Order. It is seen there from that:-

(a)Following applicants have already established Cement Plants in the State or in other States:

(1)M/S.GUJARAT AMBUJA CEMENTS LTD., MUMBAI

(2M/S.MURALI AGRO PRODUCTS LTD.,NAGPUR

(3)M/S.SHREE CEMENTS LTD., BEAWAR, RAJASTHAN

(4)M/S. ACC CEMENT I TD., MUMBAI

(5)M/S. LAFARGE INDIA PVT.LTD., MUMBAI

(b)Following applicants have proposed to set-up Cement Plants:-

(1)M/S.GRACE INDUSTRIES LTD., NAGPUR

(2)M/S. BLA CEMENT PVT.LTD.,MUMBAI

(3)M/S.ANIK INDUSTRIES LTD., INDORE, M.P.

(4)M/S.SARTHAK INDUSTRIES LTD.,INDORE, M.P.

(5)M/S. NECO INDUSTRIES LTD., NAGPUR

(6)M/S.RELIANCE CEMENTATION PVT.LTD., NAVI MUMBAI

(7)M/S. EMAMI CEMENT LTD., KOLKATA, W.B.

(8)M/S.BHATIYA INTERNATIONAL LTD.,NAGPUR

(9)M/'S. TAJ LIME INDUSTRIES, TA!. WANI, DIST. YEOTMA!

(10)M/S. SURJAGARH STEEL & MINES PVT.LTD.

(c)Following applicants are Iron/Steel/Power manufacturer and needs Ore as-one of the ingredient for manufacture of Steel:-

(1) M/s.New India Mining Corporation

(2) M/s. Ispat Industries Ltd., Mumbai

(3) M/s. Sunflag Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Mumbai

(4) M/s. Virangana Steel Ltd., Nagpur

(5) M/s. Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd., New Delhi

(6) M/s.ChamanMetalicsPvt.Ltd., Kolkata

(7) M/s. Uttam Galva Steel Ltd., Mumbai

(d) Rest of the applicants are either going to establish Lime base small units or proposes the trading of the mineral or proposes to utilize the mineral in their sister concern.

CONCLUSION

1.In Maharashtra the Vidarbha Region is industrially backward. Therefore, it is worthwhile to encourage to set-up mineral based industry in the said area. This will facilitate economic growth of the said Region as well as will help to create employment.

2. It is seen from the Inter-Se-Merit Chart and Observations made above that the applicants mentioned in para 2(a) and 2(b) of the Observations prevails over other applicants as all of them do have requisite technical expertise, sound financial position and capacity to make huge investment to carry out mining activities and to establish the End Use Project or to utilize the mineral for expansion of their existing units. Thus it means that here exist more than one applicant who do have capabilities as mentioned in Section 1 1(3) and as a result of this choice of applicant has become difficult. Since these eligible applicants are co-equal in terms of their chronology. In this situation, the Guidelines laid down by Government of India, Ministry of Mines vide their letter dt. 24.06.2009 indicates that the choice has to be made on objective selection criteria in transparent manner. Normally the recommendation of the State Government in this regard is acceptable if comparative chart of all applicants on criteria enumerated in Section 1 1(3) of MMDR Act is available and the State Government has passed reasoned orders for acceptance of a particular applicant and for 'rejection of the remaining applicants.

3. In view of above the cases of eligible applicants areanalysised as follows:-

(a)M/s.Sanchit Ispat Pvt.Ltd.-, Nagpur intends to expand the capacity of their

existing unit by 2.2 MTPA. But actual execution of the expansion

activity seems to be at primary level. Hence their requirement of Ore is

not of immediate concern. Their case will be considered at appropriate

time. Hence I do not consider them for grant of M.L.

(b)M/s. Murali Industries Ltd., Nagpur -has been granted PL/ML for Lime

Stone / Dolomite over an area of 11,89 sq. kms. having geological

reserves upto 128.669 million tones. Out of this they have yet to explore

the area over 9.85 sq.kms. They propose to expand their present capacity

of 3 MTPA up to 11 MTPA. But at present, they do have sufficient

reserves and their case can be considered when they will explore the

entire area already granted to them. Hence I do not consider their case for

grant of M.L.

(c)M/s.Shree Cement Ltd., Beawar, Rajasthan- have established two Cement

Plants. It is not clear from their submission whether they require the Ore

for their present units or for expansion activities. It is not known the

present availability of Ore with them. As such applicant has not properly

justified their claim for grant of M.L. Hence I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

(d)M/s. ACC Cement Ltd., Mumbai has already been granted M.Ls over an

area of 16.13 sq.kms. As per the available record 70.00 MT estimated

Lime Stone deposits are yet to be explored by the Company. The present

consumption in present Unit is 1.00 lakhs MTPA.Now they propose to

set-up 2 MTPA Clinkering Unit and demanded ML for the purpose. But

it is clear from above information that they do have enough reserves of

Lime Stone. Therefore, their claim for ML is not of immediate concern.

Hence I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

(e)M/s.Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai- is a part of Lafarge Group having

origin in the France. No doubt they are global leaders in the field of

manufacturing the Cement and allied activities and are capable to procure

the mineral from other sources. They have proposed to establish 1.6

MTPA Clinker Plant with investment of Rs. 1400.00 crores.They do

have capacity and capability to execute the project. But so far they have

not taken any steps to set-up the plant in the State. In view of this their

claim will be considered at an appropriate time. Hence I do not consider

their case for grant of M.L. over the area applied by them.

(!)In Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts M/s.Ambuja Cement hold Mining Leases over an area of 17.91 sq. kms. having approximate geological reserves of 190.38 million tones. At present they are operating one unit of cement production of 2.85 MTPA capacity in Chandrapur.According to N.C.B.M. norms their total requirement is of 459 million tones. This indicates that the Company has still to explore full capacity of the area, I do not consider their case for grant of M.L.

4.I have gone through the submissions made by the applicants who have proposed to set-up Cement Plants with sizable investment. While considering these cases weightage has been given to parameters laid down in Section 11(3) of the Act and preparedness of the applicant to establish project. No doubt applicants mentioned in para 2(b) of the Observations are eligible, but except M/s. Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd. the preparedness of rest of them is either at primary level or some of them have showed only intention to set-up the project. Therefore their cases are not of immediate concerned. Hence I do consider them for grant of M.L.

5. As regards M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd.M/s.AAA Trader Pvt.Ltd.,

Mumbai a subsidiary of Reliance Group which is now merged in M/s. Reliance

Cementation Pvt.Ltd. has been granted ML for Lime Stone and Dolomite of Mukutban deposits which approximately have 30 million tone geological reserves. It is proposed to set-up 5 MTPA cement plant in Yeotmal district (D+ Category i.e. industrially most backward district) in Vidarbha Region. As per NCBM norms this plant will require 537 MT resources of Lime Stone Ore. They have also proposed to set-up two Cement Grinding Units and 600 MW Power Plant with total investment of Rs. 6000.00 crores in the State. It is also submitted that they have obtained Mining Plan approval from IBM,

land required for compensatory afforestation have been identified and is being purchased, proposal for diversion of Forests land is submitted, meeting with MOEF Committee has been scheduled to finalize environmental clearance, established site at Mukutban / Butibori for Cement and Power project, already applied for Coal linkage and requisite machinery is being obtained. So far they have invested Rs. 25.00 crores. They have signed MoU with the State Govt. for setting up Mega Project. Thus they have taken positive steps and made sincere efforts to set-up the assured project. It may be seen that so far applicant has been granted M.L. in which the the resources are up to 30 Million tones. However, to meet the vast shortfall in reserves and set-up a new field cement plant in Yeotmal Dist. additional mineral leases are required. Additional mineral concession in terms of M.L. for un-interupted supply of Orefor production of Cement is utmost necessary. In view of this I am satisfied that M/s. Reliance Cementation Pvt. Ltd. is most eligible applicant for grant of M.L. over the area applied by them.

6.Since while considering grant of M.L., the State Government has given

weight age to logical end use of the Lime Stone for production of Cement in the interest of Public at large. Hence I do not consider the cases of applicants mentioned in para 2(c) and 2(D) of Observations for grant of M.L. to them.

7.In view of above I pass the following Order in the matter:-

1.Ordcr U/s. 11(2) of the MMDR Act, 1957, I grant Mining Lease for Lime Stone to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai over an area of 1008.33 H/R situated at Mauze Chanakha, Nimdeli, Gubri and Karegaon, Taluka Kelapur, District Yeotmal as indicated in the MAP (Annexure 'B') appended herewith.

2. M/s. AAA Traders which was merged with M/s.Reliane Cementation Pvt.Ltd. was earlier granted M.L. in Yeotmal Dist. With the grant of this M.L. over 1008.33 H/R, the total area exceeds 10 sq.kms. Since prior approval of Govt. of India is required the State Govt. recommends permission for prior approval under Rule 6 Sector 2(b) of MMDR Act.

NOC's from the Central Govt., State Govt and local Authorities where necessary be obtained by the applicant.

(Ashok Chavan)

Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Place : Mumbai

Date 25/08/2009

UNQUOTE

VJAS has urged Smt Sonia Gandhi to look in to all aspects of givng order to M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai as giving mining lease of 1000 hector land where as requirement of land has to be viewed seriously and amount of lease to be recovered from the M/s.Reliance Cementation Pvt.Ltd., Navi Murrbai is almost free hence reasons given for rejection of other parties are not convincing more over the decision before the election is creating lot scope for smelling the corruption as this chief minister has granted lot lease in such manner which are also matter of investigation ,Tiwari added.

“we want sentiments of all farmers and tribal should be considered and high-command should also look in to such massive deep rooted corruption and mega land scam in the name of development” Tiwari said.

Posted by VIDARBHA NEWS at 10:58 PM 0 comments

रिलायन्स ला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील अडीच हजार एकर जमीन फुकटात दिल्यावरून मुख्यमंत्री अशोक चव्हाणयांची सोनिया गांधी यांनी चौकशी करण्याची किशोर तिवारी यांची मागणी

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रिलायन्स ला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील अडीच हजार एकर जमीन फुकटात दिल्यावरून मुख्यमंत्री अशोक चव्हाण यांची सोनिया गांधी यांनी चौकशी करण्याची किशोर तिवारी यांची मागणी

रिलायन्स ला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील अडीच हजार एकर जमीन फुकटातदिल्यावरून मुख्यमंत्री अशोक चव्हाण संकटात जमीन घोटाळा प्रकरणाचीचौकशी करण्याची किशोर तिवारी यांची मागणी
यवतमाळ :- यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील डोंगरगांव परिसरातील शेकडो एकर जमिन महाराष्ट्र प्रदेश काँग्रेसचे अध्यक्ष माणीकराव ठाकरे यांना सर्व नियम धाब्यावर ठेवून नाममात्र दरात देण्याचे प्रकरण चर्चेत असतांनाच महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी ऐन निवडणुकीची आचार संहीता लागण्यापूर्व अनिल अंबानी यांच्या उद्योग समुहाला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील केळापूर तालुक्यातील चनाखा, घुबडी, निमडेली व कारेगांव या खेड्यातील अडीच हजारावर एकर जमिन फुकटात दिल्याचे प्रकरण समोर आले असून ही जमिन देण्यासाठी महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी मोठ्या प्रमाणात भ्रष्टाचार केला असून या सर्व व्यवहाराची चौकशी करण्याची मागणी विदर्भ जनआंदोलन समितीचे नेते किशोर तिवारी यांनी एका पत्रकाव्दारे केली आहे. यासंबंधी 31 आँगष्ट 2009ला निघालेल्या जि. आर. प्रमाणे यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यातील आदिवासी भागातील चनाखा, घुबडी, निमडेली व कारेगांव या गावातील अंदाजे 10 कि.मी. पेक्षा जास्त लांबीच्या 1008 हेक्‌टर म्हणजे अडीच हजार एकराचा पट्टा खनिज खनन करण्यासाठी सरकारने अर्ज बोलावले होते व या अर्जाची सुनावनी 21 जुलै 2009 ला मुख्‌यमंत्र्यांनी स्वत: केली होती यामध्ये एकूण आलेल्या 38 अर्जामधून 30 लोकांनी आपली बाजू मांडली होती व या पट्टयातील 450 लाख टन खनिजावर आपला दावा करण्यासाठी प्रतिवाद केला होता मात्र मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी आपला आदेश क्रमांक एमएमएन - 1009/सी.आर. 2939/ आय एन डी-9 देत असतांना गुजरात अंबुजा, ए.सी.सी. सारख्‌या पाच कंपन्यांनी या भागात आपले सिमेंट कारखाने टाकले आहे तर रिलायन्स सिमेंटसह 10 उद्योग समुहानी नविन सिमेंट प्लान्ट टाकण्याचा प्रस्ताव सादर केला तर 7 स्टील व लोहखनिज तयार करणाय्रा कंपन्यांनी अर्ज सादर केले आहे मात्र सरकारने यापैकी फक्त संचीत इस्पात, मुरली उद्योग, श्री सिमेंट, ए.सी.सी. सिमेंट, लाप्रिजी इंडिया, अंबुजा सिमेंट व रिलायन्स सिमेंट यांचाच विचार केला व इतर अर्ज खारीज केले या 7 कंपन्यांचा मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी आपल्या आदेशामध्ये ए.सी.सी., अंबुजा, श्री सिमेंट सारख्या कंपन्यांना डावलुन रिलायन्सला हा पट्टा देण्याची जी कारणे दिली आहे ती संशयास्पद असून हा पट्टा निवडणुकीच्या तोंडावर कोणताही अनुभव नसलेल्या रिलायन्स ग्रुपला देतांना भ्रष्टाचाराचा संशय येत असल्‌याची दाट शक्‌यता किशोर तिवारी यांनी वर्तविली आहे. या खनन पट्‌ट्याला पर्यावरण खाते व वन विभागाची कोणतीही परवानगी नसल्याचे या आदेशामध्ये स्पष्ट करण्यात आले आहे. ज्या 10 कि.मी. च्या परिसरात ही नविन खान येत आहे त्याच्‌या एका बाजूला टिपेश्वरचे अभयारण्य असून दुसरीकडे पैनगंगा नदी आहे अशा परिस्थितीमध्ये या ठिकाणी एवढे मोठे खनन करण्याची परवानगी भारत सरकारच्‌या पर्यावरण व वन खात्याकडून कशी मिळणार असा सवाल सुध्दा किशोर तिवारी यांना केला आहे. निवडणुकीच्‌या तोंडावर अडीच हजार एकर जमिनीचा पट्टा रिलायन्स सारख्‌या जगातील सर्वात श्रीमंत उद्योग समुहाला फुकटात देण्यामागे महाराष्ट्राच्या मुख्यमंत्र्यांनी निवडणुकीमध्ये खर्च करण्यासाठी शेकडो कोटीची माया जमविली असून हे सर्व प्रकरण सोनिअजिनि या व्यवहाराची पारदर्शता व गुणवत्ता सिध्द करण्यासाठी गरज असल्‌याची माहिती तिवारी यांनी दिली.

Cotton conclave resolves to lay seige to CM house if price not hiked-TIMES OF INDIA

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Cotton conclave resolves to lay seige to CM house if price not hiked

Ramu Bhagwat/TNN


Pandharkawda: Cotton growers of Vidarbha who gathered here in large numbers for the cotton conclave were up in arms against the low minimum support price (MSP) announced by the state government to the cotton crop. With farm widows in front, they have resolved to lay a siege to the chief minister’s house during the winter session of the state legislature beginning in Nagpur from December 1 to demand a hike from the current Rs 3000 to Rs 4500 a quintal of cotton.

The resolution was moved by Bharati Pawar, a widow and victim of the farm crisis that has devastated thousands of families in the cotton belt as farmers and bread winners of the families were forced to commit suicide because of mounting losses in agriculture.

The farmers supported in unison the three major demands in the resolution : (1) That a compensation of Rs 10,000 be paid immediately to farmers who suffered crop damage because of excessive rains , (2) Rs 4,500 a quintal MSP for cotton and (3) immediate lifting of restrictions on cotton exports. The doughty widow from Saikheda village from Yavatmal district was cheered when she said “ I along with hundreds of my widowed sisters will sit on a dharna in front of the chief minister’s house to press for these four demands.” The conference also demanded that Cotton Corporation of India and NAFED, who procure the cotton in the state should pay Rs 5000 a quintal.

Farm leaders and farmers from Yavatmal, Akola, Amravati, Washim Buldhana, Wardha , the distressed districts for which special relief package was announced by prime minister Manmohan Singh in 2006 were present at the conference.

“The input costs have more than doubled in last two years, today we have to spend over Rs 20,000 per acre to grow cotton. When textile prices have doubled, inflation is spiraling, government employees are getting revised wages as per sixth pay commission, why should farmers be denied their due? “ asked Vijay Jawandhiya, the former president of Shetkari Sanghatana and farm leader from Wardha. He also strongly supported the need to give incentive to cotton exporters instead of putting restrictions on it.

“Cotton prices dropped in world market in 1995. No farmer in America committed suicide because the American government bailed out its cotton growers with huge subsidies . But there was no mercy shown by the government of India or our states. So it is no wonder that when cheap cotton was imported here, the cotton growers of Andhra Pradesh were first to feel the distress in 1998 and started committing suicide in hordes,” said Jawandhiya.

President of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti and convenor of the conclave Kishore Tiwari said international prices were ruling around Rs 6000 to 8000 a quintal . “But the government completely disregarding it, was firm on measly MSP of Rs 3000 for cotton. Just to serve interests of some 2000 textile units who form a powerful lobby, the government is ignoring the plight of 6 million people in the country who depend on the cotton crop,” said Tiwari. People were being misled with reports of bumper crop when excessive and untimely rains had damaged crop to the extent of 50 % , he alleged.

Pro-Telangana leader from Andhra Pradesh and Supreme Court lawyer Nurup Reddy, who was chief guest at the conclave, stressed on the need to organize all cotton growers to raise their just demands. “Out of 18 lakh hectares land under cotton crop in Andhra Pradesh, 13 lakh hectares is in Telangana region. But since the region has no political power, the cotton growers’ plight is ignored,” said Reddy. He said cotton growers across the country should unite to fight for own cause. “Do not end your life in distress as it will solve no problem. Instead, join hands to fight for your just demands. Only that will benefit all,” said Reddy
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After farmers' suicide, widows live a tragedy

Ramu Bhagwat, TNN, Oct 27, 2010, 04.58am IST

PANDHARKAWDA: Present at the cotton conclave among over a hundred widows of farmers on Tuesday was Saraswatibai Ambadwar (45) of Telangtakli. Her husband Ramdas committed suicide some 13 years ago leaving her with four daughters and ten acres land to take care of.

Today her tears may have dried but her ordeal continues. So many years after her world collapsed, creditors still harass her for the money they claim to have lent her husband. The widow, who lives with her daughter of marriageable age, is putting up a brave fight on various fronts - from running the household to arrange for dowry for marriage of daughter Manjushree (19).

For all this, she may have to incur more debts. There appears no end to her miseries. Ramdas' suicide in 1997 attracted the then chief minister Narayan Rane's attention who rushed to Telangtakli and handed over compensation of Rs 1 lakh to Saraswati. Rane assured to take care of the education of her four daughters. The widow spent the compensation amount on one daughter's marriage. Life was soon back to square one for her.

Her third daughter Jayashree died of kidney failure a couple of years ago. The family couldn't afford her treatment. Being a defaulter of a bank and the moneylenders, she cannot get fresh loans for farming operations. In this suicide heartland of western Vidarbha, such tragic stories of farm widows fighting a grim battle for survival abound.

A Sasikala or a Kalavati may have managed to tide over the crisis, but hundreds of Saraswatis are left to suffer their miseries in silence.
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‘Keep’ is cheap-Indira Jaising

‘Keep’ is cheap-Indira Jaising October 23, 2010 1:57:32 AM Abraham Thomas | New Delhi ASG says SC should delete offensive word from ruling A day after the Supreme Court gave a historic decision depriving a woman who is a “keep” from maintenance in a live-in relationship, a senior woman law officer derided the judges for using such “derogatory” expression and demanded it to be expunged. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Indira Jaising, the first woman ASG, instrumental in drafting some of the pro-women legislations in the country, including the Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act 2005, felt offended with the use of the term “keep” in the body of the Apex Court decision. On spotting her in court, the Bench of Justices Markandey Katju and TS Thakur in a jocular vein sought her comments on the decision by saying, “You are the author of the Domestic Violence Act,” and invited her comment on their decision defining the kind of live-in relationship entitled for alimony under Section 20 of the Domestic Violence Act. Jaising retorted saying, “I have had a role to play in drafting the law, but I must say I have read the full text of the judgment and I have strong objection against the use of words ‘keep’ and ‘one night stand’.” Silenced by such criticism of their controversial judgement, the junior judge on the Bench, Justice Thakur, sought to ease the situation by suggesting that the use of word “concubine” could have been appropriate. But Jaising was not pacified. An elected member of Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, a global woman body that receives reports from all countries including India, Jaising said she was appalled at the use of such terms by the highest court of the land. “Basically by saying woman is a “keep” we are demeaning the status of a woman… I don’t expect this from the Supreme Court in the 21st century. If this is the way the courts feel about women, I must say I feel offended,” she said. By this point, the embarrassment of the judges was not hidden as it persuaded her to focus on the case she had to argue relating to a service matter. Speaking to The Pioneer, Jaising later regretted having made public her displeasure about the judgment. “I believe somebody should file an application for expunging these remarks,” she said, adding, “the law prevailing globally on the subject seeks to eliminate any form of discrimination that stereotypes women.” With the judges shell-shocked by the torrent of protest, that too coming from a senior counsel of good standing on women issues, the Bench reluctantly conveyed to Jaising, “It is open for you to file a review application.” Not relenting, Jaising argued: “Will the court ever say that a man is a keep of a woman… so there is an element of discrimination.”

"A Unique style of Suppression of vital Information and Documents pertaining to Project MIHAN and SEZ by MADCL"

"A Unique style of Suppression of vital Information and Documents pertaining to Project MIHAN and SEZ by MADCL"

Penal Action demanded against the MADCL official by RTI applicant

Nagpur, dated 12.08.2010.

Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd. (MADCL) has adopted a Unique style of Suppression of vital important relevant Information and Documents pertaining to Project MIHAN and SEZ and denied the said information & document by a order passed in a most casual manner by its Public Information Officer straightaway rejecting the application seeking said relevant vital and important information and document.

Interestingly, this all is done by Mr. C.S.Gupta, Public Information Officer and Chief Engineer of MADCL at Mumbai who having sit on an application under RTI submitted on 22.01.2009, surprisingly disposed off the same without providing a single information or documents vide his letter dated 06.08.2010 i.e. after keeping silence on it for more than 18 months.

Adv. Mr. Vinod Tiwari, General Secretary of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti, who had applied to MADCL on 22.01.2009 under Right to Information Act has now filed an appeal to Appellate Authority - now with Mr. R.C.Sinha, VC & CMD of MADCL and also lodged his complaint with Chief Information Commissioner of Maharashtra for taking appropriate action against the PIO of MIHAN - MADCL u/s 24 of RTI Act which provides a penalty @ Rs. 250 per day upon deliberate and willful attempt not to provide information under RTI Act to the applicant, the amount of such penalty comes to Rs.1,35,000/-, if imposed by Chief Information Commissioner.

It all happened when the RTI applicant - Adv. Tiwari upon concrete information that MADCL has caused great irregularities and illegalities in its functioning in gross violation of the provisions of various Llaws, Statutes, Rules, Regulations and the Constitutional provisions governing Panchayat Raj & the fundamental rights of the citizens specially the farmers, in which acquisition of land has been done on misleading & false information and entire process of land acquisition was being wrong and illegal ab-initio and its onward allotment & disposal of the said land to various units was also done and highly illegal and in irregular manner.

The said application under RTI was came to be filed in order to verify the said allegations prior to filing a Litigation and/or other alternate remedies, applicant wanted this relevant & most vital information at this stage and hence submitted the application under RTI to MADCL for getting following important information and documents, as sought by Adv. Tiwari

1. Copy of Govt. of Maharashtra notification regarding permission / Authority for incorporation of Maharashtra Airport Development Co. Ltd. (MADCL) as a Special Purpose Company (SPC) with details of authorized & paid up share capital of shareholders of said SPC Company.

2. Copy of Govt. of Maharashtra notification issued under Maharashtra Regional & Town Planning Act declaring MADCL as Special Planning Authority for MIHAN Project.

3. Copy of Govt. of Maharashtra Draft Development Plan/map alongwith Draft development control rule framed by MADCL as Special Planning Authority for MIHAN Project.

4. Copy of Govt. of Maharashtra approved/sanction development plan/map alongwith approved / sanctioned development control rule framed by MADCL as Special Planning Authority for MIHAN Project.

5. Copy of Govt. of Maharashtra Draft & Approved/sanction (both) development map of land use planning alongwith approved / sanctioned development control rule framed by MADCL as Special Planning Authority for MIHAN Project.

6. Copies of No Objection Certificates & Resolution passed by Gram Panchayats – Local Bodies of the respective villages falling under the boundaries & jurisdiction of MIHAN PROJECT.

7. Copies of application made by MADCL for the purpose of Environmental Clearance submitted for MIHAN Project as a whole to Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, New Delhi and also to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

8. Copy of Environment Clearance issued by Ministry of Environment & Forest., Govt. of India, New Delhi for various projects under MIHAN.

9. Copies of Consent to Establish & Consent to Operate issued by MPCB for various projects under MIHAN.

10. Copies of Balance sheets & Statement of Accounts of MADCL for the financial year 2001-2002, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 as on the year ending date on respective date - 31^st March of the respective closing year.

11. Copies of applications filed with Land Acquisition Officers for acquisition of land alongwith details the documents appended to the said applications.

12. Copies of Government Notification issued by Land Acquisition Officer for acquisition of land and award passed therein.

13. Details of funds made available to the Land Acquisition Officer against respective applications and notifications of Land Acquisition made by the MADCL from time to time.

14. Copies of applications of SEZ made by MADCL to Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi.

15. Copies of entire correspondence by and between MADCL and Government of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industires, New Delhi in respect of SEZ Project of MADCL alongwith copies of permission, approvals, rejections, withdrawals received in respect of said SEZ Project.

16. Copies of sanction of financial advance / assistance / Bank Loan, etc. received by MADCL from respective bankers.

17. Copies of application of funds out of the bank loan availed.

18. Copies of statement of accounts of the amount spent on the overseas & Inland Tour & Travels by the Vice-Chairman & MD of MADCL and other Directors of MADCL which has been spent from the accounts of MADCL for the period 01-04-2002 to 31^stMarch, 2008 (7 Years).

19. Copies and Statement of Accounts of amount spent on publicity & propaganda of MIHAN Project by deploying different rented agencies / political leaders including funds made available to such rented political leaders for advocating the MIHAN Project through various Workshops, Seminars, Presentations and Conferences held at various places in India & Abroad during last 7 Years.

20. Details of land allotment by MADCL to different parties, Details of infrastructure being made available alongwith the amounts spent on such infrastructure till date, Details of land used by the respective companies / beneficiaries. Details of unutilized lands by such companies, Details of balance and surplus land with MADCL, Details of allotment orders in such allotment of lands and the conditions of such allotment.

21. Details of the selling rates, amount recovered from respective allottees till date.

22. Details of litigations with land owners, land allottees and other parties filed by MADCL or filed against MADCL by the different persons / parties and its present status.

23. Copies of correspondence by & between MADCL with Airport Authority of India & Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India, New Delhi in connection with various issues pertaining to the Projects of MADCL at Nagpur, Nasik, Kolhapur, Jalgaon & other cities of Maharashtra & Andhra Pradesh.

24. Copies of letters and correspondence by & between MADCL and Nellore Andhra Pradesh Project of AP and other projects in Maharashtra and Karnataka being undertaken by MADCL.

But, when the applicant Adv. Tiwari started following up for the said information sought by himMr. C.S.Gupta, Public Information Officer and Chief Engineer of MADCL at Mumbai having sit on application under RTI submitted on 22.01.2009, surprisingly disposed off the same without providing a single information or documents vide his letter dated 06.08.2010 i.e. after keeping silence on it for more than 18 months. In his order passed in a very casual manner rejected entire application without disposing it on merit in brazen violation of the provisions of Right to Information Act and killing the process of transparency in the Government control bodies like MIHAN and MADCL. Now applicant Adv. Mr. Tiwari has prefered an appeal to Appellate Authority - now with Mr. R.C.Sinha, VC & CMD of MADCL and also lodging his complaint with Chief Information Commissioner of Maharashtra for taking appropriate action against the PIO of MIHAN u/s 24 of RTI Act which provides a penalty @ Rs. 250 per day upon deliberate and willful attempt not to provide information under RTI Act to the applicant.

38 days on, no word on kidnapped forest official-Indian Express

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38 days on, no word on kidnapped forest official

Pranav Kulkarni Posted online: Sat Jun 19 2010, 06:32 hrs

Pune : Vilas Bardekar of Pune was kidnapped by suspected BODO militants in West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh

It’s been over a month and there is no trace of Vilas Bardekar, social forestry officer from Pune, who was kidnapped by suspected BODO militants on May 12 in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. While government officials are tight lipped about the developments, family and friends have been praying for the safe release of the officer.

Minister of Forests Patangrao Kadam said, “We have appointed a nodal officer who is looking into the matter. I don’t want to comment on the issue.” “We have strict restrictions from government authorities and are not allowed to comment on the issue. The efforts are on and we are hoping for Bardekar’s safe release,” said Prakash Thosare, director, social forestry.

A number of social organisations working for Bardekar’s release have been blaming the government officials for their incapability to deal with the situation. “It has been about 40 days and the government has not appointed a single person to follow up the case. On June 4, we wrote a letter to President Pratibha Patil requesting her to look into the matter. It is learnt that the militants are now asking for ransom,” said kishor Tiwari, president, Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti. “The response would not have been similar if a minister’s near and dear one was kidnapped,” said Kishor Rithe, president, Satpuda Foundation.

“We have been told that the negotiations are on and something positive should soon come out. The militants have put in fresh demands asking for ransom and as per our knowledge, the government is dealing with it. The family is going through a tough time,” said Sudhakar Shankarrao Suratkar, Bardekar’s brother-in-law.

Environment Day Appeal :Vidarbha reports 213 Human ,more than 2300 Bats ,312 Monkeys Deaths due to Heat wave in last ten days

Environment Day Appeal :Vidarbha reports 213 Human ,more than 2300 Bats ,312 Monkeys Deaths due to Heat wave in last ten days,’ water scarcity forcing more than 12 Million People to drink Toxic Water

NAGPUR-June 5 ,2010

The heat wave sweeping across vidarbha claimed 213 lives while there are wide spread reports of deaths of more than 2300 bats and 312 monkeys due to on going Heat Wave The death toll in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra mounted to 213 since May 24, 2010 as per reports of these deaths came from Nagpur, Buldhana, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Amravati and Gadchiroli districts,Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS) informed in a press note today.

Here is the date wise death count of victims due to on going Heat wave

Date	Death Due to Heat wave in vidarbha
24th may	30
25th may	31
26 th may	36
27th may	33
28th May	18
29th May	11
30th May	10
31ST May	14
1st JUNE	12
2nd JUNE	08
TOTAL	213

Chandrapur,Yavatmal,Akola ,Amaravati ,Buldhana and Washim has crossed whewa s wardha reported allmost 50°C this year and water crisis is adding fuel to the scorching heat wave as region is reeling under drought and state administration has shown it’s inability to tackle the crisis ,VJAS added.

“most of rivers ,dam and water reservoirs are completely dry ,there is no water in the forest and the village too .in last two days deaths of thousands of bats and hundreds of monkeys reported but this is piece of iceberg as more than 12 milion population is drinking water which is being mined below the 200 meters which is very toxic damaging major organs.the administration has declared this water is unsafe for drinking they have no choice or solution to provide the safe drinking water as per CM Ashok Chavan water crisis are so serious that 20,240 villages facing water scarcity, only 4 % water in Marathwada dams, and 3% in vidarbha dams . CM said that we all know the problems give him the Solution.

The uncontrolled water mining and mega deforestation in central India and unplanned surface water management in the region is the result of ecological crisis; the drastic climate is change is manmade due to wrong policies of administration. the intensity of heat wave and new peak in parametric graph is significant higher in the vidarbha region where surface water management is nil and area has lost major forest cover due illicit tree cutting by politicians which has converted vidarbha in to desert in last decade and we are paying the price of it,today hundreds of innocent are been killed by sunstroke ,next summer will claim thousand lives if these ecological imbalance is not corrected. this is very big warning of climate change and Indian Govt. should respond to it ” Kishor tiwari of VJAS urged Indian Govt on “Environment Day” today .

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Posted by vidarbha times at 2:20 AM