According to the order of the Supreme Court, the Karnataka government has cancelled 51 iron ore mining leases in Category C. Holders of these mines were charged of carrying out rampant mining illegally outside the lease area and hence the Supreme Court ordered for cancellation of the mining leases some months
Category: Power & New and Renewable Energy
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FDI in power sector declines 67% in 2012-13
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India's power sector declined 67 per cent to $536 million in 2012-13 from $1.6 billion in the previous year. Some big companies are reconsidering their investment plans, after losses owing to lack of coal and natural gas supply, reports indicate
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Panel suggests mandatory Indian control in key sectors
The Arvind Mayaram committee suggested that in sectors like power exchanges, petroleum & natural gas refining, there is a need for mandatory Indian ownership. These sectors are part of the nine sectors that the panel recommended for classifying as those where 'Indian ownership' and 'control' will be mandatory. It may be recalled that the central government set up the Arvind Mayaram committee to suggest measures for liberalising the country's foreign direct investment (FDI
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Karnataka ryots ask govt for subsidised solar-IP sets
Farmers in Karnataka have urged the State government to grant 75 per cent subsidy on solar-powered pumpsets for their agruculture needs. Hit by frequent and unscheduled power cuts, farmers in the state are showing interest in alternative sources of energy to power their irrigation pumpsets (IP sets).
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Govt targets TN’s hospitality sector to promote solar power
In Tamil Nadu, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is now targeting hospitals and hospitality sectors to promote solar energy as an alternative. To demonstrate this, the Union government partnered with the United Nation Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Fund (GEF) to conduct programmes based on solar power for market development.
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Plea for solar energy policy in Kerala
A group of social, environmental and human rights activists, led by VR Krishna Iyer, has urged the Kerala government to formulate a ‘people’s solar energy policy’ in view of the declining power availability and rising power bill in the State. The activists – who included Sugatha Kumari, Sara Joseph, M Geethanandan, CK Janu and CR Neelakandan – pointed out that the UDF had an open-door policy for private players in the renewable energy field.
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RGPPL shuts operation in Dabhol power plant
Since June 6, the 1,967 mw-Dabhol power plant in Maharashtra has been closed owing to lack of natural gas. Ratnagiri Gas & Power (RGPPL), which owns the plant, is demanding gas linkage for the plant in order to restart generation. This is the second time the project remains shut after April 2013, Between February 21 and April 2, the plant remained closed because of a lack of gas supply.
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NHPC cautious of clearing cost escalation in projects
Media reports indicate that the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has been cautious of clearing cost escalation for various hydel projects anticipating adverse comments from the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of India. NHPC officials are dragging their feet in clearing cost escalations, which is a common trend in hydropower projects, fearing CAG
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MoEF proposes to set up system for granting forest approval
According to a draft policy released by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), a technology driven system would be set up for providing forest clearances to various projects. The draft policy pertains to the inspection, verification, monitoring and overall procedure for the grant of forest clearances. The policy includes a provision to set up an independent, remote-sensing, satellite-based monitoring system to detect encroachment and unauthorised chan
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SAIL to complete Rs 38 bn project by FY15
By 2014-15, state-run steel maker plans to complete its proposed Rs 3,800 crore environment protection-related projects at its iron ore mines, media reports indicate. The projects, which is part of the over Rs 10,000-crore modernisation and expansion programme, includes improvement in ore processing for zero discharge, minimising generation of tailings, reduction in use of water and land