NEWS

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted searches at 19 premises in Mumbai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad in connection with a case of alleged illegal import of hazardous betel nuts, areca nuts and rotten nuts by evading customs duty.

The CBI has alleged this has caused a "huge loss" to the government, amounting to around Rs 15,000 crore annually.

The investigating agency said that on March 5, it registered a case against unknown customs officials and private persons following an order issued by the Bombay High Court in February directing a CBI investigation into the matter.

Khushal Sar lake in Kashmir’s summer capital of Srinagar has been revived after it turned into a cesspool in the past 30 years. The transformation was made possible by a collaboration of locals, environmentalists and the government.

Situated between Hawal and Zadibal in the Old City and part of a historic water circuit of lakes in Srinagar such as Dal, Nigeen, Gilsar and Anchar, Khushal Sar lake was covered with weeds, animal waste, plastics and sewage till three months ago while many of its sides had been encroached upon.

In late February, a local environmental organisation Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) took the initiative to clean the water body.

NCP president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (June 29) met Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray amid speculation in state political circles over differences in Maharashtra's ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance.
The meeting came amid rumours that Shiv Sena is considering a patch-up with the BJP, its ally of 35 years. Pawar drove to Varsha, the chief minister's official bungalow in the posh Malabar Hill area in south Mumbai and had a lengthy discussion with Thackeray, sources said. 

The meeting comes ahead of the two-day monsoon session of the state legislature, slated here from July 5. Shiv Sena on Tuesday issued a whip to party legislators to attend the entire two-day proceedings. There have been differing voices among MVA partners over handling of issues like Maratha quota and OBC reservations. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole recently said the alliance with the Sena has an expiry date and in the next polls, his party will fly solo. 

Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday asked officials to take strict action against those carrying out illegal mining in the state.

Thakur said that Swan River in Una district and Mand area in Kangra district were more prone to illegal mining. “To check illegal mining and transportation of mineral, the state government has established five check posts at Garget, Pandoga, Bathri, Polian and Mehatpur in Una district,” said the CM, adding that the government has decided to not allow mining lease within two kilometers from the limit of the municipal corporation and committees, 1 km from Nagar Panchayat without a no-objection certificate.

Similarly, no mining lease was being granted within 200m of any water supply and irrigation scheme and within 200-500m upstream and downstream of bridge, he said.