1. Three Lions Run Over by Train in Gujarat
Three lions died after they were hit by a goods train near the Gir forest in Gujarat's Amreli district, around 250 kms from here, an official said Tuesday. The incident occurred near Borala village in Savarkundla taluka when a pride of six lions was walking along the railway track passing from the village, which is located near the Gir Forest.
“A goods train, headed to Pipavav port from Botad, hit three of six lions of the pride during midnight, which led to the death of two lions and a lioness”, Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh wildlife circle, D T Vasavada told PTI. He said an enquiry has been ordered by the Gujarat Forest department.
With the latest incident, the number of lions, including cubs, having died in and around the Gir forest since September this year, has reached 35.
(Source: PTI)
2. 5 States React Positively to Land Offered at Statue of Unity
Five states have showed interest in the land offered by the Gujarat Government for token rates near Statue of Unity, inviting all states to set up Tourism Bhavans there. State government has invited all 29 states in India to build their Tourism Bhavans near Statue of Unity.
According to a state government official, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Nagaland and Maharashtra have responded positively and are pursuing the offer further. A government delegation led by senior ministers had visited several states during September and October and made an offer and sent them reminders as well.
According to an officer close to the development around 2,000 square meters of land have been offered to all states with a common design for the bhavan, but with the liberty to showcase their cultural identity.
(Source: The Times of India)
3. Guj Govt Signs MoUs for Projects Worth Rs 3,710 Cr
On Tuesday, the Gujarat Government signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Sanghi Industries Limited, Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Limited (GHCL) and Mahansaria Tyres Private Limited for their projects resulting in an aggregate investment of Rs 3,710 crore.
Sanghi industries plans to invest Rs 1,500 crore to expand their plant’s capacity in Kutch from 4 million tonne to 8.6 million tonnes. GHCL will invest Rs 550 Crore for setting up salt and marine chemical plants in Kutch. GHCL also plans to expand its soda ash manufacturing unit at Gir Somnath by investing Rs 600 crore.
Meanwhile Mahansaria Tyres will invest Rs 1,060 crores in Bharuch to set up a project to manufacture tyres, tubes and other rubber products.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. Caught Drunk in Dry Gujarat? Plead Guilty
Recently, the courts proved that pleading guilty is in the interest of tipplers who were caught drinking by the cops. Almost all tipplers who were caught drinking begged for leniency citing ‘poverty’ and promise in court never to drink again.
Those who pleaded guilty were indeed shown leniency on a day when a host of prohibition cases were heard by courts across Gujarat on the day of ‘Lok Adalat’. The Court awarded minimum punishment- sitting in the court till evening and a fine of Rs 300-500.
The courts cited an order passed by the Gujarat High Court’s Justice JN Bhatt which stated that minimum punishment should be imposed on such remorseful offenders to save court’s time and reduce pendency.
(Source: The Times of India)
5. Activists Up Demand for Minority Rights, Institutions
Under the aegis of Minority Coordination Committee, Gujarat, a group of activists gathered in Gandhinagar to demand for ensuring fundamental rights for the minority population in Gujarat, through agitation.
The committee’s convenor, Mujahid Nafis, addressed the gathering at Satyagrah Chhavni, and said that there is no mechanism in Gujarat for protection and development of minority communities. There is no ministry for minority affairs, a minority commission or any concrete measures taken in the budget that cater to the 11.5 percent minorities living in the state.
The activists have demanded for a minority commission in the state calling the absence of the commission as a clear discrimination against minorities .
(Source: The Times of India)
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