Kartik Lokhande's blog

29-11-13 State ayes ‘confined’ field trials of transgenic crops in 28 cases * These crops include Wheat, Maize, and Cotton * One of the applications was submitted by city-based CICR for a cotton variety ‘Suraj’ converted into Bt version By Kartik Lokhande While debate over impact of introduction and adoption of transgenic crops in the country is still raging, Maharashtra Government has cleared field trials of several transgenic crops in at least 28 cases. Interestingly, one of these proposals is of Nagpur-based Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR). Following a heavy pressure mounted by NGOs and activists, Central Government had directed the agriculture input companies to seek ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the Governments in the States where they wanted to conduct field trials of their transgenic crops. In Maharashtra, there were no guidelines regarding issuance of NOC in such cases. As a result, Maharashtra Government formed a 10-membe...

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on 'Sunday Sundae' page on Sept 22, 2013 80 years ago, here came the Mahatma... In 1930, the Mahatma had addressed a huge gathering of people along the banks of Sabarmati river that he would not return to Sabarmati Ashram till India got ‘Swaraj’. In 1931, the second Round Table (Golmej) Conference with the British Government failed to yield positive results as far as Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of ‘Swaraj’ was concerned. During this period, the Mahatma was invited to Wardha (Maharashtra) and Bardoli (Gujarat). To awaken the masses and revamp rural economy, Mahatma Gandhi chose to move to Wardha. And, on September 23, 1933, he first came to Wardha. ‘The Hitavada’ revisits the story behind the Father of the Nation’s arrival at Wardha 80 years ago. By Kartik Lokhande “I have returned empty-handed but my hands are clean,” said Mahatma Gandhi while addressing a mammoth gathering at Mumbai on his return from the second Round Table C...

WRD concerned over protection of its immovable assets  * Asks its offices to appoint an officer to take care of estate management Staff Reporter Water Resources Department (WRD), like all other Government departments, has become concerned over management of its immovable assets across the State. Considering encroachments on its property at a few places, it has now asked offices to appoint an officer to take care of estate management. This is part of the State Government’s initiative of maintaining land records of various of its departments. As far as WRD is concerned, it acquires land for different irrigation projects. Besides, it has immovable assets in the form of colonies, godowns etc. Despite having such a huge land stock and constructed property in every district of the State, it did not have an officer dedicated to the task of keeping records in this regard. Of late, sources said, need was felt to ensure protection of immovable assets from encroachment. A...