‘Grateful to him’: Residents of Chhattisgarh as PM Modi inaugurates new Assembly building in Nava Raipur

New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court’s crucial suo motu hearing on issues relating to the definition of the Aravalli Hills, scheduled for Monday, is expected to address concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile range in light of the government’s commitments.

As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, and Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih will hear the suo motu writ petition titled “In Re: Definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges and Ancillary Issues” on December 29.

The Supreme Court has taken up the issue on its own motion amid growing concerns over the protection of the ecologically fragile Aravalli range and the government’s repeated assurance to protect it.

In a decisive move to curb illegal mining and strengthen ecological protection, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has directed state governments to impose a “complete ban” on granting any new mining leases in the Aravallis.

The Ministry said the prohibition will apply uniformly across the Aravalli landscape, covering the mountain range from Delhi to Gujarat. It underscored that the objective is to “preserve the integrity of the range as a continuous geological ridge” and to put an end to unregulated mining activities.

Further tightening the conservation framework, the MoEFCC has instructed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) to identify additional areas and zones across the entire Aravalli range where mining must be prohibited, over and above the areas already restricted by the Centre.

In a related development, Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday wrote to Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, raising serious concerns over the recent redefinition of the Aravalli Hills.

He claimed that the new definition restricts their classification to landforms with an elevation of 100 metres or more.

Sharing the letter on the social media platform X on Sunday, Ramesh said, “Here is my most recent letter to the Union Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change asking four-pointed questions on the disastrous redefinition of the Aravallis.”

In the letter dated December 28, the Congress leader flagged what he described as widespread concerns over the new definition and sought clarity from the minister by posing four specific questions. Addressing Minister Yadav, he wrote: “There are understandably widespread concerns with the re-definition of the Aravalli Hills that restrict them to landforms having an elevation of 100 meters or more. In this connection, please permit me to raise four specific questions for your consideration.”

–IANS

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Jammu, June 7 (IANS) An Army officer was killed during the ongoing anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, which entered its 15th day on Sunday.

Officials said that the officer made the supreme sacrifice while performing operational duties during an ongoing anti-terror operation in the district.

Lieutenant Beereshwar Goswami lost his life after reportedly slipping into a deep gorge in the rugged forest area of Manjakote, where security forces have been conducting a massive anti-terror operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sheruwali’, to trace suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in the region.

Officials said the young officer was part of the joint security team engaged in the operation, which has now entered its 15th day.

The incident occurred amid extremely challenging conditions, including steep mountainous terrain, dense forests and difficult weather conditions.

Despite immediate rescue efforts launched by fellow troops and accompanying teams, Lieutenant Goswami succumbed to the injuries sustained in the fall.

Paying tribute to the fallen officer, Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps expressed profound grief over the loss.

In a statement, the Corps said, “GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks express profound grief on the untimely demise of Lieutenant Beereshwar Goswami, who made the supreme sacrifice while undertaking operational duties. “His unwavering devotion to duty, indomitable spirit and selfless service to the Nation will remain an enduring inspiration to all ranks.”

The Army also conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile, officials said the anti-terror operation in the Manjakote area of Rajouri district is continuing with the joint forces maintaining an extensive search and cordon to track down the terrorists suspected to be operating in the area.

The sacrifice of Lieutenant Beereshwar Goswami has once again underscored the immense challenges faced by security forces while safeguarding the nation’s security in difficult and hostile terrains.

An anti-terror operation code-named ‘Operation Sheruwali’ was started 15 days back when an Army patrol party was fired upon by terrorists in the Dorimal Mughlan forests of Rajouri district.

Additional reinforcements were rushed to the area, and the joint forces brought a large area under the cordon & search operation (CASO). The operation is now underway.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 14 (IANS) As Maharashtra heads to elections on Thursday for 29 municipal corporations, BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay has expressed confidence that the next mayor of Mumbai will be from the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday, Upadhyay said the alliance has made its stand clear regarding leadership in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

“Our leaders, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, have announced at Shiv Tirth that Mumbai’s mayor will be from the Mahayuti alliance. The mayor will be a Hindu and a Marathi. Our position is clear about who will lead Mumbai, and we have officially informed the people of the city about this,” he said.

Upadhyay further claimed that the opposition would fail to secure even a municipal president’s post in the state.

Referring to past political assertions by opposition parties, he said, “During the Maharashtra elections, the opposition claimed that they would form the government and even projected several leaders as Chief Ministerial candidates. In the Lok Sabha elections, almost every opposition leader was even dreaming of becoming the Prime Minister. However, none of those ambitions materialised. They could not form either the state government or the central government, and now they will not even get a municipal president in Maharashtra.”

He added that the results of the ongoing civic polls would soon clarify the political picture in Mumbai.

“There are only 24 hours left for voting. After polling ends on January 16 and the counting is completed, it will become clear who will be Mumbai’s mayor,” he said.

Meanwhile, campaigning for elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra concluded on Tuesday, setting the stage for an intense political contest, particularly in Mumbai. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is making a strong push for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which is facing a tough challenge from a united Thackeray front.

Voting will take place across 893 wards on January 15 to elect representatives for 2,869 seats. More than 3.48 crore eligible voters are expected to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates. Counting of votes is scheduled for January 16. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led the Mahayuti campaign, touring large parts of the state along with Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

The election holds added significance as it is the first BMC poll since the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, which had ruled the civic body for 25 years before the division. The campaign also witnessed a notable political development, with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray reuniting after two decades in a bid to consolidate the Marathi vote.

–IANS

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