RAIPUR, Dec 26 (Agencies): Chhattisgarh's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government said on Saturday it would now only provide government-owned or barren land for setting up new industrial units, instead of agricultural land.
"Industries are very essential for social and economic development of the state as well as ensuring jobs to local people but we will provide either government-owned or barren land for the industrial units coming up," Chief Minister Raman Singh told reporters.
He said that his government would soon start identifying such government-owned and barren land across the state.
"In the process of industrialisation, the government is committed to fully take care of farmers' interests and will give all kind of support to agriculture-based industries in larger interests of the farmers," Singh said.
The announcement assumes major significance against the backdrop of several industrial projects in the state being stuck for years as the government is finding it tough to complete acquisition of land for the purpose.
Even Tata Steel and Essar Steel that signed deals with state government in 2005 for five million tonnes per annum (MTPA) plant and 3.2 MTPA plant respectively have not been able to start their projects due to farmers' protests in mineral-rich Bastar region, where these factories were due to come up.
Singh, who took oath on December 12 for the second term in a row as Chief Minister, said his government would focus on infrastructure development, ensuring food security and containing migration of poor people who leave annually in large numbers for other states in search of jobs.
Temperature falls in North India; Delhi chills at 6.5 degree Celsius NEW DELHI, Dec 26 (Agencies): It was another chilly morning for Delhiites on Saturday as minimum temperature hovered around six degree Celsius for the second consecutive day.
The mercury was at a minimum of 6.5 degree Celsius, up by 0.1 degrees from yesterday, this morning which is one degree below normal temperature at this time of year, the Indian Meteorological Department said here.
The season's lowest temperature of 6.4 degree Celsius was recorded yesterday.
The MeT department predicted another colder day for the denizens with maximum and minimum temperature hovering around 23 and seven degree Celsius respectively.
"Current meteorological analysis suggest that there will be no significant change in minimum temperature in the next two-three days," a senior MeT Department official said.
According to the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), the minimum temperature will be around eight degree Celsius for the next three days.
While the maximum for tomorrow is predicted at 22 degrees, the NCMRWF said, the minimum will be eight degrees.
On December 29 and 30, the minimum will be nine and eight degree Celsius respectively while the maximum will be 21 and 22 degrees respectively.
Compared to last December, it is more warmer this time with minimum hovering above five degrees Celsius.
Last year, many days in December witnessed minimum temperature plummeting below five degree Celsius.
Last year, the coldest day in December was recorded on 29th when mercury dipped to 3.9 degree Celsius.
The coldest day for the month was recorded on December 26, 1945 when the minimum tempe Murder case High court awards life imprisonment to accused JAMMU, Dec 27 (JNF): State high court today awarded life imprisonment to an accused Ashwani Kumar alias Bittu of Tarlokpur who was facing trial in a case of murder and attempt to murder since October 30, 2000.
While awarding life imprisonment to accused Ashwani Kumar alias Bittu, 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu Puneet Gupta after hearing Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Harpal Singh observed that accused targeted the victim Anju Devi since she was yet to recover fully from the shock after she saw her brother in an injured condition.
Court further observed that it is immaterial whether the victim received a bullet injury at the verandah or was fired upon after she had fallen on the ground adding that in either case, the accused is to be held responsible for the murder of Anju Devi.
Court agreed with the submission of the prosecution but was unable to agree with the argument of learned counsel for the accused on this point and held accused guilty for the commission of offence under Section 302/307 RPC and awarded life imprisonment and fine Rs 5000 under section 302 RPC and five years imprisonment under section 307 RPC and fine Rs 1000.
Court also held the accused liable to suffer imprisonment for a period of five years and fine Rs 1000 under section 27 of Arms Act.
Court clarified that all the sentences shall run concurrently.
According to the prosecution case, information was received from the PCR Jammu to Police post Pouni Chak that one Rakesh Kumar alias Ganju has been admitted at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.
Police recorded the statement of Rakesh Kumar who alleged that on October 30, 2000 while he was standing outside the house, one Ashwani Kumar who harboured enmity with him came there and started abusing him.
Thereafter, with an intention to kill him, Ashwani allegedly fired a bullet which hit him on the left shoulder and in the meantime his father, brother Satpal and other persons came on spot.
Ashwani Kumar attacked them also with the butt of the rifle and then fled away from the spot.
He returned alongwith some persons and came in the Verandah of the house.
In the meanwhile, sister of the complainant Anju Devi also came in the Verandah and on seeing the condition of the complainant fell on the ground.
The complainant alleged that Ashwani Kumar fired at her sister from the roof of the house of the complainant with an intention to kill her.
The bullet hit below the chest of Anju Devi.
Complainant has further alleged that Anju Devi was shifted to GMC (Jammu) in serious condition.
The victim had later on succumbed to injuries on the same day.
The usual investigation took place which resulted into presentation of challan against accused Ashwani Kumar under Section 302/307 RPC.
The reason leading to the occurrence is stated to be that the accused wanted to marry with the other sister of the complainant Rakesh Kumar and Victim Anju Devi, which was objected by the family of the victims, as the accused is Tarkhan and the complainants are Brahman.
