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Orissa: Land woes halt Vedanta University
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Published on :
Wednesday, September 08, 2010 |
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The Vedanta University project in Puri is practically a closed chapter. Agarwal had signed the MOU with the Orissa Government in 2006. If it had come into existence, it would have been in par with Harvard and Oxford Universities. Now, Vedanta has shifted the staff working on it to other locations. Anil Agarwal Foundation has acquired 4,500 acres of the 6,892 acres allotted to it, but it was unable to possess it as of local opposition, reports The Indian Express. |
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The Indian middle class has begun to care
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Published on :
Saturday, August 28, 2010 |
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The Indian middle class has been market friendly for the past one decade. Many of them realize that decaded of Socialism had held us back, and growth rates shot up after the economic reforms of the early 90's. People are better off than ever. But, the middle class has begun to care for the other sections of the society, who are robbed off their land by the state. Indian democracy will work only when we look out for others too, writes Vir Sanghvi in Hindustan Times. |
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It's land, stupid
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Published on :
Thursday, August 19, 2010 |
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India is least liberalized in three areas-land, liquor and learning, and it has resulted in bigger problems in all these areas. The revolt against land acquisitions is a revolt against the Indian state. It has exacerbated inequality and deprives the poor of their land. The deal the poor gets depends on the wealth of the state they live in. Monetary compensation and the promise of jobs won't work that way for several reasons. Political parties have a vested interest in keeping these issues alive, writes Pratap Bhanu Mehta in The Indian Express. |
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Kerala: Indigenous tribes protesting against land acquisition since the 1930s
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Published on :
Friday, August 13, 2010 |
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Kurumthala Rangamoopan in Attappady says the land which belonged to his tribesmen were usurped by the authorities for setting up a sugar company. The displacement of indigenous people by large commercial projects has led to armed struggles in many parts of the country including Attappady. There are tribal organizations which demand restoration of land to tribals, reports Mint. |
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Orissa: POSCO steel project 5 year delay due to land and environmental issues
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Published on :
Thursday, August 12, 2010 |
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In 2005,chairman and CEO of Posco, the world’s fourth largest steel company, Ku Taek Lee, decided to sign India’s biggest ever foreign direct investment deal of Rs 54,000 crore with the Orissa government.The Government was excited over the fact it is going to do good to the image of Orissa.But, the Ministry of Environment and Forests prevented the violation of Forest Rights Act by the Government. The rights of forest land dwellers should be settled, said the MOEF. |
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Chhatisgarh: Public sector NDMC acquires 1768 acres for Rs 90 cr, project cost Rs 14,000 cr
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Published on :
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 |
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Chhatisgarh public sector NMDC today said it has acquired land for its Rs 14,000 crore upcoming steel plant in the tribal-dominated region of Chhattisgarh in 10 months. It is a record, NMDC said. 1,788 acres of land were acquired. The company wishes to start construction work in the calendar year 2010, reports Business Standard. |
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Companies urged to include land and community issues in their CSR
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Published on :
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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The Government wants to enforce some voluntary norms in the name of corporate social responsibility. These norms were released last december. This should be seen in the light of the recent Satyam scam, the protests against corporate land acquisition and the more recent Bhopal case verdict.The norms will prescribe how companies should lobby, the kind of development agenda they should support, and how consumer rights must be defended. This would be resisted, especially the affirmative action part, writes Pragya Singh in Outlook. |
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NTC To Raise Rs. 5000 Crores Through Land Sales
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Published on :
Monday, August 09, 2010 |
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The National Textile Corporation expects to raise Rs. 5000 crore through sales of it land. It has raised Rs. 1,505 crore through the same of an 8.39 acre plot in Mumbai, in the biggest real estate deal in the history of India. The sale was through an e-auction which brings in more transparency and fair play. NTC, a loss making entity, is likely to make profits this year, writes Shanu A. |
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New mining bill proposes 26% equity for tribals, companies oppose
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Published on :
Wednesday, August 04, 2010 |
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The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act put forward makes it mandatory to allot 26% of the shares to local population. The MMDRA addresses the problem of land acquisition too. Tribals form a small part of the population, but most of the displacement activities have affected them. The industry is vigorously opposing the The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, writes Sudha Ramachandran in Asia Times. |
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