New Delhi: The government has asked states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bihar to set up grain procuring infrastructure to increase lifting from the farmers so that requirement for the proposed food security law could be met. The Food Corporation of India, chairman and managing director, Siraj Hussain said state-level procuring agencies can help in arranging sufficient credit facilities for carrying out grain purchase activities without depending on the Central government.

women working in mining or stone crushing units often give opium to their infants to keep them quiet while they are working.
JAIPUR: A report prepared by a few NGOs on child labour in Rajasthan has claimed that women working in mining or stone crushing units often give opium to their infants to keep them quiet while they are working.

Rajasthan will soon accord the bio-diversity rich Jawai Bandh forests in Pali district the status of a conservation reserve. The rich forests and the water bodies along the Jawai dam in Sumerpur tehsil have a large presence of crocodiles. The wildlife census in 2011 had put their number at 288.

AJMER: The forest department has on its hands the task of finding the number of remaining Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the state bird, to chalk out a conservation plan for them. The census will be carried out on February 14 to know the area and number of birds in Ajmer, Baran and Jaisalmer divisions. At present, the bird, which is found only in the Indian subcontinent, is included in the endangered species list.

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan high court has taken a serious note of illegal mining taking place in the state on a largescale, especially in the green belts and has constituted a special investigation team headed by Justice K S Choudhary, a former judge of Rajasthan High Court.

"The special investigation team constituted by the court has been asked to file a detailed report and visit sites of mining in the state.

To promote the use solar energy in the state Rajasthan government has issued orders to use the solar water heating system in the certain categories of buildings. Despite the mandatory provision with strict penalties there are hardly any takers for it, flouting the rules blatantly.

In a bid to give a much needed boost to distribution reforms, the power ministry has launched an ambitious action plan.

It will revise Case I and Case II standard bid documents (SBDs), introduce a rating methodology of utilities to enable them get loans, provide a reform-linked interest subsidy to utilities and promote distribution franchises to reduce aggregate transmission and commercial (AT&C) losses.

JAIPUR: Jay Naidoo, chair of the GAIN Board, South Africa said 60 million children in India are malnourished, which is higher than the total population of South Africa.

Naidoo was in the city at the launch of fortified wheat flour and fortified edible oil for sale in open market. He said, "Around 60% of India's total population is living below poverty line. These people are dependant on the government. So, government plays important role in the fight against malnutrition as it passes laws, regulations and policies. These people need high quality food rich in folic acid, iron and Vitamin A."

JAIPUR: The state government will receive Rs 630 crore as loan from French Development Agency (AFD) for Jodhpur water supply project, which is estimated to cost Rs 740 crore. The project aims to augment and extend the present system for meeting the water demand of Jodhpur city till 2029.

An MoU regarding this was signed between joint secretary, economic affairs, ministry of finance Prabodh Saxena and additional chief secretary PHED, government of Rajasthan in the presence of French Ambassador Francois Richier on Thursday in New Delhi.