Check posts would be set up on Odisha-Jharkhand border to stop illegal mining of iron ore, officials said here today after a meeting of the top officials of the two States.

“Illegal mining has been taking place on revenue and forest land in Manki-Munda command in the bordering areas of the two States. Check posts will be set up within a month,” the Jharkhand Home Secretary, Mr J.B. Tubid, said after the meeting.

“The check posts would be set up to curb illegal transportation of iron ore and identifying routes to carry minerals,” he said.

Taking strong exception to Kerala’s reported “unilateral” action in ordering real time monitoring of Mullaperiyar Dam along with the Centre without Tamil Nadu’s consent, the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, today slammed it as a “blatant violation” of the principle of federalism and constitutional framework.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, she referred to reports of Kerala deciding “unilaterally” to install real time monitoring system for water build up, calling it yet another attempt to exacerbate fears in Kerala about its safety.

With the European Union facing global flak over imposition of a green tax on all aircraft flying in its skies, world airlines’ body IATA has warned European airlines of “retaliatory action” by non-EU nations if a global solution was not arrived at soon.

Farmers always wonder how the price of produce shoots up the moment it leaves their hands. The crop in their hands is quoted below the MSP (minimum support price). A week or two later, prices in the secondary and tertiary markets skyrocket, leaving fruits of their labour somewhere else.

Andhra Pradesh will request a Central assistance of Rs 3,006 crore towards drought relief according to the revised norms, the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, has said.

While seeking liberal assistance, the Chief Minister told a nine-member Central team that the State would send a revised request soon. The team had visited the affected districts and met the Chief Minister and various Government officials today at the Secretariat.

He also said the State Government sought Rs 120 a quintal as bonus towards MSP for foodgrains.

The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) favours re-opening of mines categorised as A and B in Karnataka.

“The Supreme Court has stopped all iron ore mines in Karnataka. We understand that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has now finished the survey of all mines and classified them into A B and C categories. We are hopeful that at least the mines in A and B categories be allowed to open,” said Mr Basant Poddar, Chairman, Fimi-South.

The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) said Bellary district administration has misled ICFRE team on impact of mining in the district.

“The Bellary district administration held the mining industry responsible for lower agriculture productivity during 2003-2010,” said Mr D.V. Pichamuthu, Director, Fimi-South.

“However, the official figures show that during this entire period, the rainfall was below normal except for one year,” he explained.

The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) has suggested to the Government to take up feasibility study of underground mining in Karnataka's Western Ghats. In addition to 2.16 billion tonnes of haematite ore deposits in Karnataka, there is magnetite ore to the tune of 7.8 billion tonnes. “Fimi is ready to support feasibility study between northern boundary of Bababudan Giri hills in Kudremukh up to Goa,” Mr Basant Poddar, Chairman, Fimi-South. “Underground mining is successfully working beneath Johannesburg in South Africa and Stockholm in Sweden.

The Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 115.94 crore (2011 price level), will undertake rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of critically damaged channels of the State’s irrigation network, a Plan panel release said.

The global community plans to send individual letters to the European Union protesting its decision to implement the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) on airlines operating to the 27-nation bloc.

Official sources told Business Line that with more than 100 protest notes extending from the US to India landing at its doorsteps, there will be added pressure on the EU to take note and some action taken.