Jamnagar Industries – visited by Parliamentary standing committee

Jamnagar District Refinery Industries like Reliance, and EssarVadinar Oil Terminal of IOC visited by 20 member standing committee of the Parliament.

On 18th July, the committee headed by Subbarami Reddy, comprised senior officials of Ministry of Environment and Forest, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Ecology Commission and Parliament secretariat visited these refineries.

It was to obtain the first-hand view of how the mega operations take place in the coastal area and how companies dealing with hydro-carbons and petrochemicals observe and maintain the standards of safety and environment protection.

Chairman of the committee stated in a release.

Discussion on measures to check the pollution, energy efficiency meeting took place during the meeting.

The committee emphasized and advised to all Jamnagar industries, dealing with hydrocarbons and petrochemicals, to maintain high standards and norms of safety and environment while conducting the world class operations.

Parimal Nathwani, Group President (Corporate Affairs) of Reliance Industry and P K Kapil, Director of RIL, held talks with the committee.

Gujarat BJP MLA Dr Kanu Kalsaria - invited Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi

For 11th September, BJP MLA Dr Kanu Kalsaria has invited Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi to be the chief guest at the launch of his 10-day cycle rally in Mahuva Town Bhavnagar District.

Purpose Behind this event - to spread awareness among locals on how arbitrary allotment of land in coastal areas — from Dwarka Mandir to Jamnagar City - has created salinity problem.

At end of two day Padyatra Kalsaria said that, “I will be very happy if Rahul comes and addresses the launch of the cycle rally.’

Asked as to why he has invited Rahul and not any other leader fighting for the farmers’ rights, the Mahuva MLA said the move intends to send a message to the Center that it should not give green signal to any project without conducting an in-depth study of the project’s possible impact on the local environment and population. He said that a proposed alumina project at Anjar would destroy the environment.

This is not the first time that Rahul’s support has been sought. During the protest against the proposed cement plant by Nirma, he and fellow protesters, including former state finance minister Sanat Mehta, had sought the Congress leader’s intervention.

“My only plan is to work for the welfare of people, particularly the rural population. They are suffering owing to arbitrary allotment of agricultural and government land for industrial purposes,” he said.

He has already ordered purchase of 500 cycles, with donations from locals, to be distributed among the rallyists. Another 500, he said, would join on their own cycles.

Bhavnagar Jagannath Rath Yatra 2011 – 26th June rolled out on Sunday

Even as the 26th Jaganath Yatra in Bhavnagar is all set to roll out in on Sunday in the city, it is all decked up for the auspicious occasion.

Bhavnagar rath yatra is the second-largest procession in the state after that of Ahmedabad.

Security has been beefed in Bhavnagar for the 17-km long religious procession. Deputy inspector general of police (DIG), B K Shreemali, Junagadh range is camping in the city.

"We have made all the preparations for the rath yatra.

There will be 100 trucks, five jeeps, 15 chhakdas, various mandlis from the region, six horses, five elephants and members of the akhada who will demonstrate various skills during the day-long yatra,'' said Harubhai Gondaliya, president of Jaganath Rathyatra Mahotsav Samiti. He further said that for the first time a van showcasing the history and importance of Somnath temple will also be part of the yatra.

About five lakh devotees are expected to converge on the entire route of the yatra during the day in Bhavnagar. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the yatra's smooth passage. Police and other security forces have carried out a flag march on the route.

"There are in total 4,000 security personnel deployed on the rath yatra route.

Eleven deputy superintendent of police, 30 police inspectors, 100 sub-inspectors, 1,500 home guards jawans, 2,000 constables, six companies of SRP and two companies of Rapid Action Force have been pressed into service,'' said B K Shreemali, DIG, Junagadh range.

"We have erected 12 watch towers in sensitive areas in order to keep a vigil. In addition, the route will also be videographed. We have put barricades at various places along the route. Two DSPs have been assigned to keep a tight vigil on the main rath." Shreemali said.

The yatra will begin on Sunday morning at 8 am from Bhagvaneswar Mahadev Temple in Subhashnagar and pass through Ghogha Circle, Rupani Circle, Devarajnagar, Radha Mandir, Marine Society, Nilam Baug Chowk, Nirmal Nagar, Jasonath Chowk, Haluriya and Khar Gate among others.

"We have made a list of people who might disturb the peace in the city; if anything goes wrong, we may detain them. But it is all for preventive measures,'' the DIG said adding, "However, there has been no untoward incident reported during last one decade during the rath yatra.''

Earlier, a blood camp was organized by the committee and 350 bottle of blood was collected.

Nyari Dam Rajkot City – overflows for this season “Good News”

Because of heavy good rainfall, few days ago, Nyari Dam which is almost main water supply for Rajkot City overflowed

Rajkot Municipal Corporation Chief Engineer Vijay Unadakat said that,"Presently, Nyari dam has 986 MCMFT water against it capacity of 944 MCMFT.''

Apart from Nyari, Aji dam and Bhadar dam, too, received a good inflow of fresh water which is provide drinking water for Rajkot.

The rain figures, as reported by the flood control room officials, are: Dhoraji (15 mm), (20 mm), TalajaUna (10 mm), Visavadar (10 mm) and Amreli (7 mm).

Manavadar Village (Junagadh Taluko) had received heavy rainfall over 12 inch (more than 300 mm) rainfall before few days ago.

Junagadh District room officials said that the situation is now normal and no casualty has been reported as rain stopped.