Pondicherry

Feb 27 2002

Pondicherry

Agriculture Minister Namasivayam today said Rs 1.5 crore would be disbursed as compensation to farmers at the rate of Rs 3,750 per hectare of paddy lost last month during rains in the Karaikal region.

The amount would be disbursed next month he said here.

No more permission for steel, chemical units in Pondicherry... CM

PONDY

FEB 28 2002

Pondicherry's Chief Minister, N. Rangasamy, has said no more permission will be granted for steel or chemical industries in the Union Territory.

Distributing a grant of Rs.1,000 each to 40 science clubs functioning in the schools on the occasion of the National Science Day, organised by the Department of Science Technology and Environment in the Kanchi Mamuni PG Studies Centre here today, he said the Govt was keen on protecting the environment and preserving the sub-soil water. The Dept of Science Technology and Environment had taken steps to keep a vigil on the industries with a view to preventing them damaging the environment and water sources.

Mr. Rangasamy said a science centre would be opened soon and a mobile science unit pressed into service, so that the people and students in rural areas would be able to know the advancements in science.

The Chief Minister said the PASIC was going ahead with a project to produce wealth from waste. It was producing organic manure from garbage and solid waste. Steps would be taken to procure scientific journals and make them available to the students to enable them to hone their scientific skills.

He also gave away prizes to students who won in various contests held as part of the celebrations.

G Narendrakumar, Secretary, Industries department, and chairman of the Pondicherry Pollution Control Committee, said the waste generated by the cooperative sugar mills here and the government distillery was planned to be used for production of bio energy. The industries should minimise waste generation.