Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann thanked farmers for accepting the ban and staying away from the water-guzzling paddy variety Pusa-44. But convincing them about the larger public good is a work-in-progress.
Increasing population, urbanisation and concretisation cited as reasons for depletion in cities. Delhi, Jaipur & Hyderabad among cities severely affected by water contamination.
According to latest Central Ground Water Board report, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan fall in 'over-exploited' range, while Delhi is in 'critical' range. Agriculture biggest consumer.
In draft guidelines to regulate groundwater, Modi govt has advised states to bring in suitable water pricing policy and review free or subsidised electricity to agriculture sector.
Panel set up by NGT in August to suggest measures to rein in illegal groundwater extraction is yet to come up with its report. Deadline ends this month.
From Mughal ports to Dutch wars to Bombay’s merchant dynasties, Gujarati Muslims once shaped the Indian Ocean world — long before one of their descendants took New York.
Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.
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