The Justice M B Shah Commission set up by the Ministry of Mines may have been prematurely discontinued, but its substantial impact in the early stages and interim findings clearly point to what its final report may hold. Kanchi Kohli reports.

Per Supreme Court's order without environment clearance mining of sand is prohibited across the country but as Kanchi Kohli reports reality is different. Illegal sand mining is on rise to meet the increasing demand of the construction industry and impacting the ecosystem of our rivers and communities depending on the river.

Around the country tribal communities are fighting against the mining companies, whose operations have threaten their livelihoods and ecosystem. The Kashipur movement to protect Baphlimali in Odisha is a classic example. Unfortunately, this too, like many other protests, saw merciless suppression and gross violation of human rights, reports Abhijit Mohanty.

Despite numerous prohibitions and regulations, sand mining continues rapidly on the riverbed of the Bharathapuzha. Water tables have dropped dramatically, and a land once known for its plentiful rice harvest now faces scarcity of water, as locals are split between conservation and livelihood. Deepa A reports.

Two years after being appointed to the National Advisory Council, Aruna Roy has decided to decline a new term. While expressing happiness over some of the work the NAC has been able to do in the past, she now believes that the space for the advisory body to function as a forum for public consultation has diminished.

A new notification from the ministry lays out a process by which illegal units can be granted clearance and “brought into compliance” within the next six months. Manju Menon and Kanchi Kohli report.

Do district level and local media play a critical role in development journalism? In a two-part series The Hoot.org takes a closer look at Mirzapur's media.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the Trump administration supports a plan to send checks to Americans, likely within the next two weeks, to mitigate household and business interruptions caused by the spread of the new coronavirus. Photo: Evan Vucci/Associated Press

If he shall not do so today, can Dr Manmohan Singh ever push reforms and infrastructure initiatives?

Narendra Modi, who posted a resounding victory in the assembly elections, will be sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister for the fourth time on December 26.

Tripura's proclaimed progress in ensuring high attendance and sufficient numbers of teachers doesn't stand up to scrutiny. There are many holes in the numbers as well as quality. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

Both the Ministry of Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Environment and Forests appear loath to pay attention to the potential environmental impact of small hydel power projects in the country. Parineeta Dandekar underlines the shortcomings in the official stance towards such projects.

The recent government crackdown on Greenpeace in particular, and the activism sector in general, reeks of arbitrariness and illegitimacy, says Ashish Kothari in a scathing critique. The question is will the people give in to the state’s tactics?

Thus far, MoEF has only been negligent in safeguarding the environment, but now it proposes to do away with even the need to do so. The new draft notification from the ministry has obligingly confined itself to facilitating new investments, and ignored all other stakeholder voices, writes Kanchi Kohli.

Media reports following the two-day Accountants’ General conference have focused largely on the observations and advice on CAG audits by the Finance Minister and the PAC chairman. Himanshu Upadhyaya wonders if such a meet cannot be evolved into a more citizen-focused and constructive exercise.

Dr C S Lakshmi, the eminent Tamil feminist writer, who writes under the pen name Ambai, has been a researcher in women’s studies for the last several decades, and is also the Founder Trustee of Sound & Picture Archives for Research on Women (SPARROW), that has undertaken several oral history projects. She speaks to Pratibha Umashankar about issues concerning women.

The hike in defence spending is one of the reasons Budget 2004 did not do enough justification for development expenditure, says Pavan Nair.

The Sustainable Development Framework has captured the feedback of civil society and communities about mining-related damages, but the draft regulations for mining don't reflect this understanding, writes Kannan Kasturi.

The Dhanbad and Jharia regions in Jharkhand, noted for rampant coal mining and related operations, face grave environmental issues due to dumping of pollutant by-products from coal washeries. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports after a visit to Dhanbad.

The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court has found illegalities in central government clearances to Sterlite Industries' bauxite mining project in Orissa. The committee has recommended (to the apex court) against diversion of forestlands for the project. Kanchi Kohli reports.

Rejection of regularisation of mines operating beyond lease areas, and compensation for other violations being used for tribal welfare are among the recommendations of a recent report on mining in the state. Kanchi Kohli places the key points in context.

The shift in the Central Government’s policy regarding the pricing and allocation of foodgrains has severely impacted Kerala’s Public Distribution System, which had for long been hailed as a fine model in the country. M Suchitra reports.

The rape of a schizophrenic girl at NIMHANS reveals a wide gap between the rhetoric and reality of mental health care in India.

Did you know a cell phone in a moving car emits significantly greater radiation, half of which could be absorbed by the brain while talking? A renowned epidemiologist from the US warns users of this and other cell-phone related hazards in the course of her recent talks in India. Darryl D’Monte reports.

On 31 December 2005, the curtains are set to come down on the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd's long disputed mining operations in the protected Kudremukh National Park. But ensuring an end to mining in one of the most stunning landscapes of the country has not been easy. Pavithra Sankaran provides a telling narrative.

On 31 December 2005, the curtains are set to come down on the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd's long disputed mining operations in the protected Kudremukh National Park. But ensuring an end to mining in one of the most stunning landscapes of the country has not been easy. Pavithra Sankaran provides a telling narrative.

Neither the protections of law nor interventions by the Supreme Court have ensured adequate minimum wages for the jobs performed by tens of millions of unorganised workers. Kathyayini Chamaraj reports on a recent survey by a Bangalore-based group showing how far below fair standards these workers have been pushed.

A long history of questionable practices in the mining industry catches up with its practitioners, landing the whole affair in the Supreme Court. Kanchi Kohli reports.

Proposals for mining in the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve are pending at New Delhi for environmental clearance. Conservationists have warned against proceeding, while the state's politicians are for the mining. Jaideep Hardikar digs deeper.

'क्राउचिंग टाइगर हिडन ड्रैगन, ब्रोकबैक माउंटेन और लाइफ ऑफ़ पाय' जैसी फिल्म बनाने वाले डायरेक्टर से इतनी बोरिंग फिल्म की उम्मीद नहीं थी.

The pending 29 subjects of the CBSE Board exams will be conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2020, announced ministry of human resource development (MHRD) on Friday. The Class X Board exams for six subjects will be conducted only for the students of North East Delhi which were suspended due to the riots earlier this year. The date sheet will be announced shortly.

The body of a 40-year-old woman from Masaliya block area of the district is lying in a local morgue since May 3, as local authorities are yet to get reports of her swab samples.

Covid-19: 3390 new cases and 1273 recoveries in last 24 hours, says Health Ministry

10th, 12th CBSE exams to be held from July 1-15: HRD Minister

Home Minister asks CM Mamata Banerjee to arrange for return of migrant Bengal workers

Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Thursday accused Donald Trump's administration of undermining efforts towards a two-state solution, a day after the US president said he would unveil a new Middle East peace plan.

The final report of the task force on NIP for 2019-2025 suggested steps like deepening bond markets, setting up of development financial institutions and land monetisation to meet the funding needs,

PM Narendra Modi, who held discussions with Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman, on Friday held meetings with different ministries including civil aviation, labour and power.

Imposition of anti-dumping duty is permissible under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime. India and China are members of this Geneva-based organisation, which deals with global trade norms.

The nomination inviting process usually begins in April but was pushed back due to Covid-19 lockdown and now, the final date of submission has been fixed at June 3.

The global charity run also saw over 400 Indians running for the noble cause raising over 1250 Euros.

Kiren Rijiju said coronavirus has changed everything and sports need to be conducted in a new way

Watch Asha Negi-Sharman Joshi's romance in Baarish S2, or Mark Ruffalo deal with a schizophrenic twin in I Know This Much Is True.

A finance ministry task force acknowledged stress in the telecom sector and said the SC judgement mandating companies to pay around Rs 1.35 lakh crore.

While T20 World Cup is scheduled for an October 18 start, India's tour of Australia will begin with a T20 tri-series in October and end with a four-match Test series in December.

When asked if cricket might lose its competitive edge in such an atmosphere Stokes, 28, said that even without fans the players would still be going out to win.

At no point in the film, the audience gets a grip of the story or why it’s told one more time. Directed by Ang Lee, Gemini Man stars Will Smith in the lead role.

If you need a break from crime and thrillers, Out of Love should be accommodated on your watchlist before year end.