New rules for housing board

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has decided to formulate its own housing rules.

The new rules will be a modification of the erstwhile Bihar Housing Board Rules, which have been amended to suit the purpose of the Jharkhand Housing Board.

The draft of the rules have been sent to the law department. Several technical problems related to auction and sale of properties by the board have been simplified. The board also plans to construct a shopping complex at one of its vacant properties, sources said.

The sources said the anti-encroachment drive conducted by the board will continue. According to the amended rules, an officer of the rank of sub-divisional magistrate would be appointed to accelerate the drive.

Court order on flyover

Ranchi: Jharkhand High Court has taken exception to an affidavit filed by Konkan railway authorities before the division bench of Chief Justice P.K.I.Balasubramanyan and Justice Tapen Sen on Wednesday which states that the proposed flyover will not be constructed on the broad gauge near Shyamli Colony.

The affidavit has been filed following a public interest litigation by Vivek Kumar Singh in which he urged the court to direct the Konkan railway authorities to immediately construct the flyover on the narrow and broad gauge near Shyamli Colony.

The court has directed the railway authorities to file another affidavit explaining why constructing of the flyover on the broad gauge has been stopped. The case will be heard on December 16.

College on protest path

Ranchi: Ranchi Women’s College (RWC) Teachers’ Association has criticised the behaviour of some guardians after the principal of the college issued a notice expelling students who have not been attending classes regularly.

The association has condemned the act of a guardian who behaved rudely with the college authorities after his ward was expelled. The association has complained to the Ranchi University registrar in this regard and has demanded security for the teachers of the college.

Language plea

Ranchi: The Jharkhand Bangabhashi Samiti will stage a demonstration on November 24 in front of the Jamshedpur commissioner’s office to press for its demand for second language status for Bengali. Samiti general secretary Barun Kumar Saha said Bengalis comprise 42 per cent of the population in the state and so their demand for second language status is justified.

Convention

Ranchi: The Ranchi chapter of the Institution of Engineers will host the 19th National Convention of Civil Engineers slated from November 22 in the capital. As many as 51 technical papers will be discussed at the convention. The topic of the seminar will be “Role of Civil Engineering in Poverty Alleviation”. Former engineer-in-chief C.K. Singh said an exhibition on civil engineering will also be organised. Central Road Research Institute director P.K. Sikdar will

address the gathering and deliver the K.L. Rao memorial lecture. The seminar will comprise four technical sessions which will be addressed by engineers of national repute, said Singh.

HC on pollution

Ranchi: From now on Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board will be able to initiate criminal proceedings against those found guilty of flouting environment norms.

Jharkhand High Court on Thursday passed an order directing the board to file criminal cases against individuals and institutions which do not take measures to stop pollution despite notices and reminders. The direction was given by the division bench of Chief Justice P.K.I. Balasubramanyan and Justice Tapen Sen while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Rakesh Jha.

Suggestions

Jamshedpur: Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) has suggested to Union railway minister Nitish Kumar ways to improve services in the region. The suggestions include, introduction of trains from Bokaro to Bangalore and Mumbai, express trains between Bokaro and Howrah, conversion of Howrah-Ranchi Shatabdi into Jan Shatabdi and extension of Howrah-Purulia Express to Bokaro steel city. The BCCI said trains from Dhanbad like Black Diamond Express and Coal Field Express might start from Bokaro.

Hundreds of people gathered near Nawadih on Thursday to pay their last respects to Pappu Prasad who died in counter insurgency operations in Anantnag. Prasad joined the Indo-Tibetan Border police force in 2001. His body will be cremated on Friday.