2013 will remain embedded in the memory of the nation as the year which saw Uttarakhand suffer the worst natural calamity in its history - a deluge which left over a thousand dead and thousands missing and washed away countless villages, roads and bridges dealing a fatal blow to tourism, the mainstay of the hill state`s economy.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Central Division RDC Arvind Padhee and Cuttack District Magistrate Girish S N today began a joint enquiry into the `relief loot` allegations against some ruling BJD corporators of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
A "green approach" to development, including replanting of trees at least 100 metres away from river banks could minimise the human tragedy of the kind that hit Uttarakhand, an environmental expert says.
In view of rising number of deaths due to sunstroke in the state, the Orissa Government has again moved the Centre to declare these deaths as natural
calamity so that higher compensation could be paid.