New Delhi Nov 30 PTI The government on Tuesday said it has no proposal under consideration for the creation of a separate Vidarbha state out of MaharashtraUnion Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said this in Lok Sabha in reply to a question on whether any step has been taken or proposed to be taken by the government to carve out a separate Vidarbha state out of MaharashtraNo such proposal is under consideration with government he repliedThe minister said demands and representations are received from time to time from various individuals and organisations for the creation of new statesCreation of a new state has wide ramifications and has a direct bearing on the federal polity of our country Government takes a decision on the matter of formation of new states after taking into consideration all relevant factors and only when there is a broad consensus on the issue Rai said PTI ACB NSD NSD

New Delhi Oct 22 PTI To give further impetus to the city governments fight against pollution all sub-divisional magistrates SDMs have been directed to initiate an anti-cracker campaign in the city ahead of Diwali Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday He said all 33 SDMs will also engage with RWAs market associations and NGOs in their respective areas on October 28 and 29 to seek their participation in the fight against pollution and spread awareness about the governments efforts to reduce pollution He said the Delhi government has banned crackers in the city but there are still complaints that sale and purchase of crackers is happening We have directed all SDMs to launch an anti-cracker campaign in the city Along with police they will also be able to take action against sale and purchase of crackers We will also hold a meeting with the Delhi Police in this connection on October 25 Rai said He said SDMs have been told not to trouble the general public but only crack down on sale and purchase of crackers Besides SDMs have also been tasked with the public participation in the fight against pollution by holding mass awareness campaigns he said In their meeting with RWAs NGOs and market associations SDMs will also sensitise public about the Delhi governments winter action plan and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals three appeals to people in the fight against pollution Kejriwal had last week appealed people to actively participate in Red Light On Gadi Off campaign and also avoid using their cars at least for one day in a week He had also appealed to Delhiites to report any case of violation of pollution norms on the Green Delhi app In Delhi we have launched Green Delhi app Red Light On Gaadi Off campaign anti-dust drive spraying of bio-decomposer to battle pollution the fight against pollution can be made successful only with the help of public participation Rai said PTI AKM HDA