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Delhi’s Truck Drivers Voice Concerns Over Livelihood as  GRAP-III Restrictions Begin Amidst Rising Pollution Levels Truck Drivers Face Uncertain Future with GRAP-III As the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforces Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and the NCR, truck drivers are raising significant concerns over the impact of these new measures on their livelihoods. With restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, drivers fear an uncertain future, where loan repayments and daily expenses may become difficult to manage.  One truck driver voiced his apprehension, stating, “If our vehicles aren’t allowed into Delhi, how will we cover our expenses? We have EMIs to pay; where will the money come from?” Another driver acknowledged the importance of pollution control efforts but noted the hardships faced by those in the transportation sector. GRAP-III Measures: An Urgent Response to Severe Pollution Levels The enforcement of GRAP-II...

Supreme Court on Pollution and Health: "No Religion Encourages Activities that Harm Public Health" In a recent hearing addressing rising pollution levels in Delhi, particularly following Diwali celebrations, the Supreme Court of India underscored that the right to live in a pollution-free environment  is a fundamental right enshrined under Article 21  of the Indian Constitution. Highlighting that no religious doctrine advocates for activities that compromise public health, the Court questioned the lack of effective enforcement of the firecracker ban in the capital. Supreme Court’s Emphasis on Public Health Over Festive Pollution A bench led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih reiterated that every citizen has a fundamental right to health and a clean environment, which cannot be compromised by pollution-causing festivities. “No religion encourages any activity that creates pollution or harms health,” remarked the bench, stressing that pollution affects every...

Delhi High Court Ensures Safety for Animal Activist  Amid Dairy Colony Relocation Case In a significant move, the Delhi High Court has ordered the Delhi Police to provide protection to animal rights activist Sunayana Sibal, who played a crucial role in the court's decision to relocate dairies from Bhalswa to Ghogha. This decision was prompted by threats made against Sibal after she successfully petitioned the court, highlighting severe violations in the treatment of animals within these dairy colonies. Police Protection for Sunayana Sibal On August 23, 2024, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a thorough threat perception analysis for Sibal by August 27. This directive came after Sibal reported an attempted threat by two unidentified individuals from Madanpur Khadar, who visited her home in her absence. The court expressed grave concern over these threats, emphasizing that any intimidati...

Supreme Court Highlights Grave Solid Waste Management Crisis in Delhi The Supreme Court of India has expressed deep concern over the significant issue of untreated solid waste in Delhi, labeling it a "sorry state of affairs." The court emphasized the urgent need for a concrete solution, as the current projections indicate that no adequate facilities will be available to treat the 11,000 metric tonnes of solid waste generated daily in the national capital until 2027. Court's Directives and Concerns A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih directed the Centre to convene a meeting with the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), including its commissioner, to discuss immediate steps to avert a potential public health emergency. The bench highlighted that the untreated solid waste issue, if left unaddressed, could escalate into a severe health crisis for the city's residents. The court's observations followed an affida...

ED Arrests Sanjay Badaya in Connection with  Jal Jeevan Mission Scam in Rajasthan The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Sanjay Badaya on July 16 in connection with the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam in Rajasthan. Badaya, accused of playing a middleman in the scam, was taken into custody on Tuesday evening and later questioned at the ED's office in Jaipur. Ongoing Investigation and Previous Arrests Badaya's arrest marks the latest development in the ED's ongoing investigation into the JJM scam. So far, the ED has arrested three individuals in connection with the case. On June 19, Mahesh Mittal, a contractor, was apprehended as the third accused in the money laundering probe linked to the implementation of the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in Rajasthan. The ED's Jaipur Zonal office arrested Mittal under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Details of the Scam According to the ED, Mahesh Mittal and others were involved in bribi...

Supreme Court Seeks Status Report from Centre on  Suicide Prevention Efforts The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to file a status report detailing the measures taken by the Ministry of Health to prevent suicides in the country. The directive came from a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud during a hearing on Thursday. PIL Highlights Alarming Suicide Rates Among Adolescents The order was issued in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal. The petition highlighted a significant concern: more than 400 students under the age of 18 have died by suicide in Delhi alone between 2014 and 2018, as per RTI replies from the Delhi Police. Urgent Call for Action The Supreme Court recognized the gravity of the issue, particularly suicides among children, and instructed the Union Health Ministry to inform the court about the steps taken to address this pressing problem. The court has given the Centre four week...

Tamil Nadu: Death Toll Rises to 59 in Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy The death toll in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu has risen to 59 as of Tuesday, according to the district administration. This tragedy has highlighted the grave dangers of illicit liquor consumption and raised questions about the efficacy of state and central measures to prevent such incidents. Incident Overview The hooch tragedy, which began in Kallakurichi district, has seen victims from multiple locations: - Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital: 32 deaths - Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem: 20 deaths - Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital: 4 deaths - Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry: 3 deaths A total of 223 patients were admitted across four hospitals after consuming the illicit liquor, with many still undergoing treatment. Political Repercussions The tragedy has sparked signifi...

EAM Jaishankar Meets Mauritius Envoy to UN; Discusses a Range of Global Issues External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations, Jagdish Koonjul, on Monday. The meeting highlighted the enduring and robust relationship between India and Mauritius, with discussions covering a broad spectrum of global issues. Strengthening Bilateral Relations EAM Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the insightful discussions held with Ambassador Koonjul. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar remarked, "Glad to meet Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul of Mauritius. Appreciated our discussions on a range of global issues." The ties between India and Mauritius are rooted deeply in historical, demographic, and cultural connections. Indian-origin people make up nearly 70% of Mauritius' population of 1.2 million, underscoring the unique bond between the two nations. Recent Diplomatic Engagements In March, President Droupad...

Supreme Court Issues Notice to Centre and FSSAI on Overuse of Pesticides in Food The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the Centre and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding a plea raising concerns about the overuse of pesticides and other chemical insecticides in food crops and food items. This significant move comes as the country grapples with increasing health issues linked to the consumption of pesticide-laden foods. Bench and Ministries Involved A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notices to several key ministries: - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Ministry of Agriculture - FSSAI The Petition and Its Claims The petition, filed by environmentalist and lawyer Akash Vashishtha, highlights the alarming health risks associated with the widespread use of pesticides and chemical insecticides on food crops. Vas...