Latest news with #ASenthilVel


Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Bacterial contamination in potable water supply in Janakpuri: CPCB to NGT
New Delhi, The Central Pollution Control Board has informed the National Green Tribunal that several samples of tap water collected from Janakpuri homes were not potable as they showed contamination of coliform and E. coli bacteria. The NGT was hearing a plea of the Janakpuri A 1 Block Resident Welfare Association, which alleged the potable fresh water supply by Delhi Jal Board was contaminated with sewage, exposing residents to E. coli, hepatitis, urosepsis, typhoid, jaundice, cholera and even cancer. On May 14, the NGT rapped the DJB for not taking expeditious action and summoned its chief engineer. It had directed the CPCB to take samples from ten new and old locations each without informing any authority, including the DJB, and ordered the samples to be analysed expeditiously, particularly for faecal coliform and E. coli bacteria. On May 30, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said, "The CPCB has filed a report dated May 29, disclosing that 20 samples of tap water were collected from 20 houses, and six have failed the Bureau of Indian Standards showing the presence of total coliform and E. coli in these samples." The bench cited the CPCB's report, which said, "Out of the 20 samples of tap water collected from 20 houses in A-1 block Janakpuri, Total Coliform and E. coli have been detected in six samples. The drinking water standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards - IS 10500:2012 prescribe that total coliform and E. coli shall not be detected in a drinking water sample." The tribunal said the DJB's failure to remediate the serious concern of the residents was unfortunate. "This reflects that the officers of the DJB are taking the matter in a very casual manner. They need to be sensitive to the problem being faced by the residents of that area for want of a supply of clean drinking water," the bench said. The NGT was irked particularly given that DJB's chief engineer, Mukesh Kumar Jindal, had agreed to give an undertaking 'within three working days in the form of an affidavit that the problem will be remediated and it will be ensured that none of the residents get the supply of water having e-coli and total coliform". The DJB also had to ensure the supply of potable water to the residents through an alternate source. 'If the undertaking given before the tribunal is breached, then the person giving the undertaking will be held personally liable,' the NGT said. The CPCB was as a result ordered to take fresh samples and submit a report on the next hearing on July 16.


India Today
03-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
National Green Tribunal issues notice to Chennai collector over canal pollution
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Chennai District Collector and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, seeking their responses regarding pollution concerns in the Captain Cotton Canal in Tribunal was hearing a suo motu (initiated on its own, without formal complaint or petition from an external party) case concerning the Captain Cotton Canal, which has become severely clogged due to the widespread dumping of garbage and the discharge of untreated an order dated May 29, a bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said, "As per the news item, the situation becomes particularly dire at the stretch near Anderson Road, close to the Ayanavaram bus stand, where heaps of plastic waste and garbage severely impede the water flow." The report further highlighted the discharge of untreated raw sewage directly into the canal, worsening its condition and contributing to the degradation of the once-functional waterway.'The news item indicates violation of the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Solid Waste Management Rules and the Environment (Protection) Act,' the tribunal bench observed that the news report raised 'substantial issues' concerning compliance with environmental the tribunal added the Chennai District Collector and the Member Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board as parties to the case and directed: 'Issue notice to the above respondents for filing their response/reply.'advertisementThe matter has been scheduled to be heard before the NGT's Southern Zonal Bench in Chennai on August by Rahen Philip IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu


Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
National Green Tribunal asks Punjab to strengthen tree preservation policy
Chandigarh: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Punjab chief secretary to address the shortcomings in the state's existing tree preservation policy to effectively prevent illegal felling of trees, especially on private land. The directive from a bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member Dr A Senthil Vel came during a hearing on a complaint regarding the illegal cutting of standing green trees in a residential colony in Jalandhar. During the proceedings, the tribunal examined the 'Tree Preservation Policy for Non-Forest Govt and Public Land, 2024' and observed that significant gaps remained in its scope. Specifically, the policy does not extend to trees standing on private land. In an earlier hearing, the tribunal summoned the Punjab chief secretary to appear virtually to clarify the legal framework regulating the felling of trees on non-forest land in the state. Appearing before the bench, the chief secretary acknowledged the critical importance of tree preservation and affirmed the state's responsibility to safeguard trees on all types of land. However, he admitted that Punjab currently lacked a legislative framework to effectively deter and penalise illegal tree felling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo The chief secretary assured the tribunal that the state govt would initiate the process of drafting and presenting a bill in the next legislative session and sought six months' time to complete the process. The applicant, meanwhile, raised several concerns about the 2024 policy and its implementation. These included the absence of a formal grievance redressal mechanism, lack of clarity on where complaints regarding illegal tree cutting should be lodged, and the non-existence of a tree census in the urban areas. It was pointed out that tree felling often takes place at night, allowing the violators to escape accountability. Further, municipal bodies reportedly lack any data on existing tree cover in their jurisdictions, making detection of illegal activity nearly impossible. The applicant also flagged issues such as the concretisation of tree bases, deliberate burning of garbage at tree roots to weaken them, and the absence of any system to ensure compensatory plantation for trees lost during thunderstorms or other natural events. Concerns were also raised over the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) carrying out indiscriminate tree felling. According to the applicant, over 100 trees are cut across the state every day, yet no punitive action is taken, exacerbating Punjab's already low tree cover – one of the lowest in the country. The NGT noted that the chief secretary was expected to consider these concerns and ensure that appropriate protective, punitive, and remedial measures were undertaken. The chief secretary has also been directed to file a progress report or an action taken report before the next date of hearing, scheduled for Oct 10. MSID:: 121575069 413 |


India Today
01-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Notice to Centre on tobacco manufacturers 'flouting' plastic waste management rules
The National Green Tribunal has sought a reply from the Centre regarding the strict enforcement of the Plastic Waste Management Rules by the manufacturers of gutkha, pan masala and tobacco products.A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the submissions of the petitioner's counsel that in October 2021, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued certain directions to 25 such manufacturers, including immediately closing down operations until they switched to environmentally sound alternatives, which were not complied bench, in its order dated May 30, noted that according to the counsel, Anuj Aggarwal, certain provisions of the plastic waste management rules were being flouted. These included the clause that "sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala" and "plastic material, in any form including vinyl acetate, maleic acid, vinyl chloride copolymer (used in plastic coating) shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms", the bench also noted the submission that these manufacturers were not complying with the Extended Producers' Responsibility (EPR) regime under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which stipulated environmentally sound management of products, particularly at the end of their life the proceedings, the advocate also told the tribunal that no action had been taken against these manufacturers despite the EPR regime specifying consequences for non-compliance, including seizure of products, closure of units and tribunal said, "The original application (OA) raises substantial issues relating to compliance with environmental norms. Issue notice to the respondents."It posted the matter for further proceedings on September respondents in the matter are the Centre, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and some pan masala and supari Watch


News18
01-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Flouting of rules by pan masala manufacturers: NGT issues notice to Centre
Last Updated: New Delhi, Jun 1 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has sought a reply from the Centre regarding the strict enforcement of the Plastic Waste Management Rules by the manufacturers of gutkha, pan masala and tobacco products. A bench of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel noted the submissions of the petitioner's counsel that in October 2021, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued certain directions to 25 such manufacturers, including immediately closing down operations until they switched to environmentally sound alternatives, which were not complied with. The bench, in its order dated May 30, noted that according to the counsel, Anuj Aggarwal, certain provisions of the plastic waste management rules were being flouted. These included the clause that 'sachets using plastic material shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala" and 'plastic material, in any form including vinyl acetate, maleic acid, vinyl chloride copolymer (used in plastic coating) shall not be used in any package for packaging gutkha, pan masala and tobacco in all forms", the bench noted. It also noted the submission that these manufacturers were not complying with the Extended Producers' Responsibility (EPR) regime under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which stipulated environmentally sound management of products, particularly at the end of their life cycle. During the proceedings, the advocate also told the tribunal that no action had been taken against these manufacturers despite the EPR regime specifying consequences for non-compliance, including seizure of products, closure of units and penalties. The respondents in the matter are the Centre, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and some pan masala and supari manufacturers. PTI MNR RHL First Published: June 01, 2025, 18:45 IST