Latest news with #BEE
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Letters to The Editor — June 20, 2025
Trump's claims United States President Donald Trump's repeated claims over Operation Sindoor are a clear indication that Mr. Trump is unsure of himself (Page 1, 'India will never accept a mediation: PM to Trump', June 29). The American President's claims are only a ploy to assume importance and proclaim that he is very influential in shaping world events. C.G. Kuriakose, Kothamangalam, Kerala The ideal setting We need to thank the central government for implementing a new rule standardising air-conditioner temperature between 20° C and 28° C. When air conditioners are set at unnecessarily low temperatures, they work harder, drawing more power, leading to higher bills and faster wear and tear. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), every 1° C increase in an air-conditioner set point can cut energy consumption by up to 6%. A modest adjustment in set points may seem inconsequential in the face of India's vast cooling challenge. Yet, when 'multiplied across millions of units in households and offices nationwide, it signals a quiet revolution — one that can help secure a cooler, greener, and more sustainable future for all. The government's move reflects the need to optimise our response in ways that are technically sound and socially just'. R. Sivakumar, Chennai Paddy procurement I am writing this letter to highlight the poor state of the paddy procurement management system in Bargarh district of Odisha. Farmers are facing numerous difficulties due to delays in procurement, the lack of transparency, and inadequate support from the authorities concerned. The situation is causing significant hardship to the farming community. Timely procurement is crucial for our livelihood, but the system is not running smoothly, resulting in financial losses and distress among farmers. Mukesh Kumar Sahu, Bijepur, Bargarh, Odisha
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Mantashe faces criticism over changes to mining law draft
Activists and experts have accused Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe of bowing to pressure from powerful mining companies. South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, is facing strong backlash over his recent changes to the draft Mineral Resources Development Bill. Critics say the revisions favour big mining interests at the expense of communities, the environment and the national push for economic transformation. Two key changes in the updated draft have sparked outrage. The first is the removal of the requirement for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) participation in applications for prospecting rights. The second is the scrapping of a clause that required ministerial approval when control of a listed company holding mining rights changes. Activists and experts have accused Mantashe of bowing to pressure from powerful mining companies. David van Wyk, a respected researcher in the field, questioned the minister's intentions. 'Prospecting is where it all begins,' Van Wyk said. 'Companies make millions by selling these rights after identifying valuable mineral deposits. Without BEE, transformation becomes just a word. And when companies change hands without any oversight, it makes it easy for them to dodge their environmental and social responsibilities.' Van Wyk also warned about the consequences of poor regulation in the sector. 'We already have more than six thousand abandoned mines in this country. These are environmental disasters, and the communities around them suffer the most. If the minister is not informed when ownership changes, there is no one to hold accountable when something goes wrong.' Christopher Rutledge, director of the organisation Mining Affected Communities in Action, said the changes show how the government has shifted its loyalty from people to business. 'The Bill's amendments are not about fixing technical errors. They are a political decision that turns away from the goals of transformation and accountability,' he said. Rutledge believes the removal of BEE requirements in prospecting is a deliberate decision to maintain control of the industry in the hands of the same elite. 'This ensures the same old faces keep control of the mineral wealth. It opens the door to secret deals, takeovers and asset sales, with no regard for the people on the ground or the environment.' He added that the state needs to play a far stronger role. 'Public ownership of minerals and the mining process is the way forward. The revenue should support a sovereign wealth fund that benefits all South Africans, not just a few. Right now, the state-owned mining company barely has a footprint in the sector, and no one knows how much has gone into the sovereign fund.' Trade union federation Cosatu has also raised concerns. Spokesperson Mathews Parks said the federation would engage with Mantashe to get clarity on the goals of the changes. 'Legislation must be aligned with economic transformation. We cannot afford to backtrack now.' Meanwhile, the Minerals Council South Africa has welcomed some parts of the draft but says more work is needed to support investment. Public comments on the Bill will close in August, but for now, the debate continues over whether the government is acting in the national interest or putting profits first.
News24
2 days ago
- Business
- News24
Starlink wants to provide free internet to over 5 000 rural schools in SA
Starlink has told government that BEE requirements, including 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups, was the main obstacle facing its operations in SA. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Concerns over Mantashe's changes to draft mineral resources bill
Mantashe's changes to mining legislation have provoked backlash for favouring the industry over public interest. Minerals and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe was lashed for omitting a requirement for Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) participation in applications for prospecting rights. Mantashe recently gazetted two corrections to the Draft Mineral Resources Development Bill and also nullified a provision for ministerial approval for change of control in listed companies that own mining rights. Mining expert David van Wyk asked why the minister backed down. Environmental concerns 'The prospecting companies make huge profits after prospecting reports are out. They sell the prospecting reports to the highest bidder. 'We have a serious problem with the change of control in listed companies. It is what ultimately allows mining companies to walk away from their environmental responsibilities and their responsibility to close and rehabilitate mines,' said Van Wyk. 'This is why we have more than 6 000 abandoned mines. When control of companies changes and the minister, as the custodian of the minerals which, according to the Act, belongs to the public, is not informed of these changes, he is unable to assign responsibility to the owners as he will not know who they are.' ALSO READ: 'Is it greed or jealousy?': Ramaphosa fires back at critics of BEE, Transformation Fund Call for state-led mining and revenue transparency The solution to the problems of environmental and social responsibility, as well as mine closure and rehabilitation, was to establish public ownership not just of the minerals in the ground, but also of the mining process and the extracted minerals, with the state as the custodian and the revenue accruing in a sovereign fund, Van Wyk said. South Africa does have a stateowned mining company and a sovereign fund, but the share of that company in the overall mining sector is minimal. There was no account of how much money has accrued in the sovereign fund since its inception, Van Wyk said. Christopher Rutledge, director at the Mining Affected Communities in Action, said the organisation was concerned. 'Pressure of elite interests' 'Following a mere signal of dissatisfaction from the mining sector, Mantashe swiftly amended the draft of the Bill, specifically the removal of the requirement for B-BBEE participation in prospecting rights and the omission of provisions for ministerial oversight of changes in control of listed companies holding rights. 'As we have previously warned, the main purpose of the Amendment Bill represents a further retreat from the constitutional mandate of transformation, accountability and justice for mining-affected communities. 'Rather than correcting the draft Bill, the minister has capitulated even further to the pressure of elite interests, in particular the Minerals Council South Africa, confirming the extent to which the state has aligned itself with industry over people.' Rutledge said the removal of BEE from the prospecting regime was not a technical correction, but a political decision to sell-out transformation. ALSO READ: Starlink proposal: Mashatile says Cabinet holds final say on policy changes Prospecting was the gateway to mining and excluding it from transformation requirements ensures the ownership and control of mineral resources remains concentrated in the hands of historical beneficiaries of apartheid-era privilege, he said. 'This opens the door to unchecked mergers, takeovers and asset stripping with no regard for affected communities, workers, or environmental responsibilities. We reject the illusion that deregulation is a form of reform,' Rutledge said. Industry engagements Union federation Cosatu spokesperson Mathews Parks said it was critical that legislation is in sync with B-BBEE to avoid contradictions. 'Cosatu will engage with the minister to get a better understanding of the objectives of the amendments.' Minerals Council South Africa Allan Seccombe said the organisation would continue to review the Bill and submit its perspectives by 13 August. 'The Bill in its current form does not encourage or sustain the growth and investment that the mining industry needs.' NOW READ: Cosatu says debate on B-BBEE is needed for beneciaries' benefit
Mint
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Govt discusses roadmap to implement stricter emission norms for four-wheelers
New Delhi: Several Indian ministries on Tuesday discussed the roadmap for implementing the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) III norms, set to take effect from 2032. The Union ministries of power, road transport, heavy industries, and petroleum met to strengthen the regulatory framework and reduce carbon emissions of four-wheeler vehicles, Union power minister Manohar Lal said on social media platform X. In June last year, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) rolled out the draft norms which would come into effect from 2032. BEE proposed stringent targets to cut automotive emissions, while emphasizing battery electric vehicles as key to its clean mobility drive. India's Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms are regulations aimed at improving the fuel economy of four-wheelers by limiting the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of an automaker's entire fleet of vehicles sold in a given financial year. They are a critical component of the government's efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, curb air pollution, and meet its climate goals. Indicating an intent to support low- and zero-emission technologies, BEE has also proposed incentives for carmakers to produce more battery EVs to avail higher fuel efficiency credits, even as EV sales volumes are stagnating. BEE has proposed 91.7 gm CO2 per km and 70 gm CO2/km in CAFE 3 and CAFE 4, respectively at WLTP (world harmonised light vehicles testing procedure). The current, operational CAFE-II norms came into effect in 2022. These norms are relevant for petrol, diesel, CNG (compressed natural gas), LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), hybrid and electric passenger vehicles. Vehicles covered under these norms include those having up to nine seats including the driver's seat and a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kg. Commercial vehicles with gross weight of 12 tonne or more are covered under separate fuel efficiency norms that were finalized in August 2017. Under the current CAFE-II norms, the cap on emission by passenger vehicles was pegged at 113 gm CO2 per km. It was brought down from 130 gm CO2 per km under CAFE-I norms, which had come into effect in 2017.
