Latest news with #ofReference
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Bombay HC dismisses 2 PILs against Lloyds Metals
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has dismissed two public interest litigations (PILs) challenging the grant of permission to the capacity expansion of the Surjagarh iron ore mines of Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd (LMEL) in Gadchiroli. While the PILs were quashed on May 9, the order copy was uploaded on June 19. The high court found both the PILs to be without merit. The PILs filed by Samarjeet Chatterjee, a mining contractor from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, alleged that the process of environmental clearance (EC) granted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for expansion of mining capacity from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 10 MTPA and further Terms of Reference (ToR) towards expansion from 10 MTPA to 26 MTPA were 'illegal'. The division bench comprising Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri observed that 'the complete procedure based on the ToR is followed,' and found that both the PILs were devoid of merit. The petitioner also alleged that the public hearing was conducted at a place far away from the project site. The court observed, 'The fact remains that in compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment notification dated May 29, 2006, as amended on December 01, 2009, a public hearing was conducted at the [Gadchiroli] District Headquarters, which is perhaps properly secured in view of the Naxal menace.' The counsel for the respondents submitted that the petitioner has no locus standi, and since he never attended the public hearing conducted by the collector at the district headquarters, he lost the opportunity to question the legality of the orders impugned in these PILs. Further, the counsel submitted that the initial EC was granted in 2005-06 after the hearing conducted by the collector at the very same place, and the said hearing was never questioned by the petitioner for the last 20 years. The counsel added that the EC for 10 MTPA was issued by the MoEF&CC under strict compliance with and adherence to the provisions of the EIA Notification dated May 29, 2006 and the SOP issued by the ministry. Though the public hearing was conducted at Gadchiroli district headquarters on the recommendation of the Police Department as the project site fell within the Naxal-affected area, all the locals were given due opportunity to present their say on the mining project, the court observed. The high court further stated that the courts should be sensitive and careful to the fact that the petitioner should not be allowed to indulge in making wild and reckless allegations. Since the petitioner stated that his annual income was Rs 4-5 lakh, the court observed, 'We fail to understand as to what is the source of expenses incurred by the petitioner as there is a serious doubt about his bona fides also'. With due observations, the high court dismissed both the PILs without costs.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Uttam urges Centre to bin AP's proposal for ToR for Polavaram
Hyderabad: State Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav urging the ministry to reject the proposal for Terms of Reference (ToR) sought by Andhra Pradesh for the modified Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP). The minister alleged that the AP government's actions represent consistent violations of environmental clearances and tribunal allocations, calling them detrimental to riparian interests and legally untenable. In his letter on Monday, Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that Andhra Pradesh has carried out massive deviations in both the Krishna and Godavari basins by enlarging the scope of several components of the PIP, in violation of the permissions accorded by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award (GWDTA) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). He recalled that the Polavaram project originally received Environmental Clearance from MoEF under letter No. J-12011/74/2005-IA-1 dated October 25, 2005. However, the Andhra Pradesh government later implemented extensive changes without obtaining fresh clearance, prompting the Ministry to issue a 'Stop Work Order' on February 8, 2011. Although the order was issued due to the unapproved changes in the project's scope, it was kept in abeyance and has been repeatedly extended, most recently until July 2, 2026. This allowed the works to continue despite objections raised not only by Telangana but also by Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The Minister further pointed out that the Polavaram project, after being granted 'National Project' status by the Government of India, continues to receive reimbursement of expenditures, but only for components that were approved under the original scope. 'Yet the AP government has proceeded with major infrastructural modifications,' he wrote. Uttam Kumar Reddy referred to the Supreme Court's order dated September 6, 2022, which clearly observed that 'there are some technically reports available but more may be required depending on the expansion of the project. Similarly, the issue of the environmental clearances would also have to be addressed.' The Court had also suggested that the Minister of Jal Shakti and MoEF&CC play a pioneering role by convening a meeting of all stakeholders to resolve the contentious issues. In his communication, the Minister warned that AP has gone far beyond the approved project parameters. 'The connectivity to draw water from the head sluice of the Polavaram Right Main Canal (PIPRMC) is now being designed for 40,000 cusecs, while the original design was for 20,000 cusecs. Twin tunnels, each with a discharge capacity of 20,000 cusecs, are under execution, and the infrastructure at the headworks has already been created accordingly,' he pointed out. The Minister strongly urged the ministry not to undertake any appraisal of the Andhra Pradesh government's project proposal in the forthcoming meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). 'In view of all the above, especially in the interest of justice, it is requested to not to undertake any appraisal of this project proposal and outrightly reject the grant of ToR in the upcoming meeting of EAC,' he concluded.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Uttam urges Centre not to allow modifications to Polavaram
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav urging the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to reject the proposal for Terms of Reference (ToR) sought by Andhra Pradesh for the modified Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP). He alleged that the AP government's actions represent consistent violations of environmental clearances and tribunal allocations, calling them detrimental to riparian interests and legally untenable. In his letter on Monday, Mr. Uttam stated that Andhra Pradesh has carried out massive deviations in both the Krishna and Godavari basins by enlarging the scope of several components of the PIP, in violation of the permissions accorded by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award (GWDTA) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). He recalled that the Polavaram project originally received Environmental Clearance from MoEF under letter No. J-12011/74/2005-IA-1 dated October 25, 2005. However, the Andhra Pradesh government later implemented extensive changes without obtaining fresh clearance, prompting the Ministry to issue a 'Stop Work Order' on February 8, 2011. Although the order was issued due to the unapproved changes in the project's scope, it was kept in abeyance and has been repeatedly extended, most recently until July 2, 2026. This allowed the works to continue despite objections raised not only by Telangana but also by Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The Minister further pointed out that the Polavaram project, after being granted 'National Project' status by the government of India, continues to receive reimbursement of expenditures, but only for components that were approved under the original scope. 'Yet the AP government has proceeded with major infrastructural modifications,' he wrote. Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy referred to the Supreme Court's order dated September 6, 2022, which clearly observed that 'there are some technical reports available but more may be required depending on the expansion of the project. Similarly, the issue of the environmental clearances would also have to be addressed.' The Court had also suggested that the Minister of Jal Shakti and MoEF&CC play a pioneering role by convening a meeting of all stakeholders to resolve the contentious issues. In his communication, the Minister warned that AP has gone far beyond the approved project parameters. 'The connectivity to draw water from the head sluice of the Polavaram Right Main Canal (PIPRMC) is now being designed for 40,000 cusecs, while the original design was for 20,000 cusecs. Twin tunnels, each with a discharge capacity of 20,000 cusecs, are under execution, and the infrastructure at the headworks has already been created accordingly,' he pointed out. He added that the PIPRMC is being executed with a drawal capacity of 17,560 cusecs against the DPR-approved 11,654 cusecs. Similarly, the Polavaram Left Main Canal (PIPLMC) is being constructed with the same 17,560 cusecs capacity, though only 8,123 cusecs were originally approved. He stressed that these changes in drawal capacities and the 'extensive alterations in the dimensional features of the project components' amount to a complete redesign of the project, undertaken without requisite clearances or approvals. The Minister strongly urged the MoEF&CC not to undertake any appraisal of the Andhra Pradesh government's project proposal in the forthcoming meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC). 'In view of all the above, especially in the interest of justice, it is requested not to undertake any appraisal of this project proposal and outrightly reject the grant of ToR in the upcoming meeting of EAC,' he concluded.
Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Sigachi Industries update on its upcoming Orvakal project
Sigachi Industries has received the Terms of Reference (ToR) from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Andhra Pradesh for its upcoming Bulk Drugs, Drug Intermediates, and Specialty Chemicals facility at Orvakal, Kurnool District. This strategic project is proposed over 25.09 acres at Plot No. A-10, Guttapadu-Orvakal Node. The facility falls under Category B1, aligned with Schedule 5(f) of the EIA Notification, 2006, applicable to the Synthetic Organic Chemicals sector. With the Terms of Reference now in place, the Environmental Clearance (EC) process is set to commence from 15th July 2025, followed by project development activities beginning from 1st August 2025.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
8th Pay Commission salary hike may miss January 2026 deadline: Will it impact fitment factor calculation?
Why the 8th Pay Commission might be delayed beyond January 2026? Live Events Fitment factor Dearness Allowance (DA) to be merged with basic pay Pensioners may see revised benefits What government employees should prepare for For nearly 35 lakh central government employees and over 67 lakh pensioners, the 8th Pay Commission has become a source of speculation. With growing chatter around possible pay hikes and revised pension benefits, expectations are soaring. Despite the excitement, there's still no official word from the government on when the 8th Pay Commission will be constituted, leaving many in employee unions have begun voicing concern over the delay, urging the government to form the Commission well in advance to ensure timely implementation and reduce uncertainty for both employees and 7th Pay Commission, which came into effect in January 2016, was announced nearly two years prior, in February 2014. That timeline gave enough room for report submission, cabinet approval, and a timely rollout. However, as of mid-2025, the 8th Pay Commission is yet to be formed, and the crucial Terms of Reference (ToR), which define the scope and goals of the commission, haven't been finalised officials have confirmed that internal discussions are underway, but given the pace of bureaucratic processes, the rollout may stretch well beyond the expected January 1, 2026 timeline. Even if the Commission is announced by the end of this year, historical patterns indicate a gap of 18-24 months before the recommendations are ready for implementation. At this pace, the hike might only materialise by late 2026 or early to the delay are fiscal constraints, with the government balancing welfare spending, election promises, and fiscal deficit targets. A generous hike could significantly strain the exchequer, prompting policymakers to tread carefully.A major part of the salary revision hinges on the fitment factor, Fitment factor is the number used to recalculate an employee's basic salary. In the 7th Pay Commission, this was set at 2.57, raising the minimum pay from Rs 7,000 to Rs 18,000. Going by the views expressed by various experts 8th Pay Commission could recommend a fitment factor between 2.5 and 2.86. "Considering the inflation factor, there are indications that the fitment factor may stay between 2.5- 2.8 times, which will give a significant boost to employee salaries between Rs 40,000 and Rs 45,000," says Krishnendu Chatterjee, Vice President at the top-end 2.86 figure is accepted, the minimum basic salary could climb to over Rs 51,000. However, due to its fiscal implications, such a steep hike may be challenging. A 2.6x to 2.7x hike appears to be more likely, providing a significant increase while keeping the government's finances in fitment factor for the 7th Pay Commission was 2.57 and the minimum basic salary was hiked to Rs 18,000 from Rs 7,000. For the 6th Pay Commission, the fitment factor was 1.86 and the minimum basic salary was raised from Rs 2,750 to Rs 7, likely shift is the merger of the Dearness Allowance with the basic salary. Currently pegged at around 55% effective from January 2025, DA helps offset the impact of inflation and is revised twice in a year. Before the effective date of 8th Pay Commission early next year, there is one more DA hike is due to be announced in coming months which will be effective from July 2025. When a new Pay Commission is implemented, DA accumulated up to that point is typically merged into the revised basic this increases the overall salary package, it also means future DA hikes start from zero. Employees will see a rise in gross salary and related allowances, such as HRA and transport, but may also experience low DA in the near term. However, a higher base salary will mean that each DA hike will mean a higher increase in implementation of the 8th Pay Commission is not only being eagerly awaited by salaried employees. Nearly 67 lakh government pensioners are also impacted by any revision in the pay scale. Previous Pay Commissions have included changes in pension calculation formulas and benefits, and similar adjustments are expected this time as merger of Dearness Relief (DR) into basic pension also affects pensioners, as their payouts are tied to similar structures. Any revision in the base figures could significantly alter monthly pension employees' associations have echoed the concerns of serving staff, pushing for greater clarity from the government on how pension recalculations will be carried out in the new the uncertainty, a few things seem inevitable. A revised pay structure is coming, but it may take longer than expected. The eventual hike could push minimum salaries up to Rs 40,000 - Rs 45,000, with pension adjustments following suit. DA will reset, but higher allowances may offset the initial flattening in salary government staff would do well to temper expectations, at least in terms of timing. The gains could be significant, but the road to them may be more drawn out than previous 8th Pay Commission is aimed to deliver significant financial changes for government employees and pensioners. Yet, the pace of bureaucracy, pending approvals, and fiscal balancing may delay the implementation beyond the earlier-set target of January 2026.
