Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh recently announced that the government plans to release the first round of “green” gross domestic product (GDP) data for India by around 2015. While details on the methodology and data sources to be used in the proposed metric remain relatively sparse, the Central Statistical Organisation is reported to have started preparation of a national database to estimate the costs of environmental degradation associated with GDP growth.
Complete article in this can be found at http://epw.in/epw/uploads/articles/14201.pdf
(I only pray that announcements are strongly supported by actual actions. Recently India has announced emission reduction targets, but I dont see initiation for initiating actions! I strongly believe that mere technology is inadequate to effect any substantial reduction in emission. It needs fundamental changes in our lifestyles and how we look at 'economy'- - - Amen!)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Indian government revises air quality norms
When Indian governments do not want to act, they make an act !!!
Anyway, so much, so good ! Here is the good news:
In a major move to check air pollution, the government on Wednesday revised its norms, putting in place uniform standards for residential and industrial areas. The new guidelines, which came after a gap of 15 years, have been prepared after considering those of the European Union. The norms of World Health Organisation has been considered.
The revised guidelines have added five more hazardous chemicals in the list of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for monitoring.
They are Ozone, Arsenic, Nickel, Benzene and Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP).
The government had notified the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 1994 under the Air Act.
The review of the NAAQS and inclusion of new parameters was carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, Ramesh said.
The revised standards will be applicable uniformly with the exception of stringent standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide in the ecologically sensitive areas.
The previous standards for residential areas have been uniformly applied for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and ammonia.
More stringent limits for Lead, Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide have been prescribed even for residential areas.
The CPCB will create a roadmap for the generation and maintenance of a database and monitoring of required infrastructure.
The government will also develop additional support system of enforcement such as National Environment Protection Authority and the National Green Tribunal to ensure effective enforcement of standards
Anyway, so much, so good ! Here is the good news:
In a major move to check air pollution, the government on Wednesday revised its norms, putting in place uniform standards for residential and industrial areas. The new guidelines, which came after a gap of 15 years, have been prepared after considering those of the European Union. The norms of World Health Organisation has been considered.
The revised guidelines have added five more hazardous chemicals in the list of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for monitoring.
They are Ozone, Arsenic, Nickel, Benzene and Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP).
The government had notified the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in 1994 under the Air Act.
The review of the NAAQS and inclusion of new parameters was carried out by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, Ramesh said.
The revised standards will be applicable uniformly with the exception of stringent standards for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide in the ecologically sensitive areas.
The previous standards for residential areas have been uniformly applied for fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and ammonia.
More stringent limits for Lead, Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulphur Dioxide have been prescribed even for residential areas.
The CPCB will create a roadmap for the generation and maintenance of a database and monitoring of required infrastructure.
The government will also develop additional support system of enforcement such as National Environment Protection Authority and the National Green Tribunal to ensure effective enforcement of standards
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Constitution bench to decide if courts can frame laws: Supreme Court of India
Amidst wide spread corruption in polity, beurocracy and overall society, the judiciary is left as the last resort of the hapless law abiding citizens. Though not completely beyond doubts, it still carry substantial faith in the minds of people. This has put tremendous pressure on judiciary to to expand its gambit. Its been called to offer verdict on issues which have no reason to be brought inside courtrooms. Some of the judicial decisions in such context drew criticism and gave rise to the term 'judicial activism'.
This is an interesting on this issue. Apex court in its earlier decision had framed guidelines for election of students' unions in colleges and universities. This decision was being reviwed by a 2-judge bench. This bench rejected the argument of Solicitor General, who is amicus cureau in the matter, that such directions could be passed to meet pressing social needs. The bench referred the amtter to a five-judge Constitution bench on the crucial question as to whether courts can frame and implement laws which are under the exclusive domain of the legislature and the executive.
The bench said the issue needs to be examined by a Constitution bench as it involved "questions of grave Constitutional importance."
The issues to be examined by the Constitution Bench are--Whether the interim order of the apex court on 22nd September directing implementation of the Lyngdoh Committee report was valid,
Second, whether it amounted to judicial legislation.
Third, whether judiciary can legislate and, if so, what is the permissible limit.
And fourth, whether judiciary can cite pressing social problems to pass such judicial directions
- taken from www.ddinews.gov.in
This is an interesting on this issue. Apex court in its earlier decision had framed guidelines for election of students' unions in colleges and universities. This decision was being reviwed by a 2-judge bench. This bench rejected the argument of Solicitor General, who is amicus cureau in the matter, that such directions could be passed to meet pressing social needs. The bench referred the amtter to a five-judge Constitution bench on the crucial question as to whether courts can frame and implement laws which are under the exclusive domain of the legislature and the executive.
The bench said the issue needs to be examined by a Constitution bench as it involved "questions of grave Constitutional importance."
The issues to be examined by the Constitution Bench are--Whether the interim order of the apex court on 22nd September directing implementation of the Lyngdoh Committee report was valid,
Second, whether it amounted to judicial legislation.
Third, whether judiciary can legislate and, if so, what is the permissible limit.
And fourth, whether judiciary can cite pressing social problems to pass such judicial directions
- taken from www.ddinews.gov.in
Monday, October 19, 2009
UNESCO to put up list of genuine and accredited universities on its website
In a novel step to check mushrooming of fake educational institutions, UNESCO has decided to include in its website names of genuine and accredited institutes of all countries.
About 30 countries, mostly Europeans nations, have already provided the list of their accredited institutes to UNESCO which has displayed them in its website, a UNESCO official said.
India has decided to provide its list of accredited institutes to the UNESCO by next month. HRD Ministry has entrusted the work to Education Consultancy India Ltd (EdCIL) to coordinate with the UNESCO in this venture.
The students can verify from the UNESCO list whether an institute is genuine or not.
"Now, we have given the list of genuine institutes of 30 countries. In next few months, accredited institutes from 60 countries, including those from India, will find their names in the list," the UNESCO official said.
The UNESCO is also preparing a set of criteria that can help students identify fake institutions.
The official said there is no accurate data about the number of fake institutions operating across the globe, offering higher education.
"But majority of them claim to be offering education in distant mode. Once our criteria are put in the website, students will be able to differentiate between genuine and fake institutions," he said.
The trend is very rampant in the US. About two lakh students are issued fake degrees by these institutions every year in the US alone, he said.
The fake institutes are duping a huge number of students in India every year, government sources said.
About 30 countries, mostly Europeans nations, have already provided the list of their accredited institutes to UNESCO which has displayed them in its website, a UNESCO official said.
India has decided to provide its list of accredited institutes to the UNESCO by next month. HRD Ministry has entrusted the work to Education Consultancy India Ltd (EdCIL) to coordinate with the UNESCO in this venture.
The students can verify from the UNESCO list whether an institute is genuine or not.
"Now, we have given the list of genuine institutes of 30 countries. In next few months, accredited institutes from 60 countries, including those from India, will find their names in the list," the UNESCO official said.
The UNESCO is also preparing a set of criteria that can help students identify fake institutions.
The official said there is no accurate data about the number of fake institutions operating across the globe, offering higher education.
"But majority of them claim to be offering education in distant mode. Once our criteria are put in the website, students will be able to differentiate between genuine and fake institutions," he said.
The trend is very rampant in the US. About two lakh students are issued fake degrees by these institutions every year in the US alone, he said.
The fake institutes are duping a huge number of students in India every year, government sources said.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
UNESCO institute for promotion of peace and sustainable developement at New Delhi
I dont know why and what I feel, but I strongly feel something strange in this news:
The UNESCO on Wednesday gave its final approval to India's proposal to set up a world-class institute for promotion of peace and sustainable development in the region.
The general body of the UNESCO, which is meeting in Paris, gave the go ahead for setting up Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in Delhi.
The UNESCO Category-I Institute will foster a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights.
It will work in several areas, including global warming and non-proliferation.
It will do research on Gandhian thoughts on social justice, equity and peace.
The government will invest Rs 100 crore while UNESCO will put in USD five lakh (Rs 2.5 crore) for setting up the institute.
At present, there are 11 UNESCO Category-I institutes and most of them are located in developed countries
The UNESCO on Wednesday gave its final approval to India's proposal to set up a world-class institute for promotion of peace and sustainable development in the region.
The general body of the UNESCO, which is meeting in Paris, gave the go ahead for setting up Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development in Delhi.
The UNESCO Category-I Institute will foster a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights.
It will work in several areas, including global warming and non-proliferation.
It will do research on Gandhian thoughts on social justice, equity and peace.
The government will invest Rs 100 crore while UNESCO will put in USD five lakh (Rs 2.5 crore) for setting up the institute.
At present, there are 11 UNESCO Category-I institutes and most of them are located in developed countries
Moving Bookshelves
Asom Sahitya Sabha has started mobile library-cum-bookstall which will go through various towns and villages. The vehicle is so designed that 4 persons can sit inside and read while a protable table when laid out outside will provide space for four more readers. It will also sale Asom Sahitya Sabha's over 600 publications at discount.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Employment to disabled under NREGA
In India the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act promises 100-day guaranteed unskilled manual work to every rural adult with the aim to alleviate poverty.
Under this act, this financial year West Bengal topped all states with giving employment to 29, 714 disabled people, Chhattisgarh stood second with 13,763 and Madhya Pradesh third with 9,787 jobs to disabled people.
Compared earlier fiscal year, there has been increased participation of disabled people in the programme.
During the last financial year of 2008-09 a total of 1,46,855 were offered jobs under NREGA, as per the records of the government.
Under this act, this financial year West Bengal topped all states with giving employment to 29, 714 disabled people, Chhattisgarh stood second with 13,763 and Madhya Pradesh third with 9,787 jobs to disabled people.
Compared earlier fiscal year, there has been increased participation of disabled people in the programme.
During the last financial year of 2008-09 a total of 1,46,855 were offered jobs under NREGA, as per the records of the government.
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