New Delhi: After a false start three years ago, Delhi may finally be on the road to being free of plastic bags.

Operations may commence, but conditions apply

The Supreme Court on Monday directed resumption of mining operations by 18 mining companies in Karnataka on the basis of the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee. A three-judge Bench of Justices Aftab Alam, K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar passed this order on the basis of the CEC’s report that these mines in category A had not indulged in violations and that mining operations could be permitted, subject to their fulfilling certain conditions.

A month after the Delhi High Court issued notices to the Delhi government and the Centre in a petition to stop installation of mobile towers near residential areas, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit ha

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Pollution Control Board and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to investigate compliance of emission control and effluent treatment measures

Samudra Paheredar designed to mitigate marine oil spills

Samudra Paheredar, the indigenously built second pollution control vessel, specially designed to mitigate any marine oil spill, received a warm welcome from the Coast Guard fraternity on its arrival at Chennai Port on Tuesday. Receiving the vessel Coast Guard Region (East) Commander Inspector General S.P. Sharma, said the vessel will add marine pollution response capabilities like contain, recover and dispose of 500 tonnes of oil which may be spilled into the seas by accidents or hazards.

To operate Kudankulam Project

The Madras High Court on Tuesday said the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had not applied its mind while passing the consent order on July 23 to operate the controversial Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP.) Justice P. Jyothimani, who constituted a Division Bench along with Justice P. Devadass, made the oral remark during the resumed hearing on public interest litigation petitions filed by G. Sundararajan of Vadapalani here.

New Delhi In an attempt to increase monitoring of mining projects and make miners accountable for mining activities, the environment ministry has agreed to the mines ministry’s proposal of a Sustainable Development Framework (SDF) which will comprise guidelines for reporting initiatives and restoration conditions for mining. The SDF needs to be submitted to regulators at the time of seeking clearance or renewal or extension.

However, the ministry has stated that the framework is only a tool for leaseholders to comply with disclosure mechanisms and not a substitute for environment clearance.

The issue, which has been raised with the union shipping ministry in the past, is likely to be raised at the next meeting of the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) scheduled to be held in September.

“We deposit about Rs 5 crore per annum with the Central government as the oil pollution cess. We should be getting back some portion of it. Having already spent Rs 50 lakh for maintaining an agency, we require money for combating oil pollution in future also. Where is the money going tocomefrom?” said the official.