Latest news with #Environment(Protection)Act
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Delhi declares war on air pollution with full-year ban on firecrackers
In a move to fight air pollution, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has announced a permanent, year-round ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The order was issued on Sunday through a public notice under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It applies to all individuals, institutions, and organisations across Delhi. The DPCC has made it clear that anyone found violating the ban will face legal consequences, India Today reported. To ensure the ban is properly enforced, the public has been encouraged to report violations. Complaints can be made through: The Noise Pollution Grievance Redressal web portal The Green Delhi mobile app The helpline number 155271 Emergency services via 112 This is not the first time a firecracker ban has been enforced on the national capital. A similar restriction was introduced last year by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Crackdown on online firecracker sales In line with the firecracker ban, the Delhi Police have issued instructions to e-commerce and social media platforms to stop the online listing and delivery of firecrackers within the city, news agency ANI reported. This directive follows the Supreme Court's order dated May 6, 2025 and aims to ensure complete compliance with the NCT (National Capital Territory) government's orders. According to a statement from the Delhi Police Crime Branch, ecommerce platforms have been told to remove firecracker listings in Delhi; apply location-based restrictions to prevent sales in the city; inform customers clearly about the prohibition and; instruct delivery partners not to accept or transport firecrackers. They have also been asked to confirm compliance in writing. Any failure to follow the order will attract criminal prosecution under relevant laws. Banquet halls, hotels also advised Not just online sellers — banquet halls, hotels, and guesthouses have also been informed to strictly comply with the ban. Police have issued advisories urging them to ensure no manufacturing, storage, or bursting of firecrackers takes place on their premises. ₹35 cr worth of Chinese firecrackers seizes In a significant crackdown under 'Operation Fire Trail', the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) last week seized Chinese firecrackers and fireworks worth ₹35 crore that had been illegally imported, according to a report by news agency PTI. An official from the agency said the contraband was hidden in seven shipping containers located at Nhava Sheva Port near Mumbai and Mundra Port and Kandla SEZ in Gujarat. 'These Chinese fireworks, weighing 100 metric tonnes, were smuggled by mis-declaring them as mini decorative plants, artificial flowers, and plastic mats,' the official said. (With agency inputs)
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
PCB issues closure notices to erring units near Thevara-Perandoor, Edappally canals
The Kerala State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued closure notices to 88 apartment complexes, commercial buildings, and offices located close to Thevara-Perandoor and Edappally canals for not setting up adequate wastewater treatment facilities. The notices were issued under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The directive said that the PCB would be constrained to issue orders to the appropriate authority to disconnect the supply of electricity, water, and other services to the said establishments. The agency also issued closure intention notices to 34 units after inspections revealed that they lacked facilities for the treatment of sewage and sullage. They had also failed to obtain the PCB's consent under Section 25 of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, which is required for the discharge of treated effluents. The units were given 15 days to respond and take the required follow-up action. The PCB shared the action taken report with the Kochi Corporation. The directive was issued following orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Kerala High Court, directing the authorities concerned to curb the illegal discharge of untreated wastewater into the canals. The Southern Bench of the NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of a report titled 'Faecal contamination high in Perandoor, Edappally Canals' published in The Hindu on January 28, 2021. The Kerala High Court had directed the PCB and the Corporation to take strict action against those responsible for polluting the waterbodies. The NGT had also directed the government to halt the generation and discharge of liquid waste (sewage and sullage) from the erring units into the Vembanad and Ashtamudi lakes, both designated as Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance). The tribunal had earlier said that it was the government's duty to ensure that every building — whether residential or commercial — was equipped with a sewage treatment plant (STP) or connected to a common STP or faecal sludge treatment plant, the latter being a more economical temporary measure.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- India Gazette
Delhi Police crackdown on illegal chinese kite string trade, huge consignment seized in 3 different operations
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): A team of Crime Branch cracked down illegal trade of Chinese Manjha and nabbed three with huge consignment in three separate operations, huge Consignment of 1226 Rolls of banned 'Chinese Manjha' recovered with first action on June 26 at Kamla Market, second action on 27 June at Jeevan Park, Uttam Nagar, Delhi and third action on July 5 at Sangam Vihar, Wazirabad, Delhi, police said on Sunday. Police said that three separate FIRs were registered by the Crime Branch, and three accused have been arrested. With Independence Day (15th August) and Raksha Bandhan approaching, the Delhi Police has launched a special drive to curb the sale and use of hazardous Chinese Manjha -- a nylon-based kite string that has caused numerous injuries and fatalities involving people, birds, and animals. Based on specific intelligence, a team from the Crime Branch apprehended an accused, Raju Chauras ia (S/o Jeewanlal Chaurasia, age 51), and recovered 922 rolls of banned Chinese Manjha from a godown/shop in Jeewan Park, Uttam Nagar, Delhi. The premises are owned by the accused. A case was registered under FIR No. 160/2025, U/S 223 (B) BNS & 5/15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, at PS Crime Branch, Delhi. A trap was laid in Jeewan Park, Uttam Nagar, and Raju Chaurasia was apprehended. Although he initially attempted to mislead the police, a thorough search of his premises led to the recovery of 922 rolls of Chinese Manjha. Preliminary investigation revealed that he was selling the banned string offline to known shopkeepers and online via social media platforms like Facebook. He was drawn into the trade by the high profit margins. 922 rolls of banned Chinese Manjha were recovered. The accused has been identified as Raju Chaurasia (51). A team from the Central Range, Crime Branch, Delhi, apprehended Areeb Khan (resident of Daryaganj, Delhi, age (22) while he was attempting to sell banned Chinese Manjha in Central Delhi. Following a string of fatal incidents caused by Chinese Manjha, Crime Branch teams were tasked with closely monitoring its illegal sale across Delhi NCR. Specific information was received by SI Birpal Singh regarding the illegal sale/purchase of nylon-based Chinese Manjha in Central Delhi. Based on this input, a raid was planned and executed by a team. A trap was laid in Kamla Market, where Areeb Khan was apprehended carrying 4 large cartons containing 248 rolls of Chinese Manjha, police said. In another case, 248 Rolls of Banned Chinese Manjha. The accused has been identified as Areeb Khan. In the third case, the accused has been identified as Danish. Following a string of fatal incidents caused by Chinese Manjha, Crime Branch teams were tasked with closely monitoring its illegal sale across Delhi NCR. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Case against private firm for illegal dumping in Nuh
A case was registered on Friday by Nuh police against four suspects and a private company for allegedly polluting the New Kot drain in Punhana, Nuh. The suspects are implicated for illegally discharging untreated wastewater from dairy, paneer, and petha factories into the drain, posing an environmental and health risk to the surrounding areas, said police. The New Kot drain in Punhana, in Nuh on Saturday. (HT Photo) The complaint was lodged on Friday by the sub-divisional officer, Punhana water services sub-division, Nuh, after repeated attempts by the department to curb the illegal activity proved futile. The suspects and the company have been identified as Deepak Kumar, Yusuf Khan , Mohammad Ismail from Godhola, Prithvi Singh from Hodal and Santosh & Company. According to the complaint, the suspects and the company have been consistently installing illegal pipes to discharge industrial waste into the drain, specifically at drain buoy number 2610 and 3.848km of the New Kot drain. This has led to the accumulation of polluted water, severely contaminating the environment and raising fears of disease outbreaks in nearby localities, said police. Authorities had previously removed these illegal connections on June 8, this year, in a concerted effort to mitigate the environmental damage. Despite these interventions, the suspects allegedly re-established their illicit pipelines shortly thereafter, demonstrating a blatant disregard for environmental regulations and public well-being. This persistent defiance underscores the severity of the challenge faced by local administration in enforcing environmental protection laws. The private company did not respond to HT despite repeated attempts to seek a comment. The district administration has vehemently urged for strict legal action against the factory owners. 'The aim is not only to penalise the current offenders but also to establish a strong deterrent against future environmental degradation. We will take swift and decisive action to address this persistent pollution issue, which has become a significant concern for the residents of Punhana. This case is seen as a crucial step towards safeguarding the local ecosystem and ensuring the health and safety of the community,' said Vishram Kumar Meena, deputy commissioner of police, Nuh. The case has been registered under sections 15 and 7 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which deal with penalties for contravention of the Act and the power of the central government to take measures to protect and improve the environment, respectively. Furthermore, the accused face charges under sections 125 (causing public nuisance), 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 280 (rash navigation of vessel), and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These sections collectively emphasise the potential for widespread harm to both the environment and human health. A team has been assigned to investigate the violations and the key members running these illegal operations. 'Police teams will gather more evidence after inspecting the sites, and ensuring that all individuals and entities responsible for the violations are booked,' said Jasvir Singh, inspector, Punhana police station.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Religious structures are loudspeaker-free, claims police chief
MUMBAI: 'Mumbai has become free of loudspeakers on religious structures,' police commissioner Deven Bharti said on Saturday. Mumbai, India. Apr 30, 2025: Deven Bharti IPS officer of the 1994 batch took charge as Mumbai Police commissioner from outgoing police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar at Mumbai Police headquarters in Mumbai. Mumbai, 30, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Hindustan Times) While not naming any community, the police claimed that meetings and negotiations helped them convince community and political leaders, and the trustees of religious bodies, to remove loudspeakers from more than 1,500 structures, making the city 'loudspeaker-free'. They claimed the action was not aimed at any particular community and was in line with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive in March, saying that the guidelines of the centre and court must be strictly followed. The police clarified, however, that religious structures can have loudspeakers installed 'temporarily', during festivals, after taking permission from local police stations. Bharti's sweeping statement follows an order of the Bombay High Court in January, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers and public address systems violating noise pollution rules. A bench of Justice A S Gadkari and A C Chandak had said that loudspeakers are not integral to any religion, highlighting the health risks posed by noise pollution. It observed that denying permission for loudspeakers does not infringe anyone's rights. The bench was hearing a petition filed by two housing societies in Kurla, which had raised concerns over the noise pollution caused by loudspeakers at local mosques. They argued that the use of loudspeakers for religious activities, including the Islamic call to prayer (azaan), disrupts the peace and infringes the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, the Muslim community has complained that the police have not been following due process while taking down loudspeakers at masjids. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar met Muslim leaders and senior police officials, instructing the law enforcers to refrain from 'unlawful' actions. Pawar also urged BJP leader Kirit Somaiya to end his 'loudspeaker-free Mumbai campaign'.
