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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Gutka sales continue amidst police complicity
For any illegal activity, be it extortion, theft, or drug smuggling, strict enforcement of laws through the police is crucial to delineate the boundary between acceptable and deviant behaviours. However, when the law enforcers themselves are complicit in the crimes, little can be done to fix society. Recently, the Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police issued a circular to all divisional and district police officers, expressing concern over the widespread addiction to gutka among police personnel and instructing the initiation of rehabilitation efforts. The circular called for action against those who failed to comply, including potential dismissal from service. Syed Atif Ali, a resident of New Karachi, felt that the sale of gutka in the city was impossible without the complicity of local police. "Gutka is freely available at shops and paan stalls, and even Indian gutka is sold in the city," said Ali. Gul Muhammad Baloch, a social activist working in Karachi's Baldia Town, opined that although gutka was banned by the law, it was not yet perceived as a social evil. "As a result, its use remains common in homes and neighborhoods. Adults consume gutka in front of children, while people offer it to each other at social gatherings. Gutka should be recognized as a social vice. For this, an effective public awareness campaign should be launched with the involvement of schools, mosques, and community organizations," stressed Baloch. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan ranks highest among countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region for the use of smokeless tobacco, which includes gutka, paan, betel nut (chhalia), and naswar. This widespread usage has contributed to a dangerous rise in cases of oral cancer, which has become the second most common cancer after breast cancer in Pakistan. Karachi is the most affected city in terms of the number of cases of oral cancer, with the majority of gutka users belonging to the lower middle-class areas of the city. The WHO report further claimed that after paan, gutka was the second most commonly used form of chewable tobacco in Karachi. Although the preparation, sale, and use of gutka is legally banned under the Sindh Prohibition of Preparation, Manufacturing, Storage, Sale and Use of Gutka and Manpuri Act, 2019, the law appears to be ineffective in practice. Even though a special task force consisting of police officials from various departments was established in March last year, its impact has been limited. Taha Ahmed Khan, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of MQM-Pakistan in the Sindh Assembly, revealed that the Sindh Assembly had passed a law against gutka however, there has been no meaningful enforcement. "It seems that there is no government presence in Karachi and the city is being run by mafias, including the water mafia, builder mafia, hydrant mafia, and gutka mafia," said Khan. Sadia Javed, a member of the Sindh Assembly from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and spokesperson for the Sindh government, claimed that the Sindh government was considering amending the law to impose stricter penalties against the sale of gutka. "Tackling major gutka dealers is essential for curbing its spread. IG Sindh Police is personally monitoring the issue," said Javed. The Express Tribune attempted to contact Superintendent of Police (SP) Samiullah Soomro, a member of the task force, to inquire about the number of offenders arrested and punished over the past one year, however, he did not respond. Similarly, Sindh Police spokesperson Syed Saad Ali was also sent several questions via WhatsApp but he too did not send a reply.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt says 3.46 cr smart electricity meters installed across country
As many as 3.46 crore smart electricity meters have been installed across the country under various schemes, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. He further said that a total number of 2.27 crore smart meters have been installed under the government's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme . Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category MCA PGDM Design Thinking Healthcare Data Science Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Technology Data Analytics Project Management others CXO Others Product Management Management MBA Operations Management Finance Leadership Data Science Digital Marketing Public Policy healthcare Degree Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details "The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has an outlay of Rs 3,03,758 crore with a gross budgetary support of Rs 97,631 crore from the Government of India. Till June 2025, a total of 20.33 crore smart meters have been sanctioned under RDSS, out of which 2.27 crore smart meters have been installed," he said in a written reply. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Replying to a query on pumped storage projects (PSPs), Naik said, presently, 29 PSPs under private sector, totalling 48,700 MW capacity, are at the survey and investigation (S&I) stage as part of preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs). In total, 89 DPRs of hydro electric projects (HEPs) with an aggregate capacity of 47,780 MW and 12 DPRs of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) with a total capacity of 15,350 MW have been concurred by Central Electricity Authority since 2002-03, the minister said. PTI
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Madras HC urges strict adherence to NDPS Act procedures for seized articles
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed all the investigating officers, prosecuting agencies, and special courts handling cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, across the state to strictly comply with the procedures outlined in Section 52A (disposal of seized articles) of the Act and the NDPS (Seizure, Storage, Sampling and Disposal) Rules, 2022. The home secretary and the registrar general of the Madras HC have been directed to soon issue a comprehensive circular in this regard. Justice B Pugalendhi issued the directive while hearing an appeal filed by R Manimaran, seeking the return of his lorry seized in an NDPS case in 2021. Though Manimaran was acquitted in the case in 2023, the Additional District Court for EC and NDPS Act cases in Pudukkottai dismissed his request to return the vehicle. Observing that the appellant, until 2023, did not claim ownership of the lorry throughout the investigation and the trial, the judge said had Manimaran come forward earlier, his potential connection to the offence could have been examined further. The judge also noted the investigating officer's failure to initiate pre-trial disposal proceedings under Section 52A of the NDPS Act. The court noted that pre-trial disposal should be considered an integral part of the case processing and not an afterthought. Special courts are mandated to actively monitor compliance, and Drug Disposal Committees must expeditiously process referred properties to prevent administrative delays and loss of evidentiary integrity, it noted. The judge said, 'The legislative intent behind the procedure stems from an operational necessity to prevent overcrowding of judicial or police custody spaces, eliminate risks of pilferage or decay, and reduce the burden on courts to determine ownership, post-trial,' adding that long-term retention of such properties has often led to deterioration, theft or unauthorised usage. As the investigating officer has already moved the trial court for permission to refer the vehicle to the Drug Disposal Committee, the HC directed the trial court to dispose of the application.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Time of India
HC directs strict adherence to NDPS pre-trial disposal rules across TN
Madurai: Madras high court has directed all investigating officers, prosecuting agencies, and special courts handling NDPS cases across the state to strictly comply with the procedures under Section 52A of the NDPS Act and the NDPS (Seizure, Storage, Sampling and Disposal) Rules, 2022, for pre-trial disposal of materials and vehicles seized. Justice B Pugalendhi directed that priority must be accorded to pre-trial disposal wherever permissible. Disposal shall be treated as an integral part of case processing, and not as a postscript. Special courts shall actively monitor compliance, and drug disposal committees shall expeditiously process referred properties to prevent administrative delay and loss of evidentiary integrity. The home secretary and registrar general of the Madras high court are expected to issue a comprehensive circular in this regard. The court passed the order while hearing an appeal by R Manimaran (appellant). The Trichy district NIB-CID officials seized a truck in connection with a case registered for an offence under the NDPS Act in 2021 and produced the same as material evidence in the trial. The trial culminated in a judgment of acquittal in 2023. Thereafter, the appellant submitted an application before the trial court claiming ownership of the truck and seeking its return. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo However, the trial court dismissed his application. Challenging the order, the appellant preferred the present appeal. Justice Pugalendhi observed that the court finds that the appellant's conduct raises legitimate concerns. as the appellant surfaced with a claim for release only after the judgment of acquittal. The timing appears to be calculated. Equally glaring is the failure of the investigating officer to initiate pre-trial disposal proceedings under Section 52A of the NDPS Act. "Right to property is no longer a fundamental right but a constitutional right guaranteed under Article 300-A of the Constitution. However, it has to be exercised in conformity with constitutional mandates and subject to law. Therefore, the petitioner's plea for the return of the vehicle under a mere assertion of ownership, without addressing the statutory bar and the procedural mechanism under Section 52-A and the 2022 Rules, cannot be accepted," observed justice Pugalendhi. In the present case, since the investigating officer has already moved the trial court for permission to refer the vehicle to the drug disposal committee, the trial court shall dispose of the application expeditiously and take steps for referral of the vehicle to the drug disposal committee as per NDPS Rules, the judge directed and disposed of the petition.
Scoop
09-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
New Zealand Energy Companies Explore The Feasibility Of Importing LNG
Following the rapid decline in the availability of gas for electricity generation, a group of major New Zealand energy companies have collaborated to explore the option to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and assessed the role LNG could play to meet New Zealand's future gas demand. Clarus, Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, and Mercury, commissioned two studies, looking at both conventional-scale solutions as used across the globe, as well as smaller scale options. Paul Goodeve, Chief Executive for Clarus said, 'This work aims to provide New Zealand with a robust and clear-eyed evaluation of LNG import feasibility, and while both options are technically feasible, they each come with very different costs and benefits.' The studies were carried out between September 2024 and May 2025 by international LNG experts, Gas Strategies (from the United Kingdom) that has advised previously on similar projects and has been able to provide their international expertise and knowledge, along with engineering consultancy Wood Beca (NZ). The reports show that a gas import option may be technically feasible, though more challenging than anticipated. Study partners have shared the reports with government officials, whose support would be necessary for any option to proceed. The study partners emphasised that LNG is just one of several options being explored to support energy resilience. Investment in renewables, demand-side management and electrification remain central to the country's low carbon energy transition. 'Ultimately, our energy future will be shaped by a mix of energy options and this work ensures the option of LNG is properly understood,' Goodeve said. Key Findings: Conventional-scale LNG options provide high levels of flexibility – but at a cost LNG is equivalent to our domestic natural gas (once LNG is regasified) and can be transported using existing gas networks and used in existing gas appliances. The global LNG industry has grown considerably over recent years, with around 50 countries now relying on LNG imports to meet their domestic energy needs. The global LNG trade has standardised around large vessels (carrying around 170,000– 180,000m³, or 4.5 PJ of gas), with much of the storage and regasification equipment located on permanently moored ships (known as Floating Storage and Regasification Units or FSRUs). The real benefit of these conventional-scale LNG solutions is to improve security of energy supply, providing access to energy when required. In New Zealand's case, this may be in a dry year when hydro inflows are low, or if domestic gas supply continues to decline. The study finds that a conventional solution would allow New Zealand to access additional gas at around $18 per gigajoule (GJ) on a landed cost basis. The landed price is at the entry point to the import terminal and includes shipping. The total cost to end users would also need to account for the capital and operational costs required to deliver that gas into the system through port upgrades, regasification systems and storage, estimated at an additional $170-$210 million per year. These would also contribute to the effective delivered cost to more accurately reflect the total cost to end users. Therefore, the final delivered cost per GJ would depend on the annual throughput of the terminal. The large size of the ships involved in conventional-scale LNG imports would necessitate significant infrastructure investment, including port or pipeline upgrades. Depending on the location and technology used, capital cost estimates range from $190 million to $1 billion which is a significant investment given the uncertainty around how often LNG imports would be needed. Smaller-scale options are lower cost to build but offer less flexibility In an effort to seek out lower capital cost solutions, the work also explored smaller-scale developments that would use existing port infrastructure without major modifications. These solutions would involve much smaller vessels of around 15,000m³ in size (0.4 PJ). Roughly one tenth the size of conventional LNG carriers, they could shuttle between Australian LNG export projects and a New Zealand port, such as Port Taranaki. This model could provide an additional 7–10 PJ of energy per year to the New Zealand system, equivalent to around one month of current gas supply. Crucially, the smaller size of ships means limited site works would be required, enabling faster and more flexible development. On a landed cost basis, small-scale LNG would cost approximately 25% more than large-scale, at $20–21/GJ. The additional capital costs of smaller-scale LNG infrastructure are estimated between $140 million and $295 million, depending on how much onshore storage is built. So, while the gas costs are more expensive than conventional scale, the infrastructure costs are lower, the gas itself is expected to be more expensive. Again, the final delivered costs per GJ would need to take into account both the landed cost and capital cost. The study also highlights several issues that would need to be addressed in moving forward with smaller-scale solutions. These include securing interest from existing sellers to supply a relatively small volume of gas and ensuring sufficient storage of LNG when it arrives in New Zealand.
