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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
JNU admin, students spar over meeting invites as hunger strike completes day 4
By Vishu Adhana New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): The JNU administration and Students' Union (JNUSU) are at loggerheads over the stakeholders' meeting invite list, even as the students' indefinite hunger strike completes its fourth day on Monday. The protest is set to enter its fifth day on Tuesday. The student body has requested that all stakeholders meet over the demand to reinstate the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE) for PhD admissions, as well as a rollback of the university's decision to bar June 2025 UGC-NET aspirants. Vice Chancellor Santishree D. Pandit, in a letter to the students, said the meeting-- originally scheduled for July 1-- stands postponed as several stakeholders would only be available after July 2. While agreeing to an all-stakeholders meeting, she insisted that if JNUTA (JNU Teachers' Association) is invited, then equal representation must be given to JNUTF (JNU Teachers' Federation) as well, since there are 'two teachers' bodies.' 'It is your organisation, JNUSU, and your responsibility to be inclusive. If you want JNUTA, then I will have to invite JNUTF too,' she wrote. This triggered sharp opposition from JNUSU, which accused the administration of selectively legitimising JNUTF--a teachers' group the union describes as aligned with the RSS--while sidelining recognised academic bodies. 'JNUTA is the recognised teachers' union and a permanent invitee to the Academic Council. JNUTF is just an organisation,' the union said in a letter sent Monday evening. Reacting to the development, JNUSU President Nitish Kumar told ANI, 'The administration wants to involve JNUTF, which is an RSS-linked teachers' body. We have asked for an all-stakeholders meeting, and from the teachers' end, JNUTA already represents them. Why especially include JNUTF?' He added that the strike will continue until all demands are met. The union further claimed that the administration's insistence on inviting the Joint Secretary of JNUSU, who has not participated in the JNUEE movement, appears to be an attempt to delay dialogue and cater to 'certain political interests.' 'This deadlock is being deliberately prolonged to avoid addressing the legitimate concerns of the students,' the JNUSU office bearers--Nitish Kumar (President), Manisha (Vice-President), and Munteha Fatima (General Secretary)--wrote. They reiterated their four key demands: reinstatement of the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE), rollback of CUET/NET-based admissions, university-led conduct of JNUEE with logistical and financial support, and filling of vacant seats along with resolution of academic delays. The union also reminded the administration that three weeks ago, it had shared the results of a student referendum that overwhelmingly supported the return of JNUEE, but received no response. 'The student community is deeply concerned that these tactics are part of a larger effort to delegitimise JNUSU and weaken the students' movement. However, students remain resolute in their demand for justice and transparency,' the union said. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Govt drafts emission targets for over 460 industries under carbon market plan
By Vishu Adhana New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): The Ministry of Environment has issued a draft notification proposing legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets for over 460 industrial units as part of India's first compliance-based carbon market. The move, aimed at curbing industrial emissions and accelerating decarbonisation, will apply to sectors such as aluminium, iron and steel, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, and textiles. Titled the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025, the draft, dated June 23, forms part of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023. The scheme requires designated industries--referred to as 'obligated entities'--to reduce their GHG emissions per unit of output over time, or compensate by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian Carbon Market. According to the draft, 'the obligated entity shall achieve the GEI targets in the respective compliance year... or meet its GEI target by purchasing carbon credit certificates from the Indian carbon market.' If implemented, the targets will become legally enforceable from the date of final notification. As per the draft, failure to comply will attract financial penalties and legal consequences under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The targets will be assigned for two compliance years--2025-26 and 2026-27--based on baseline emission intensity data from 2023-24. The draft includes a list of 264 industrial units along with their baseline emission levels and reduction targets for the compliance years 2025-26 and 2026-27 The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will determine these targets using sectoral benchmarks and past performance. Greenhouse gas emission intensity (GEI) is defined as tonnes of CO2 equivalent emitted per unit of output or product. For example, Hindalco Industries' Taloja aluminium plant in Maharashtra, which had a baseline GEI of 1.3386 tCO2 per tonne in 2023-24, must reduce that figure to 1.2563 by 2026-27. In the steel sector, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India's Hazira facility--India's largest obligated entity by production volume--must cut its emission intensity from 2.2701 to 2.1696 tCO2 per tonne during the same period. The rules also cover the petroleum refining sector. BPCL's Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh, with a crude throughput of over 51 million barrels, has been assigned a GEI reduction trajectory from 5.2312 tCO2/MBBLS in 2023-24 to 4.8553 by 2026-27. BPCL's Kochi Refinery, one of the largest in the country, must bring down its GEI from 4.5745 to 4.4230 tCO2/MBBLS in the same time frame. Entities that emit less than their targets will receive carbon credit certificates, calculated as the difference between the GEI target and actual GEI, multiplied by the total production volume. Conversely, those exceeding their targets must buy the difference in credits from the Indian Carbon Market. 'The number of carbon credit certificates to be issued... shall be determined as per the following formula: (GEI Target - GEI Achieved) x Unit of equivalent product produced,' the draft states. Unused credits can be banked for future use, allowing companies some flexibility across compliance years. However, if an entity fails to meet its target and does not purchase the required credits, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will impose an Environmental Compensation This amount will be 'equal to twice the average price at which a carbon credit certificate is traded during the trading cycle,' as per the notification. The penalty must be paid within 90 days. Funds collected will be used to support carbon market operations, upon recommendation of the National Steering Committee and approval of the Centre. The ministry has invited comments, objections, or suggestions from the public and industry stakeholders. Submissions must be made within 60 days of the draft's publication and can be emailed to [email protected]. (ANI)
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Asia warming nearly twice as fast as global average, warns WMO
By Vishu Adhana New Delhi [India], Jun 23 (ANI): Asia is currently warming at nearly twice the global average, driving extreme weather events and inflicting serious impacts on the region's economies, ecosystems, and societies, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). In its 'State of the Climate in Asia 2024' report released on Monday, the WMO said that the year 2024 was either the warmest or second warmest year on record--depending on the dataset used--with widespread and prolonged heatwaves affecting the region. The warming trend between 1991 and 2024 was almost double that observed during the 1961-1990 period. The report highlights that in 2024, heatwaves gripped a record area of the ocean, with sea surface temperatures hitting all-time highs. The decadal warming rate of Asia's sea surface was nearly twice the global average. Sea level rise on both the Pacific and Indian Ocean sides of the continent exceeded the global average, increasing the vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas. Meanwhile, glaciers across the High-Mountain Asia region--including parts of the Himalayas and Tian Shan--continued to shrink. Of the 24 glaciers monitored, 23 suffered mass loss during 2023-2024, intensifying hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods and landslides and posing long-term threats to regional water security. The report paints a troubling picture of climate-related disasters across Asia. Extreme rainfall events caused widespread destruction and loss of life in many countries, while tropical cyclones left a trail of devastation. In parallel, prolonged droughts triggered severe economic and agricultural losses, further compounding the humanitarian toll of climate change. 'The State of the Climate in Asia report highlights the changes in key climate indicators such as surface temperature, glacier mass and sea level, which will have major repercussions for societies, economies and ecosystems in the region. Extreme weather is already exacting an unacceptably high toll,' said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. 'The work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partners is more important than ever to save lives and livelihoods,' she added. The report includes a case study from Nepal, demonstrating how improved early warning systems and anticipatory actions can help communities better prepare for and respond to climate variability and change. This, according to WMO, plays a key role in protecting lives and livelihoods in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. The report also states that the entire oceanic area of Asia under WMO Region II has experienced consistent surface ocean warming over the past decades, with particularly rapid increases in the northern Arabian Sea and western Pacific Ocean. Average sea surface temperatures have risen by 0.24C per decade--double the global mean rate of 0.13C. In 2024, most of Asia's ocean area was affected by marine heatwaves of strong, severe, or extreme intensity--the most extensive since records began in 1993. During August and September, nearly 15 million square kilometers of Asia's ocean, or roughly one-tenth of Earth's total ocean surface, experienced marine heatwaves. This is an area about the size of the Russian Federation and more than 1.5 times the size of China. The northern Indian Ocean and waters surrounding Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea were especially impacted. Sea-level rise in the Indian and Pacific Oceans bordering Asia outpaced global averages during the period from January 1993 to November 2024. In the Arctic, large parts of the ocean experienced significant sea ice melt, with the ice edge shifting far northward by the end of the season. The High-Mountain Asia region, centred on the Tibetan Plateau and home to the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions, has continued to suffer. Glaciers across this region, covering an area of nearly 100,000 square kilometres, have been retreating steadily for several decades. During 2023-2024, reduced winter snowfall and extreme summer heat led to accelerated glacier mass loss, particularly in the central Himalayas and the Tian Shan range. Urumqi Glacier No.1, located in the eastern Tian Shan, recorded its most negative mass balance since observations began in 1959. (ANI)
India Gazette
19-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Shouldn't worry, all our assets abroad are safe": Pranav Adani amid Israel-Iran tensions
By Vishu Adhana New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): Amid ongoing conflict in West Asia, Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani on Wednesday assured that the group's overseas assets remain secure. 'There are concerns, but luckily, all our assets abroad are safe. We shouldn't worry about it,' he told reporters on the sidelines of the Chintan Research Foundation's foundation day event. His remarks came as markets react to the worsening geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone fell for the seventh straight session, slipping 2.5% to Rs 1,338. Among the key concerns is the Haifa Port in northern Israel, which the Adani Group acquired in early 2023. The strategic facility, a crucial Indian commercial asset in the region, is operating under the shadow of regional conflict, particularly amid fears of escalation between Israel and Iran. Speaking at ANI, Pranav Adani also outlined the vision of the Chintan Research Foundation, which he said will focus on 'climate change, geopolitical issues and economic entry' as its initial areas of research. 'Evidence-based research has many responsibilities. These three pillars will be our starting point,' he said. He emphasised the need to focus on India's heartland. 'India is not only Delhi or the capital cities. The real India lives in Ranchi, Raipur, Bhubaneswar and the Northeast... That's where inclusive growth should be centred,' he said. CRF President Shishir Priyadarshi said the foundation aims to tackle hard truths and propose solutions with a focus on zero-emission goals, inclusive prosperity, and the Global South's emergence. 'The most challenging thoughts lead to the most rewarding destinations,' he said. (ANI)
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
Chandigarh tops school education performance index, scores dip in 12 states
By Vishu Adhana New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Chandigarh has emerged as the top performer in the Education Ministry's Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2023-24, even as 12 states and UTs -- including Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Bihar -- saw a dip in school education performance from the previous year. The sharpest improvement was seen in Delhi (623.7), which jumped 44 points from the previous year (2022-23), followed by Himachal Pradesh and Haryana with a 41-point gain each, as per the PGI released on Wednesday. Chandigarh is the best performer, scoring 703 (as compared to 687.8 in 2022-2023) and becoming the only state or UT to be placed in the top Prachesta-1 grade (score range: 701-760). Delhi, Punjab (631.2), and Gujarat (614.4) entered the Prachesta-3 category (581-640), alongside Odisha, Kerala, DNHⅅ, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The biggest decline was recorded by Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which dropped 43 points, followed by Chhattisgarh (-39), Lakshadweep (-33), West Bengal (-14), Karnataka (-12), Bihar (-12), Uttarakhand (-12), Kerala (-8), Mizoram (-7), Ladakh (-6), Tamil Nadu (-4), and Jharkhand (-4). The Performance Grading Index (PGI), launched in 2017-18 by the Ministry of Education, is a data-driven framework to assess the performance of states and UTs in school education States are evaluated out of 1,000 points and grouped into grade bands ranging from Daksh (91-100%) to Akankshi-3 (up to 10 percent). In 2023-24, PGI scores ranged from a high of 703 (Chandigarh) to a low of 417 (Meghalaya). The latter remained the only state in the lowest Akankshi-3 category. Ten states/UTs were placed in Prachesta-3, 14 in Akankshi-1 (521-580), 10 in Akankshi-2 (461-520), and one in Akankshi-3. Despite the setbacks in some states, overall improvement was observed in 24 states/UTs compared to the previous year. The performance gap between the top and bottom scorers has also narrowed over the years -- from 51 percent in 2017-18 to 42 percent in 2023-24 -- which the Education Ministry attributes to evidence-based monitoring through PGI and policy initiatives like the Look East strategy. The PGI-D 2023-24 assessed 788 districts, up from 768 the previous year due to administrative bifurcations in Delhi and Rajasthan. Notably, Barnala district in Punjab was the only one to achieve the Uttam 2 grade (71 percent-80 percent) this year -- a band that had no representation in 2022-23. The number of districts in Prachesta-1 (51 percent-60 percent) rose from 204 to 281, while those in Prachesta-2 (41 percent-50 percent) increased from 279 to 355. Districts in the lowest grade bands shrank significantly, with Prachesta-3 districts dropping from 226 to 110, and Akankshi districts from 23 to just one -- Meghalaya. (ANI)
