Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) In the News: Industry & Environment

INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENT

NGOs plan campaign against soft drink companies
Some non-government organisations have formed an alliance to launch an all-India campaign against soft drink companies. They propose to form human chains next month around the bottling plants of the two most popular soft drinks — Coke and Pepsi — to force their closure. Announcing this New Delhi at a joint press conference, the Director of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Vandana Shiva said her organisation, along with the Azadi Bachao Andolan and a few others would surround the 87 bottling plants of Coke and Pepsi on January 20.Mr. Bhushan, along with some NGOs, has filed a PIL in the apex court for the Government to constitute an expert committee to implement the findings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee which was set up to study the levels of pesticides in Coke and Pepsi after a Delhi-based NGO — the Centre of Science and Environment — broke the news that they were not adhering to standards.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Dec. 19, 2004, Page No. 10 & www.hinduonnet.com

Water efficient unit awards for Leyland unit, Indo Rama
An Ashok Leyland`s unit at Hosur and Indo Rama Synthetics (I) Ltd of Nagpur have won the maiden `National Award for Excellent Water Efficient Unit` instituted by CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre (GBC). Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Ltd (Toranagallu), Motor Industries Co. Ltd (Bangalore), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (Vizag), Tata Motors Ltd (Pimpri) and TTK-LIG Ltd (Chennai) were the other winners of the award. "The idea behind instituting the award is to encourage companies in pepping up their efforts to conserve and efficiently use water," a CII-GBC official said.

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 14, 2004, Page No. 2

Doubts over wood pulp price-hike viability
Supported by lower inventories for wood pulp in October and possible further decliens in November, December`s world pulp prices hikes are going through, but some market analysts question the long-term viability of the increases without some production changes. The pulp market needs "serious curtailment" for the price hikes to remain in place, said a western Canada consultant. There is all sorts of bullish but the paper industry is heading into its slowest season of the year, he said.

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 14, 2004, Page No. 11

Tata Steel keen on titanium dioxide project in TN
Tata Steel is satisfied with the feasibility study for its proposed titanium dioxide project in Tamil Nadu and is holding discussions with the State Government on a crucial issue - availability of water. The project, which envisages mining and processing the mineral-rich beach sands in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu to produce titanium dioxide, requires about 12 million gallons of water per day. The issue is whether the Government will be able to supply water from the Tamiraparani river or whether the company will have to go in for a seawater desalination plant.

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 14, 2004, Page No. 17

Auto industry: Search for a balance
The global automobile industry scrapes through on tests comparing the benefits of owning vehicles versus the cost to society of having them run. But portions of it are stuck in negative territory. The deficit is largely associated with developing countries. A formal audit on the Indian motoring scene has not been done. But Mr R.K. Parimoo, Director of the Delhi-based Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR), managed by Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), said, "We could use up entire budgets meeting those costs."

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 14, 2004, Page No. 4

Hundreds fall ill after ammonia gas leak
A considerable panic has gripped several localities of the cantonment area in Meerut after the ammonia gas leak from the Beer Plant of SKOL Breweries Limited (SBL). Hundreds of people, including women and children, began to vomit and found it hard to breathe while some of them also complained of poor visibility as the gas also affected their eyes.By the time the management and senior officials of the SBL could understand the gravity of the situation, a large number of people from Kasampur, New Govindpuri, Govindpuri, Shakyapuri, Sadhu Nagar and a number of soldiers from the Pine, Ram divisions and other services had already been down with the ammonia scourge.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Dec. 13, 2004, Page No. 4

llegal polluting units demolished in Loni
The Ghaziabad district administration has demolished illegally operated polluting industrial units operating in Loni. The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Sadar, Rajesh Prakash warned the industrialists that if they restored the operation of the units, a legal action would be initiated against them. According to the SDM, the district administration was receiving complaints about the polluting industrial units running in Loni. The administration demolished about a dozen illegal units and disconnected the power. The power officials, local police and the demolition squad demolished the units.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, Dec. 13, 2004, Page No. 2

Not all units can run in rural areas: MCD
The MCD committee, which passed Commissioner Rakesh Mehta’s proposal on by-laws, pointed out in its report that one of the main reasons for the rampant industrial activity in the rural belt was the 1963 gazette notification which allowed certain kinds of factories in the area. The High Court had asked the MCD in an order on October 23 this year to explain why the villages should be exempt from the building bylaws or from getting their building plans sanctioned. The industrial activities which will be allowed by the MCD in these areas include rice mills, soap manufacturing, oil cake manufacturing, food product manufacturing and ice factories.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 4sup, Dec. 09, 2004

Sierra chosen for Oracle award
Sierra Atlantic has announced that its ECO Lens product has earned the North America Oracle Partner Network Solution of the Year 2004 award in the industry solution category for its value-add to streamlining the engineering management process and reducing excess and obsolete inventory.

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 09, 2004, Page No. 5

Tata Steel in talks for 3-mt integrated plant
Tata Steel plans to set up a 3-million-tonnes-a-year integrated steel plant, for which it is in talks with a State Government. Disclosing this in Jamshedpur to a team of visiting journalists from Chennai, the Tata Steel Managing Director, Mr B. Muthuraman, said, "We are also negotiating with another State to locate another steel plant." He expected work on the plant to commence "very quickly" and production to begin in three to four years. However, Mr Muthuraman would not reveal the State or the total cost of the project. All that he said was the plant would be an integrated one and the company was "moving very fast on our plan."

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 09, 2004, Page No. 2

Lording over law
There is something distinctly disturbing in the remarks of the Supreme Court bench during the hearing on the proposed changes in the master plan for Delhi and shifting of industrial units in the city. ‘We will see’, the three judges are reported to have said ‘ whether the proposed changes conform to the law or not. The government may have political or other compulsions.(Editorial).

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Dec. 06, 2004, Page No. 6

Paper cos mull further price hike
Paper manufacturers are hoping to increase prices further early next year as increasing costs of production erode margins. Raw material shortage and price increase have hit both the conventional wood pulp users and those dependent on non-conventional raw materials such as bagasse. Paper prices across the board, including newsprint and printing and writing paper, have been buoyant in the current year. Though this has not helped profits, at least it has helped partially offset the increase in raw material prices, which have contributed to an increase of Rs 2,500 - 3,500 a tonne in cost of production over the last one year. Paper prices have gone up by about Rs 1,000 a tonne with the mills increasing prices in May and September, say manufacturers.

Business Line, New Delhi, Dec. 04, 2004, Page No. 2

World shame of living dead of Bhopal gas disaster - Amnesty
Two decades after a leak sent clouds of lethal gas into the homes of hundreds of thousands of poor Indians, the world has failed to either help the victims or punish the culprits, Amnesty International said. The Bhopal gas disaster on Dec. 3, 1984, in which nearly 25 tonnes of highly toxic methyl isocyanate escaped from a storage vat, is now known to have killed at least 15,000 men, women and children and ruined the lives of half a million more. But two-thirds of the $470 million in compensation which majority plant owner Union Carbide paid over five years later still has to be disbursed by the Indian government, and no action has been taken against the company or its current owner, Dow Chemical Co.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Dec. 02, 2004

We’ll see Delhi conforms with law: SC
The Supreme Court said that it will see if Delhi government`s proposed changes in the Masterplan are in conformation with the law. Reacting to the government’s proposal to amend the Masterplan to regularise industries in residential areas, the SC said: ‘‘The government may have political or other compulsions. We have none. We will see whether the proposed changes conform to the law or not.’’ Amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar told the bench that Delhi had in fact gone against the May orders of the court, by proposing to regularise industries in residential areas where the concentration is 70 pc or more.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, Dec. 01, 2004

Bengal plans sensory tech watch on polluting sponge iron units
Perturbed by the high level of air pollution created by 30 odd sponge iron plants that have come up in the State in the last few years, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board is planning to take the help of sensory technology to ensure round-the-clock vigil. The sponge iron plants are reportedly switching off the emission control machinery especially during the night to save on the energy bill. Located mainly in the South Bengal districts of Burdwan, Bankura and Purulia, the sponge iron units have attracted social protest for degrading the environment and causing damage to agricultural production.

Business Line, New Delhi, Nov. 26, 2004, Page No. 9

Indonesia says Newmont mining case up to court
A controversial pollution case involving the world`s largest gold miner, Newmont Mining Corp., should be left to Indonesian courts, the government said. Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab made the comment after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla to discuss a government-commissioned probe that found sediment in Buyat Bay near a mine run by PT Newmont Minahasa Raya had significant levels of arsenic and mercury. "The result of the integrated team has shown pollution which violates regulations," said Shihab.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Nov. 25, 2004

Company plans first texas fuel ethanol plant
In a state legendary for its oil industry, a company is planning to begin construction early next year of the first plant in Texas to make non-petrochemical, pollution-reducing ethanol. Panhandle Energies of Dumas LP plans to begin building a 36-million-gallon ethanol plant in the Texas Panhandle, north of Amarillo, and far from the state`s refining centers on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The location offers easy access by rail to Midwest grain, from which ethanol, an alcohol, is made. Nearby feedlots offer a secondary market for byproducts from the ethanol production process, said Robert Worley, executive director of the Dumas Economic Development Corp. and a member of the board of Panhandle Energies.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Nov. 25, 2004

CSE blames panel for delay in fixing pesticide residue norms
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Friday alleged that the Central Committee for Food Standards (CCFS), which was to finalise pesticide residue norms for soft drinks, has delayed in taking a final decision by referring the matter to another committee. In a statement, the CSE said, "This clearly shows that the Government does not have the necessary will power to decide in favour of public health, and is being led astray by the industry. This makes the recent order of the Rajasthan High Court all the more relevant, since it puts the onus clearly on soft drink companies."

Business Line, New Delhi, Nov. 20, 2004, Page No. 3

Health trends challenge cola
PepsiCo is better positioned than Coca-Cola to respond to growing consumer demand for healthier drinks – but both companies face ‘significant challenges ‘ from changing dietary habits, according to Fitch, the ratings agency. Fitch warned that leading beverage companies would experience ‘mixed results’ in future, as health conscious consumers looked for alternatives to sugary carbonated drinks.

Financial Times, London, Nov. 18, 2004, Page No. 20

20 years later, poison still in air
Thousands of people around Bhopal remain at risk of poisoning by toxic waste contained in drinking water, 20 years after the gas tragedy which killed some 4,000 people and left lakhs injured or disabled, a report claimed. Four thousand people died after a toxic gas leak at the US-owned Union Carbide in 1984, but thousands of tonnes of toxic waste are still stored inadequately nearby, poisoning the town’s water supply, BBC said in an investigative report.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, Nov. 15, 2004, Page No. 5

24 Noida units declared dangerous
More than two dozen factories in Noida have been declared dangerous for failure to take enough precautions vis-a-vis chemical gas used in the units. The gas leaks often leads to accidents. Some 48 units in Gautam Budh Nagar are known to use chlorine gas, but no steps or precautions have been taken to stop the leakage. About a dozen factories among them come under major accident hazard category.Over a dozen other units are included in sensitive and dangerous category of factories.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Nov. 15, 2004, Page No. 4

After 20 years, Bhopal still drinking poison
People around Bhopal remain at risk of poisoning by toxic waste contained in drinking water, 20 years after the gas tragedy which killed nearly 4,000 people and left lakhs disabled, a report claimed. Four thousand people died after an explosion and toxic gas leak at a pesticide factory owned by US company Union Carbide in 1984, but thousands of tonnes of toxic waste are still stored inadequately nearby, poisoning the town`s water supply, BBC said in a report. Union Carbide India Ltd was responsible for cleaning up the site. The BBC team in Bhopal took a sample of drinking water from near the site. "It had levels of contamination 500 times higher than the maximum limits recommended by the WHO," the report claimed.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Nov. 15, 2004, Page No. 10

Delhi industrial units to shift to Noida, Loni, G’bad, Meerut
All big and medium-sized industrial units in Delhi, to be shifted under the Supreme Court order, can be re-established in Noida, Loni, Ghaziabad and Meerut, the Uttar Pradesh government has said. “One-window system has been introduced under new industrial policies for these shifting industries and all infrastructure, including land and loans, will be provided at one centre,” Uttar Pradesh minister of industries and export promotion, Jagdish Singh Rana, said at a function of the UP journalists’ association in Modinagar last weekend.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Nov. 15, 2004, Page No. 4

Global chemical giants to source from Rallis
Rallis India, the agrochemicals arm of the Tata group, is planning to manufacture chemicals and pesticide products for multinationals like Syngenta, Bayer, DuPont, Dow Chemicals and FMC Corp. The company expects to achieve over 30% of its turnover through contract manufacturing and marketing the products of these five MNCs in India. The products will be marketed under the Rallis brandname, while overseas they will carry the brandnames of the MNCs. “As per the current plan, Rallis will manufacture agrochemical products like insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides of these firms under the Rallis brand name and also supply them to the MNC firms to meet their global requirements,” sources familiar with the development said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Nov. 12, 2004, Page No. 1

Polluting units thriving Gzb
The groundwater in several areas of the city is getting increasingly contaminated with toxic chemicals discharged by industrial units. Yet neither the district administration nor the local pollution control board have invoked the Environment Protection Act against these units. This despite orders from Lucknow. The situation has come to such a pass that pollutants have even leached into the municipal water in some areas.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Nov. 08, 2004, PAge No. 7

Masterplan: Centre notifies provision
The Centre issued a notification for creating an enabling provision to amend Masterplan-2001 for ‘‘redevelopment’’ of industrial areas of the Capital. Though this enabling provision for amending Masterplan-2001 is being described as ‘redevelopment’ of industrial units in non-conforming areas, it would basically mean in-situ regularisation of such areas.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1supp, Nov. 05, 2004

Cola giants’ review plea rejected
The Rajasthan HC has rejected a review petition moved by Coca Cola and Pepsi against the court`s earlier judgement asking them to specify the composition of ingredients and pesticide contents on the product, bottle, wrapper, cans or package. An HC bench rejected the review petition moved by Arun Jaitley on behalf of Coke and Iqbal Chhagala on behalf of Pepsi. The two cold drink gaints argued the directions would force them to compromise with their commercial confidentiality.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Nov. 05, 2004, Page No. 15

Norms issued for legalising industries
Announcing the norms for regularisation of industries in the Capital`s residential localities by an amendment in the Master Plan, the Centre stipulated that the scheme would be applicable only to those clusters that occupy a minimum of 4 hectares of contiguous area in a colony. Of this area, at least 70 per cent of the land plots must be covered by manufacturing units of a non-polluting nature. The government also notified 18 categories of industries as household units. These include scooter repairing, screen-printing, drycleaning, flour mills and photocopying units.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Nov. 05, 2004, Page No. 3

At least in SC, govt doesn’t pollute affidavit
The Centre and the Sheila Dikshit government agreed on October 27 to amend the Masterplan for regularising illegal industries in residential areas if their presence was more than 70 per cent. Since this ran contrary to the Supreme Court order, there was speculation about how it would avoid incurring the wrath of the Court. The Delhi government, however, has quietly filed an affidavit in Supreme Court yesterday that makes no mention of amending the Masterplan or regularising the industries. Instead, it’s virtually a compliance report.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1supp, Nov. 03, 2004

Water to come under PFA ambit
A year after the Centre for Science and Environment found unacceptably high levels of pesticides in bottled water manufactured in India, the Centre has decided to amend the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, to be in a position to take action against bottlers.The Union Cabinet is likely to agree to the amendment of the Act, when it meets on Wednesday, to make water a “food” and thereby, allow for prosecution against those selling water with high levels of impurities or pesticides, if necessary. The levels were found to be much higher than those prescribed by the European Union and in some cases, above World Health Organisation limits.The bottled water manufacturers said they had kept to WHO standards which were less stringent.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Nov. 02, 2004, Page No. 1

Shasun to buy water from Chemfab Alkalies
Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd has agreed to buy 500 cubic metres of water a day from Chemfab Alkalies Ltd. The agreement will take effect once Chemfab Alkalies` desalination plant goes on stream. Chemfab Alkalies has received the in-principle approval from the Government of Pondicherry for the Rs 30-crore desalination project, which is to be implemented in two stages. When fully completed, the plant will produce 4,000 cubic metres of water a day. The desalination plant will enable Chemfab Alkalies to expand the capacity of the 110 tonnes-per-day plant by 50 per cent, Dr Rao said. Without the plant, the company would not be able to expand because the State Government would not give permission to tap additional ground water.

Business Line, New Delhi, Nov. 01, 2004, Page No. 3

Dirt track to dirty drain
Industries and villages rarely go together. That has, however, been a way of life in the villages of Rithala, Haiderpur and Shalimar, among the residential areas in north Delhi where illegal industries are likely to be regularised. These factories, however, are suddenly invisible. Shutters are downed in lane after lane and people have gone underground. Villagers in Rithala claim that in the past fortnight power connections to 500 factories have been snapped. In one lane just a cloth mill and a bakery survives today. The ageing pradhan of the village, Madhoram, says all his tenants are leaving as they have lost jobs. ‘‘No one has any work here anymore. We are left without our farms and factories.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1supp, Oct. 31, 2004

BIS sets up panel to fix soft drinks standards
The Drink and Carbonated Beverages Sectional Committee of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is setting up a core committee to finalise the standards for soft drinks by December this year. A decision to this effect was taken at the committee`s meeting held in Chennai. The meeting ratified the standards for alcoholic drinks. However a month`s time was given to the excise department to raise any objections or amendments, informed sources said.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Oct. 29, 2004, Page No. 28

Bisleri can`t restart bottling job before joint inspection: FDA
The Mumbai FDA Joint Commissioner, Mr H D Salukhe, said that Parle Bisleri Ltd cannot re-start its packaged water bottling activities until a joint inspection by the FDA, the municipal corporation and the Bureau of Indian Standards had ensured compliance by the company, despite the BIS having issued a quality compliance certificate to the company, earlier.

Business Line, New Delhi, Oct. 29, 2004, Page No. 19

Parle told to stop releasing Bisleri
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed Parle Exports, manufacturers of `Bisleri` bottled water, not to release the product in the market till further orders. The company has failed to conduct required microbiological tests as a quarantine procedure as per BIS norms, FDA Commissioner A Ramakrishnan said.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Oct. 28, 2004, Page No. 13

Industries in ‘non-conforming’ areas to stay
The Union Urban Development Ministry today agreed to amend the Master Plan of Delhi-2001 to regularize all residential areas that have more than 70 percent industries thus saving them form Imminent closure, but ruled out the possibility of issuing an Ordinance in this regard. The Delhi government was asked to inform the Supreme Court of this decision “In Principle” and seek extension of time accordingly.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Oct. 28, 2004, Page No. 1 & www.hinduonnet.com

Standards for pesticide residue in soft drinks in two months
The Standards for pesticide residue in soft drinks are likely to be decided by the end of the year. The 10th meeting of the Drink and Carbonated Beverages Sectional Committee FAD 14 of the Bureau of Indian Standards that met in Chennai today decided to form a smaller group to look into the scientific and technical aspects that were thrown up at the meeting. The committee, headed by M. Sudarshan from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and comprising representatives of the industry, non-governmental organisations, scientists and BIS officials, will finalise its recommendations in two months. Sunita Narain, Director, CSE, who was present at the meeting, said there were three major points on which the industry disagreed with the NGOs: the level of pesticide residue in the carbonated drinks and its source; the labelling of ingredients in soft drinks and levels of caffeine in cola drinks.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Oct. 28, 2004, Page No. 13 & www.hinduonnet.com

Appeal to declare moratorium on NOCs to industrial units
The Uttar Pradesh Governmenthas been requested to declare a moratorium on the NOCs granted to the industrial units in and around Kanpur until the Common Effluent Treatment Plant is set up. This was stated by the Kanpur Divisional Commissioner, Ms Anita Bhatnagar Jain.

The Pioneer, Lucknow, 3supp, Oct. 27, 2004

Rs 25k for inhaling 41 tonnes of gas
The 20-year-long wait by victims of the world`s worst industrial disaster to get a paltry sum as comoensation is over with the SC on Tuesday directing distribution of Rs 1,567 crore among 5.72 lakh victims, including the next-of-kin of the 15,000 dead. Each victim or his or her dependent will receive Rs 25,000 each as compensation for having suffered all these years after inhaling 41 tonnes of poisonous gas from Union Carbide`s plant at Bhopal in December 1984.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2004, Page No. 12

Choking on industries
Greenpeace has demanded that the government declare a state of chemical crisis at Patancheru. There are over 100 industries manufacturing bulk drugs, paints, plastics, chemicals among others. Their pollutants have over two decades, rendered 2,000 acres for agricultural land fallow and contaminated ground water up to 140 feet.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2004, Page No. 1

Azad`s prescription for `choking` industries
With Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad all set to accord a favourable consideration to the draft policy recommendations of the Sub-Group on Industrial sector for the Master Plan of Delhi-2021, set up by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the vexed issue of the relocation of the industrial units from the residential areas is all set to be resolved. According to the solutions offered by the Urban Development Ministry (UDM), residential clusters where more than 70 per cent plots had come under manufacturing activity will be regularised. Suitable amendments will be brought to the 2021 Master Plan in this regard, sources in the ministry said.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2004, Page No. 3

We will not allow industries to be uprooted form Delhi: Sheila
Expressing concern at ”politicisation” of the ongoing controversy over closure of industries in the Capital , the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, today asserted that her Government would not allow the industries to be closed down. ”We will stand by the industries and the lakhs of labourers and entrepreneurs. Yhis is our firm commitment and part of our party manifesto which is supreme and sacred to us.”

The Hindu, New Delhi, Oct. 27, 2004, Page No. 1 & www.hinduonnet.com

FDA on bottled water units
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration ordered 11 mineral water units, including Parle Bisleri, to stop production and distribution. The order was based on a letter from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Oct. 26, 2004, Page No. 9

Playing defense, Coke backs research that asks: is sugar all bad?
Concerned that soda is becoming the target of the next great public-health crusade, Coca-Cola Co. is backing new scientific efforts it hopes will keep its surgary drinks from being blamed as a major cause of obesity. Last week, Coke and a well-konwn think tank on food issues are sponsoring a conference in Mexico for researchers and academics to explore an increasingly heretical idea in nutrition circles: that sugar and otehr sweetners aren`t all bad.

The Asian Wall Street Journal, Hong Kong, M12, Oct. 25, 2004

‘Pesticides hamper child development’
Children in Bathinda have slower physical and mental development than their counterparts in Ropar, thanks to the excessive usage of pesticides. Children in cotton-growing areas have shown slow development, says a study conducted by Green Peas along with Kheti Virasat, an organisation working towards conservation of ecology, water and soil.Ms Kavitha Kuruganty, principal investigator for the study that was completed earlier this year, said seemingly normal children had been badly affected due to chronic exposure to pesticides.Ms Kuruganty, a researcher at the Centre for Sustainab Agriculture, who was here in the city recently, spoke to The Tribune about the Arrested Development Study. The study was conducted in six states, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Punjab, across the country.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Oct. 25, 2004, Page No. 13

Future of polluting units sealed
The future of 300-odd small-scale industrial units in and around Wazirpur in north-western Delhi is in jeopardy as the Supervisory Group constituted by the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee is likely to direct the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to “initiate the process of closing down the industries” for discharging certain chemicals and for not complying with the apex court’s order to install and operate common effluent treatment plants. The Monitoring Committee had given industrial societies time till October 15 to pay their share of money for setting up the CETPs for treating hazardous waste and to operate them according to prescribed norms. As per the Supreme Court order, the industrial societies were to bear 50 per cent of the total cost whereas the Delhi Government and the Union Government would pay 25 per cent each.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Oct. 25, 2004, Page No. 3

Govt wants time to close units
The Delhi government wants more time to close industries in areas where concentration of industries is more than 70 per cent. Interestingly, this is the first time that the government has expressed its willingness to close industries in 24 non-conforming areas where concentration of industries is more than 70 per cent. The final picture on these 24 industrial areas would be clear only after the latest survey report is submitted.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, Oct. 23, 2004, Page No. 5

Pollution Board tightens screws on 5 steel firms
The Goa State Pollution Control Board has cracked the whip on five steel industrial units at the Kundaim Industrial Estate on the grounds of causing environmental pollution and has warned of closure if they fail to control the pollution effectively.

Herald, Panjim, Oct. 21, 2004, Page No. 1

HC stays PCB order to close down Titanium
The High Court of Kerala stayed the implementation of the closure notice served on State-owned Travancore Titanium Products (TTP) at Thiruvananthapuram by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB). The KSPCB had served the notice as per the directives of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee on Hazardous Wastes. Justice K.Balakrishnan Nair, however, said the stay order would not stand in the way of the KSPCB taking action against the company under the Hazardous Waste Management Rules.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, Oct. 20, 2004, Page No. 4

To watch your waist, look at cola labels
Even Coca-Cola and Pepsi are turning calorie-conscious. With obesity concerns getting shriller by the day and the recent row over pesticide traces in soft drinks posing several challenges, the two cola companies have decided to label soft drinks with nutritional facts for the first time in India. The new label will state nutritional details, including calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrate, sugar and protein on every pack size, sources said. Coca-Cola and Pepsico International “will begin the rollout of enhanced nutrition labelling on a number of package sizes from ’05”. The two companies also plan to state on the label whether the caffeine content in the soft drink is above permissible limits. The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) in its draft standard for carbonated beverages, has recommended health advisory for caffeinated energy drinks above 145 mg/lt.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, Oct. 19, 2004, Page No. 9

Govt gets cracking on industries
More than a week after the Supreme Court’s deadline for closing unauthorised light and service industries in residential and non-conforming areas, the Sub-Divisional Magistrates have got cracking, snapping water and power connections. Industries Commissioner Jalaj Srivastava said the current drive is only a prelude to a second more severe one a month later. ‘‘The real deadline will come only after the 7th of next month. Right now, there are many limitations with what we are doing,’’ Srivastava said. ‘‘In quite a number of cases, the parties just lock up and leave when they know we are coming. But once the one-month extended deadline too passes, we will start sealing the premises, whether it is open or not.’’

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, Oct. 19, 2004

Closure order for polluting units
Closure orders for the industrial units in Kerala that have failed to comply with the Supreme Court order on hazardous waste will be issued on October 16 as the one month time sought by the new Chief Minister, Mr Ommen Chandym is getting over today.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, Oct. 15, 2004, Page No. 8

Polluting companies face music as deadline nears
The Supreme Court monitoring committee (SCMC) on hazardous waste disposal is firm on closure of companies not adhering to norms. Already closure notices had been issued to 22 firms. Inspection of the remaining 168 companies that had responded to pollution control board notices, including FACT, KRL, Binani Zinc and Travancore Cochin Chemicals, was being undertaken and erring companies would be issued immediate closure notices.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Oct. 15, 2004, Page No. 9

SCMC tightens noose on polluting units
The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on Hazardous Waste has refused to extend the deadline of October 15 for setting up temporary disposal facility for hazardous waste by the industries in the State. The Committee has asked the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to issue closure orders to polluting industries on October 16 based on the reports from its regional offices. Meanwhile State-owned Travancore Titanium Products (TTP) at Thiruvananthapuram has already been slapped with a closure notice by KSPCB as per the directive of the Committee.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, Oct. 14, 2004, Page No. 5

A day to go before govt cracks CETP whip
Clouds loom large once more over the industries in Delhi as the deadline for running the common effluent treatment plants approaches. The Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous wastes has set October 15 as the date for making operational the CETPs in 10 industrial areas, failing which the industries there are to be sealed. The Delhi government said that it would not hesitate to seal the units which refuse to pay for running the CETPs from October 15. However, the industry owners are not prepared to run the plants or pay for them by the apex court deadline.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, Oct. 14, 2004

10-day ultimatum to stop closure of industries in Delhi areas
Joining agitating manufacturers, the former Prime Minister, Mr V P Singh, and the CPI9M) leaders gave a 10-day ultimatum to the Centre to stop closure of industries in non-conforming areas in the Capital failing which they will hit the streets. Participating in a demonstration to protest the Delhi Government’s drive against the industries, they demanded that the Centre bring an Ordinance to amend the Delhi Master Plan which prescribes closure of non-conforming industrial units in residential areas.

Business Line, New Delhi, Oct. 13, 2004, Page No. 19

Coke brings in official for damage control
Soft drink major Coca Cola which has been drawing considerable flak on allegations of exploitation of groundwater by environment activists in India has brought in its Asia Group communications head David Cox, possibly, for damage control or an image makeover.

Financial Express, New Delhi, Oct. 13, 2004, Page No. 4

Delhi industrial units face closure for polluting Yamuna
Delhi is yet to recover from the aftershock of the Supreme Court ordering the closure of industries operating illegally in residential areas, but come October 15, many more industries risk closure for discharging hazardous waste in the Yamuna and for not contributing their share in installing common effluent treatment plants (CETP). This is the third in a series of Supreme Court orders that have virtually sounded the death knell for industries in the National Capital. First the apex court ordered the relocation of industries to designated industrial areas on the outskirts of Delhi and then ordered the closure of industries operating illegally in residential areas.October 15 is the deadline for the industrial societies in Delhi to contribute 50 per cent of the cost for setting up common effluent treatment plants and to ensure that the plants are functional by then and also adhere to the stipulated norms. The matter traces its origin to a public interest litigation petition filed in the Supreme Court.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Oct. 13, 2004, Page No. 2

Industrial waste: DSIDC caught in the mire
The Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC) finds itself in an unenviable situation, caught as it is between the Supreme Court on the one hand and the industry on the other in the matter of implementing the apex court’s order on treating of industrial waste. The industries in the ‘A’ to ‘F’ categories in Delhi have time till October 15 to contribute their share towards setting up of common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) and operate the CETPs according tothe stipulated norms so that the discharge of hazardous waste into the river is discontinued.“We are seized of the matter … we are doing our utmost to get all the parties involved including industrial societies to arrive at an amicable solution and at the same time honour the directions of the Supreme Court on setting up of common effluent treatment plants,” Chairman and Managing Director of DSIDC Jalaj Srivastava told The Tribune.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Oct. 13, 2004, Page No. 3

Protest against soft drink factory
Prohibitory orders have been issued at Kaladera, about 40km from Jaipur. Social activists and civil rights groups have accused the soft drink manufacturer of indiscrimately exploiting ground water reserves leading to a sharp decline in the water table in th region creating innumerable problems for the villagers.

Sahara Time, New Delhi, Oct. 09, 2004, Page No. 5

Colas for crops
The Centre for Science and Environment’s finding early this year that many carbonated soft drinks have high pesticide content and thus are unsafe for human consumption, has a queer spin-off. Farmers in some districts of Andhra Pradesh are taking to spraying Coke, Pepsi and Thums Up on their crops ‘to get rid of pests’. And they claim that the results are good.

Sahara Time, New Delhi, Oct. 09, 2004, Page No. 6

HC bans soft drink sales until contents are displayed
The Rajasthan High Court banned the sale of Pepsi, Coca-Cola and other soft drinks unless the manufacturers displayed on their bottles a list and percentage of contents in the drinks. Delivering its judgement on a PIL by two citizens, a Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Mr Anil Dev Singh, and Mr Justice K S Rathore said since people paid to buy the product, the consumer should know whether it was safe. The petitioners had pointed that despite adverse comments by a Joint Parliamentary Committee and the NGO Centre for Science and Environment on high pesticide residue in Pepsi and Coca-Cola, the companies were not yet informing citizens about the contents of their soft drinks.

Business Line, New Delhi, Oct. 09, 2004, Page No. 4

Pollution unchecked
A Supreme Court appointed committee comes down heavily on the Kerala State Pollution Control Board for its failure to stop industries from polluting crucial river systems such as the Periyar.

Frontline, Chennai, Oct. 08, 2004, Page No. 36

Pollution Board on the lookout for a waste treatment site
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is looking for an appropriate site for setting up a treatment, storage and disposal facility (TSDF) for hazardous wastes generated by industries, said chairperson Girija Vaidyanathan. The Board was looking at various sites, preferably at industrial estates, for setting up the facility. "The TNPCB is galvanised into implementation of environmental laws. The industry, too, should understand its role and pool in to create facilities for waste management," she said during an informal chat with representatives of the industry after inaugurating a training programme on Environmental Management in Electroplating Industries at the Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University recently.

The Hindu, Chennai, Oct. 08, 2004, Page No. 8 & www.hinduonnet.com

Delhi seeks time to shift industries
Bowing to pressure form trade bodies protesting against the shifting of industries from residential areas, the Delhi government today said it would ask the Supreme Court to grant them 18 more months to move to plots allotted to them.

Business Standard, New Delhi, Oct. 07, 2004, Page No. 5

Sheila pushes SC deadline
In a statement that shows Delhi government’s disinclination to follow the Supreme Court’s orders on industrial relocation, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said they would be able to implement the orders by 2007. Observing that the task was not easy, Dikshit said ‘‘Delhi government can give a commitment to Supreme Court that we will be able to abide by the orders by 2007.’’ She was speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting which lasted more than an hour. She added that closure of these industries will be a blow to Delhi’s economy.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1supp, Oct. 07, 2004

Indian cos see market for carbon credits
Several Indian firms are gearing up to sell their `carbon credits` in the global market. Carbon credits are earned by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through innovative technologies. A new market is now emerging for trading in `emission reduction units` (ERUs) with European Union launching its Emission Trading Scheme in January 2005. Reduction in emission levels, certified by designated agencies, can be traded as a commodity under the United Nation`s Framework for Climate Change Convention. Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd is said to be the first Indian company to get the approval from the National Designated Authority of UK.

Business Line, New Delhi, Oct. 06, 2004, Page No. 3

Govt disconnects power, water supply to 2,000 industrial units
Acting on a Supreme Court order on relocation of industrial units, the Delhi government has snapped power and water supply to about 2,000 such units. The government is expected to target 3,000 more such units till October 6. Chief Secretary S. Regunathan held a high-level meeting with three deputy commissioners and the divisional commissioner at the Delhi Secretariat to take stock of the situation. Regunathan, who has been monitoring the industrial relocation process, sought daily reports from the deputy commissioners on the enforcement activities of the teams led by SDMs, which have been tasked with disconnecting power and water supply to the industrial units.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, Oct. 01, 2004

Paper improves green score
CSE says `environmental nightmare sector` has improved performance. The Indian paper and pulp industry had improved its environmental performance in the last five years, said the Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) in a report released today.The Delhi-based environment watchdog’s Green Rating Project has given the industry a score of 29.1 per cent in 2004, against 27.4 per cent in 1999, when it had first rated the pulp and paper industry.The findings were released by former President KR Narayanan here today. “The good news is that even this environmental nightmare sector is showing big changes,” said Chandra Bhushan, coordinator of the Green Rating Project.of the 30 units evaluated by the CSE, as many as six have got a rating of three leaves, the highest being five leaves. The list is topped by ITC Ltd’s Bhadrachalam unit, followed by the Hari Shankar Singhania group’s JK Paper Mills and Lalit Mohan Thapar’s Bilt Graphics.

Business Standard, New Delhi, Oct. 01, 2004, Page No. 1

Attempt to ghetao Coca Cola plant
Aleast 80 Jansangharsh closure of Coca-Cola bottling unit for “stealing ground water” were taken into custody as they headed to gherao the plant at Kaladera, 30 km from Jaipur today.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Sept. 29, 2004, Page No. 2

Govt asks 5 pvt firms to survey 24 colonies
The Delhi Government has authorised five private companies to undertake a scientific survey of 24 residential areas having more than 70 per cent industrial concentration and submit a report within 45 days. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said the Government would soon approach the Supreme Court (SC) to seek more time for closure of polluting industries in residential areas. "We will approach the court shortly to seek more time. The Government needs more time to close the polluting industries in residential areas and shift them to peripheral areas, as it had decided to conduct a fresh survey to identify areas which have over 70 per cent industries," said Ms Dikshit.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, Sept. 29, 2004, Page No. 3

Eviction of polluting units ordered
While the government in neighbouring Delhi has launched a campaign to drive out the industrial units from the residential areas, the authorities here are still studying the problem which seems to have gone out of proportions. That could be the reason that the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, ordered the eviction of the polluting industrial units from the residential pockets in the town at a meeting of the District Grievances Committee here on Friday. Jawahar Colony is one of the largest residential colonies in the state with a population of about two lakhs, with a mix-up of both residential and industrial units. Nearly the same is the story in colonies like Dabua, SGM Nagar, Gandhi Colony, Nangla Enclave, Sanjay Colony, in the NIT, Chawla Colony, Adarsh Nagar, Prem Nagar, Tigaon Road, Mohna Road and Rajiv Colony in Ballabhgarh and many of the colonies of the Old Faridabad areas. In some of the areas, the number of factories or workshops has outnumbered the number of residential units, and in some of the pockets, the percentage of such units has gone up to 70 per cent.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Sept. 27, 2004, Page No. 4

A long march against Coca-Cola
Social activists civil rights groups and concerned citizens today began a long march to kaladera village 40 km from Jaipur, demanding immediate closure of the bottling plant of Coca-Cola as it was “indiscriminately exploiting “ground water. The Participants alleged that the plant’s activities had led to a sharp decline in the water table in and around Kaledera.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Sept. 26, 2004, Page No. 5 & www.hinduonnet.com

Training for environmental monitors
The training for the prospective environmental monitors in the Eloor-Edayar industrial belt, who will keep tabs on the polluting companies, began in Kochi. Representatives of the various environmental organisations including the Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samiti (PMVS) and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) were introduced to concepts like village-mapping and identifying location of industries. Denny Larson, CEO, Global Community Monitor, initiated them to the sources of industrial pollution.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, 3supp, Sept. 25, 2004

Call for a blanket ban on asbestos
Environmental health groups and trade unions from India, the United States, Japan and Canada have called for a ban on all activities relating to mining, manufacture, use and trade in asbestos. At an International Conference on Asbestos Exposure organised by the Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) at LNJP Hospital here this past week, experts warned of an epidemic of asbestos-related diseases in India if its use continued without check.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Sept. 21, 2004, Page No. 4 & www.hinduonnet.com

No mechanism to check industrial pollution: Expert
Despite Its having an effective legislation to curb industrial pollution , the absence of mechanism to translate laws into action was largely responsible for the alarming increase of the pollution in the country, renowned US based environmental activits, Denny Larson has said.

The New Indian Express, Chennai, Sept. 20, 2004, Page No. 4

Pesticide unit’s closure ordered
Authorities in Himachal Pradesh have ordered the closure of an industrial unit and issued notices to 15 others on charges of causing pollution.The announcement was made over the weekend at Baddi, an upcoming industrial town near Chandigarh."During our visit to several units we found that many of them were violating the environment protection norms," said Mr S.S. Negi, member secretary of the state pollution control board.Besides closing down one unit, 15 more, including three run by the state government, were given a fortnight to take corrective measures.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Sept. 20, 2004, Page No. 17

Govt orders industrial areas survey
Four months after the Supreme Court criticised the Delhi government for using an ‘‘unreliable survey’’ to plead for regularising the industrial units, the latter has ordered a fresh survey of industrial units in residential colonies. There are 24 such residential colonies, where, the Delhi government’s last survey in 2001 claims, industrial units make up 70 per cent or more. The government has been pleading the case of the units by saying that there should be ‘‘in-situ regularisation’’ for them and such colonies should be declared as ‘‘industrial areas’’. ‘‘We have ordered this survey after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 16. The Union Urban Development minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had also asked on August 31 for the survey to be done in these 24 areas,’’ Industries commissioner Jalaj Srivastava told.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 1supp, Sept. 20, 2004

NGOs plan to deface cola hoardings
Several environmentalist groups today announced a nationwide campaign against Pepsi and Coke companies in India with the formation of a human chain around the 100-odd cola manufacturing units across the country on January 20 next. Students and villagers will form a human chain against all cola-manufacturing plants in the country between 12 noon and 1-30 p.m. on that day. This will be followed by a `jan adalat` (people`s court) which will serve a formal notice to the managements of these units asking them to quit, said Vandana Shiva of the Research Foundation for Science Technology and Ecology here today. Her decision has been supported by Navdanya, Azadi Bachao Andolan and several other environmental organisations.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Sept. 20, 2004, Page No. 12 & www.hinduonnet.com

Kerala industry, unions get the pollution message
It was a severe jolt for industry in Kerala when the Pollution Control Board issued immediate closure of 189 units for failing to comply with norms. The Kerala government has bought three months from the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC). But the good thing is that the shock tactics forced industry, trade unions and different industry organisations to come together to find a way out. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Kerala region convened a meeting of industry, the environment groups and trade unions and is working on a participatory approach.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Sept. 20, 2004, Page No. 4

Govt to request SC to give 18 more months
With pressure mounting from different quarters, the Delhi government has decided to approach the Supreme Court next week, to seek more time to relocate industries running from non con-forming areas.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Sept. 19, 2004, Page No. 3

UK to replicate EU chemical centre
The UK is to set up its own version of the EU chemical centre in order to help the industry prepare for legislation that will come into force over the next few years. Part of a joint initiative between The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and the Local Government Commission (LGC), an independent analytical laboratory, the UK will mirror the EU`s centre with its own version of Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH). The centre is designed to act as an independent support mechanism for this country`s chemical sector in preparation for the full implementation of REACH throughout Europe, according to Dr John Marriott, LGC`s Government Chemist.

Edie (Internet), UK, Sept. 17, 2004

Texas fines Exxon for environmental violations
Texas fined Exxon Mobil Corp. $150,462 this week for violations of air pollution regulations at the company`s 363,000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery in Beaumont, Texas. According to a statement issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality the violations were discovered during investigations in 2002. The commission said the violations include failure to limit emissions during refinery malfunctions, failure to repair and perform monitoring of equipment, recordkeeping failures and failure to install equipment.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Sept. 17, 2004

Govt. action against `F` category industries
The Delhi government`s industry department today cut off power and water supply to about half-a -dozen `F` category, industrial units, running from non conforming areas.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Sept. 15, 2004, Page No. 5

Industrial closure: Govt seeks Centre`s intervention
With the progress of industrial closure seemingly getting out of hand, the Delhi Cabinet is likely to seek the intervention of the Union government, to gain some extra time for implementing the court orders.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Sept. 11, 2004, Page No. 4

Relocation of polluting units kicks up storm
A large crowed gathered on the main road in Vishwas Nagar to protest against the closure of industries by the government. Tension however was not restricted to Vishwas Nagar. Deli government’s deputy commissioner have been cutting power and water connections for industries since the past two days, with resistance marking every inch of the way. According to the present Supreme Court order, all industries in category F that are considered polluting including electroplating, dyeing and those manufacturing batteries and accessories should have been shut by September 7.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Sept. 11, 2004, Page No. 3

UN: cash running out to clean up pesticide waste
The United Nations body which helps clear up pesticide waste in developing countries said yesterday cash was running out to reduce the chemical stockpiles which poison millions of people every year. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said it would run out of funds later this year to attend to stockpiles in Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, which together are sitting on more than 20,000 tons of pesticide poisons. Limited funding would still be available for its work cleaning up stockpiles in Africa.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Sept. 10, 2004

CII, KMA take their cue from conventions on environment
Two international conventions on protection of environment have finally caught up with the industries in Kerala which have been let down by obsolete technologies. With the representatives of the various industries — the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Kerala Management Association (KMA) — holding a meet at KMA Hall here on Tuesday to chalk out strategies to pull themselves out of the mess, there are indications that awareness on the issue is finally dawning on. The CII had been trying to create an awareness on the Basel Convention of 1999 that focused on Environmental Sound Management (ESM) for minimising Hazardous Waste (HW) and the 2001 Stockholm convention that dealt with the need to phase out Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

The New Indian Express, Kochi, 3supp, Sept. 08, 2004

Industry captains to knock at SC’s door
Corporate captains have come to the conclusion that there is no option before them than to approach the Supreme Court to get out of the Hazardous Waste Rules logjam. A meeting of various apex bodies of industries in the State, which met in Kochi in the wake of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board directive to shut down 198 industries, has decided to seek legal opinion before approaching the Supreme Court to obtain extension of time to comply with the order of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC).

The New Indian Express, Kochi, 1supp, Sept. 08, 2004

1 lakh factory owners to go on strike today
At least one lakh factory owners, under the banner of Delhi Manufacturers Federation (DMF), will go on strike against the Supreme Court`s ruling to close all industrial units (category `F` industries) in non-conforming areas. The last time they called a strike, the industrial workers had brought the city to a complete standstill. The Supreme Court has also set a deadline of one month for closing of category B to E industries in Delhi. DMF general secretary Vijay Virmani said factory owners and workers have decided to hold a dharna and block traffic in 70 industrial areas against the Supreme Court`s ruling.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, Sept. 08, 2004, Page No. 3

Bantala tanners threaten to move court
About 30 tannery owners, who have already spent crore of rupees in setting up their tanneries it
the newly-constructed Calcutta Leather Complex, have threatened to move court if they were not allowed to start operation immediately. At least 30 tanneries were ready to start operations and have also obtained clearance from the West Bengal State Pollution Control Board but the BOT party has not given them the connection of effluent line on instruction from the State Government.

Business Line, New Delhi, Sept. 07, 2004, Page No. 17

Euro norms for water used in soft drinks
Soft drinks companies will have to use water testified according to the European standards from 15 October. All the unsold bottles of soft drinks prepared through present norms for water will have to be taken back from the market before the deadline expires. The Union health ministry which was entrusted by the Joint Parliamentary Committee to ascertain and fix standards for water for use in preparation of soft drinks after bottled soft drinks manufactured by multinational companies, were found to contain high recidues of pesticides.

The Statesman, New Delhi, Sept. 07, 2004, Page No. 5

Govt to crack down on polluting units
With the Supreme Court deadline on closure of polluting industries expiring,the government would be starting the process of cutting water and electricity connections of violating units. According to government, there are almost 5,000 industrial units which fall under the F Category. There are a total of 93,000 B to F category industries operating in the city, according to an MCD survey. A panel headed by the chief secretary with DDA, police and MCD as members was constituted by the Supreme Court to oversee the process of shifting out of these industries.

The Times of India, New Delhi, Sept. Sept. 07, 2004, Page No. 4

Apex court panel for immediate action against polluting unit
“Forty-five thousand tonnes of extremely hazardous hexavalent chromium waste lies in the midst of Vadodara in Gujarat,” said an affidavit filed by the 11-member Supreme Court Monitoring Committee
(SCMC) on Hazardous Waste headed by G Thyagarajan before the apex court. Based on the investigation by the sub-committee, which visited Vadodara between March 29 and April 1, it has demanded immediate action against Hema Chemicals located at Gorwa Industrial Estate for ‘careless, irresponsible and indiscriminate’ dumping of toxic hexavalent chromium waste. The company has been dumping waste in the neighbourhood indiscriminately since 1965.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad, Sept. 06, 2004, Page No. 5

Fly ash flows into Sutlej; third incident in two years
The leakage of contaminated water from the stage-1 dyke of Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant (GGSSTP), Ropar, has been polluting the Sutlej for the past two days posing a threat to environment in the region. A large amount of fly ash from the 12-feet-deep dyke has been flowing into the Sutlej in the international wetland area through the Ghauli drain, since Friday night.

The Tribune, New Delhi, Sept. 06, 2004, Page No. 1

Dead Punjabi Soil
Harkishanpura, a village in Bhatinda district of Punjab, is up for sale. But no one wants land there. Reason: the land has been degraded and the water poisoned with chemicals by excessive use of pesticides. Punjab chief minister Capt. Amrinder Singh personally inspected the area, but nothing came of it. Harkishanpura is not the only area to have met that fate. In most parts of Bhatinda, the groundwater has an excess of chlorides that have leeched in with excessive pesticide use. Forget about human consumption, water in many villages has been declared unfit even for agriculture. Yet villagers drink it every day. They have no choice. The fate is much the same in Warangal and many other parts of India.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Sept. 05, 2004, Page No. 4

PCB guns for local bodies
After serving closure notices to industrial units which flouted the Hazardous Waste norms, the Pollution Control Board is gearing up to issue notices to the various municipalities and corporations in the State for failure to set up plants to treat Municipal Solid Waste. ‘‘We are planning to take stringent action against all the local bodies that are yet to take steps for managing solid waste,’’ said PCB secretary Indulal. The last date for adhering to the norms set by the Supreme Court including setting up of waste processing and disposal facilities expired on December 2003.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, 1supp, Sept. 03, 2004

Polluting industrial units: New survey on the cards
While taking note of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit’s grouses with the draft Masterplan 2021, Union Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad administered a bitter pill — the NDA government’s proposed ‘development charges’ for regularising unauthorised colonies are here to stay. And, a fresh survey of polluting industrial units has to be undertaken. Apart from fixing the ‘development charges’ for residents of such unauthorised colonies in terms of the location, the Urban Development Ministry will undertake a door-to-door survey to identify the number of industrial units, especially hazardous-pollutant ones, in residential areas. "It will be completed within three months," a senior Urban Development official said.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 4supp, Sept. 02, 2004

Treat PCB’s closure order as showcause, HC tells Kerala cos
The Kerala High Court direction to 109 units to treat the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) order for immediate closure of the units as a showcause notice may have come as a reprieve to the firms, including Kochi Refineries, FACT, Binani Zinc, Travancore Cochin Chemicals and OEN India Ltd. KSPCB had, after the directions of the Supreme Court monitoring committee (SCMC) on hazardous waste, ordered immediate closure of 109 industrial units in Kerala, including 32 functioning with due authorisation of the PCB.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, Sept. 02, 2004, Page No. 5

HC givs polluting firms a breather
The Kerala High Court permitted the 32 industrial units ordered to be closed down by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on August 25, to continue to function till further orders are passed by the PCB under Rule 4(4) of the Environmental Protection Rules. Acting on the directions of the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on hazardous wastes, the PCB had served immediate closure notices to 109 industrial units in the State, including 32 functioning with due authorisation given by the PCB under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules and 77 small-scale industries operating without its authorisation.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, 1supp, Sept. 01, 2004

Exotic mercury soars to high on tight supply
Exotic minor metal mercury winged its way to a more than two-decade high yesterday on a stoppage at the world`s biggest producer and other supply problems. Free-market mercury, used to make batteries, thermometers and other products, was indicated at $470/530 a flask, having risen 50 percent from levels of $330 in mid-August to its highest since 1982. Traders said a production halt by Minas de Almaden, the world`s largest producer in Ciudad Real, central Spain, as well as flooding of a mine in Kyrgyzstan and shipment delays from Algeria have left the market seriously undersupplied.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, Sept. 01, 2004

Closure of soft drinks plants demanded
Demanding closure of all Coca-Cola and Pepsi bottling plants, social activists from Indian Social Action Forum today questioned the continuing supply of "these poisonous drinks`` all over the country. They have also called for a protest demonstration on Parliament Street in New Delhi. "After the Centre for Science and Environment report last year, the supply of these drinks has been stopped at the Parliament cafeteria. But the supply of these drinks continues all over the country. This is even when it has been found that the drinks contain pesticides beyond permissible limit.

The Hindu, New Delhi, Sept. 01, 2004, Page No. 3 & www.hinduonnet.com

Farakka project faces critical shortage of water
As the Centre is readying for building the third part of the super-thermal power station at Farakka, West Bengal, it faces a critical shortage of water and the problem of moving power from the east to other parts of the country. The shortage arises between March and May as much of the water, because of the interenational treatey on the Ganga waters, goes to Bangladesh. It leaves little for West Bengal and evele less for the project.

The Statesman, New Delhi, August 30, 2004, Page No. 11

Ganga Action Plan bears no fruit
Despite heavy investments towards cleaning the Ganga, pollution levels are just as terrifying as
before. This was highlighted during the Clean Ganga Day organised by the Sankat Mochan Foundation, The Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development in the Capital today. "The Ganga Action Plan was launched by the Government in Varanasi in 1986. More than 50 crores has been spent on the project but the pollution levels in the Ganga are as high as ever. Till as late as 1993, the Government said that the project had been successful. But then we started doing water testing and it was clear the sewage was till flowing into the river," said Veer Bhadra Mishra, president of the Sankat Mochan Foundation, Varanasi, at the second Clean Ganga Day.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 28, 2004, Page No. 4 & www.hinduonnet.com

PGIMER study confirms pesticide-cancer link
A study conducted by the Chandigarh-based Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), on behalf of the Punjab government, has confirmed earlier findings that the excessive use of chemical pesticides was the cause of a series of deaths due to cancer in Talwandi block of Bhatinda district in Punjab.Farmers in the district largely grow cotton and rice, and are known for their excessive use of chemical pesticides.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 27, 2004, Page No. 13

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, August 25, 2004

SC panel for closure of Hind Insecticides unit
A Monitoring Committee on Hazardous Waste set up by the Supreme Court has recommended that the public sector Hindustan Insecticides Ltd (HIL) at Eloor near Kochi should be closed down in view of the environmental pollution it creates. The committee said in its report submitted to the State Government that the public sector HIL should `go in for closure` and the area where the company is operating be allowed to `recover from the various toxic materials and chemicals` HIL uses and discharges. HIL, which makes pesticides such as DDT and Endosulfan, should be allowed to reopen only if it can shift to "clean technology and a new product mix", the committee said in its report.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 25, 2004, Page No. 3

Fishing warnings up due to mercury pollution - EPA
Americans were cautioned about eating fish from more than one-third of U.S. lakes and nearly one-fourth of its rivers last year due to pollution from mercury and other chemicals, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said. Nationwide, about 102,000 lakes and about 846,000 river miles were under fishing advisories in 2003, the EPA said in its annual report. Fishing advisories are issued by states if high concentrations of mercury, dioxin, DDT or three dozen other chemicals harmful to humans are found in local fish. The advisories range from an outright ban on all fishing to restrictions on certain species or sizes of fish.

Planet Ark (Internet), Australia, August 25, 2004

‘Excessive use of pesticides led to cancer deaths’
A study conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has revealed that excessive use of pesticides is the cause of a series of deaths due to cancer at Talwandi block sin Bhatinda district of Punjab. Bhatinda grows largely cotton and rice crop and is infamous for excessive use of chemical pesticides.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 23, 2004, Page No. 8

No permit to reopen cola units
The Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, has said that the Government will not give permission to reopen cola companies in Kerala since they are opposed by the people for depleting their groundwater. Speaking at the inaugural function of the 12th edition of Mathrubhumi daily here today, the Minister said that "even if the court allow these companies to reopen, the Government cannot allow it.``

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 23, 2004, Page No. 7
www.hinduonnet.com

Industrial estates fined for polluting Periyar
The Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (SCMC) on hazardous waste has decided to levy a collective fine of Rs.2.5 crores on the entire industrial estates of Eloor and Edayar in Kochi for being responsible for the high level of pollution in the Periyar river. The Committee has made the recommendation in its report, a copy of which is available with The Hindu, submitted to the Kerala Government on the basis of the visits conducted to several industrial units in the State recently, including those at Eloor and Edayar.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 22, 2004, Page No. 6
www.hinduonnet.com

Eco damage from soap
Washing your hands with soap may clean them for you, but according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, toxic chemicals used in hand soaps, cleaners and other personal care products to kill germs is deposited and remains in the environment long after the products are used. The researchers discovered concentrations of triclocarbon in rivers and remains of waste-water treatment facilities. Author of the study Rolf U Halden said that environmental contamination with triclocarbon is widespread but underreported because conventional monitoring techniques cannot detect it.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 20, 2004, Page No. 20

Unusual alliance forms to clean mining wastes from Utah canyon
Texas oilman Dick Bass invested nearly every dollar he ever earned — and borrowed millions more — to develop the Snowbird ski resort, and he wasn`t eager to touch the mining waste he inherited on the resort`s land. That`s because a provision of the federal Superfund law makes those who work at mine waste sites, whether to re-mine them or clean them, potentially liable for their pollution. That scares Bass. But now Snowbird is joining an unusual partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the conservation group Trout Unlimited, and jewelry retailer Tiffany & Co. to finish cleaning up the acidic pollution leaching heavy metals into American Fork River.

Environmental News Network(Internet), US, August 20, 2004

HRD plans another panel, now on primary education
The HRD Ministry is planning a commission along the lines of University Grants Commission for primary and upper primary education. For this purpose, the department today convened a meeting of senior officials from the ministries of HRD, Finance, Home, Law and Tribal Affairs and the Planning Commission. The Common Minimum programme envisages a "National Commission on Education" and also speaks of the focus on "basic education" and "quality". The HRD Ministry has interpreted these points in the CMP to imply a commission on primary and upper primary education. Since there are fears that it might lead to more bureaucratic involvement, the ministry is contemplating a short-term commission comprising officials from the different ministries and see if it works.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, August 18, 2004, Page No. 5

Arjun for national education body
Arjun Singh has now moved on to the next item on the National Common Minimum Programme - establishing a national commissin for education. The CMP states that it will set up an education a commission to allocate resources and monitor programmes. As the UGC is already performing a similar task in the higher education sector, sources say the mandate of this commission is rather limited. In all probability then, the national education commission will concentrate on school education, which is stated priority of the UPA goverment.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, August 18, 2004, Page No. 8

Coca-Cola Co fined
The leading soft drink company, Coca-Cola has been found guilty of deficiency in service by a city consumer court for selling adulterated soft-drinks. Delhi State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DSCDRC) President Justice JD Kapoor, members Rumnita Mittal and Mahesh Chandra have also ordered Coca-Cola to pay Rs 10,000 to complainant Radha, a small vendor. Rejecting Coca-Cola`s plea that its distributor Salman cold drinks normally deals in Pepsi drink, the Commission said the bottles were of Coca-Cola`s and there was no action taken by the company against spurious bottlers. Mere assurances and putting notices in the newspapers is not sufficient unless some curative action is taken against spurious bottlers.

The Pioneer, New Delhi, August 14, 2004, Page No. 4

Firm rages at EU ozone-depleter exemption plan
American industrial giant Honeywell has blasted the European Commission (EU) over a proposal to give almost 50 foam manufacturers permission to use an HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) banned under the UN Montreal protocol on ozone layer depletion. Under a draft EU decision that could win member state backing this month, the firms would be allowed to resume use of HCFC-141b after the sole manufacturer of the main alternative, HFC-365mfc, experienced production difficulties that cut off market supply.

Edie (Internet), UK, August 13, 2004

Edusat to be launched in September, says Madhavan Nair
Edusat, India`s first exclusive education satellite, is set to be launched in the second half of September, said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair. He was speaking to reporters at a programme organised in Bangalore to unveil a bust of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the architect of the Indian Space Programme, in front of Antriksha Bhavan, the headquarters of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Edusat, which would take on board the first operational flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), will be used to demonstrate the concept of `multicasting interactive multimedia` for education.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 13, 2004, Page No. 6

Chlorine leakage spreads panic; Traffic diverted in Malleswaram
Traffic was diverted in Malleswaram area in Bangalore as panic spread due to leakage of chlorine from a huge cylinder in the BWSSB unit. Police said the BWSSB workers found a leakage in a chlorine cylinder weighing nearly 300 kilograms, which was lying outside the purifying unit, on Wednesday afternoon. To prevent the gas from getting mixed with air, the BWSSB workers immersed the cylinder inside an underground water tank. Chlorine smell spread as the cylinder came up due to pressure and started floating in the tank.

The New Indian Express, Bangalore, 1supp, August 13, 2004

Pollution control board simplifies consent procedure
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has simplified the procedure for grant of consent for industrial units for the current financial year, as now instead of three types of forms under water, air and hazardous waste rules, they could make a simplified composite application form.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 13, 2004, Page No. 6

Govt gets tough, owners of polluting units, hospitals to face imprisonment
Noida and Ghaziabad industrialists and hospital owners, beware. According to a directive issued by the principal secretary for environment, Vinod Kumar Malhotra, they now will face imprisonment if found guilty of polluting the environment. This directive was issued to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) officials and the district magistrate (DM).

The Times of India, New Delhi, August 13, 2004, Page No. 8

EPA mercury plan aims to help children and women, sidestep coal politics
New controls for cutting mercury emissions from power plants will aim to protect children and pregnant women and create "a level playing field" for coal-producing regions, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency said. EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt said he briefed President Bush about the proposed mercury rule a couple of months ago, but he felt no pressure from the White House as he grappled with a decision during the "demanding time" of a presidential campaign. Whatever he decides will have a significant effect on the coal industry and such election battleground states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Environmental News Network(Internet), US, August 11, 2004

Crackdown on industries begins from September 8
The crackdown on industries in non-conforming areas will finally start from September 8. In all, about 90,000 industries will be closed in the next three months, the Delhi government decided at a high level. The meeting was called after the Union Urban Development Ministry communicated its decision that 18 of the 41 types of industries suggested by the Delhi government will not be included in the household category. The Supreme Court has allowed only operation of household industries in non-conforming areas. This means floor mills, dry cleaning shops, motor vehicle repair workshops, printing press, pappad manufacturing units, shoe making, optical and lens preparation will not be allowed in residential areas. Only 23 type of industries have been allowed.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 11, 2004, Page No. 2

987 industrial units to get power again
Power will soon be restored to about 987 industrial units in the Wazirpur Industrial Area that were earlier served closure notices for incorrect disposal of hazardous waste. Power and water connections of over 1,000 industrial units were snapped by the Delhi Government on July 6, 2004, in accordance with a Supreme Court order and the Electricity Provisions Act (Section 5). Of the 987 units that got clearance from the Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCB) for compliance with hazardous waste disposal norms, 460 units fall under the jurisdiction of BSES.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, 3supp, August 11, 2004

Millionaires` resort community in Montana to pay $1.8 million fine over water pollution
A golf and ski community for multimillionaires will pay $1.8 million and complete several environmental restoration projects to settle complaints over construction site discharge into waterways and wetlands, officials said. The Yellowstone Mountain Club near Big Sky was accused in 2001 of illegally dumping dredge and fill material. Earlier this summer, the club settled separate state allegations over discharges into a tributary of the Gallatin River.

Environmental News Network(Internet), US, August 10, 2004

DPCC orders closure of 14 polluting units
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee ordered immediate closure of 14 polluting industrial units for filing false declaration by way of affidavit for obtaining ‘Authorisation’ under Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) rules, 1989.The Committee has filed criminal complaints against these industrial units under section 177, 181 and 182 of IPC.Acting in pursuance of the directions of the Supreme Court, DPCC had ordered of such units who were operating without ‘Authorisation’.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 10, 2004, Page No. 3

Toxic waste in MCD landfills
While the government is going all out to segregate industrial units from residential localities in the city, not much attention is being paid to the disposal of hazardous waste generated by such units. A team has drawn up a list of sites in Delhi where hazardous waste is being dumped in public places. A visit to the industrial areas in Anand Parbat, Wazirpur, Udyog Nagar, DSIDC Nangloi, Mangolpuri and Bhalswa gave the team members a first-hand experience of the illegal practices adopted by many units to dump chemical waste in open places. "It was found that hazardous waste is being mixed with solid waste at the Bhalswa dumping site. This is most dangerous because most safai karamcharis, who sift through the waste dumped in community bins do not wear protective gloves, boots or facemasks. Direct contact with untreated toxic chemicals can cause diseases," said sources.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 10, 2004, Page No. 2

Waste disposal plan a non-starter
The much talked-about Rs 435.57 lakh solid waste management scheme (SWMS) launched in the city following Supreme Court directives has failed to make any headway due to lack of coordination among various departments responsible for executing it. Though the Haryana Urban Development Department has taken some steps to implement this scheme, certain loopholes remain to be plugged. A number of requests by the local Municipal Council for permission to appoint drivers for dumpers have evoked no response from the Urban Development Department. As a result, a number of dumpers and three wheelers for collection and disposal of waste have been lying unused for the past couple of months.

The Tribune, New Delhi, August 9, 2004, Page No.7

Agent Orange refuses to be history
In 1984, after years of battles over science and damage tabulations, seven American chemical companies settled a huge class-action suit by Vietnam veterans who claimed that the defoliant Agent Orange caused cancer, birth defects and a nightmarish brew of other health problems.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 9, 2004, Page No. 18
www.hinduonnet.com

Lessons not learnt from Bhopal disaster
Experts: The distinguished scientist and President of Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) India, M.G.K. Menon, today said that it was the responsibility of both the State and the Company to decontaminate the Union Carbide plant, where large quantities of toxic waste continued to lie abandoned even 20 years after the gas disaster.

The Hindu, New Delhi, August 9, 2004, Page No. 5
www.hinduonnet.com

CSE urges govt to approve BIS draft norms for carbonated drinks
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has demanded that the draft norms formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on carbonated soft beverages like Pepsi-Cola should be approved and made mandatory immediately. It has criticised the “compromising” steps taken by the Union ministry of health and family welfare on the issue. The CSE has also demanded the citizen’ right to access potable water, free from any health and hygenic hazards. It has urged the government to formulate a policy for regulation of pesticide use and lowering the maximun residue levels (MRLs) of pesticide residues in foods as per international norms.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, August 9, 2004, Page No. 11

‘Govt callous towards waste management’
Decrying Jammu and Kashmir government for putting Environment Protection Act 1986 of union government under the carpet for inexplicable reasons Kashmir Environment Welfare Cooperative Association (KEWCA) has urged the government to give approval to its recycling plant near Surdapora to solve waste management crisis confronting valley.

The Kashmir Times, Jammu, August 07, 2004, Page No. 3

GP, Coca Cola distribute drinking water
GrameenPhone Ltd, in cooperation with Coca Cola Bangladesh and Rotary District 3280, has taken up an initiative to distribute 30000 containers of pure drinking water among the flood-affected people, says a Press release. The containers are being donated by GrameenPhone while they are being filed at the Coca Cola bottling plants and wil be distributed by the Rotary District 3280 in the flood affected areas of Dhaka and Comilla.

The Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka, August 05, 2004, Page No. 15

You can taste the differenece
The study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) a non government organisation in New Delhi had detected pesticides in 12 leading brands of soft drinks. The CSE had compared the pesticide levels in the soft drinks that if had collected with prescribed EU standards for the Primary raw ingredient in soft drinks worldwide water.

The Telegraph, Calcutta, August 5, 2004, Page No. 26

That ‘zing’ in soft drinks may after all be chemical
While soft drinks sold in the market have high levels of harmful chemicals such as phosphoric acid, caffiene and ethylene glycol, the law that could be used to regulate these remains under-utilised. Ms Sunita Narain from the Centre for Science and Environment said at a “South Asian Media Briefing Workshop on Food Safety and Pesticide Contamination”, that the Indian law allows up to 200 mg of caffeine in 1 kg of soft drinks and does not differentiate between different types of soft drinks.

Deccan Herald, Bangalore, August 6, 2004 Page No. 11

Kolkata tanners in fix over delay in effluent plant
The 25-odd investors in the Calcutta Leather Complex who had commissioned their units on time are finding themselves in a spot. Despite having received all necessary approvals, none of these units could commence operation as the State Government has not provided access to the central effluent treatment plant (CETP), the nerve centre of the Rs 350-crore project. The Government has already formally commissioned the effluent treatment plant but preferred not to put it into operation due to objection from some tanners who were supposed to relocate their units from the existing locations in Kolkata to CLC following a Supreme Court order.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 7, 2004, Page No. 19

Yamuna to be freed from polluted water
The filthy Yamuna will now be spared from the "treated effluent water" also. The government is considering to divert the treated effluent water to major thermal power stations in New Delhi to cool the plant. Besides, all sewage treatment plants and common effluent treatment plants have also been asked for optimum utilisation of their facilities in the capital. The Centre for Science and Environment has been asked by the Delhi government to prepare comprehensive "action plan" in this regard. The Delhi chief secretary S. Regunathan called a meeting of senior officials of all concerned departments on Friday and discussed the matter at length. The meeting was attended by representatives of the CSE also.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, August 7, 2004, Page No. 9

Nayari dam in Rajkot faces pollution threat
The Nayari-II dam which supplies water to Rajkot ciy in Gujarat is facing threat of pollution due to the industries situated in the catchments of the Nayari river. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has ordered four industries situated there to close down. The regional director of GPCB, N M Thabani said that the industries, Ravi Tiles, Goldsun, Devsun and Patidar Tiles, will be sealed.

The Times of India, Ahmedabad, August 4, 2004 Page No. 4

New Bhopal poison
Mercury in the breast: Deformed and mentally retarded newborns. Mothers with mercury-laden milk in their breasts. Children with permanent incurable sores. Thank you, Union Carbide. The poisoning of the soil and water around Union Carbide’s MIC factory – responsible for the disastrous 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy – is what is causing these deadly diseases in Bhopal.

Tehelka, New Delhi, July 3, 2004, Page No. 4

CPCL to set up desalination unit
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd proposes to set up a 5.8 million gallons-per-day seawater desalination plant at Ennore, some 16 km from its Manali refinery. The project will cost Rs 193 crore and will take 30 months to complete, says the company`s annual report for 2003-04. The plant will take care of the water needs of the refinery, which has had to shut down because of water shortage in Chennai.

Business Line, New Delhi, August 05, 2004

Supreme Court blueprint to clean Yamuna
The Supreme Court set up a 10-member empowered committee to draw up an action plan within six weeks to suggest measures to cleanse the polluted Yamuna river. A bench comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice D.M. Dharmadhikari passed the order saying that despite a decade-long Court monitoring of the task to clean the Yamuna, the lifeline of Delhi, the river continued to be polluted. A total of over Rs 400 crore has been spent by the government on various steps to clean the river.

The Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 05, 2004

BPCL to invest Rs 1,200 cr to make Euro-IV fuel
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) plans to invest Rs 1,200 crore towards producing auto fuel compliant with Euro-IV emission norms. The refinery is currently undertaking expansion of the refinery capacity to 12 million tonnes.

Business Line, Nepal, July 29, 2004

Tata Tea focus on brands, stop plantation
Tata Tea Ltd, with over 55,000 acres of tea gardens across the country, is exiting from the plantation business. The company will now focus more on the brands and global ready-to-drink tea markets rather than spending money on loss-making plantation business.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, July 28, 2004

GSK shrinks to cover rural India
Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare (GSK) has realised the virtues of being `small`. For the first time in 100 years, Horlicks plans to go rural with 100-gm pack priced at Rs 25. "This is the first time that the company is addressing the rural market in a focused market," said company resources.

The Economic Times, New Delhi, July 28, 2004

GM and Ford to feel the heat of global warming costs
One does not often hear financial analysts talk about climate change, but this month John Casesa, an analyst at Merril Lynch, organized a teleconference to address a troubling question for Detroit’s automakers : As regulator around the world move to curb emissions of heat trapping gases from cars and improve fuel efficiency, what will happen if Wall Street adds up the costs? The most likely answer will not make General Motors and Ford Motor very happy. Casesa’s call included a present an environmental policy group in Washington that recently issued a report on the subject with Sustainable Asset Management, an investment group based in Zurich.

International Herald Tribune, Bangkok, July 27, 2004

Automakers count costs of global warming: Recently, John A. Casesa, an analyst at Merrill Lynch, organised a teleconference to address a troubling question for automakers
As regulators move to curb emissions and improve fuel efficiency, what happens if Wall Street adds up the costs? The most likely answer will not make General Motors and Ford Motor hapy. Casesa`s call included a presentaion by the World Resources Institute, an environmental policy group, which recently issued a report on the subject with Sustainable Asset Management, Zurich-based investment group. The report forecasts that GM and Ford stand to lose the most in complying with regulations expected in the US, Europe and Japan over the next decade.

The Indian Express, Nepal, July 25, 2004

BAT plan for China factory may go up in smoke
British American Tobacco`s plans to build a factory in China may go up in smoke after the country`s tobacco monopoly denied that the UK group had permission for the $1.5bn venture. The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which controls the industry, said all projects to do with tobacco were subject to its approval, which it had not given BAT.

Financial Times, London, July 23, 2004

Natco Pharma launches anti-cancer drug
NATCO Pharma Ltd has announced the launch of Chlorambucil in 2 mg and 5 mg tablets form. The drug, launched under the brand name Clokeran, is useful in the treatment of chronic lymphatic (lymphocytic) leukaemia as well as in malignant lymphomas including lymphosarcoma, giant lymphoma and Hodgkin`s` disease.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 23, 2004

KRBL ties up with agro firms for inputs to farmers
KRBL Ltd, a rice exporting firm, has set up an `Agri Services Division` under Farm Management Services comprising agriculture experts such as entomologists, pathologists, soil scientists and agri-extension workers to strengthen its partnership with farmers.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 23, 2004

Biotech cos all set for commercial production
Biotech biggies Biocon India, Bharat Biotech and Shantha Biotechnics seem to be on the journey of commencing commercial manufacture of their new discoveries. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, which gives clearances to proposals in sector, has given it permission to conduct Phase III trials of its products.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 23, 2004

`Special package` for tea industry likely
The Government is looking at a "special package" for tea taking a "a holistic" view of the problems plaguing the country`s tea gardens, auction systems, the industry and the plantation workers, the Lok Sabha was informed.

Business Line, New Delhi, July 22, 2004

BHEL unit bags Rs 80-cr Omani order
BHEL Ramachandrapuram has bagged a Rs 80-crore order from the Petroleum Development Corporation (PDO), Lekhwair, Oman for supply of the latest centrifugal gas compressor. With this order, which is to be executed in 15 months, the public sector utility company has bagged a total of Rs 584-crore worth orders during the first quarter of the current fiscal

Business Line, New Delhi, July 22, 2004

Now the vegetarian branded eggs
Tagma Agrotech Limited has launched Organegg, their new brand of vegetarian, herbal and low cholesterol eggs. This innovation, the spokesperson of the company revealed has been brought about by feeding the hens exclusively on a vegetarian diet fortified with special herbs, a few of them actually being cholesterol lowering.

Sahara Time, New Delhi, July 24, 2004

Close down toxic units: Greenpeace
In view of the fire accident at Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL), Greenpeace, the environment protection agency, has demanded the closure of the factory in Eloor and other hazardous units causing toxic pollution in the environment. "If the industries are not held accountable for their environmental crimes, they will continue in their current mode of poisoning the workers, communities and our Periyar in Kerala," said VJ Jose, Greenpeace-appointed Periyar River Keeper. Over the last three years, the Eloor community has been witnessing quite a few gas leaks and accidents in the factories, he said.

The New Indian Express, Kochi, July 08, 2004

New Bhopal poison: Mercury in the breast
Deformed and mentally retarded newborns. Mothers with mercury-laden milk in their breasts. Children with permanent incurable sores. Thank you, Union Carbide. The poisoning of the soil and water around Union Carbide’s MIC factory – responsible for the disastrous 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy – is what is causing these deadly diseases in Bhopal.

Tehelka, New Delhi, July 03, 2004, Page No. 4

Deploying polluting waste is the key by Sunanda Sanganeria
How did the Pondicherry-based Chemfab Alkalis Ltd (CAL) bag the award for the greenest caustic-chlorine company in the country give by the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE)?Obviously the awrd was given for CAL's proactive approach to the management of pollution at its production plant.

Business Standard, New Delhi, September 9, 2002

When green is not green enough by Prachi Raturi
The Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) recently released its ratings on the caustic chlorine industry.Chemfab Alkalis Ltd bagged the first tank with a green score of 46.6 per cent, Shriram Alkalis & Chemicals Ltd scored 45.3, while Indian Rayon and Industries Ltd stood third with a score of 38.8 per cent.

The Financial Express, New Delhi, September 8, 2002

Caustic chlorine sector gets rated by Ishita Moitra
The Indian industry releases an astounding amount of 60 to 70 tonnes of mercury each year into the environment.This is 75 times the amount that triggered off the infamous Minamata contamination in Japan in the fifties. The Centre for Science and Environment released its green ratings on the caustic chlorine sector at the Indian Habitat Centre this Monday.The ratings are awarded in the form of leaves. This year, however, no company could notch up all five leaves. The company that stood first could manage three leaves.Chemflab Alkalies Ltd was adjudged the greenest caustic- chlorine company in India.They were closely followed by Shriram Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd. and Indian Rayon and Industries Ltd. who obtained the second and third positions respectively.

The Asian Age, New Delhi, September 4, 2002

Mercury contamination poses risk: CSE study
A study on caustic-chlorine industry in India by Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) reveals that over 60 tonnes of mercury is released annually into the environment, 75 times the quantity that trigered the Minamata tragedy.To benchmark the credentials of this industry, CSE has introduced Green Rating Project on the basis of more than 150 parameters and found a potential tragedy in store.

The Indian Express, New Delhi, September 4, 2002

Chemfab bags green award
Pondicherry-based Chemfab Alkalis Ltd is the greenest caustic- chlorine company, followed by Shriram Alkalis & Chemicals Ltd and Indian Rayon & Industries Ltd, according to the findings of the Green Rating Project (GRP) of the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE).The project has surveyed 25 companies, covering around 90 per cent of the caustic-chlorine industry in the country.

Business Standard, New Delhi, September 3, 2002

CSE awards "greenest" chemical companies
Warning that India might be heading towards a serious health and environmental disaster due to high levels of mercury contamination, the Capital-based Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) today gave the "Three Leaves Award" to the Chemfab Alkalis Ltd adjudging it the "greenest caustic-chlorine company" of India.Under its Green Rating Project (GRP), the CSE, which surveyed 22 top chemical industries across the country, gave the Shriram Alkalis & Chemicals Ltd. and the Indian Rayon & Industries Ltd. second and third positions, respectively.

The Hindu, New Delhi, September 3, 2002

Green rating sounds mercury alert
India is being exposed to high levels of mercury poisoning from companies producing caustic soda and chlorine, according to a green rating released by former finance minister Manmohan Singh on Monday. The rating was undertaken by the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE).The caustic-chlorine industry is regarded as the mother of all chemicals industries.

The Times of India, New Delhi, September 3, 2002

State of Bliss By L. Thapa
Ever since the Sikkim Democratic Front Government headed by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling came to power eight years ago, it has worked tirelessly to bring about all round economic development and ensure peace and harmony in a state that has one of the most sensitive stretches of the country's international border.Mr. Chamling, who was adjudged the "greenest" chief minister in India in 1998 by the renowned Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) for his environment-friendly administration, has taken pains to ensure that this does not happen at the cost of the ecology.

India Today, New Delhi, April 22, 2002