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Considering banning import of pet coke: Centre to SC

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New Delhi, Dec 4 (IANS) The Central government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it was considering banning the import of pet coke as it urged the court to exempt the cement, lime and power plants from the ban on its use.

“We are considering banning the import of pet coke,” a bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta was told by Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni.

The US is the largest exporter of pet coke oil.

Arguing against banning of imports, Senior counsel Gopal Subramanium, appearing for one the petitioners, told the bench that relying on account of domestic production only would create a monopoly situation.

Nadkarnai told the court that cement and lime industry be exempted from using pet coke as it was not using it as a fuel but as a desulphurising agent.

Similarly, the bench was urged to exempt the power plants from using pet coke as they too were not using it as fuel but only for start or shut down purposes which is once in a six months or a year.

The court said that it will hear the matter on December 13.

The apex court in its order in October, had banned the use of pet coke and furnace oil in the National Capital Region. The Central government, in pursuance to the court order, issued a notification banning the use of the polluting fuel by the industry in entire Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The top court, on November 17, had asked all the states and Union Territories to consider enforcing the decision of the Environment and Forests Ministry and the Central Pollution Control Board prohibiting the use of pet coke and furnace oil.

On the last hearing of the matter on November 22, the court had asked the states and UTs to voluntarily enforce the Ministry and board order. It had said that the pollution caused by the pet coke and furnace oil was not limited to the National Capital Region but affected other states as well.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.

The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.

Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.

Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.

For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.

During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.

Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.

Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .

Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.

In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.

In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.

He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.

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