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Highly polluting industries defying eco-standards: Report
New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) The non-compliance of environment standards among the highly polluting industries in India has increased by over 100 per cent between 2010 and 2014, said a report on Monday.
The “State of Environment Report India 2015”, released by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan here marking the World Environment Day, also raised concerns over land contamination and hazardous waste in India.
Gujarat, at 28.76 per cent, tops the distribution of hazardous waste in the country, followed by Maharashta (25.16 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (19.71 per cent) and Chhattisgarh (4.74 per cent), it said.
According to the report, in 2014, the CPCB identified 3,266 units under 17 categories of Highly Polluting Industries (HPI) out of which 2,328 are compliant, 571 industries are non-compliant and 367 industries have been closed down.
The report shows that while there were 253 non-complying HPI in 2010, it increased to 571 by 2014.
“Comparative analysis of compliance status of 17 categories of highly polluting industries for the period 2010-14 indicates that 71 per cent of the total industries have adequate pollution control facilities to ensure compliance with regulations, and this trend remains unchanged in the same period.
“However, the percentage of non-compliance has increased from 10 per cent in 2010 to 17 per cent in 2014,” stated the report.
It said that non-compliance with regulations mandating pollution technology has been rising in cement, distilleries, iron and steel, power plants and sugar industries.
As of 2014, the report says, there are 3,260 highly polluting industries of which only 929 industrial units have installed pollution controlled devices, and 920 industrial units have installed 24X7 real-time monitoring systems.
According to experts, compliance with the emission standards had always been at the back-foot in India.
In December 2015, the government issued new emission standards for coal fired power plants, with December 2017 as deadline for compliance. However to the date, not a single of 160 power plant or the around 400 units comply.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.