The toxic gas leak in Visakhapatnam that killed 11 people and made hundreds ill shows lessons haven’t been learned from the 1984 Bhopal tragedy. Industries using hazardous substances must be moved out of the heart of our cities or residential neighbourhoods. The land can be used for other civic purposes.
Yogi govt’s Covid ordinance amounts to criminalising pandemic, emboldens police raj
Yogi Adityanath government’s proposed ordinance of rigorous imprisonment and fine for those “intentionally” infecting people with Covid-19, and harsh punishment for its “concealment” amounts to criminalising the pandemic. It emboldens police raj by giving the force indiscriminate powers. Yogi Adityanath’s habit of passing such ordinances bodes ill for Uttar Pradesh.
Modi’s Buddha Purnima outreach smart diplomatic, political move — for China and Dalits at home
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to Buddhist nations and global communities through his Buddha Purnima address was a smart diplomatic and political move. He stands to score cultural diplomacy points amid the debate over China’s role in Covid outbreak. He also signalled a political message to the Dalits in India.
Many such chemical industries were in fact set up away from cities and in sparsely populatwd areas. If the cities expanded and engulfed these industries, is it the fault of the industries? Besides, who foots the bill of shifting? Who will provide land at new location? Today, obtaining land and environmental clearances is a hurculean task for any entrepreneur.
Tough posture by state is a MUST in these pandemic times.