Department experts check on CRZ violations at Bheemili
Moturi Srirama Krishna Principal Scientist, National institute of Oceanography, VVS Sarma WS-chief scientist, CSIR-NIO, P.V. Mukunda Rao, environmental engineer, APPCB, scientists Soumya Duggappa, CPCB, regional directorate, Chennai, Murali Krishna Chimata, MoEF&CC Sub-Regional Office, Vijayawada made the site visit. Assessing the damage cost, restoration and compensation cost, the team will submit a report.
Earlier, following the orders of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the officials from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation began demolition of illegal constructions at Bheemunipatnam coast in Visakhapatnam.
During the YSRCP's tenure, the illegal construction, belonging to Neha Reddy, was taken up by Avyaan Realtors LLP in ward No:3 at Bheemunipatnam violating CRZ rules. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the AP Coastal Management Authority to file a complaint with the police so that action could be initiated against the company. After the assessment, a detailed report will be submitted to the court exposing facts and the extent of violation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- New Indian Express
'Classrooms in turmoil': Supreme Court's 15 commandments to shield students from despair
Pressure of competitive exams India's education system, particularly its competitive examination framework, has long been associated with intense psychological pressure on students. The court said education has now been reduced to a 'high-stakes race', where students face relentless performance metrics, societal expectations, and institutional rigidity, often at the cost of their mental well-being. The 2022 NCRB data of 13,044 student suicides marks a significant rise from 5,425 student suicides in 2001, with a 99% increase in male student suicides and a 92% increase in female suicides over the past decade. Alarmingly, 2,248 of these deaths were directly attributed to examination failures. "In this paradigm, life becomes a series of tests, and failure is seen not as a part of growth but as a devastating end," said the bench. A catalyst for broader reforms The court quashed the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order and transferred the investigation of the student's death to the CBI. The court found compelling evidence of investigative failures, hasty probe by police, discrepancies in CCTV footage of the hostel building from where the girl fell off, medical negligence, forensic lapses, and conflict of interest. The same medical officer served as autopsy surgeon, chemical analyst, and inquiry committee member, compromising objectivity. The plea of the girl's father had argued that the authorities' failure to properly evaluate forensic samples from the deceased's body and their classification of the suspicious death as suicide was illegal, arbitrary, and totally unjustified. The high court in February 2024 disposed of his petition by stating that since there are two FIR registered in two different states — Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal (where the appellant is based) — the prayer seeking transfer of the case to CBI was beyond the jurisdiction of the high court. But the Supreme Court said these lapses justified transferring the investigation to the CBI to ensure impartiality and restore public confidence. The court emphasised that such transfers are exceptional but are warranted in cases of clear investigative failures. Addressing an epidemic The court then went proactive, issuing 15 interim guidelines under Articles 32 (enforcement of fundamental rights) and 141 (treating the court's pronouncement as law) of the Constitution to address the 'suicide epidemic.' The bench recalled how the judgment in the Vishaka versus State of Rajasthan addressed the legislative vacuum on sexual harassment in the workplace under Article 141, and is now "celebrated" as the 'Vishaka Guidelines'. Implementation and accountability The court directed all states and Union Territories to notify rules within two months for registering private coaching centres and enforcing these guidelines. District-level monitoring committees, chaired by District Magistrates, have been tasked to oversee compliance and handle complaints. The Union government must file a compliance affidavit within 90 days, detailing implementation steps and the status of the national Task Force on Mental Health, established earlier in Amit Kumar versus Union of India, 2025. This task force, led by Justice (Retd.) Ravindra Bhat, is working on formulating a comprehensive framework, and the court's latest guidelines are designed to complement its ongoing work. Implications and challenges The Supreme Court's order is a landmark step toward prioritising student mental health, recognising it as an integral part of the right to life under Article 21. By invoking international obligations, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the WHO's Mental Health Action Plan, the court's order helps align India's approach to student suicides with global standards. The guidelines address both immediate needs (e.g., helplines, safety measures) and systemic issues (e.g., inclusivity, parental sensitisation), offering a holistic framework. However, implementation of these guidelines pose several challenges. India's education sector is vast and diverse. Smaller schools and coaching centres may struggle to appoint qualified counsellors or fund training programmes. The lack of trained mental health professionals — India has only 0.3 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people, as per WHO estimates — could hinder compliance. Additionally, cultural stigma around mental health may deter students and parents from seeking help. The success of these guidelines will depend on robust enforcement, adequate funding, and public awareness campaigns. Conclusion The Supreme Court's speaking order has turned over a new leaf in addressing India's student suicide crisis. By linking an individual tragedy to systemic failures, the court has issued a clarion call for reform. The guidelines, rooted in constitutional and international mandates, aim to transform educational institutions into safe, supportive spaces. While the national Task Force's final recommendations are awaited, these interim measures provide a critical safety net. As India grapples with the loss of over 13,000 student lives annually, the judgment underscores a simple truth: education should nurture, not destroy, young minds. The onus now lies on governments, institutions, and society to translate these directives into meaningful action, ensuring no more lives are lost to despair
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Department experts check on CRZ violations at Bheemili
Visakhapatnam: Ateam of experts from various departments visited the site of illegal constructions of Neha Reddy, daughter of former MP V Vijaya Sai Reddy, at Bheemunipatnam in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Moturi Srirama Krishna Principal Scientist, National institute of Oceanography, VVS Sarma WS-chief scientist, CSIR-NIO, P.V. Mukunda Rao, environmental engineer, APPCB, scientists Soumya Duggappa, CPCB, regional directorate, Chennai, Murali Krishna Chimata, MoEF&CC Sub-Regional Office, Vijayawada made the site visit. Assessing the damage cost, restoration and compensation cost, the team will submit a report. Earlier, following the orders of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the officials from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation began demolition of illegal constructions at Bheemunipatnam coast in Visakhapatnam. During the YSRCP's tenure, the illegal construction, belonging to Neha Reddy, was taken up by Avyaan Realtors LLP in ward No:3 at Bheemunipatnam violating CRZ rules. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the AP Coastal Management Authority to file a complaint with the police so that action could be initiated against the company. After the assessment, a detailed report will be submitted to the court exposing facts and the extent of violation.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Central committee inspects constructions at Bheemili beach
Visakhapatnam: An expert committee constituted by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change conducted an inspection on Friday at Bheemili beach to assess unauthorised constructions allegedly carried out by Avyaan Realtors, owned by P Neha Reddy and P Rohit Reddy—the daughter and son-in-law of former Rajya Sabha member P Vijaya Sai Reddy. These constructions reportedly violated coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules. The Andhra Pradesh Coastal Zone Management Authority has filed a case in the Bheemili court against the company for constructing a concrete wall within CRZ limits without prior approval, violating provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Though the GVMC partially demolished the wall up to ground level, underground remnants still remain to be cleared. This inspection follows a public interest litigation (PIL No. 53/2024) filed in the AP High Court by Jana Sena corporator Peethala Murthy Yadav, who raised concerns about the large-scale unauthorised concrete structures built on the beach. The High Court ordered the immediate demolition of the illegal constructions and directed authorities to enforce environmental regulations strictly. The expert committee, comprising scientists from the National Institute of Oceanography, Coastal Zone Management Authority, State Pollution Control Board, and Central environment ministry, inspected the site to evaluate the environmental damage caused by the constructions. The committee also collected detailed information related to the case from Murthy Yadav and is expected to submit its report to the high court. The CRZ regulations, framed under the Environment Protection Act, aim to safeguard coastal ecosystems by restricting constructions within a buffer zone from the high tide line.
