Karnataka High Court quashes appointment of Dr BK Meera as acting VC of Maharani Cluster University
Justice R Nataraj observed that the discretion vested with the Chancellor does not mean that he can appoint any person other than a Dean/Director as the acting Vice-Chancellor as provided under section 16 (2) of Karnataka State Universities Act (KSU) Act.
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Mint
41 minutes ago
- Mint
World Environment Day 2025: India has slew of regulations to protect Blue Planet. Know about them
Today, millions worldwide are observing World Environment Day 2025, highlighting the urgent need for eco-legal action. Hosted by South Korea, the UN event drives home how local laws can combat environmental threats. There are multiple initiatives that have been taken across the world regarding the better protection of the environment. For starters, cities like Jeju, South Korea, now enforce strict bans on disposable plastics. Jeju's 2040 "plastic-free" goal includes deposit systems for cups and mandatory waste sorting. Similar bans are expanding globally, cutting landfill waste. The United States is not behind in this aspect, as US cities are rewriting zoning codes to boost sustainability. Buffalo eliminated parking minimums, prioritising walkability over cars. Indianapolis now mandates pedestrian-friendly designs near transit hubs, reducing emissions, according to Urban Land Magazine. In a report by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP's Inger Andersen was quoted as saying, 'Ending plastic pollution is possible, but we need systemic change—governments, businesses, and citizens together.' Bivas Chatterjee, Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor, Government of West Bengal, tells LiveMint, "We, as humans, must remember that trees too, have a life. If humans are convicted for taking away lives under sections of the law, why are those, who cut down trees brutally, not tried under similar laws? If trees are cut down or uprooted in areas that are not forests, the accused is simply fined, and no other penalisation is generally imposed." "The existing laws regarding environmental protection in India are age-old and relatively weak, which is why the attack on nature is so brutally conducted in recent years. Stringent laws need to be in place so that people do not get away with harming the environment, which is necessary for our sustenance in the long run." Neil Basu, Advocate, Calcutta High Court, weighed in on the existing laws in the country regarding the proper preservation of the environment. "Protecting the environment is a fundamental right and a collective social responsibility, as environmental justice is social justice. So, let's act now," he told LiveMint. "If we start in terms of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, any person running any establishment which includes a factory and any kind of industry must take due permission from the State Pollution Control Board as well as the Central Pollution Control Board concerned," Basu said. "Section 7 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 prohibits the discharge or emission of environmental pollutants in excess of prescribed standards by any person involved in an industry, operation, or process. This ensures that pollution levels remain within acceptable limits and prevent any environmental damage," he continued. Other laws include the Indian Forest Act, 1927, which empowers the state governments to notify forest areas to oversee the wildlife conservation and preservation, as well as plantation and afforestation. Also, Section 17A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibits the willful picking, uprooting, damaging, destroying, acquisition, or collection of any specified plant from forest land or other areas notified by the central government.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: Allegations of Dawood links to being courted by BJP, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader sparks Maharashtra row
In December 2023, the BJP launched a strong offensive against Sudhakar Badgujar, then the Nashik unit chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), over his alleged links to the Dawood Ibrahim gang. On Monday, Badgujar was seen meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a move that triggered an immediate backlash from both the local BJP and the Sena (UBT) that moved fast to suspend Badgujar following the meeting. The BJP, which previously pursued multiple inquiries against Badgujar for his purported underworld connections, now finds itself facing internal dissent. BJP workers and lower-level leaders have expressed strong opposition to the prospect of the Sena leader's induction, viewing the leadership's sudden engagement with him, aimed at bolstering the BJP's position ahead of the civic elections, as a betrayal of its stated principles. * Who is Sudhakar Badgujar? Till this March, the 55-year-old Badgujar served as the Sena (UBT)'s Nashik district unit chief and Deputy Leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT). His political career began in 2007 when he was elected as an independent corporator in the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). At the time, Sena corporator Vinayak Pandey became Mayor with the backing of independents, of whom Badgujar was one. This early alliance marked the beginning of his association with the Shiv Sena. Badgujar formally joined the party on June 14, 2008, in the presence of senior leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Sanjay Raut. He quickly rose through the ranks. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the Leader of the House in the NMC, and after the corporation came under the control of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, he served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2012 to 2015. He contested the Nashik West Assembly constituency twice, first in 2014 on a Shiv Sena ticket, and again in 2024 for the Sena (UBT), but lost both times to the BJP's Seema Hiray. Despite electoral setbacks, Badgujar has remained a constant presence in local politics, serving as a corporator for over 15 years. Also known as a successful contractor with substantial financial clout, he has maintained close ties with Sanjay Raut and is one of the few well-resourced leaders in Nashik who remained loyal to Thackeray following the split in the Shiv Sena. * What were the BJP's allegations against Badgujar? In December 2023, BJP MLA Nitesh Rane accused Badgujar of associating with convicted Dawood aide Mohammed Salim Mira Shaikh — known in Mumbai underworld circles as Salim Kutta, he had once urged a TADA court to drop the offensive epithet from court records — who was a key figure in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. Rane alleged that Badgujar had hosted the gangster at his farmhouse in Nashik. Following these allegations, the Nashik Police registered an FIR against Badgujar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the matter. An externment order was later issued against Badgujar, which he legally challenged. In the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections that he contested on a Sena (UBT) ticket, the Sena leader was at the centre of another row when his son Deepak was booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with a 2021 murder case. Badgujar lost the election. The veteran leader has been treading cautiously since the Fadnavis-led government came to power, leaving his political future open-ended. With the BJP entrusting Nashik's political affairs to minister Girish Mahajan, a close confidant of the CM, Badgujar began re-evaluating his allegiance to the Sena (UBT). Speculation about his growing proximity to the BJP intensified after reports of frequent backchannel communication with Mahajan. It was his Monday meeting with Fadnavis during the latter's visit to Nashik that signalled a possible realignment. Although Badgujar later downplayed the significance of the meeting, claiming it was solely to discuss issues affecting NMC workers, the political fallout was swift. Within 24 hours of the meeting, Sena (UBT) expelled him from the party. * Why does the BJP want Badgujar, and how has the local unit responded? The BJP is looking for a strategic advantage in Nashik ahead of the municipal corporation elections, where it came to power in 2017 after a strong performance. While Badgujar may not enjoy the stature of a major state leader, he is regarded as a shrewd operator with a strong grasp of the political machinery at the civic level in Nashik. His financial clout and influence on local dynamics make him a potentially valuable asset for the BJP in its bid to retain control of the NMC. However, his potential entry into the BJP has triggered discontent in the local BJP. Nashik West MLA Seema Hiray is among those opposed to Badgujar joining the party. 'There has been no discussion on Badgujar joining our party. I have contested against him twice. He has harassed our workers and made objectionable remarks about our leaders. We have urged our senior leadership not to induct such a person into the party,' she said. Despite the local resistance, the BJP's state leadership appears to be weighing the broader political benefits. Asked about it, Girish Mahajan offered a measured response: 'Every party works towards expanding its base. We, too, are doing the same. However, no final decision has been taken as of now.' As the party deliberates, Badgujar remains in a wait-and-watch mode, awaiting the green light. 'I will decide on my political future soon,' he said.
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Rijiju vows to make Central Waqf Council stronger, highlights new reforms
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was set up in 1964 in accordance with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1954 as an advisory body to the Centre on matters concerning the working of Waqf boards and the due administration of Waqf properties. During the interaction, Rijiju announced the upcoming launch of the "UMEED" central portal, scheduled to go live on Friday (June 6). The portal will facilitate the digitisation and registration of Waqf properties, enhancing transparency, governance and utilisation. "State governments and Waqf boards must actively upload and manage data to ensure that more than nine lakh Waqf properties are utilised meaningfully, especially for the welfare of women and children," the minister said. The event was led by Rijiju and he was joined by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, along with senior officials of the ministry and the CWC. The initiative was aimed at encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, blending emotional tribute with environmental responsibility. In his address to the media, Rijiju emphasised India's global leadership in ecological conservation. He said India is making significant contributions to increase the green cover through plantation drives etc. "We are not just committed to preserving the environment, we are actively reclaiming and restoring the ecological balance," he said. The plantation drive saw active participation from all levels of the ministry. Officials and staff members planted saplings in the name of their mothers, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic depth of the initiative. The drive was not just a ceremonial gesture but a meaningful action towards promoting sustainable practices and deepening the community's bond with nature, an official statement said. The ministry's observance of World Environment Day through "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" highlighted its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusivity and responsive governance, it added. Rijiju also took a moment to express condolences for the victims of a recent stampede in Bengaluru. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
