Latest news with #Article21
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
MGP flags concerns over footpath encroachments, delay in Kukkarhalli lake rejuvenation
The city-based NGO Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has raised serious concerns about the growing footpath encroachments in the city and the delay in rejuvenation work at Kukkarhalli lake and Poornaiah canal. The civic group has called for a coordinated and transparent approach from the district administration, pointing to legal, administrative, and safety challenges. The recent fatal accident of a senior citizen who was run over by a KSRTC bus near Vivekananda Circle, has reignited the debate on pedestrian safety, with MGP questioning the ability of authorities to ensure unobstructed footpaths in the face of rising street vending. The MGP pointed out that the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which allows licensed vendors to operate, and a more recent Supreme Court directive from May 2025, which directs governments to remove encroachments to uphold the right to safety under Article 21, seemed to be contradictory in nature. In a letter addressed to Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, MGP stated the legal contradiction between the central law and the Supreme Court order could hamper enforcement to clear footpath encroachment. Bhamy V. Shenoy founding working president of the MGP, and S. Shobana, working president of the NGO, raised apprehensions whether the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has the capacity to provide alternate vending locations to all 7,000 licensed vendors in the city. Mr. Shenoy and Ms. Shobana also wondered whether there is a system in place to verify the authenticity of vendor permits and how MCC plans to prevent corruption in issuing or overlooking licenses. It urged authorities to act against the many unlicensed vendors from footpath encroachment. In a bid to address the issue in an accountable manner, MGP has proposed the formation of a Pedestrian Safety Committee with representation from elected leaders, vendor associations, NGOs, police, urban planners, and MCC officials. The MGP said while pedestrian safety and removal of footpath encroachment was necessary, one could not overlook the economic imperatives of the vendors and hence mooted the idea of offering incentives to those who relocate to new areas. This was necessary given the difficulty of replicating foot traffic and business opportunities that some streets currently provide, said the MGP. The attention of Mr. Reddy was also drawn to Kukkarhalli lake rejuvenation project and the MGP underlined the imperatives of restoring the lake and the canal system by removing the encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water. Urging the Deputy Commissioner to expedite the tendering process, the MGP said there was sufficient local expertise with extensive knowledge of the lake and the feeder canal and it should be tapped while drawing the new DPR for the project.
Mint
a day ago
- Health
- Mint
Deepika Padukone shares ‘landmark' Supreme Court guidelines to protect students' mental health amid rising suicide cases
Deepika Padukone has shared guidelines to safeguard students' mental health. In one of her Instagram Stories, the Bollywood actress shared a post from The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF). She has called it a 'landmark step for Student Mental Health!'. The original post is an abridged version of the landmark Supreme Court guidelines on student well-being. On July 26, the Supreme Court called mental health a part of the basic right to life and dignity under Article 21. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta shared 15 guidelines and criticised coaching centres for ignoring students' mental well-being. According to the apex court, the guidelines will stay active until proper laws are made. All schools and colleges have been asked to draft a common mental health policy. Their policy must be based on the Ummeed draft, Manodarpan scheme and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This policy should be reviewed every year and shared on websites and notice boards. These steps came as the court had heard an appeal related to the death of a 17-year-old NEET student in Vishakhapatnam in 2024. The girl's father demanded a CBI probe into her death. While the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed the demand, the top court has now approved it. The court asked institutions with 100 or more students to hire at least one trained counsellor, psychologist or social worker. Smaller institutions must connect with external mental health experts. Schools and colleges must train all staff twice a year in basic mental health care with help from professionals. They must learn how to treat students from weaker or marginalised groups with care and without bias. Institutions must set up safe and private ways for students to report bullying, harassment, ragging or abuse of any kind. Parents must also be made aware of mental health through regular sessions. Schools must keep anonymous records and submit yearly reports on their mental health work. They must focus more on sports, arts and personality-building activities. Exams should be planned better so that students don't feel too much pressure. The aim is to help students grow in every way, not just through marks. "Failure to take timely or adequate action in such cases, especially where such neglect contributes to a student's self-harm or suicide, shall be treated as institutional culpability, making the administration liable to regulatory and legal consequences," the bench said. Deepika Padukone started TLLLF in 2015 after facing anxiety and depression herself. The foundation works to spread awareness about mental health in India. It tries to remove shame linked to mental illness and offers helpful resources. The foundation runs programs that talk about issues like stress, anxiety and depression. TLLLF also works with other groups to reach more people and spread mental health awareness widely.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Supreme Court stays HC order on axing apple orchards on encroached forest land
Shimla: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed Himachal Pradesh High Court's July 2 order giving nod to axing of all apple orchards on encroached forest land in the state. The bench, comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai, Justice Vinod Chandran, and Justice NV Anjaria, however, allowed the state govt to auction the apple crop by taking over the encroached forest land without felling the fruit trees. Hearing a special leave petition moved by former deputy mayor of Shimla, Tikender Singh Panwar, and advocate Rajiv Rai, to prevent irreversible ecological and socio-economic harm in the ecologically fragile Himalayan state, the apex court put the state govt on notice along with other respondents to file a reply by Sep 16. After Himachal advocate general Anup Kumar Rattan submitted that the state govt has also challenged the high court orders, but its special leave petition was not listed on Monday, the apex court directed that both cases be tagged together. The bench was informed that implementing the HC order will lead to destroying 50,000 to one lakh apple trees across the state, out of which around 5,000 have already been brought down in Shimla district, petitioner's counsel Subhash Chandran KR told TOI. Such large-scale tree felling, particularly during the monsoon season, significantly heightens the risk of landslides and soil erosion in Himachal Pradesh, a region known for its seismic activity and ecological sensitivity, the petitioners stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo It was highlighted that apple orchards, far from being mere encroachments, contribute to soil stability, provide habitats for local wildlife, and form the backbone of the state's economy, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. They further mentioned that the destruction of these orchards threatened not only environmental stability but also the fundamental right to livelihood enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution. Instead of felling the trees, the petitioners proposed sustainable alternatives such as state acquisition of orchards for public purposes, auctioning of fruit and timber, or utilisation of resources for farmer cooperatives or disaster relief initiatives. The petitioners also pointed out that the high court order disregarded the Supreme Court precedents that stress on the state's obligation to safeguard citizens' livelihoods, particularly in regions where agriculture is a primary economic activity. MSID:: 122956582 413 |
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Supreme Court acknowledges ‘mental health crisis in educational institutions', calls student suicides ‘systemic failure'
The Supreme Court on Friday described the ongoing loss of young lives to suicide as a 'systemic failure' that must not be overlooked. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued a series of nationwide directives aimed at addressing the crisis. Citing the 2022 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report titled 'Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India', the Court said the data reveals a 'deeply distressing picture' of the mental health landscape among youth, according to a report by PTI. "The continued loss of young lives, often due to preventable causes rooted in unattended psychological distress, academic overburden, social stigma, and institutional insensitivity, reflect a systemic failure that cannot be ignored," it said. India recorded 1,70,924 reported suicide cases in 2022, of which 7.6 per cent, approximately 13,044, were student suicides. The bench said notably, 2,248 of these deaths were attributed directly to failure in examinations. The NCRB data further reflected the suicides among students in the last two decades, increasing from 5,425 in 2001 to 13,044 in 2022. " of an increasing number of suicides in educational institutions, inter alia, including schools, coaching institutes, colleges, and training centres, we feel obliged to acknowledge and address the gravity of the mental health crisis afflicting students in educational institutions across the country," the bench said. The bench was acting on an appeal against an Andhra Pradesh High Court order rejecting the plea to transfer the investigation into the unnatural death of a 17-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test aspirant, preparing in Vishakhapatnam, to the CBI. The top court said the NCRB data revealed a distressing pattern of rising student suicides. It said mental health was an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench said given the pressing nature of the crisis, particularly in cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where students migrate in large numbers, immediate interim safeguards are the call of the day. It issued 15 guidelines, which included that all educational institutions shall ensure optimal student-to-counsellor ratios. "Dedicated mentors or counsellors shall be assigned to smaller batches of students, especially during examination periods and academic transitions, to provide consistent, informal, and confidential support," it said. The bench said all educational institutions shall establish written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services, local hospitals, and suicide prevention helplines. "Suicide helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, shall be prominently displayed in hostels, classrooms, common areas, and on websites in large and legible print," it said. It said all teaching and non-teaching staff shall undergo mandatory training at least twice a year, conducted by certified mental health professionals, on psychological first-aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm, and referral mechanisms. The bench said all educational institutions shall ensure that all staffs are adequately trained to engage with students from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds in a sensitive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner. "This shall include, but not be limited to, students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), LGBTQ communities, students with disabilities, those in out-of-home care, and students affected by bereavement, trauma, or prior suicide attempts, or intersecting form of marginalisation," it said. The bench said every such institution shall constitute an internal committee or designated authority empowered to take immediate action on complaints about sexual harrasment, ragging and others and provide psycho-social support to victims. It said all educational Institutions shall regularly organise sensitisation programmes (physical or online) for parents and guardians on student mental health. It said mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education and awareness of institutional support services shall be integrated into student orientation programmes and co-curricular activities. "All educational institutions shall maintain anonymised records and prepare an annual report indicating the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental health-related activities," the bench said. It said examination patterns shall be periodically reviewed to reduce academic burden and to cultivate a broader sense of identity among students beyond test scores and ranks. It said all educational institutions, including coaching centres and training institutes, shall provide regular, structured career counselling services for students and their parents or guardians. "All residential-based educational institutions, including hostel owners, wardens and caretakers, shall take proactive steps to ensure that campuses remain free from harassment, bullying, drugs....," the bench said. It asked the Centre to file a compliance affidavit before the court within 90 days. The continued loss of young a systemic failure that cannot be ignored. 'The affidavit shall also indicate the expected timeline for the completion of the report and recommendations of the National Task Force on mental health concerns of students,' it said.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Student suicides: Continued loss of young lives reflect systemic failure, says SC
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Friday said the continued loss of young lives by way of suicides reflected "a systemic failure" and said the issue "cannot be ignored". Student suicides: Continued loss of young lives reflect systemic failure, says SC A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, which passed a slew of pan-India guidelines to deal with the issue, said the National Crime Records Bureau statistics published in 2022 titled "Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India" painted a "deeply distressing picture". "The continued loss of young lives, often due to preventable causes rooted in unattended psychological distress, academic overburden, social stigma, and institutional insensitivity, reflect a systemic failure that cannot be ignored," it said. India recorded 1,70,924 reported suicide cases in 2022, of which 7.6 per cent, approximately 13,044, were student suicides. The bench said notably, 2,248 of these deaths were attributed directly to failure in examinations. The NCRB data further reflected the suicides among students in the last two decades increasing from 5,425 in 2001 to 13,044 in 2022. " of an increasing number of suicides in educational institutions, inter alia, including schools, coaching institutes, colleges, and training centres, we feel obliged to acknowledge and address the gravity of the mental health crisis afflicting students in educational institutions across the country," the bench said. The bench was acting on an appeal against an Andhra Pradesh High Court order rejecting the plea to transfer the investigation into the unnatural death of a 17-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test aspirant, preparing in Vishakhapatnam, to the CBI. The top court said the NCRB data revealed a distressing pattern of rising student suicides. It said mental health was an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The bench said given the pressing nature of the crisis, particularly in cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, where students migrate in large numbers, immediate interim safeguards are the call of the day. It issued 15 guidelines, which included that all educational institutions shall ensure optimal student-to-counsellor ratios. "Dedicated mentors or counsellors shall be assigned to smaller batches of students, especially during examination periods and academic transitions, to provide consistent, informal, and confidential support," it said. The bench said all educational institutions shall establish written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services, local hospitals, and suicide prevention helplines. "Suicide helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, shall be prominently displayed in hostels, classrooms, common areas, and on websites in large and legible print," it said. It said all teaching and non-teaching staff shall undergo mandatory training at least twice a year, conducted by certified mental health professionals, on psychological first-aid, identification of warning signs, response to self-harm, and referral mechanisms. The bench said all educational institutions shall ensure that all staffs are adequately trained to engage with students from vulnerable and marginalised backgrounds in a sensitive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory manner. "This shall include, but not be limited to, students belonging to Scheduled Castes , Scheduled Tribes , Other Backward Classes , Economically Weaker Sections , LGBTQ communities, students with disabilities, those in out-of-home care, and students affected by bereavement, trauma, or prior suicide attempts, or intersecting form of marginalisation," it said. The bench said every such institution shall constitute an internal committee or designated authority empowered to take immediate action on complaints about sexual harrasment, ragging and others and provide psycho-social support to victims. It said all educational Institutions shall regularly organise sensitisation programmes for parents and guardians on student mental health. It said mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education and awareness of institutional support services shall be integrated into student orientation programmes and co-curricular activities. "All educational institutions shall maintain anonymised records and prepare an annual report indicating the number of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental health-related activities," the bench said. It said examination patterns shall be periodically reviewed to reduce academic burden and to cultivate a broader sense of identity among students beyond test scores and ranks. It said all educational institutions, including coaching centres and training institutes, shall provide regular, structured career counselling services for students and their parents or guardians. "All residential-based educational institutions, including hostel owners, wardens and caretakers, shall take proactive steps to ensure that campuses remain free from harassment, bullying, drugs....," the bench said. It asked the Centre to file a compliance affidavit before the court within 90 days. "The affidavit shall also indicate the expected timeline for the completion of the report and recommendations of the National Task Force on mental health concerns of students," it said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
