Latest news with #ArunKumarVerma
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- New Indian Express
NGT orders lessee to pay Rs 25 lakh for illegal mining in Odisha
CUTTACK: Taking serious note of illegal sand mining activities being carried out in Brahmani river at Tendra under Bonai tehsil of Sundargarh district, the National Green Tribunal (NGT)'s east zone bench in Kolkata has directed recovery of Rs 25.41 lakh compensation from the lessee. A tribunal constituted joint committee had confirmed that the private lessee had violated environmental norms by carrying out excess and unauthorised sand extraction from the river and calculated an environmental compensation of Rs 25.41 lakh to be imposed on the lessee. The bench comprising Judicial Member Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Expert Member Dr Arun Kumar Verma directed the district collector to file an action-taken report regarding the recovery of this compensation. The bench was hearing a petition filed by the late Jhadeswar Pradhan (60), a resident of Tendra. The petition alleged rampant mechanical sand mining beyond permissible limits and illegal transportation through villages using overloaded heavy vehicles, damaging private and agricultural land. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy appeared on behalf of the petitioner. Earlier, on April 4, the tribunal had constituted the joint committee to inspect the site and assess the validity of the claims. The committee's report confirmed that the lessee had indeed engaged in mining beyond the approved lease area, disturbing the natural flow pattern of the river. The report stated that out of 20,616 cubic metres of sand extracted during the 2024-25 financial year, about 5,339.78 cubic metres were illegally mined from outside the lease area. The matter has been listed for the next hearing on August 22, 2025.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Post NGT verdict, hope for Hazaribag's Okni pond
1 2 Hazaribag: City-based Hazaribagh Environment Protection Trust received favourable verdict from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the Okni pond case on Wednesday. While hearing the case, Amit Sthalekar (judicial member) and expert member Arun Kumar Verma of the NGT, after examining investigation reports and facts presented by retired deputy development commissioner (DDC) Jai Gopal Rai on behalf of the trust, directed the DC to complete the Okni pond's beautification work, which was on hold since the case landed in court, by July 3, 2026. The revival of the water body, spread over 14.62 acres, where garbage is dumped and drain water from the nearby mohalla emptied, would cost Rs 1.39cr. In the case, the chief secretary of Jharkhand, Hazaribag municipal corporation, Hazaribag DC, and the ministry of forest were made parties on behalf of the organisation. A high-level committee inspected the site and submitted its report revealing scattered garbage, contaminated water, and discharge of drain water into the water body. The Sadar circle officer also submitted a report, which stated that the mutation application, 2898/2024-25, of Shahnawaz Jameel, who claimed his right over the land, was rejected after inspecting the site and the old records, stating that it has been in public use for decades. Rai said, "I took up this fight to save one of the oldest and biggest ponds in the city. The then DDC of Hazaribag and now Gumla DC Prerna Dixit (IAS), supported me in saving the pond from land sharks."
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Power users get chance to declare actual load
In a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply and improving electricity distribution, the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has launched a Voluntary Declaration Scheme (VDS) for domestic and commercial electricity consumers. The initiative, effective from July 1 to July 31, 2025, provides consumers a one-time opportunity to declare their actual power load without facing penalties. According to CPDL officials, over the years, many households and businesses have significantly increased their electricity consumption. However, a large number of consumers have not applied to revise their sanctioned load accordingly. (HT File) According to CPDL officials, over the years, many households and businesses have significantly increased their electricity consumption. However, a large number of consumers have not applied to revise their sanctioned load accordingly. This discrepancy between the sanctioned and actual usage has made it difficult for the utility to plan and manage power distribution effectively. 'By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions and maintaining a steady supply to their premises,' said Arun Kumar Verma, director, CPDL. To make the process hassle-free, CPDL has introduced both online and offline submission options. 'Consumers can fill a form available on the official website — — and upon completing all necessary steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones. Alternatively, consumers can visit their respective sub-divisional officer (SDO) offices to submit the form in person,' said the CPDL director. Officials clarified that the scheme is being implemented under the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations, 2018, and is designed to be both practical and consumer-centric. The CPDL has stated that no penalty will be imposed on consumers for declaring excess load currently in use. Moreover, there will be no requirement to submit a test report, and the newly declared load will be considered regularised from the date of application. Once the scheme concludes on July 31, CPDL plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of domestic and commercial premises across the city. The survey will aim to identify connections where the actual load exceeds the sanctioned limit. 'Appropriate action will be taken against owners found violating the norms based on the survey findings,' officials said, underscoring the importance of voluntary compliance during the scheme period.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UT residents can now get excess power regularised
Chandigarh: To ensure uninterrupted power supply, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has introduced the Voluntary Declaration Scheme (VDS) for both domestic and commercial connections. The power discom has asked consumers to declare their actual electricity load under the scheme. This is a one-time opportunity for the consumers to avail themselves of the benefits of the scheme, as per the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations 2018. Over the years, the power load of many domestic and commercial connections has increased manifold. However, consumers did not put in an application to enhance their sanctioned load accordingly. CPDL officials said through a simple and easy process, consumers can now share details of their load or demand to get it enhanced, enabling the utility to plan, augment, and manage the power distribution system more efficiently. Arun Kumar Verma, director, CPDL, said, "By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions, and maintaining a steady supply to their premises." Officials said the process for declaring the actual power load has been made more consumer-friendly. All they need to do is fill out a form online at the CPDL website, Upon completing all the required steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones. The form can also be submitted offline by visiting the respective SDO office. The officials clarified that no penalty will be imposed on the consumer for the declaration of excess load, and the declared load will be deemed to be regularised from the date of application. Also, there will be no need to submit a test report. The validity of the scheme will be for a month from July 1 to July 31, 2025. The officials said after the closure of the VDS, CPDL will conduct a survey to identify domestic and commercial establishments where the actual power load exceeds the sanctioned limit. Appropriate action will be taken against the owners of establishments found to violate the prescribed norms based on the survey findings, they added. Once accurate information about the actual power load is available, power distribution arrangements will be optimised accordingly. This will help reduce breakdowns and faults, ultimately ensuring a more seamless and reliable power supply. BOX CONSUMERS TAKE NOTE All that consumers need to do is fill out a form online at the CPDL website, Upon completing all the required steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones The form can also be submitted offline by visiting the respective subdivisonal officer's office No penalty will be imposed on the consumer for the declaration of excess load being utilised by them, and the declared load will be deemed to be regularised from the date of application QUOTE By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions, and maintaining a steady supply to their premises Arun Kumar Verma, director, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
At 31.7°C, Chandigarh sees warmest night of season, power demand sees all-time high of 452 MW
City residents tossed and turned as night temperatures shot up to 31.7°C on Wednesday, making it the warmest night of the season so far. Though there was a marginal dip in the day temperatures, from 43.9°C on Tuesday to 41.9°C on Wednesday, the power demand surged to 452 MW — the highest ever peak demand — amid an ongoing heatwave. The previous peak was 449 MW on June 13 last year, UT administration officials confirmed. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Wednesday night was the season's first 'warm night'. A warm night is declared when the maximum temperature is above 40°C and the minimum goes over 4.5 degrees above normal. On Wednesday, the minimum had gone 5.4 degrees above normal. If the minimum goes over 6.5 degrees above normal, then a 'severe warm night' is declared. This was also the highest the minimum temperature has gone in the month of June since 2022 when it was at 31.9°C. Wait till weekend for some relief Met officials said the temperature is set to remain on the higher side till the weekend. IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said the temperature continues to be high due to the effect of Westerly winds along with bright sunny weather. However, a fresh Western Disturbance (WD) is likely to bring relief over the weekend. While the WD will start affecting the region from Saturday, residents can expect thunderstorms and light rain from Sunday, he added. Further, rain in Himachal Pradesh will also lead to cooler winds here and the monsoon system is also set to become active again by the weekend, the IMD director said. Over the next three days, the maximum temperature will remain between 42°C and 43°C while the minimum temperature will remain between 31°C and 32°C. How tricity stands power wise Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) said it successfully met the unprecedented load on Wednesday without any breakdowns. 'Our robust planning, network strengthening, and strategic power tie-ups helped us to manage the peak demand efficiently,' said Arun Kumar Verma, director, CPDL. Power demand is expected to climb further, possibly crossing 481 MW, he added. In Mohali, the power demand surged to approximately 1,500 megawatts on Wednesday. However, authorities said, the supply remained stable as the district has an installed power capacity of around 1,900 megawatts, which is sufficient to handle peak demand without disruption. 'There is no shortage of electricity in Mohali. We are comfortably meeting the power requirements of all sectors,' said an official from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). Mohali has about 25 grid substations that draw electricity from various sources, including the Rajpura and Ropar thermal power plants, as well as the Ganguwal hydroelectric project. Panchkula residents, however, are grappling with frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations. Unscheduled cuts, especially in trans-Ghaggar areas, have left residents hassled. Mohit Gupta, a resident of Sector-25, cited Wednesday's example and said, 'While a scheduled power cut was announced for parts of Sector-26 from 4.30 pm to 6 pm, electricity was only restored around 7 pm. When contacted, an official from the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) said he was unable to provide day-to-day details regarding power consumption.
