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The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Excise Dept. registers 2.04 lakh cases in three years; ₹102 cr. worth of goods seized
The Excise Department has registered 2.04 lakh cases under various categories over the last three years — 2022 – 23, 2023-24, and 2024-25— and seized goods worth over ₹102 crore. Over 1.92 lakh people have been arrested for several offences and later released on bail. The department primarily registers cases under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, in three categories — Heinous, Breach of License Conditions (BLC), and Section 15(A) (allowing or consuming liquor in an unlicensed public place). The seizures included duplicate liquor, toddy, and vehicles among others. In 2022-23, a total of 46,778 cases were booked, while in 2023–24, 83,425 cases were booked. In 2024 – 25, the officials registered 73,942 cases. 'We have booked so many cases as enforcement has been strong at the taluk level. Many NGOs also create awareness among people who have been booked under Section 15(A),' said R. Venkatesh Kumar, Commissioner of Excise Department. Outside MRP outlets Around 1.43 lakh cases booked in the last three years have been under Section 15(A). These cases include people who stand outside MRP outlets and drink, which is an issue that has been flagged by many resident welfare associations over the years. However, residents say that they often do not know whom to flag it to when they see people standing on pavements in front of liquor shops and consuming alcohol in the open, where even children move around. 'We have even confronted the seller as to why he permits it, but he says he has no control once they walk out of the shop,' said Bhavana Murthy, a resident of Attur Layout. A senior official from the department claimed that when they register a case under Section 15(A), they book both the seller and consumer holding them equally responsible. Breach of Licence Conditions Further, 45,885 cases have been booked under BLC in three years. While the department officials say that any violation of the license regulations results in these cases, bar owners say they are harassed by excise officials when they are booked under BLC. However, S. Guruswamy, president, Federation of Wine Merchants Association, Karnataka, claimed that they are sometimes booked for 'silly issues' like opening the shop early and saying cleanliness violations randomly, while they blindside bigger offences in villages. 'The enforcement is not strong at all in villages where they even sell illegal liquor. There are dhabas, military hotels, and even petty shops that sell liquor, but the officials turn a blind eye to them. The department officials always trouble the license holders, especially if we question their ways,' he said.
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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
PMAY-Urban completion deadline extended till Dec 31: Here's how to apply
In a relief to urban homebuyers and state governments, the Centre has extended the deadline for completing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana -Urban (PMAY-U) to December 31. This is expected to give more time for pending housing projects, especially in states lagging behind schedule. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) confirmed the decision through a recent communication to states and union territories. According to the PMAY-U official portal ( the mission aims to ensure 'Housing for All' in urban areas by providing pucca houses to all eligible families. What is PMAY-U? Launched in June 2015, PMAY-U is a flagship scheme of the Government of India focused on providing affordable housing to the urban poor through financial assistance. As per MoHUA, the mission follows a demand-driven approach and covers four verticals: · In-situ slum redevelopment (ISSR) · Affordable housing in partnership (AHP) · Beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement (BLC) Who is eligible? To avail benefits under PMAY-U, applicants must meet the following criteria (as per official guidelines): · Must not own a pucca house anywhere in India in their name or in the name of any family member. · Annual income must fall under one of the following categories: o Economically Weaker Section (EWS): up to Rs 3 lakh o Low-Income Group (LIG): Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh o Middle-Income Group-I (MIG-I): Rs 6 lakh to Rs 12 lakh o Middle-Income Group-II (MIG-II): Rs 12 lakh to Rs 18 lakh · Should not have availed any central government housing assistance before. · Women ownership or co-ownership is mandatory for EWS/LIG under BLC and AHP verticals. How to claim benefits? Eligible applicants can apply under the CLSS vertical, which offers interest subsidies on home loans. Here's how: · Visit · Choose Citizen Assessment and select the appropriate category. · Fill in the Aadhaar number and other required details. · Track application status through the same portal. · For CLSS, applicants can also approach banks or housing finance companies directly.
Daily Maverick
04-05-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
Government seeks to clamp down on offshore ship refuelling operations
New draft regulations seek to tighten control over offshore bunkering, but comments to date warn that failing to mandate full Environmental Impact Assessments for bunkering will continue to leave endangered species and fragile marine ecosystems dangerously exposed. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has published draft regulations for the environmental management of offshore bunkering, inviting public comment as South Africa seeks to tighten control over the growing practice of refuelling ships at sea. Bunkering, the controversial practice of Ship-To-Ship (STS) refuelling at sea, has been linked to oil spills affecting seabirds in Algoa Bay, increased vessel noise and the catastrophic decline of endangered African penguin populations. What has been at the centre of discussion is that STS bunkering is not specifically listed under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Nema). This means it can be approved without a thorough assessment of its direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, and without the involvement or input of affected stakeholders. The practice in South African waters, especially off Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape,has been widely debated with concerns raised about oil spills, marine noise and threats to wildlife and critical habitats. As Kate Handley from the Biodiversity Law Centre (BLC) previously wrote in Daily Maverick, bringing bunkering and activities within the environmental regulatory framework is urgent and necessary. This is particularly significant as St Croix Island in Algoa Bay used to host the world's largest breeding colony of African penguins, but the population has dropped by roughly 85% since 2016, with the sharp decline linked to STS bunkering in the area. Handley noted that four significant oil spills linked to STS bunkering incidents have occurred since 2016, resulting in significant numbers of oiled seabirds. The new draft regulations, published by Environment Minister Dion George, look to create a regulatory framework to ensure the actual impacts and potential impacts of offshore bunkering on the coastal environment are mitigated and avoided, or where avoidance is not possible, are minimised and remedied. The regulations are out for comment until 5 May, and they detail prohibitions; noise mitigation; wildlife monitoring; weather conditions; requirements to avoid or mitigate oil spills; training requirements; and environmental management plan stipulations to be fulfilled by all bunkering operators. The minister set out that these prohibitions are to limit where, when and how offshore bunkering can take place, to prioritise the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and endangered species such as the African penguin. The restrictions reflect growing concern over the environmental risks of oil spills, noise and other impacts associated with ship-to-ship fuel transfers, especially in biodiversity hotspots like Algoa Bay. While the regulations are out for public comment, groups such as the BLC are calling for them to include a total ban near sensitive marine habitats (like Algoa Bay) and require a full EIA process. As it stands, the draft regulations call for environmental management plans, which can be fulfilled without public participation and can either be approved, referred back for amendments, or rejected by the Minister. Environmental management plan An independently developed and minister-approved environmental management plan (EMP) is now required for all offshore bunkering operations. No bunkering is allowed without an EMP developed by an independent specialist and approved by the minister before operations begin. The minister may approve, refer back for amendments, or reject the EMP. The EMP must include: Site-specific environmental and ecological risk identification by an independent specialist, along with environmental management and mitigation measures to avoid or minimise the identified risks; A wildlife preparedness and response strategy based on international guidelines, with a wildlife response programme by an experienced organisation; A comprehensive contingency plan that includes risk assessment of spills and expected consequences and operational protocols for spill response. In addition, details of oil spill response vessels and personnel must be on site; Underwater noise mitigation and management measures; Emergency response procedures for collisions or entanglements involving marine mammals, turtles, or seabirds; and A monitoring programme to measure parameters such as surface currents, oil spills and noise, and to assess impacts on marine life, including oiled seabirds. The BLC has submitted detailed comments on the draft regulations for offshore bunkering, raising several legal, environmental and procedural concerns. While the draft regulations attempt to address underwater noise and wildlife monitoring, which the BLC welcomed, the organisation found these measures vague, difficult to enforce and not fully aligned with international best practice. The requirement for EMPs is also seen as legally unfounded without first listing bunkering as an activity requiring environmental authorisation under Nema, according to the BLC. It strongly recommends that offshore bunkering be a listed activity under the Nema EIA regulations. This would require a full EIA and public participation before any bunkering activity is authorised, a step the BLC says is currently missing, despite repeated calls for its inclusion. Prohibitions A series of strict prohibitions is introduced in an attempt to protect South Africa's sensitive coastal and marine environments from the risks associated with offshore bunkering operations. This includes no-go zones where offshore bunkering is completely prohibited within: Any marine protected area (MPA); Five nautical miles of the boundary of an MPA; Any critical biodiversity area; Five nautical miles of an aquaculture development zone; and Five nautical miles of the high-water mark. The regulations also institute a night-time ban, where bunkering operations are not allowed between sunset and sunrise, effectively banning all night-time transfers. No one involved in bunkering is allowed to release or discharge any substance from a vessel when transiting through an MPA, or within a 20km radius of St Croix Island and Bird Island, Algoa Bay. The master of a vessel waiting to bunker may not traverse between Bird Island, in Algoa Bay and the mainland. Vessel movement is also going to be limited with vessels waiting to bunker not allowed to traverse between Bird Island and the mainland, reducing disturbance to critical wildlife areas. The regulations stipulate an Algoa Bay operator cap with a maximum of five bunker operators allowed to operate within Algoa Bay. Each bunker operator is only allowed to operate one vessel within the bay. Noise mitigation The regulations introduce measures to reduce underwater noise pollution from offshore bunkering operations, recognising its harmful impact on marine life, especially in sensitive coastal areas. All bunkering vessels must comply with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping. This means vessels must be designed or adapted to minimise the noise they generate beneath the water's surface. Vessels already authorised at the time these regulations come into effect are given two years to achieve full compliance with the IMO noise reduction standards. Masters of vessels intending to bunker must reduce their speed to 8 knots or less when within 10 nautical miles of the bunkering site, and must reduce the vessels' speed even further before anchoring. Lower vessel speeds are proven to significantly reduce underwater noise, benefiting marine mammals and other sensitive species. This is evidenced in a paper by Russell Leaper, published in Frontiers in Marine Science in 2019. The regulations further state that each bunker operator's EMP must include a dedicated underwater noise mitigation and management plan. This plan should outline a range of noise reduction and mitigation options, incorporate best practices for noise mitigation, and detail operating procedures for both acute and chronic noise-generating activities, including bunkering and vessel transit. Wildlife monitoring and mitigation The regulations call for continuous monitoring for marine mammals, penguins and turtles before and during bunkering, to minimise the impact on these species. They also state that bunkering must stop if protected species are detected within 500m of the site. Where a marine mammal, penguin or turtle is in the path of a vessel, the master of that vessel must take the necessary steps to avoid contact with, or navigate the vessel over, the marine mammal, penguin or turtle. Before beginning bunkering operations, all bunker operators must install a sono-buoy system, which alerts vessels to the presence of marine mammals Any collisions or sightings of injured/oiled wildlife must be reported immediately, and operators are responsible for the rescue and transport of oiled seabirds. The regulations also state that bunker operators are not permitted to undertake bunkering unless an oil spill response vessel is present at the bunkering area and is equipped with gas detection equipment to sound an alarm when the presence of flammable gas or vapour is detected. Mitigating oil spills The draft regulations further set out specific requirements that bunker operators must follow to avoid or mitigate oil spills: The bunker operator must deploy a static towing or holdback tug to maintain heading control of the vessel throughout the entire bunkering operation; Drip trays must be used to collect any fuel or runoff from equipment that is not in a bunded (contained) area, and the contents must be directed to a closed drainage system; Suitable leak detection and repair programmes must be implemented to identify and address potential leaks promptly; Only low-toxicity biodegradable detergents may be used for cleaning the deck and any spillages, reducing environmental harm from cleaning agents; An inflatable curtain boom must be deployed before each bunkering operation to contain any potential spills. The boom must be regularly monitored during the operation to maintain its structural integrity; and Secondary booms must be kept on standby and ready to reinforce the primary boom in case of boom failure. What happens next? Until now, bunkering outside harbours has operated in a regulatory grey area, with limited oversight and inconsistent standards for spill response, wildlife protection and noise mitigation. If a person contravenes the regulations, they may be convicted of an offence and may be sentenced to a maximum fine of R2-million, imprisonment for a maximum period of five years, or both a fine and imprisonment. DM
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Roundup: Zimbabwean leather sector eyes partnership with Chinese firms for value addition
HARARE, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's leather sector is seeking partnerships with Chinese firms to build a competitive leather value chain and further tap into the Chinese market. Fungai Zvinondiramba, a councillor at the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council, an organization that promotes the country's leather industry, said China's advanced manufacturing capabilities and efficient supply chains can help local players become globally competitive. "We are looking to China as a partner in developing our leather sector. We are also focusing on the entire value and supply chains, from chemicals for our tanneries to components for our shoes and leather boots. China produces all of these, and we want strong trade relations to develop our leather value chain," he told Xinhua recently. The Chinese market has a strong appetite for leather crafts such as belts, said Zvinondiramba, also secretary of the Bulawayo Leather Cluster (BLC), a group of businesses and individuals promoting the leather industry in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Zimbabwe has a long-standing tradition of leather craft. The sector benefits from the country's rich livestock and diverse wildlife resources. Local producers use a mix of handcrafting techniques and modern machinery to make products such as bags, shoes, belts and wallets. Unlike mass-produced leather goods made with industrial machinery and standardized designs, crafted leather products feature personalized designs, often made with hand-held tools. "We have the best hides, the best animals. And we also have a strong historical background in leather crafting. The skill set and infrastructure are already in place. We have those trained in manufacturing, as well as those with natural talent for crafting," Zvinondiramba said. He added that other products in the leather value chain, such as raw hides, can also be exported to China. "We are also looking at promoting our abattoirs in China. With the world's largest population, China presents a lucrative market for our meat products, especially beef, which is also part of our value chain," he said. Once a major regional producer of leather goods, especially shoes, Zimbabwe's leather sector is now undergoing a revival. Joseph Mukondo, a marketing representative for BLC, said that while small-scale producers are playing a vital role in reviving the industry, they face stiff competition from imported second-hand and synthetic footwear. "So far, the leather industry is struggling due to the influx of cheap synthetic leather imports and second-hand shoes. We are trying to win back customers by promoting genuine leather, but with the current economic hardships, people tend to buy two or three pairs of shoes for 10 U.S. dollars instead of a single genuine leather pair for 20," he said. "We used to have large foreign companies making shoes in Zimbabwe. Today, most activities are carried out by local start-ups. That is why we are turning to China to help our start-ups grow into major players in the leather sector," Zvinondiramba said.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Photocure ASA: Results for the fourth quarter of 2024
OSLO, Norway, Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE:PHO) today reported Hexvix®/Cysview® revenues of NOK 128.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2023: NOK 114.2 million) and EBITDA of NOK 8.5 million (NOK 29.9 million). Photocure expects product revenue growth in the range of 7% to 11% and year-over-year EBITDA improvement in 2025. While the company is not providing a specific EBITDA guidance range, Photocure expects continued operating leverage flow-through in its core commercial business and significant growth in milestones this year. "We delivered strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2024 with 13% growth in Hexvix/Cysview revenue, 11% unit sales growth, and EBITDA of NOK 8.5 million. For the full-year 2024, we grew product revenue by 10% and generated EBITDA of NOK 49.2 million. We continue to execute on growing our Hexvix/Cysview business and have consistently produced positive EBITDA over the last 7 quarters," says Dan Schneider, President & Chief Executive Officer of Photocure. Photocure reported total group revenues of NOK 141.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 (NOK 142.5 million), and EBITDA* of NOK 8.5 million (Q4 2023: NOK 29.9 million), while Hexvix/Cysview revenues grew to NOK 128.6 million in the quarter (NOK 114.2 million). The EBIT was NOK 1.2 million (NOK 22.5 million) and the cash balance at the end of the period was NOK 293.8 million (NOK 259.5 million). At the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, the installed base of rigid blue light cystoscopy (BLC®) systems in the U.S. was 390, up 11% since the same period in 2023. This includes 18 ForTec Medical mobile towers. Photocure estimates that 25 flexible BLC towers remain in the U.S. market. During the quarter, Olympus launched its high-definition blue light cystoscopy upgrade for its state-of-the-art Viscera Elite III endoscopic platform, which Photocure believes will increase the use of Hexvix in certain Nordic countries and elsewhere in Europe. Also, subsequently in February, Photocure provided an update from its collaboration with Richard Wolf disclosing that a flexible BLC interim solution is now available in Europe. "We remain focused on the growth of our business and investing in opportunities that can take Photocure to the next level in 2025. Supporting our expected growth this year, our U.S. business is performing well as we continue to increase the base of active accounts using BLC, and mobile tower adoption is anticipated to outweigh remaining declines in flexible BLC usage. New therapeutics entering the market to treat NMIBC** are expected to continue raising the awareness of precision bladder cancer management and emphasizing the importance of better detection with BLC and Hexvix/Cysview. Additionally, the launch of Olympus' upgraded BLC equipment in Europe is now underway, and our partnership with Richard Wolf is progressing well with a flexible BLC interim solution available sooner than expected," Schneider adds. Photocure believes that the benefits of Blue Light Cystoscopy with Hexvix/Cysview offering superior detection and management of bladder cancer will continue to be adopted and become the standard of care. Photocure expects product revenue growth in the range of 7% to 11% and YoY EBITDA improvement in 2025. While the Company is not providing a specific EBITDA guidance range, Photocure expects continued operating leverage flow-through in its core commercial business and significant growth in milestones this year. "We reported our strongest revenue ever in Q4 2024, and our full year revenue and EBITDA results demonstrate Photocure's ability to execute through headwinds, generate growth and create significant opportunities for the Company," Schneider concludes. Please find the full financial report and presentation enclosed. EBITDA* and other alternative performance measures (APMs) are defined and reconciled to the IFRS financial statements as a part of the APM section of the fourth quarter 2024 financial report on page 23. The quarterly report and presentation will be published at 08:00 CEST and will be publicly available at Dan Schneider, CEO and Erik Dahl, CFO, will host a live webcast at 14:00 CET. The presentation will be held in English and questions can be submitted throughout the event. The streaming event is available through The presentation is scheduled to conclude at 14:45 CET. NMIBC**: Non muscle-invasive bladder cancer For further information, please contact:Dan SchneiderPresident and CEOPhotocure ASAEmail: ds@ DahlChief Financial OfficerTel: +47 450 55 000Email: ed@ MoskowitzVice President of Investor RelationsTel: +1 202 280 0888Email: and IR enquiries:Geir BjørloCorporate Communications (Norway) Tel: +47 91540000Email: About Photocure ASA Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Tolv Hillestad, Group Controller, Photocure ASA, on 19 February 2025 at 08:00 CET. This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: Release Q4 2024 PRESENTATION Q4 2024 REPORT View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
