Latest news with #CEC
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
'Fake permission' issued for tree felling in Ridge area for housing project: Delhi Forest dept to SC
The plea, which sought contempt action against authorities for tree felling and levelling the said parcel of land for the project in the area, is likely to be heard on July 21 by a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant. The forest officer, in his affidavit, said on December 13 last year, he wrote a letter to the station house officer (SHO) of the Vasant Kunj Police Station, seeking cognisance of the issue and registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of law. The affidavit further said that the assistant sub-inspector at the Vasant Kunj Police Station probing the FIR has written back to the forest officer, saying that the alleged forged permission is illegible. It informed the court that the police officer has also said in his letter that the disputed location cannot be found, and during the interrogation, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, refused the allegation regarding forged permission for felling/damaging of trees. "The assistant sub-inspector has requested an original copy of the forged permission to process the matter further; otherwise, the complaint shall be closed. It is pertinent to mention that the same issue is sought by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)...and the intimation of the same has already been sent on March 3, 2025," the affidavit said. The forest officer said in the affidavit that in response to the report of the assistant sub-inspector, a letter was issued to the Vasant Kunj Police Station SHO on March 13, 2025, by him, stating that the copy of the forged permission/documents provided earlier was the only copy available in his office. The plea said in the pleading before the Delhi High Court, it was revealed that activities were carried out for the construction of residential buildings by alleged contemnors, and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has sanctioned the building plan for the said building construction. "To the best of the petitioner's knowledge, no permission has been sought from this court before undertaking the said contemptuous activities. It is also evident that the officials of the Forest Department, GNCTD and the Ridge Management Board took no action to prevent the said activity or stop the same," the plea said. The Ridge area in Delhi, which is an ecologically sensitive zone, is divided into five fragmented zones namely Northern Ridge, Central Ridge, South Central Ridge, Southern Ridge and Nanakpura South Central Ridge. Several orders have been passed from time to time by the courts and authorities for its protection. On May 7, the top court had issued a show cause notice to the authorities asking as to why the contempt proceedings, under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, should not be initiated against them for the alleged violation of the order dated May 9, 1996, and listed the petition for hearing on July 21.
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
ICC To Set Up 'Working Group' To Sort Out LA28 Qualification, Format Restructuring
Last Updated: ICC to form a Working Group to decide LA28 Olympic qualification, review cricket formats, and explore Test restructuring. Minimum age for internationals remains 15. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to form a Working Group to take care of some of the pressing issues globally. This was among the key takeaways of the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) meeting held in Singapore on Friday. The meeting was chaired by new ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta, and ICC Chair Jay Shah attended in his ex-officio capacity. According to Cricbuzz, the Working Group will look after the structure of various formats of the game and the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Also, the formation of this group is expected to be fast-tracked and could be finalised as early as Saturday, during the upcoming ICC Board meeting. The Working Group will reportedly include members from both the CEC and the Board, and will be given clear responsibilities — the top priority being to recommend a qualification system for the LA28 Olympics. The gentlemen's game will return in the Olympics with six teams each in the men's and women's categories. However, the qualification process still remains a concern. The global body seems divided on this, as many believe that world rankings should be used to determine the qualifiers, whereas some have suggested organising a qualifying tournament. But holding a tournament seems unlikely due to the tight schedule and a packed Future Tours Programme (FTP). Meanwhile, the proposal for a two-tier Test format — a hot topic in recent times — was not discussed at the CEC meeting. However, it is expected that the Working Group will explore this issue and suggest whether changes are needed in the structure of Test cricket. The same applies to possible adjustments in ODI and T20I formats. Minimum Age To Play International Cricket Another key decision taken at the meeting was to keep the minimum age for playing senior international cricket at 15, based on recommendations from the ICC's Medical Advisory Committee. However, exceptions may be allowed in special circumstances. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Health
- The Citizen
SA's water contaminated with microplastics, chemicals and ARVs
The grim details were revealed in several studies commissioned since the year 2000. South Africa's water resources and drinking water have been contaminated with microplastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and anti-retrovirals (ARVs) that could pose risks to human health and the environment. The grim details were revealed in several studies commissioned since the year 2000 by the Water Research Commission (WRC), an entity of the department of water and sanitation (DWS), along with local and international research organisations. Studies The studies were commissioned to probe the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in water resources and drinking water. One of the studies related to anti-retrovirals (ARVs) was undertaken by the University of North West. ARVs The study found traces of ARVs in samples taken from rivers and potable water sources. South Africa has rolled out a massive programme to curb HIV and Aids, including access to ARVs to reduce the risk of the onset of Aids. In a statement, water and sanitation department spokesperson Wisane Mavasa said that traces of ARVs are entering municipal sewage systems and passing through these systems into rivers. 'This can be attributed to the pharmacological process where the active part of the medication is absorbed by the body, leaving the residual to be discharged from the body, subsequently finding its way into the sewage system. 'These traces of ARVs can then also be present in water that has been extracted from rivers by municipalities to be treated and supplied as potable water,' Mavasa said. ALSO READ: Rand Water rubbishes claims of 'poisoned' Vaal Dam water Water quality Mavasa said the key quality risks to human health of a biological and microbiological nature are 'well understood and regulated in South Africa'. 'The traces of pharmaceuticals, microplastics and other such CECs that have been found in water resources in South Africa are very small, measured in nanograms (one billionth of a gram). Conventional water and wastewater treatment technologies are designed to remove much larger contaminants such as particles of faeces and bacteria.' The study, commissioned by the WRC and carried out by North West University, found that: Almost all the concentrations in drinking water samples at the test sites were below limits of quantification. The most frequently detected compound was fluconazole (28 detections from 72 samples), with concentrations ranging between 0.06-1.8 μg/L (nanograms per litre) Nevirapine and efavirenz were the second most detected compounds, both with 22 detections out of 72 samples However, on average, lopinavir and efavirenz had the highest concentrations of the compounds analysed, while Didanosine and zidovudine were the least detected compounds (2 and 6 detections out of 72 samples). Waste Mavasa added that higher concentrations of traces of ARVs were found downstream of wastewater treatment plants. 'This means that the municipal wastewater treatment works are not removing them, because most existing wastewater treatment works have not been designed to remove CECs. Low concentrations of ARVs were found in some of the drinking water samples. 'There is a possibility that high concentrations of ARVs in sewage or municipal wastewater might reduce the effectiveness of the wastewater treatment works in removing bacteria from the wastewater. Further research is required in this regard,' Mavasa said. ALSO READ: Joburg Water warns Phumlamqashi it will not reconnect illegal connections Drinking water Mavasa said that while the presence of ARV residues in drinking water is harmless, prolonged exposure to the broader population may lead to antimicrobial resistance, a subject of ongoing research. 'Pharmaceuticals such as ARVs are drugs used to treat diseases – they do not cause diseases. Therefore, the presence of traces of ARVs in the water will not result in people contracting HIV. 'At present, there is limited knowledge of environmental toxicity, potential adverse effects on ecosystems and viral resistance of these compounds. The study did not find any ARVs in fish,' Mavasa said. No regulation Mavasa said while CECs is a growing global problem and area of attention around the world, globally the level of CEC compounds in water is generally not yet regulated which is partly due to their presence often being below quality detection limits. 'However, due to their continuous production, lack of appropriate disposal, constant input into the environment and presence in water resources, albeit in small concentrations, there is now increasing global research into the issue.' Mavasa said development of methods and techniques to accurately trace these elements in water is one of the key focus areas of global research, adding that research is also being done on effective methods of treatment of the problem, including advanced membrane systems. ALSO READ: Water crisis deepens: 13% of SA's water now unsafe to drink
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Gurumurthy Palani, Anurag Bhatnagar, Gurdeep Klair Join ICC Chief Executives' Committee
Alongside Damodar and Renganathan, Tim Cutler (Vanuatu), Stella Siale (Samoa), and Sarah Gomersall (Jersey) were contenders in the CEC elections, which involved votes from 40 associate members and five regional representatives from the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, and East Asia-Pacific. The CEC is one of the ICC's most authoritative boards, including representatives from all Full Member nations and elected Associate Members. It plays a crucial role in shaping policies and governance regarding the promotion and organisation of cricket at the international level. The Associate Member seats are vital as they serve as a bridge between the ICC's main board and its member countries outside of it. According to ICC rules, candidates for CEC elections must be representatives of an Associate Member or a current or former ICC director. Palani, Bhatnagar, and Klair will serve two-year terms and will also join the Associate Member Committee, which governs and regulates cricket at the Associate level. The elections for these coveted Associate Member seats on the CEC marked the beginning of the ICC's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Singapore on Thursday, set to continue until July 20. This AGM is notable as it is the first major ICC meeting under chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Palani, Bhatnagar and Klair elected to ICC Chief Executives' Committee
Gurumurthy Palani, Anurag Bhatnagar and Gurdeep Klair have been elected to the influential Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Palani (France), Bhatnagar (Hong Kong), and Klair (Canada) won the elections for the three CEC spots ahead of incumbents Sumod Damodar (Botswana) and Sankar Renganathan (Sierra Leone). The trio winning the elections were confirmed by their respective boards' social media handles. Apart from Damodar and Renganathan, Tim Cutler (Vanuatu), Stella Siale (Samoa) and Sarah Gomersall (Jersey) were also in the fray in the CEC elections, whose voting process involved 40 associate members and five regional representatives from Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, and East Asia-Pacific. The CEC is one of the ICC's most powerful boards, comprising of all Full Member nation board representatives and elected Associate representatives. The CEC plays an influential decision making role in shaping policies, governance around promotion and the direction of cricket being played and organised at the international level. The Associate Member seats are of huge importance as they serve as a critical link between the ICC's top board and the member countries outside of it. Under ICC rules, candidates for CEC elections had to be a representative of an Associate Member or a current/past ICC director. Palani, Bhatnagar and Klair will now have two-year terms and the trio will also be part of the Associate Member Committee, which works towards governing and regulating cricket at the Associate level. The elections for the three coveted Associate Member seats on the CEC marked the commencement of the ICC's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Singapore on Thursday and is slated to run till July 20. It's also the first major ICC AGM happening under chairman Jay Shah and newly-appointed CEO Sanjog Gupta.
