Latest news with #CGO
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Garbage piles up on Salt Lake roads as BMC waits for hydraulic dumpers for direct disposal at Dhapa
1 2 Kolkata: Heaps of household and market-generated garbage are piling up in different parts of Salt Lake, raising a stink and turning localities into an eyesore. Recently, the road leading from Tank 13 towards Anindita bus stop could not be used for almost a day, and vehicles had to be diverted to the other flank as a pile of trash almost blocked the road. Residents complained that waste collection in the municipality was irregular. There is a waste dumping-and-collection site near the CGO complex, from where the waste is transported to the Dhapa dumping site. "A heap of waste is often seen lying around the spot till late afternoon. The civic authorities say they face an uphill task to clear the daily piled-up waste due to a scarcity of waste collecting trucks. The area often stinks," said a roadside tea stall vendor. The Kestopur canal side road, which runs parallel to First Avenue, often has garbage dumped along both sides. "The waste piles up for several days before it is cleared. The sides of the AE Block green verge also often stay a mess due to scattered garbage," said Aparna Biswas, a local. Officials of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that they are planning to introduce 12 hydraulic dumpers on the streets in a few weeks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo These dumpers will collect and transport the daily generated waste to the Dhapa dumping site. "Six hydraulic dumpers have already been procured, and the other six are on the way. The vehicles will then be sent for registration. We expect the vehicles to be introduced on the roads by June 15," said BMC MMiC (waste management) Debraj Chakraborty. Officials said that the tender process is underway to procure four more waste collecting trucks. "Soon, a total of 16 vehicles will be on the roads to collect and dispose of the daily generated waste across 41 wards," said an official. The BMC area of Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur generates around 400 tonnes of waste daily. Civic officials said that the plan is to have two clusters in each of the 41 BMC wards where the dumpers will be placed at strategic points. "Apart from the hydraulic dumpers, there will be movable dumpers which will be stationed in different places. The household waste that will be collected will be put on these dumpers instead of leaving it in the vats for secondary collection. The dumpers will directly transport the waste to the dumping ground," said a civic official. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Legal custody of 14,000 kg of donkey hides: Customs enforcement-export collectorate tug of war intensifies
KARACHI: A tug of war between Customs enforcement and the export collectorate for taking the legal custody of 14,000 kilograms of donkey hides has intensified with the export collectorate filing a formal complaint against enforcement officials for alleged misconduct and violation of established procedures. A bitter jurisdictional dispute began on April 29, 2025, when Customs officials discovered the massive consignment of donkey hides during examination of a container at SAPT. The shipment, declared as 'leather goods' by a trading company through their clearing agent, was being exported to China when it was flagged for inspection despite initially passing through the green channel clearance process. According to a formal complaint, the consignment was first put on hold by the Anti-Narcotics Force on April 29, following routine examination procedures. However, the situation became complicated when the Port Control Unit of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement applied an additional hold on the container, creating a conflict over which department had legal authority to handle the case. The export collectorate has accused the deputy collector of the PCU Enforcement of overstepping the jurisdiction and violating established Customs procedures outlined in CGO number 3 of 2018. The complaint alleged that the deputy collector insisted on taking custody of the container and removing it from the port area without following the proper joint examination procedures required under the regulations. The banned donkey hides were identified as prohibited exports under an Economic Coordination Committee order from September 2015, which classified such shipments as restricted items. The discovery has highlighted ongoing concerns about illegal wildlife trade and the enforcement of export regulations at Pakistani ports. It further claimed that the enforcement collectorate acted unilaterally in removing the container from port premises, bypassing mandatory joint examination procedures that require cooperation between both departments, arguing that donkey hides did not fall under the specific mandate of the PCU, which is primarily designed to target narcotics, psychotropic substances, explosives, and other security-related contraband. The complaint alleged that this incident represents a pattern of jurisdictional overreach by enforcement officials, with the export collectorate providing a list of similar cases where holds were improperly applied to their operations. 'Such actions could create serious operational anomalies and increase friction between different customs departments, it added. Earlier, the enforcement collectorate in an official media statement claimed they successfully intercepted the said banned shipment that had been cleared through the green channel and was being prepared for loading onto a China-bound vessel after getting a permit from the export collectorate. They maintained that their intervention prevented the illegal export of prohibited materials. The complaint has asked the Federal Board of Revenue to investigate the matter and take action against what the export collectorate describes as misconduct and misuse of authority. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Police on high alert after Operation Sindoor: paramilitary, local police, SWAT commandos deployed at strategic locations
The Delhi Police Wednesday issued a high alert across the city following India's strike at terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, with security around the headquarters of all three defence forces, paramilitary installations, and other government offices stepped up. Security personnel, including paramilitary and local police, along with the SWAT commandos, have been deployed at strategic locations in the New Delhi district. The local police and the paramilitary personnel have also been deployed at the CGO complex in South Delhi. All the deputy commissioners of police have been asked to be on alert and also hold the mock drill exercise with the full cooperation of the Civil Defence, Delhi Fire Services (DFS), and other government authorities. Officials said vigil has been increased at the borders of Delhi, and the local police have been asked to increase the patrolling. The directions from the Delhi Police Headquarters have been issued amidst the scheduled mock drill exercises at 55 locations in all 11 districts of the Capital Wednesday at 4 pm. Officials said drills will be held across all 11 districts — five locations in each of them — covering 660 schools and 40 markets. In the evening, the drills, 'Operation Abhyas', will be held across the country following a May 5 directive from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amid India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack. It will simulate multiple hostile scenarios — incoming air raids with siren activation and blackout procedures, urban fire emergencies, search and rescue operations, casualty evacuation, temporary hospital setups, and evacuation of civilians to demilitarised zones or bunkers. Operation Sindoor came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.
HKFP
28-04-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Suspend labour import scheme, women workers' group urges gov't ahead of Labour Day
A Hong Kong women workers' group has called on the government to suspend the city's 'enhanced' labour import scheme, saying it has negatively affected employees' working conditions. Around 15 members of the Hong Kong Women Workers' Association (HKWWA) unfurled a banner and held signs outside the Central Government Offices (CGO) on Sunday, ahead of the annual Labour Day on May 1. The banner read: 'There are many defects in labour protection' and 'Government policies are not the right fit.' A government representative later met the group outside the CGO complex to receive their petition. The group said in a statement that the government's two-year expended labour import scheme, which was launched in September 2023, had caused employers to lose interest in improving working conditions. 'Currently, the easy importation of non-local labour means that local employers have no motivation to improve conditions to attract workers, raise wages, or enhance occupational health and safety,' the Chinese-language statement read. The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme allows Hong Kong employers to bring in non-local workers for 26 types of jobs that were previously only open to local residents – including cashiers, hair stylists, sales assistants, and waiters – as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts such as cleaners, dishwashers, and security guards. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun told the Legislative Council on April 16 that the government had approved a total of 54,278 non-local workers – mostly from mainland China – between September 2023 and March 2025. Among them, 8,971 people took up positions as waiters and waitresses, followed by 6,172 individuals hired as junior cooks. The HKWWA said on Sunday that it was 'ironic' that Hong Kong allowed more non-local workers to take up jobs in the food and beverage and retail sectors amid the industries' downturn. Some cleaners were dismissed due to their age in recent years, while around 2,500 workers were imported from elsewhere for this role, they added. They urged the government to formulate policies to better protect local low-skilled labour, saying such workers have 'low bargaining power' because they are seen as easily replaceable. On Thursday, a catering labour union asked the government after finding that more than 200 local employees reported being replaced by imported workers. The HKWWA also called on the government to consider adopting a living wage of HK$61.50 per hour, instead of a minimum wage, because the latter does not reflect a 'reasonable return' for workers. Hong Kong is set to raise the statutory hourly minimum wage from HK$40 to HK$42.10 in May. However, the new minimum wage still fails to 'uphold workers' dignity' in their daily lives, the group said, pointing out that it would only lead to a monthly wage of HK$10,158, assuming the minimum wage worker works full-time. The government should re-evaluate the minimum pay calculation mechanism, so that workers can keep up with inflation and ensure their income is higher than that of those who receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, the HKWWA said. Implementing a living wage, which is calculated based on the cost of living in Hong Kong, can allow workers to support themselves and one non-working family member, the group said. Workers 'can afford a balanced diet, maintain a social life, and save for unexpected events,' the HKWWA said. Hong Kong first introduced the statutory minimum wage in 2011. It was last adjusted in 2023 after a four-year freeze.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi court denies Tahawwur Rana's plea to talk with family members during NIA custody
A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed the plea of jailed 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana seeking to talk to his family members. Rana argued through his lawyer that talking to his family members was his fundamental right, and they must be concerned about his well-being during custody in India. Also read | Tahawwur Rana 'talking' as money trail in questioning focus The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is grilling Rana to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the Mumbai attack, opposed his plea and contended that the accused could share crucial information if allowed to speak with his family members. It also informed the court, without giving details, that its investigation is at a crucial stage. 'Not allowed,' special Judge Chander Jit Singh held after hearing the arguments. Rana was extradited from the U.S. after a protracted legal battle and was remanded to 18-day NIA custody on April 11. Rana is being held under custody in a highly secured jail at the NIA's head office at the CGO complex in New Delhi. As reported by HT earlier, he is allowed to meet a lawyer provided by the Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA) every alternate day and undergo a medical examination every 48 hours. The accused, a former Pakistan captain, was provided with the Quran, a pen and paper as per request and is being treated as any other accused without special treatment. According to the agency, the Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman had discussed the entire operation with his childhood friend and co-accused David Coleman Headley, an American national, before he visited India. Headley is currently serving time in a US prison for his role in the plot. The American national also informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, who are also accused in the case over the plot, the NIA alleged. Officials are hoping that new leads from Rana would help uncover the involvement of Pakistan in the attack. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault by ten terrorists who went on a rampage in Mumbai, targeting several key locations.
