Latest news with #CharlesGeorge
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Shipwreck: PIL filed before Kerala HC seeking environmental security deposit
Social activist and president of Kerala Fish Workers Coordination Committee and Swathanthra Matsya Thozhilali Union Charles George has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Kerala High Court, seeking $134 million as environmental security deposit, citing, among others, the threat to marine biodiversity following the sinking on May 25 of a container vessel MSC ELSA 3, approximately 14.60 nautical miles off the Alappuzha coast. The vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 244 with hazardous and noxious substances, 58 with foreign waste, and over 450 metric tonnes of marine fuel. Despite the confirmed presence of this dangerous cargo, neither adequate wreck removal nor oil extraction has been carried out. In his petition, Mr. George said that one of the gravest concerns emerging from the sinking of the vessel was the apparent and deliberate misdeclaration or non-declaration of cargo, which not only violated Indian Customs laws and international maritime conventions but also posed significant risks to public safety, national security, and environmental integrity. The incident has in turn triggered catastrophic ecological, economic and legal consequences. The hazardous materials in the containers and bunker oil pose severe risks to Kerala's marine biodiversity, particularly during the monsoon fish spawning season. Oil sardines, a vital source of income for Kerala's coastal fishermen, are at risk of extinction due to this maritime disaster. The incident has exposed glaring regulatory failures — cargo misdeclaration, lack of advanced container scanning at ports, insufficient port State control (PSC) measures, and a disturbing attempt to evade liability through corporate structuring. This has also made arrest under the Admiralty Act ineffective, necessitating urgent judicial directions to secure $134 million as environmental security deposit before the court as interim security for environmental and economic damage, Mr. George said in his petition. Through this PIL, he sought urgent and comprehensive relief to mitigate the environmental, legal and economic fallout of the ship sinking incident. He also sought a direction to arrest any MSC vessel within India's Admiralty jurisdiction to secure maritime claims and a direction for an immediate and independent investigation into the gross cargo misdeclaration, an order mandating the installation of advanced scanning, detection and verification infrastructure at all Indian ports and a time-bound, court-monitored wreck removal and environmental remediation operation.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Shipwreck off Kerala coast: Plea seeks arrest of ship against $134-million damage claim
Kochi: A petition has been filed in high court seeking a directive to arrest any vessel of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) currently within Indian admiralty jurisdiction, to secure a maritime claim of $134 million for the damage caused by the capsizing of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off Kerala coast. The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Charles George, president of Kerala Fish Workers Coordination Committee and Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Union, has been adjourned to Wednesday by the bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji for consideration along with related petitions. The Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 sank approximately 14.6 nautical miles off Alappuzha coast on May 25. The petitioner submitted that the incident has triggered catastrophic ecological, economic and legal consequences. The continued presence of hazardous containers and bunker oil poses severe risks to Kerala's marine biodiversity, particularly during the monsoon fish spawning season protected under the trawling ban. Oil sardines, a vital source of income for Kerala's coastal fishermen, are at risk of extinction due to this maritime disaster. He also prayed for a directive to MSC to initiate and complete urgent wreck removal operations of the sunken vessel MSC ELSA 3 in a strict time-bound manner. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The petition further sought a directive to the shipping company to deposit an amount of $134 million with the high court registry as security for future compensation to be awarded to the affected stakeholders, including the local fishing community, environmental agencies and state govt, in proportion to the environmental and economic damage caused by the incident. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Ernakulam fishermen face fishing ban, environmental fears after MSC Elsa ship sinks off Alappuzha coast
KOCHI: In the wake of the MSC Elsa 3 ship sinking off Alappuzha coast, fishermen, coastal residents and boat operators in Ernakulam have raised concerns over the disruption to fishing activities and the impact on their livelihoods from its containers and cargo washing ashore. They say the incident has imposed an 'undeclared ban' on fishing, which is more severe than the usual seasonal restrictions implemented during monsoon. Coastal residents have also raised alarm over the potential environmental consequences, including leakage from the containers severely damaging marine biodiversity and fragile ecosystems already under stress. 'We've been struggling for a long time with multiple challenges, including declining marine biodiversity and lack of support packages. Now, incidents like the ship sinking have added to our hardships,' said Philip, a fisherman from Vypeen. 'Some of the containers are said to carry hazardous material. Just when the sea was starting to show signs of revival with a promising sardine season, this disaster threatens marine biodiversity once again,' he said. 'This isn't just a problem for fishermen, it's a concern for the entire society,' he added. Charles George, state president of the Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikyavedi under the Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI), warned that the cargo ship capsize and potential spill from drifting containers could severely impact the lives of lakhs of people in coastal communities. 'According to reports, some of the containers carried dangerous substances, including calcium carbide. It raises serious concerns. Why were such containers headed to Kochi? Charles asked, demanding a comprehensive investigation.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How the latest Budget affects food prices and household affordability in SA
Charles George from Delft is helping families by selling bread at an affordable price, providing much-needed support to the community. Image: Supplied According to the 2025 Household Affordability Index, it costs R5 420.30 to fill up a basic food basket. After the Budget was tabled by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday, what does this mean for the average household and the man on the street? Experts warn that if the rand can remain stable, it would have a positive impact on trade, such as the export and import of food. However, an increase in fuel prices could lead to a rise in costs due to transportation of stock. Godongwana announced that from June 4, the general fuel levy will increase by 16 cents per litre for petrol and by 15 cents per litre for diesel. VAT will remain at 15 per cent. While many may argue that the impact will be felt in the adjustment of the income tax bracket, which will have a ripple effect on the working class and their pockets—like the simple purchase of a loaf of bread—Pastor Charles George of Delft, who runs Zoey's Bakery, produces between 300 and 400 loaves of bread a day at a price of between R8 and R10 to help the man on the street. With ongoing trade prices and interest rates, Pastor George has been warned that bread prices could increase to R25. He has chosen to make it a little easier for households who often spend up to R40 for two loaves of bread per day. 'This is baking done by orders, and for the same package that you will pay at a retailer, you can get it for R10,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Many households are stretched, buying between two to three loaves a day. We are creating an opportunity for feeding schemes to order it at R8 a loaf, and for people wanting to create an income, we sell it for R1 less than the price.' According to Ulrich Joubert, an independent economist, the man on the street will be hit hardest, as the budget will not make much of a dent in an already stretched household. He cited that the price of coffee has already increased by 60 per cent in twelve months on international markets. 'My view is that the budget will have little impact on food prices, especially because we assume that there will be no VAT increase —especially after he tried twice to increase the VAT rate, but it wasn't acceptable to his partners in the GNU," he said. 'A cut in interest rates could assist in cutting the cost to do business and remember farming is also a business. 'In the case of food, most of these prices are influenced by demand and supply. Supply is often determined by climatic conditions. First indications are that we had a good summer crop and therefore the price of maize meal is likely to remain fairly stable in coming months and could even decline if the new crop comes into circulation. 'In the case of apples, which prices have declined by 6% in the latest survey, seasonal factors play a role in determining the price of the product. This is an important aspect in especially fruit and vegetable prices.
