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Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Indian Express
Travel firm told to refund Rs 85,588 to Punjab resident for cancellation of ‘honeymoon' trip
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh has directed MakeMyTrip India to refund Rs 85,588 to a Punjab resident for cancellation of the latter's 'honeymoon' trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Jaskirat Singh of Kharar said in his complaint that on making enquiries about honeymoon trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands from MakeMyTrip India through an application, he received a call from the firm, offering package regarding the same and assured to arrange everything at its own risk and responsibility. Singh said that he accordingly, on February 14, 2022, paid an amount of Rs 85,588 in favour of MakeMyTrip India (travel firm) through Google Pay mobile app and the trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was booked for him and his wife starting from February 24, 2022, till March 2, 2022. Thereafter, the firm informed him that to-and-fro air tickets were also booked with Go Airlines (India) Limited. Singh said that he and his wife shopped extensively for the trip and also booked train tickets from their hometown to Delhi for February 23, 2022, and the return train ticket for March 2, 2022. However, on February 22, 2025 at 5:25 pm, he received a phone call from travel firm informing that the trip had been cancelled due to some maintenance work at the Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, due to which the Go Airlines would not be flying to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also received email regarding the same stating that the offer date change travel must be completed by June 30, 2022, (non-sea shell hotels and May 31, 2022 (sea shell hotels). Singh thus called the travel firm, and demanded refund but it outrighlty refused to do so. The complainant also served a legal notice but with no success. MakeMy trip India in reply submitted that it merely acts as a facilitator for booking confirmed air tickets/hotel bookings on behalf of its customers with the service providers concerned. The firm added that the hotel bookings were duly issued to the complainant on February 14, 2022 itself. Thereafter, it was informed on February 16, 2022, about Port Blair Airport being non-operational due to maintenance work and accordingly flight tickets were cancelled by the Go Airlines (India) and when it (travel firm) approached the hotel/resorts concerned to process refund, the same was denied and instead a date change option was provided. Meanwhile, the Go Airlines (India) Limited failed to file its written version within the stipulated period granted by the commission. On hearing the matter, the commission said that it does not find any merit in the defence of MakeMyTrip India as the tour package in question was booked by the complainant as per his convenience and comfort, and if the same was cancelled due to circumstances beyond anybody's control and the offer of rescheduled period did not meet the complainant's requirements and convenience, he was fully justified in seeking refund. Moreover, the complainant has not alleged that the scheduled tour was cancelled due to any act or negligence of the travel firm but his only grievance is qua the non-refund of the paid amount, especially when no services were provided by the firm. Hence, the act of travel firm in not refunding the paid amount, despite requests and service of notice by the complainant, certainly amounts to deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on its part, said the commission. The commission thus directed MakeMyTrip India to refund Rs 85,588 to the complainant, along with Rs 10,000 as compensation.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PAC activists corner MC, LIT & Glada over encroachments in green belts
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee (PAC) has filed a petition in the National Green Tribunal (NGT), accusing the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL), Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT), and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (Glada) of encroaching upon 25 public parks and green belts within their jurisdiction. This move follows ongoing legal proceedings against unauthorised construction in the city's green spaces, under which a show-cause notice was issued to the MC commissioner for non-compliance with previous NGT orders. Activists Kapil Arora and Jaskirat Singh said that following the Tribunal's orders to demolish the MC Extension office, scrap yard, and library building, they had hoped that authorities would respect the integrity of the parks and green belts. However, they were dismayed to find that civic authorities continued to utilise public funds for construction projects. "Despite serving notice upon the principal secretary, Local Body Department and MCL, construction of PWD buildings as well as commercial vending zones has continued at the green belt along old GT road," they said. Arora and Singh claimed that the MC succumbed to political pressure and constructed a box cricket facility using steel structures and artificial grass in the green belt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paul Gascoigne's Actual House Left Us With No Words - Take A Look Ohi Blog Undo They also flagged buildings at Vishvakarma Park and City Enclave in Barewal, as well as a dog café in the BRS Nagar green belt. They added that the civic body had not taken action despite notices and complaints submitted through the mSEVA portal. Activists Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Gurpreet Singh alleged that the MC, LIT, and Glada had not only undertaken new construction but had also encroached upon numerous parks and green belts by building offices, residences, Mohalla clinics, and commercial Verka booths. "We had served notice against Verka booths to all three authorities, but Glada has established a new Verka booth in a park at the Sector 32A market, the park opposite BJS Dental College in Sector 39 as well as a park in Jamalpur," they claimed. They added that Verka booths were present in parks at Cheema Chowk, near 200 Road, near BCM School, opposite Convent School in Sarabha Nagar, Gurdev Nagar, Rishi Balmiki Park at Old GT Road, Mini Rose Garden, and others, all of which were included in the petition. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gagnish Khurana said that the MC was constructing overhead water reservoirs at various locations, with plans to build one in Shaheedi Park at Kidwai Nagar. However, they said that most of the park had been encroached upon by the MC through the construction of offices and residences for staff. Activists pointed out that a water tank is dysfunctional and criticised MC officials for planning to establish a new tank without demolishing the old one, which would have preserved trees in the park. "They have demarcated place in the park in a way that more than 15 silver oak trees will be axed," Bains and Khurana said, urging the tribunal to stay construction till the old water tank was removed. Activists have called upon the Tribunal to impose heavy penalties on the MC commissioner for disobeying NGT orders. MSID:: 122904466 413 |
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Banned plastic plates used at Punjab Pollution Control Board's meeting in Mansa, citizens' group calls for action
1 2 Bathinda: A state's pollution control board is supposed to be enforcing environment laws, but Punjab's board turned out to be the violator during a hearing earlier this week. A pro-environment body, Public Action Committee (PAC), has raised concerns over banned single-use plastic (SUP) and thermocol plates being used to serve refreshments at a public hearing called by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in Mansa district's Talwandi Aklia village on Monday. PAC has demanded action against PPCB officials and the industrial unit, JSW Cement, which had called the hearing. "If no action is taken against the violations as per law, PAC will approach the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other appropriate forums seeking redressal of legitimate grievances," said a joint statement issued by members of PAC. PAC members Kapil Dev, Jaskirat Singh, Amandeep Singh Bains, Kuldeep Singh Khaira, and Gurpreet Singh Plaha have written to the regional officer, ministry of environment, forest & climate change; member secretary Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), deputy commissioner Mansa, and member secretary, PPCB. They demanded punitive action and the imposition of an environmental penalty under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, as well as notification/guidelines/rules notified by MoEF&CC, CPCB, and PPCB for environmental violations during the public hearing on Monday. The public hearing was organised by PPCB in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, and was chaired by the Mansa SDM Kala Ram Kansal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo It was stated that PPCB has to take notice of violations, but violations happened in the presence of PPCB officials. "On receiving information regarding the use of SUP and other banned material, we visited the refreshment shed and were shocked to witness gross violations of environmental laws – notably the use of banned Single Use Plastics such as plastic plates, plastic spoons, and thermocol plates – in direct contravention of applicable laws (EP Act 1986) and notifications and guidelines issued by MoEF&CC, CPCB, as well as PPCB. These banned materials were used openly and without any objection or enforcement by PPCB officials present at the site," said Kapil Dev. "We have enclosed three images and one video clip taken with a GPS location app, as recorded at the impugned site, clearly depicting the open use of banned materials in the program scheduled by PPCB," he said, adding that at 2.15 PM, they formally raised this issue during the public hearing and demanded immediate action, including the issuance of a challan against the industrial unit. Mansa SDM Kala Ram Kansil said that upon raising the issue, the PPCB officials changed the single-use plastic material. Further investigations are being made. MSID: 122504150 413 |
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Buddha Nullah: PPCB failed to act against dyeing units, says PAC
Ludhiana: In a strong statement issued on Thursday, members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) have accused the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) of repeatedly colluding with dyeing industries of Ludhiana to shield them from legal accountability for continuous discharge of untreated effluents from their respective common effluent treatment plants (CETPs) into the Buddha Nullah. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Members of the PAC Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Jaskirat Singh said following appeals filed by the dyeing industries against the PPCB orders to stop CETPs, they had submitted three separate applications before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The tribunal, in response, directed the PPCB to act in accordance with environmental clearance (EC) conditions and to stop effluents in the Buddha Nullah. "Initially, the dyeing industries and the government claimed they did not understand NGT orders. Then the industry blamed the Punjab government for failing to construct lower Buddha Nullah. They later shifted their stance, claiming that environmental clearance was no longer required after a 2018 Central government notification. Shockingly, the PPCB supported such shifting interpretations and kept changing lawyers to waste time and continue illegal discharge into the Buddha Nullah. " Other members of the PAC Dr Amandeep Singh Bains, Kapil Arora, and Gurpreet Singh said the city had been declared one of the critically polluted cities in India by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, any dyeing industry within 5km of a critically polluted area must obtain an EC before receiving even a "consent to establish" from the sate pollution board. All three special purpose vehicles (SPVs) managing CETPs had already received grants based on EC conditions outlined in 2013, and over 50% of the construction was completed before 2018. Interestingly, CETP directors themselves admitted in their own recent press release that the NGT issued closure orders to their plants. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On December 23, 2024, the PPCB informed the tribunal that compliance was achieved, a claim PAC called misleading and factually incorrect. Based on the contradictory statements from the dyeing industries and ground realities, contempt petitions have been filed against the member secretary and chief engineer of the PPCB, along with directors of 40MLD and 50MLD CETPs. The PAC members also alleged that the PPCB, despite being fully aware of legal and environmental violations, had permitted ongoing contamination of the Buddha Nullah since the CETPs became operational. Even after NGT directives, the PPCB remains a mute spectator. Although criminal cases were filed against CETP directors, PPCB deliberately omitted full addresses in court complaints, making it impossible for courts to deliver summons. Despite being informed, PPCB failed to rectify the error, which PAC claims was a deliberate attempt to protect the violators. "This clearly shows that the PPCB is acting like a puppet regulatory body, shielding polluters rather than protecting public health," said the PAC. They added that the Punjab government itself was unwilling to act against the violators. Even after assuring the NGT that a compliance report would be submitted by March 20, 2025, no such report has been filed till date, they added.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Buddha Dariya pollution: PAC files plea against PPCB & CETP directors in NGT
Ludhiana: The Public Action Committee (PAC) filed a contempt petition against the concerned PPCB officials and directors of the Bahadur Ke Road Common Effluent Treatment Plant for intentionally violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders on effluent discharge into Buddha Dariya. The original petition was filed against three CETPs: Bahadur K Road, Tajpur Road, and Focal Point. However, PAC members have now filed a contempt petition against Bahadur Ke Road CETP members because it received a separate environment compensation in 2014, which mandated Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) — a condition it consistently failed to meet. All three CETPs were funded by central and state govts yet failed to honour mandatory conditions due to the active connivance of PPCB officials. PAC members Jaskirat Singh and Kapil Arora shared that Ludhiana's dyeing industry clusters have been illegally discharging effluent into Buddha Dariya for decades. After sustained citizen efforts, three CETPs were constructed, but PPCB failed to place their Environmental Clearance (EC) documents in the public domain. It also allowed three unauthorized outlets to discharge into the waterbody. Even after CPCB directions, PPCB gave undue time for clusters to appeal closure orders instead of enforcing environmental compliance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The PAC filed three separate cases against each CETP, following which NGT directed PPCB to act strictly in line with EC conditions. They also pointed out that the state govt has repeatedly changed its lawyers before the Tribunal to stall proceedings and protect violators. PAC members Kuldeep Singh Khaira and Preet Dhanoa said that despite the NGT's clear orders in November 2024, the PPCB and state govt misread the directions and permitted continued effluent discharge into Buddha Dariya. This amounts to contempt of court and reflects how public health has been sidelined in favour of polluters. Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gurpreet Singh said that the NGT reiterated that EC conditions are binding and ruled that no coercive action would be taken against the CETP only if it fully complied with environmental norms. It further clarified that violating the zero discharge condition amounts to non-compliance with the law. They shared that despite these clear directions, PPCB officials continued to allow the illegal discharge of toxic waste into Buddha Dariya. They alleged that even after giving official undertakings, the state govt has not submitted a compliance report to the NGT, while pollution continues unchecked under official protection. The members claimed that it is on these grounds that they filed this contempt petition under the NGT Act, which allows for up to ₹10 crore in fines or three years' imprisonment, or both. PAC called on the Chief Minister of Punjab to break official silence, stop shielding violators, and take meaningful action to restore public faith in governance and environmental justice. However, when contacted, the PPCB Chief Engineer RK Ratra said, "The matter is pending in the tribunal, so it is difficult to comment on the same, and moreover, I am unaware of any such contempt petition. I can only comment after verifying things." April 2024 - NGT took suo moto notice of media reports about Buddha Dariya pollution and failure of samples collected from the drain. August 2024 - A team from the Central Pollution Control Board conducted an inspection, and as per the environment clearance granted to the CETPs, the treated water shall not be discharged into Buddha Nullah, so it ordered PPCB to take appropriate action. September 2024 - PPCB issued orders to CETPs to close their outlets, but when they did not follow the directions, PPCB also filed three criminal cases against directors of three CETPs at a local court. November 2024 - NGT issued orders to CETPs to comply with EC conditions. December 2024 - Kale Pani Morcha activists staged a massive protest at Ferozepur Road. December 2024 - NGT clarified its own orders that it is not a blanket stay and compliance with EC is a must. After that, multiple orders were issued, but no action was taken by the govt or CETPs; therefore, now contempt is filed.
