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The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Telangana Forensic Lab is now ‘examiner of digital evidence'
The Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) was designated as a 'Government Examiner of Electronic Evidence' under Section 79A of the Information Technology Act 2000, by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, on Wednesday. With this notification, the NABL-accredited TGFSL is now empowered to examine, analyse, and certify digital evidence. This development not only enhances the admissibility of such evidence in courts across the country but also boosts the lab's legal authority and institutional credibility. 'The lab's Digital Forensics Division handles an average of 50 cases a month involving diverse digital storage formats and devices that include damaged hard drives and mobile phones. This wing has contributed significantly to several high-profile convictions in Telangana,' said Director General of TGFSL Shikha Goel. Notably, TGFSL has also set a national benchmark by prioritising forensic reports in POCSO cases, in accordance with Supreme Court directions.
News18
5 days ago
- Health
- News18
Safe to Drink? The Untold Risks of Packaged Water in India
Last Updated: The next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. In a country where soaring temperatures and rising pollution levels often make access to clean drinking water a challenge, packaged bottled water is seen as a convenient and seemingly trustworthy solution. Be it at railway stations, airports, or roadside stalls, a bottle of mineral water is often perceived as a safer choice. But is it always as safe as it looks? 'We often take the safety of packaged drinking water for granted, but there is a long and rather strict set of scientific protocols and regulatory checks behind the label on every bottle," says Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, Auriga Research. The assumption that bottled water is inherently safer than tap water is a common one, especially in urban India. But the real story behind that chilled bottle involves decades of regulatory evolution, public health scares, and increasingly stringent quality standards. According to Dr. Arora, 'Two decades ago, the industry had no specific standards. It was only after significant public health concerns, including the presence of pesticide residues in bottled water and even carbonated beverages, that the Bureau of Indian Standards introduced mandatory frameworks such as IS 14543 for packaged drinking water and IS 13428 for packaged natural mineral water. These standards not only cover the water's quality but also the safety of packaging materials like bottles, jars, and pouches." advetisement These regulations have transformed the bottled water industry into one of the most rigorously monitored food sectors in India. Every licensed bottling facility is mandated to conduct daily tests to monitor basic parameters like pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing expands the spectrum to include anions, cations, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and even microbiological pathogens. 'Today, every licensed facility is expected to conduct daily tests for basic parameters such as pH, dissolved solids, and conductivity. Weekly and monthly testing requirements cover a wide spectrum, from anions and cations to pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. Third-party laboratory testing at BIS or NABL-accredited labs is mandatory at multiple intervals throughout the year," says Dr. Arora. Interestingly, quality control doesn't end with the water alone. Even the plastic bottle it comes in undergoes scrutiny. 'Even the sensory attributes of water, its smell, taste, and clarity, are validated through organoleptic testing. Packaging, too, undergoes rigorous evaluation for structural integrity and chemical migration to prevent leaching of harmful substances," he explains. With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stepping in as a key regulatory body, the bar for compliance has been raised even higher. Packaged water is now classified as a high-risk food product, a designation that requires bottling plants to undergo third-party audits every six months. 'With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India now overseeing regulatory compliance, packaged water has been classified as a high-risk food product. This means facilities must undergo third-party audits every six months and remain compliant with FSSAI's quality framework," Dr. Arora adds. Despite these layers of quality checks, consumer trust doesn't come from the glossy label or a fancy cap. 'At our research center, we believe that trust in packaged water does not stem from branding or packaging. It is built on an invisible ecosystem of state-of-the-art testing infrastructure, regulatory vigilance, and scientific integrity. It is this commitment that safeguards public health and ensures that every sip consumers take is not only refreshing but also safe," says Dr. Arora. So the next time you reach for that bottle of water, remember—it's not just about quenching thirst. It's about trusting a system designed to protect you, from source to sip. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi First Published: June 01, 2025, 11:39 IST
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FJCCI pushes for enhanced agri-export infrastructure in state
Ranchi: To enhance interstate and international trade of agricultural produce from Jharkhand, the 'ahari sub-committee' of the Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries ( FJCCI ) has appealed to the state govt to immediately establish a robust infrastructure and a supportive ecosystem for agri-export. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The chamber has called for the construction of integrated pack houses in Ranchi, Medininagar, Giridih and Godda as part of the effort. Additionally, they demanded a dry port in Jamshedpur, pesticide residue and NABL-accredited labs and the upgrading of the Birsa Munda airport to international standards to facilitate direct air cargo exports of local produce. FJCCI also emphasised the need for establishing a food processing and food industry directorate and constructing a cargo terminal at the airport. Officials of the chamber also stressed that the state's farmers, who grow ample vegetables, fruits, paddy, pulses and minor forest produce, suffer from the absence of proper market linkages and often sell their produce at low prices. FJJCI president Paresh Gattani said, "The business community will provide full support to boost farmers' income and work alongside the govt in developing export-ready infrastructure." These crucial decisions were taken during a workshop hosted by the 'ahari sub-committee' at the Chamber Bhawan, focusing on agricultural trade expansion. The experts present on the occasion discussed cargo logistics , dry port services, and schemes for Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), emphasising that the state's small and marginal farmers are required to be empowered through collective marketing strategies.
