Latest news with #SPCB
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ujala Cygnus Partners with Karo Sambhav for E-Waste Management
New Delhi: Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals has entered into a partnership with Karo Sambhav , an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) solutions provider, to manage biomedical equipment and IT waste across its network of hospitals. As part of the agreement, Karo Sambhav will implement circular economy principles at all 25 Ujala Cygnus hospitals by establishing a structured, compliant, and technology-enabled recycling system for biomedical and IT-related waste, according to a press release. The initiative is expected to process approximately 100 metric tonnes of e-waste annually, based on an estimated generation of ~0.2 kg per bed per day. It will ensure end-to-end traceability, compliance with CPCB/SPCB guidelines, and transparent material recovery processes. According to the hospital group, the initiative is projected to achieve an annual carbon offset of over 200 tonnes of CO₂. It aligns with India's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals as well as broader global climate commitments. 'With this pioneering circular economy initiative, we are demonstrating that hospitals can be catalysts of environmental change. This partnership is our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future for all,' said Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, Founder Director, Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services. 'The healthcare sector generates highly sensitive and complex waste streams. This collaboration will showcase how circular systems can be seamlessly integrated into hospital operations,' added Pranshu Singhal, Founder, Karo Sambhav.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Harvie: Holyrood trans toilet ban may breach human rights
READ MORE: Has Holyrood misinterpreted the Supreme Court ruling on sex? MSPs express 'deep concern' over trans toilet ruling Holyrood adds gender-neutral toilets after sex ruling Mr Harvie is one of 17 MSPs to have signed an open letter criticising the recent change in policy. The letter—also signed by 30 staff members, most of whom work for MSPs—was organised by the Good Law Project. It described the new rules as 'transphobic', warning their implementation would be 'deeply invasive' and risk 'humiliation, harassment or worse'. During an urgent question at Holyrood, Mr Harvie cited former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption, who has said that organisations are permitted—but not obliged—to exclude trans people from single-sex spaces. Mr Harvie told MSPs: 'In making the decision to take this exclusive, exclusionary approach, I am concerned that the SPCB is risking taking us back to the breach of human rights which existed prior to the creation of the Gender Recognition Act in 2004 and a position that just as little as 10 years ago was the obsession of the extremist fringe of the US Republican Party. "It is not enough to use words like inclusive experience and welcoming environment." He asked whether the corporate body recognised the impact the changes had already had on 'those who are being told that they are no longer permitted to use basic facilities like toilets on the same basis as everyone else, and who now feel unwelcome and demeaned in their own workplace'. Holyrood adopted the policy following the Supreme Court ruling (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Responding on behalf of the SPCB, SNP MSP Christine Grahame said it was 'rather unfortunate' that Mr Harvie had used such language, and insisted the corporate body had acted 'in a tolerant and sensitive manner, in a very delicate and balanced manner'. 'The Scottish Parliament has always sought to reflect the founding principles and to be an open, accessible institution to promote participation and equal opportunities,' she said. 'We remain deeply committed to these principles and to provide—I know you do not like this word—an inclusive environment where all, including those in the trans and non-binary community, feel supported and welcome to work and visit.' The changes, which came into effect earlier this month, follow the Supreme Court ruling that 'man' and 'woman' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex, not acquired gender. An interim update from the Equality and Human Rights Commission advised that in most workplaces and public-facing services, trans women should not be permitted to use female-only facilities, and vice versa. Under the new policy, all toilets and changing rooms marked 'male' or 'female' at Holyrood are now designated on the basis of biological sex. The Parliament has increased the number of gender-neutral facilities by redesignating three public toilets and two private facilities used by MSPs and staff. Ms Grahame said Parliament would not 'police' toilet use, but a complaints process was available. 'We are certainly not monitoring the use of public facilities,' she said. 'This is not going to be policed by the corporate body.' Several MSPs, including the SNP's Emma Roddick, questioned whether the decision had been made prematurely and whether it risked creating a hostile working environment. Ms Roddick asked: 'Does [the SPCB] recognise that this unexpected and surprising policy change has put [trans and non-binary staff] in an impossible situation and potentially a hostile working environment?' Ms Grahame replied: 'I certainly hope and expect that this will not put anyone in this Parliament in a hostile environment. That is not the culture within this building.' READ MORE Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton asked that 'no parliamentary staff member will be put in the position of having to challenge a toilet user in the future'. Green MSP Lorna Slater asked how trans people would be expected to 'prove' their right to use a facility. 'Members in this chamber may be aware of the lively internet conspiracy that I myself am a trans woman,' she said. 'If a complaint is made about me using a woman's toilet, how does the SPCB expect me to demonstrate or prove my ability to use this toilet? Should I bring my birth certificate? Should I subject myself to a medical examination?' Ms Grahame replied: 'No one is asking anyone for any proof of anything, and I fully intend to use the gender neutral toilets myself.' Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay said the discussion was a 'farcical waste of time'. 'The people of Scotland expect politicians to focus on what matters—rising household bills, their children's education, getting a GP appointment, fixing the roads, keeping communities safe—yet the priority for out-of-touch SNP, Labour, LibDem and Green MSPs is an urgent debate about the Holyrood toilets.' His colleague Craig Hoy questioned whether the decision had been unanimous, which would suggest Green MSP Maggie Chapman had 'both supported these measures and also wrote a letter in opposition to them'. Ms Grahame responded: 'Decisions by the corporate body do not ever go to a vote—they are made by consent.' A full consultation by the SPCB is expected later this year, once a revised statutory code from the Equality and Human Rights Commission has been finalised and approved by ministers.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Toilet use at Holyrood will not be ‘policed', MSPs told
Concerns were raised at Holyrood over this month's decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) on toilet facilities. Green co-leader Patrick Harvie referenced an open letter to the parliamentary decision-making body, saying that this expressed 'serious concerns about the decision that has been made recently' to ban transgender people from the toilet facilities of their preferred gender. The letter has been signed by 17 MSPs from four political parties, and 31 members of staff, Mr Harvie said. Raising the issue in an urgent question at Holyrood, Mr Harvie demanded a commitment that 'nobody will be asked to provide birth certificates or other paperwork' when using a toilet if someone suspects them of being transgender. Christine Grahame, a member of the SPCB, told the Green co-leader: 'I can assure him this is not going to be policed by the corporate body.' She added: 'We are certainly not monitoring the use of public facilities as a corporate body.' Her comments came after the SPCB announced the change earlier this month, with the move coming in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Judges there made clear the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex' – with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stating as a result that in workplaces which are open to the public, transgender people should not be permitted to use facilities which correspond with their identified gender. Speaking about the SPCB's decision, Ms Grahame insisted: 'There is nothing in here that will take away from the rights of anybody entering this Parliament.' Adding that Holyrood decision makers were awaiting 'full guidance from EHRC' she said the current poliicy was 'simply interim' – appealing to those concerned about the change with 'bear with the corporate body until we are able to do a full consultation'. Ms Grahame stressed the SPCB had made a 'collective and cross-party decision' on the matter, which sought to 'provide assurance it is committed to offering an inclusive experience for all of those who work in and visit Holyrood'. Equalities campaigners, however, had already complained the decision leaves transgender people feeling excluded at the 'heart of Scotland's democracy'. But Ms Grahame said: 'I certainly hope and expect that this will not put anybody in this Parliament into a hostile environment, that is not the culture within this building. 'This simply an interim decision, an interim practical choice we made to comply with Supreme Court ruling. 'There is now a full consultation going ahead and I fully expect at the end of that members will see that important balance of the rights of individuals, whatever their position, is dealt with appropriately and with sensitivity.'
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Toilet use at Holyrood will not be ‘policed', MSPs told
Concerns were raised at Holyrood over this month's decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) on toilet facilities. Green co-leader Patrick Harvie referenced an open letter to the parliamentary decision-making body, saying that this expressed 'serious concerns about the decision that has been made recently' to ban transgender people from the toilet facilities of their preferred gender. The letter has been signed by 17 MSPs from four political parties, and 31 members of staff, Mr Harvie said. Raising the issue in an urgent question at Holyrood, Mr Harvie demanded a commitment that 'nobody will be asked to provide birth certificates or other paperwork' when using a toilet if someone suspects them of being transgender. Christine Grahame, a member of the SPCB, told the Green co-leader: 'I can assure him this is not going to be policed by the corporate body.' She added: 'We are certainly not monitoring the use of public facilities as a corporate body.' Her comments came after the SPCB announced the change earlier this month, with the move coming in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Judges there made clear the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex' – with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stating as a result that in workplaces which are open to the public, transgender people should not be permitted to use facilities which correspond with their identified gender. Speaking about the SPCB's decision, Ms Grahame insisted: 'There is nothing in here that will take away from the rights of anybody entering this Parliament.' Adding that Holyrood decision makers were awaiting 'full guidance from EHRC' she said the current poliicy was 'simply interim' – appealing to those concerned about the change with 'bear with the corporate body until we are able to do a full consultation'. Ms Grahame stressed the SPCB had made a 'collective and cross-party decision' on the matter, which sought to 'provide assurance it is committed to offering an inclusive experience for all of those who work in and visit Holyrood'. Equalities campaigners, however, had already complained the decision leaves transgender people feeling excluded at the 'heart of Scotland's democracy'. But Ms Grahame said: 'I certainly hope and expect that this will not put anybody in this Parliament into a hostile environment, that is not the culture within this building. 'This simply an interim decision, an interim practical choice we made to comply with Supreme Court ruling. 'There is now a full consultation going ahead and I fully expect at the end of that members will see that important balance of the rights of individuals, whatever their position, is dealt with appropriately and with sensitivity.'
STV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Toilet use at Holyrood will not be ‘policed', MSPs told
Holyrood will not be policing its toilets following an interim decision to bar transgender people from using the facilities of their preferred gender, MSPs have been told. Concerns were raised at Holyrood over this month's decision by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) on toilet facilities. Green co-leader Patrick Harvie referenced an open letter to the parliamentary decision-making body, saying that this expressed 'serious concerns about the decision that has been made recently' to ban transgender people from the toilet facilities of their preferred gender. The letter has been signed by 17 MSPs from four political parties, and 31 members of staff, Mr Harvie said. Raising the issue in an urgent question at Holyrood, Harvie demanded a commitment that 'nobody will be asked to provide birth certificates or other paperwork' when using a toilet if someone suspects them of being transgender. Christine Grahame, a member of the SPCB, told the Green co-leader: 'I can assure him this is not going to be policed by the corporate body.' She added: 'We are certainly not monitoring the use of public facilities as a corporate body.' Her comments came after the SPCB announced the change earlier this month, with the move coming in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling. Judges there made clear the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act 'refer to a biological woman and biological sex' – with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) stating as a result that in workplaces which are open to the public, transgender people should not be permitted to use facilities which correspond with their identified gender. Speaking about the SPCB's decision, Ms Grahame insisted: 'There is nothing in here that will take away from the rights of anybody entering this Parliament.' Adding that Holyrood decision makers were awaiting 'full guidance from EHRC' she said the current poliicy was 'simply interim' – appealing to those concerned about the change with 'bear with the corporate body until we are able to do a full consultation'. Ms Grahame stressed the SPCB had made a 'collective and cross-party decision' on the matter, which sought to 'provide assurance it is committed to offering an inclusive experience for all of those who work in and visit Holyrood'. Equalities campaigners, however, had already complained the decision leaves transgender people feeling excluded at the 'heart of Scotland's democracy'. But Ms Grahame said: 'I certainly hope and expect that this will not put anybody in this Parliament into a hostile environment, that is not the culture within this building. 'This is simply an interim decision, an interim practical choice we made to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. 'There is now a full consultation going ahead and I fully expect at the end of that, members will see that important balance of the rights of individuals, whatever their position, is dealt with appropriately and with sensitivity.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
