Punjab ranks highest in the country, in level of water pollution caused by industries - Roundup of the week’s news (January 28 - February 3, 2013)

Water pollution by industries: Punjab ranks highest

Punjab is among the worst performing states in the country when it comes to checking water pollution. The state is among the worst defaulters in the country with at least seven grossly polluting industrial units dumping their toxic waste directly into rivers and lakes.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

MGNREGS provides economic independence and the confidence to face life amid poverty to rural women. Despite drawbacks it happens to be the leading job-providing mechanism in the country. Handloom sector workers in Tamil Nadu too find economic security in the scheme, despite being hit by industrial slackness. Manual scavengers are to be provided alternative employment under MNREGA schemes.

Zero rejection rate of the MoEF

Expert appraisal committee (EAC) on river valley and hydroelectric projects (RVPs) under MoEF has not rejected a single project in the last six years. Far from being the 'green terror' that industrial lobby loves to portray, the analysis proves EAC is astoundingly pro-development at the cost of ecology.

Pesticide Panorama

Survey finds that the incidence of cancer in Punjab is higher than the accepted national and the international average. This exercise was undertaken amid widespread claims about cancer being on the rise, and following studies that attributed the trend to industrialisation, lifestyle changes, population growth, higher life-spans and the rampant use of pesticide, insecticide, chemicals and heavy metals.

However India’s use of pesticide in agriculture is less than 350 gm a hectare as against the world average of 500 gm a hectare said Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

TOI Social Impact Awards

Moving from IT to organic farming this young entrepeneur from Anand, Gujarat, is today proprietor of an organic brand. And by deepening and reclaiming the irrigation tank with support of local NGO Dhan Foundation, a farmer in Madurai reaps rewards.

Drinking water needs of Karnataka more important than irrigational needs of Tamil Nadu

The apex court said that the drinking water needs of the Karnataka must get precedence over the irrigational needs of the Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had earlier filed a civil suit seeking compensation from Karnataka and claimed that the failure to release water by the neighbouring state had resulted in damage to crops in the state's rice belt.