India among 5 worst countries in terms of environmental health
The report said that low ranking of the emerging economies — China and India — reflect “the strain population pressures and rapid economic growth impose on the environment”.
By Malavika Vyawahare | Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 24, 2018 11:13 PM IST
A new index has ranked India as one of the bottom five countries worldwide in terms of environmental performance, slipping from 141 in the last ranking in 2016 to 177 among 180 countries this year.
The latest global Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was released by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum on Tuesday. The EPI report ranks the countries on 24 indicators across 10 categories.
India ranks at the bottom in terms of environmental health, which includes air quality. It also ranked near the bottom, at 178, in terms of air quality alone. The new report highlighted air pollution as a leading threat.
“These are just rankings,” Harsh Vardhan, environment minister, said on Wednesday at a conference. “We have been doing our work sincerely and will continue to do so. The rankings will take care of themselves.”
The ministry has emphasised its role in streamlining the process of granting environmental clearances, by reducing the number of days taken for granting clearances. Environmental activists argue that this results in shoddy and rushed assessments of impacts on environment.
A recent report from the Health Effects Institute found if India does not take further measures to tackle the problem, the number of deaths linked to air pollution will triple from the current level of 1.1 million. Three South Asian countries: India, Nepal and Bangladesh are in the bottom five, with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. China ranks 120th on the index.
Cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet: SC
ANI
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 07:22 PM IST
The judge sought quashing of disciplinary proceedings against him following the sexual harassment complaint by junior judicial officer.
Co-morbidity certificate must for Covid-19 vaccination of people above 45 years
By hindustantimes.com, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 07:20 PM IST
A new version of Co-WIN (2.0) will be unveiled which will have the option for self-registration.
No Covid-19 vaccination on February 27, 28 as Co-Win gets upgrade
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Poulomi Ghosh
UPDATED ON FEB 26, 2021 07:17 PM IST
Self-registration option will be available from March 1 to enable senior citizens and people above 45 years of age with co-morbidities to register themselves on the app.
Watch| 'Dadagiri cholbe na': Rajnath Singh speaks in Bengali amid cheers
By hindustantimes.com | Written by Deepali Sharma, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON FEB 26, 2021 07:01 PM IST
The defence minister spoke in Bengali to connect with the people and said no 'dadagiri' (hooliganism) will be allowed in Bengal.
SC refuses to entertain plea challenging decision to make FASTag mandatory
PTI
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 06:26 PM IST
The government has made FASTag mandatory from February 15 midnight and any vehicle not fitted with it will be charged double the toll at electronic toll plazas across the country, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has said.
EC announces assembly poll dates in five states, counting to be held on May 2
By Deeksha Bhardwaj
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 06:06 PM IST
Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said that all extant guidelines for Covid-19 would be observed during the elections
Sexual harassment complaints not to brushed under carpet: SC
By Abraham Thomas
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 06:06 PM IST
A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, was hearing a retired Madhya Pradesh district judge’s plea against an inquiry against him for allegedly harassing a judicial officer
'Can't say we make everyone happy': CEC Sunil Arora on poll dates of 5 states
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Poulomi Ghosh
UPDATED ON FEB 26, 2021 06:09 PM IST
Deliberations were held with all stakeholders before finalising the dates. CBSE authorities were also consulted with, the CEC said on Friday as he announced the election dates of five states, which will also be the last elections in his tenure.
Congress, TRS spar over creation of govt jobs in Telangana in last six years
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 05:49 PM IST
- The Telangana Congress challenged the TRS government in the state to hold an open debate at the Telangana Martyr’s Memorial at Gun Park in front of the state assembly complex in Hyderabad on the issue of recruitments made after the formation of Telangana in 2014.
Telangana Cong seeks court-monitored CBI probe into lawyer couple’s murders
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 05:46 PM IST
N Uttam Kumar Reddy led a Congress leaders’ delegation that met governor Tamilisai Soundararajan to demand the probe
MP Congress leader opposes Godse follower’s induction into the party
By HT Correspondent | Edited by Sameer
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 04:35 PM IST
Arun Yadav has written an open letter opposing the induction in the party a day earlier of a former municipal corporator who built a temple dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin Nathuram Godse
'No 30-day mask checking in state': UP Police clarify fake viral message
By hindustantimes.com | Written by Deepali Sharma, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 04:21 PM IST
The UP police also requested the citizens to not pay attention to any such misleading information or news.
Flyers to soon get concession on fares for travelling without check-in baggage
By Neha LM Tripathi
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 04:17 PM IST
The government has decided to unbundle certain services and make them chargeable on an opt-in basis, as per the feedback received from passengers
The importance of caste census and its political implications
UPDATED ON FEB 26, 2021 04:19 PM IST
There have been growing demands for a caste census with the general census in 2022 since Justice G Rohini-led commission submitted a draft proposal recommending a sub-categorisation of the reservation for the OBC
India-Pak ceasefire agreement rekindles hope for peace among border residents
PTI
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 04:03 PM IST
For the past few years, Pakistan has engaged in shelling and firing along the LoC and the International Border (IB) resulting in casualties, damage to houses, schools, health centres and religious places.
