HC gives 4-week deadline to check Brahmani pollution level

Cuttack: The Orissa high court on Thursday set a four-week deadline to complete verification of the level of pollution in Brahmani river at different places of Odisha. The validation is supposed to be carried out by a scientist nominated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).The HC had paved the way for the verification after chief secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena had claimed in an affidavit that the quality of water has improved and authorities are taking steps to release more treated water into the Brahmani river.“But to find out the correctness of such contention, the CPCB is directed to furnish the name of a competent scientist,” the HC said in its January 4 order.CPCB’s regional director Mrinal Kanti Biswas filed an affidavit on Thursday indicating that the board had nominated Abhijit Pathak for the verification.The two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice B R Sarangi and Justice M S Raman directed the collectors of the districts concerned to provide necessary assistance to the scientist to complete the verification process and submit his report to the court when the matter is taken up after four weeks.

CO level 81 times higher than safe limit in city, reveals CPCB data

Gurgaon's carbon monoxide (CO) levels are over 81 times the permissible limit, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city's average CO level on Tuesday was 138g/m. Other contributors to air pollution include open burning of agricultural waste and high levels of particulate matter.

Scientists indicate scorching summer across India this year

Scientists forecast scorching summer in India this year due to a strong El Nino. El Nino conditions expected to continue till June. Monsoon in El Nino year likely to be stronger. 2024 may be the warmest year globally, surpassing 2023.

Four former Chief Justices of India make their tryst with divinity

Former Chief Justices of India, Ranjan Gogoi and S A Bobde, attended the consecration event at Ayodhya along with four other former Supreme Court judges. Justice Gogoi reluctantly accepted Justice Bobde's suggestion to allow a parallel negotiation effort through a committee.