The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed new rules to address the issue of land contamination by hazardous substances.

The proposed ‘Remediation of Contaminated Sites Rules, 2024’ aims to fill the existing gaps in the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the various schedules of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, according to a draft notification released on August 21.

These new rules were published in The Gazette of India on Thursday and are set to take effect after 60 days.

The National Environment Policy, 2006, identifies industrial and municipal waste as significant sources of pollution and highlights the challenges in implementing remediation measures for cleaning up toxic and hazardous waste, especially in industrial zones and abandoned mining sites.

The notification states that several probable and confirmed contaminated sites have already been identified, and there is a need for the remediation of all confirmed contaminated sites under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

If hazardous substances are found mixed with mining waste, bio-medical waste, or municipal solid waste at any location and the contamination levels exceed the specified thresholds, those sites will require remediation under the new rules.

However, these rules will not apply to sites contaminated by radioactive waste, as governed by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, the rehabilitation of abandoned mines, contamination from mining waste, environmental damage from mining as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, and oil spills covered by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, the Marine Insurance Act of 1963, and the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil) Rules, 1974, according to the notification.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in war-torn Ukraine on Friday, just weeks after his visit to Russia for a bilateral summit. This visit takes place at a critical moment in the conflict and is particularly important for Western-backed Kyiv as it seeks to gain support from countries in the Global South. Modi had previously expressed his intention to discuss “perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A recent Bloomberg report indicated that Modi has agreed to convey messages between Putin and Zelensky, although he will not serve as a formal mediator. India has consistently emphasized the need for peace through “dialogue and diplomacy” and advocates for a “human-centric” approach.

Modi’s visit comes shortly after his trip to Moscow for a bilateral summit with Vladimir Putin, which occurred even as Russian missiles were striking various locations in Ukraine, resulting in numerous casualties. Zelensky had described this interaction as “a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts,” criticizing Modi for his warm embrace of Putin.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that “India has substantial and independent ties with both Russia and Ukraine, and these relationships stand on their own. This is not a zero-sum game. The Prime Minister has also visited Russia, where many ideas were discussed, and he has met President Zelensky on a few occasions over the past year. They are set to meet again in Ukraine,” the MEA stated earlier this week.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday sought permission from the Kolkata High Court to conduct a polygraph test on Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with four other doctors. This request came after discrepancies were found in their statements during the ongoing investigation.

A senior CBI official confirmed that they have approached the court for approval, and the polygraph tests will be conducted once permission is granted.

“We plan to compare their statements with the results of the polygraph test to verify the accuracy of the information they provided,” the official added.

The official emphasized that the polygraph test would help in verifying the doctors’ statements and cross-checking the evidence gathered.

Dr. Ghosh was previously questioned about his actions in response to the incident, the timing of his notifications to the police and the victim’s parents, and other related aspects.

Meanwhile, following an appeal from the Supreme Court, healthcare professionals at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi called off their 11-day strike and resumed their duties on Thursday.

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) released a statement announcing the decision: “In the interest of the nation and in the spirit of public service, the RDA, AIIMS, New Delhi, has decided to call off the 11-day strike. This decision follows the appeal and direction of the Supreme Court. We express our sincere gratitude to the Supreme Court for addressing the RG Kar Medical College incident and highlighting the broader issue of safety and security for healthcare workers across the country.”

Earlier, during the initial hearing of the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, the Supreme Court urged health professionals to return to work and assured them that no adverse actions would be taken against them once they resumed their duties.

This development follows the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which sparked nationwide protests. In response, the Supreme Court took up the case suo motu and directed a task force to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

The court also instructed the CBI to submit a status report on the investigation into the rape case and requested the West Bengal government to file a status report on the mob attack incident at RG Kar Hospital on August 15.

The incident occurred on August 9, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, leading to widespread strikes and protests by the medical community. (ANI)

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, highlighted the “underrated capabilities” of tractors, noting that they can navigate rough terrain and perform as well as SUVs. Both types of vehicles played a crucial role in rescuing people during the Wayanad landslides.

On Thursday, Anand Mahindra took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his thoughts: “Humble tractors don’t receive as much recognition as SUVs for the work they both do during disasters.”

He continued, “That’s why I’m pleased to see this news from the Wayanad floods. Our team works diligently to create products, knowing they might not only be used for plowing fields but also, at times, for saving lives.”

The Wayanad landslides, which occurred on July 30 this year due to relentless rainfall, resulted in the loss of over 400 lives and displaced many others. It was one of India’s most devastating natural disasters this year, severely affecting the areas of Chooralmala, Muthanga, and Mundakkai in Kerala’s Wayanad district.

Anand Mahindra’s post garnered strong reactions from netizens. One user praised the Mahindra team, saying, “Your tractors and the hard work of your team during the Wayanad floods have once again shown that their value extends beyond plowing fields—they’re also crucial in saving lives during emergencies.”

Another user commented, “Using those massive tractors for disaster management could be a game-changer. They’re built like tanks and can handle situations where regular vehicles fail.” A third user remarked, “Mahindra Tractors are the unsung heroes, stepping up when it matters most.”

A fourth user added, “People would have never thought that a small Mahindra tractor would play such a vital role in remote mobility.” He continued, “When we need to build houses and require building materials, these tractors are just a call away and can transport materials to places where larger vehicles can’t even enter.”

On August 14, the Kerala cabinet subcommittee announced that ₹10,000 in financial assistance had been provided to 379 families affected by the landslides, according to ANI. A study revealed that human-caused climate change contributed to the intense rainfall, which was approximately 10 percent heavier than usual. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) described the Wayanad landslides as a “once in a 50-year event.”