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> The Environment Ministry 18th April 2018 came out with a draft national action plan proposing multiple strategies to reduce air pollution.
However, a green body claimed that the draft lacked its earlier set target of bringing down air pollution by 50 percent in five years.
The ministry 18th April 2018 put up the draft of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on its website and invited comments from various stakeholders by May 17.
The ministry in the draft said the objective of the NCAP is to augment and evolve an effective and a proficient ambient air quality monitoring network across the country to ensure comprehensive and reliable database.
The objective is also to have efficient data dissemination and a public outreach mechanism for timely measures for prevention and mitigation of air pollution, it said in the draft.
Its objectives also include having a feasible management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
Under the NCAP, the ministry plans to take a host of measures to bring down air pollution.
AQI
The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in New Delhi on 17 September 2014 under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The Central Pollution Control Board along with State Pollution Control Boards has been operating National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP) covering 240 cities of the country having more than 342 monitoring stations
There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed
> The Supreme Court has ruled all questions relating to conferring minority status on educational institutions are to be decided by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)
It said only the Commission has the power to decide on granting a ‘no objection’ certificate to an institution that wanted to convert into a minority institution. The court passed the order on an appeal filed by NCMEI and Kolkata-based society, Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, challenging the verdict that set aside the decision of the Commission to confer minority status to Cluny Women’s College
(Statutory body)
> The Environment Ministry 18th April 2018 came out with a draft national action plan proposing multiple strategies to reduce air pollution.
However, a green body claimed that the draft lacked its earlier set target of bringing down air pollution by 50 percent in five years.
The ministry 18th April 2018 put up the draft of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) on its website and invited comments from various stakeholders by May 17.
The ministry in the draft said the objective of the NCAP is to augment and evolve an effective and a proficient ambient air quality monitoring network across the country to ensure comprehensive and reliable database.
The objective is also to have efficient data dissemination and a public outreach mechanism for timely measures for prevention and mitigation of air pollution, it said in the draft.
Its objectives also include having a feasible management plan for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
Under the NCAP, the ministry plans to take a host of measures to bring down air pollution.
AQI
The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched in New Delhi on 17 September 2014 under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
The Central Pollution Control Board along with State Pollution Control Boards has been operating National Air Monitoring Program (NAMP) covering 240 cities of the country having more than 342 monitoring stations
There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed
| AQI Category (Range) | PM10 (24hr) | PM2.5 (24hr) | NO2 (24hr) | O3 (8hr) | CO (8hr) | SO2 (24hr) | NH3 (24hr) | Pb (24hr) |
| Good (0–50) | 0–50 | 0–30 | 0–40 | 0–50 | 0–1.0 | 0–40 | 0–200 | 0–0.5 |
| Satisfactory (51–100) | 51–100 | 31–60 | 41–80 | 51–100 | 1.1–2.0 | 41–80 | 201–400 | 0.5–1.0 |
| Moderately polluted (101–200) | 101–250 | 61–90 | 81–180 | 101–168 | 2.1–10 | 81–380 | 401–800 | 1.1–2.0 |
| Poor (201–300) | 251–350 | 91–120 | 181–280 | 169–208 | 10–17 | 381–800 | 801–1200 | 2.1–3.0 |
| Very poor (301–400) | 351–430 | 121–250 | 281–400 | 209–748 | 17–34 | 801–1600 | 1200–1800 | 3.1–3.5 |
| Severe (401–500) | 430+ | 250+ | 400+ | 748+ | 34+ | 1600+ | 1800+ | 3.5+ |
| AQI | Associated Health Impacts |
|---|---|
| Good (0–50) | Minimal impact |
| Satisfactory (51–100) | May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people. |
| Moderately polluted (101–200) | May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults. |
| Poor (201–300) | May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with heart disease. |
| Very poor (301–400) | May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases. |
| Severe (401–500) | May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity. |
> Government launches Study in India programme to attract foreign students.
The Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) has approved ‘Study in India’ programme to attract foreign students to pursue higher education in India
Government has approved expenditure of Rs. 150 crores for programme for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20 which will be primarily for brand promotion activities
Objectives
Encourage more foreign students to choose India as destination for higher education.
Double India’s market share of global education exports from less than 1% to 2%.
Improve global ranking of Indian educational institutes
> The Supreme Court has ruled all questions relating to conferring minority status on educational institutions are to be decided by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI)
It said only the Commission has the power to decide on granting a ‘no objection’ certificate to an institution that wanted to convert into a minority institution. The court passed the order on an appeal filed by NCMEI and Kolkata-based society, Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, challenging the verdict that set aside the decision of the Commission to confer minority status to Cluny Women’s College
(Statutory body)
- The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions was set up in 2004. The Government brought out an Ordinance in November 2004 establishing the Commission. Later a Bill was introduced in the Parliament in December 2004 and both Houses passed the Bill. The NCMEI Act was notified in January 2005. Under the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities there will be definite goals which are to be achieved in specific time frame. On high priority is enhancing opportunity for education.
- The Commission is mandated to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation or violation of rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Protection of rights of minorities are enshrined in Article 30 of the Constitution which states that “all minorities, whether based on religion or language shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice”.
- Thus, the Commission can look into any complaints relating to violation and deprivation of rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- This Commission is a quasi-judicial body and has been endowed with the powers of a Civil Court. It is to be headed by a Chairman who has been a Judge of the High Court and three members are to be nominated by Central Government. The Commission has 3 roles namely adjudicatory function, advisory function and recommendatory powers.
- So far as affiliation of a minority educational institution to a university is concerned, the decision of the Commission would be final.
- The Commission has powers to advise the Central Government or any State Government on any question relating to the education of minorities that may be referred to it.
- The Commission can make recommendations to the Central Government and the State Governments regarding any matter which directly or indirectly deprives the minority community of their educational rights enshrined in Article 30.
- The empowerment of the Commission has provided a much needed forum for the minority educational institutions to highlight their grievances and to get speedy relief.
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