Understanding Environment Impact Assessment

Understanding Environment Impact Assessment 

Many of us have heard about Environment Impact Assessment. By the definition Environment Impact assessment is the evaluation of the effects likely to arise from a major economic development

significantly affecting the natural and man- made environment. Environment Impact Assessment was first developed in the United states as a result of the national environment policy act, 1969(NEPA), for considering possible impacts prior to a decision making taken on whether or not a proposal should be given approval to proceed. This assessment assesses Physical, Hydrological, Social and Economic Impact of any economic or developmental activity. It also provides measures are to be identified to reduce potential adverse impacts through the identification of possible alternatives sites and processes. 

This is a chart which describes the process of Environmental Impact Assessment:

Importance of Environment Impact Assessment:

Various international conventions like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) recognize impact assessment as an important tool for helping ensure that development is planned and implemented with biodiversity in mind. The CBD requests Parties to apply impact assessment to projects, programmes, plans and policies with a potential negative impact on biodiversity and to prevent the development induced displacement of marginalized and deprived people of the country.

Principles Considered in EIA:

• Clear mandate and provisions.
• Explicit goals and objectives.
• Uniform, consistent application.
• Appropriate level of assessment.
• Relevant scope of consideration.
• Flexible and problem solving approach.
• Open, facilitative procedures.
• Necessary support and guidance.
• “Best practice” standards.
• Efficient, predictable implementation.
• Decision oriented.
• Related to condition setting.
• Follow-up and feedback inbuilt mechanisms.
• Cost-effective outcomes.

EIA in India:

The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of India has been in a great effort in Environmental Impact Assessment in India. The main laws in action are the Water Act(1974), the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act (1981) and the Environment (Protection) Act (1986),Biological Diversity Act(2002). The responsible body for this is the Central Pollution Control Board. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies need a significant amount of primary and secondary environmental data. Primary data are those collected in the field to define the status of the environment (like air quality data, water quality data etc.). 

Secondary data are those collected over the years that can be used to understand the existing environmental scenario of the study area. . Ideally, the primary data must be considered along with the secondary data for complete understanding of the existing environmental status of the area. In many EIA studies, the secondary data needs could be as high as 80% of the total data requirement. EIC is the repository of one stop secondary data source for environmental impact assessment in India.

EIA Process in India

Once an application has been submitted by a project authority along with all the requisite documents specified in the EIA Notification, it is scrutinised by the technical staff of the Ministry of Environment and Forest prior to placing it before the Environmental Appraisal Committees. The Appraisal Committees evaluate the impact of the project based on the data furnished by the project authorities and if necessary, site visits or on-the-spot assessment of various environmental aspects are also undertaken. Based on such examination, the Committees make recommendations for approval or rejection of the project, which are then processed in the Ministry for approval or rejection.

In case of site specific projects such as Mining, River Valley, Ports and Harbours etc., a two stage clearance procedure has been adopted whereby the project authorities have to obtain site clearance before applying for environmental clearance of their projects. This is to ensure avoiding areas which are ecologically fragile and environmentally sensitive. In case of projects where complete information has been submitted by the project proponents, a decision is taken within 90 days.

Monitoring Mechanism in India:

After considering all the facets of a project, environmental clearance is accorded subject to implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards. Monitoring of cleared projects is undertaken by the six regional offices of the Ministry functioning at Shillong, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Lucknow and Bhopal. The primary objective of such a procedure is to ensure adequacy of the suggested safeguards and also to undertake mid-course corrections required, if any. The procedure adopted for monitoring is as follows:

• Project authorities are required to report every six months on the progress of implementation of the conditions/safeguards stipulated, while according clearance to the project.
• Field visits of officers and expert teams from the Ministry and/ or its Regional Offices are undertaken to collect and analyse performance data of development projects, so that difficulties encountered are discussed with the proponents with a view to finding solutions.
• In case of substantial deviations and poor or no response, the matter is taken up with the concerned State Government.
• Changes in scope of project are identified to check whether review of earlier decision is called for or not

Problems with EIA in India:

• Lack of timely availability of reliable and authentic environmental data
• Environment being a multi-disciplinary subject, a multitude of agencies are involved in collection of environmental data
• Considered mere as a project tool or formality when it comes to urban development projects.
• In some cases like international trade tax incentives, energy conservation, and agricultural subsidies EIA is overlooked.
• Project level decisions are many times constrained by existing policies and the range of possible alternatives in the project

• The environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are conducted over a short period of time and therefore the understanding of the environmental trends, based on a few months of primary data, has limitations

Environment Impact Assessment is a good tool to analyse the potential impact of development projects on natural and man made environment. The need of hour is to do it sincerely without having any prejudice. It should not be considered mere a formality. 

Hope this information is useful for THE RISING YOUTH OF INDIA. Please rise and play an active role in the development of nation.

Jai Hind.

 For any suggestion or demand please contact us as risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can contact our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com

Sources: WIKI, Ministry of Environment and Forest Website, "EIA Status in India" book by R B Singh, www.cbd.int, indianenvironmentportal.org.

Health Situation in India

Health Situation in India

Health Care Scenario in India

• About 75% of health infrastructure is located in urban area where only 27% of population lives.
• Life expectancy 63 years.
• Infant mortality rate 54/1000 live births
• Maternal mortality rate 254/100 000 live births
• Lack of community ownership of public health programs impact level of efficiency, accountability and effectiveness.
• Lack of integration of sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and drinking water issues.
• There are striking regional inequalities.
• Population stabilization is still a challenge
• Only 10% of Indians have health insurance mostly inadequate.
• Lack of capital investment in health for prolonged period of time.
• Ensuring delivery of safe drugs is a major challenge.
• Lack of human resources.

Sub centers:

• The sub center is closest to the common man and becomes the first point of contact in the three tier system
• One female health assistant/auxiliary nurse midwife(ANM) and one male health assistant manages one sub center

Primary Health Centers:

• Each PHC is a hub for six sub – centers
• A PHC typically has a four to six beds for addressing immediate and basic health care necessities.

Community Health Centers:

• A CHC has one surgeon, one physician, one gynecologist, and one pediatrician along with 21 paramedical staff
• CHC is a 30 bed facility.
• One CHC for four PHC’s.

Friends any policy or program in India used to be based on five year plans made by planning commission (though planning commission is no more now). Health policies were too based on five year plans. 

Initially Government of India took recommendations of various committees to decide upon health policies. Health policies between 1st Five Year Plan to 5th Five Year Plan were based on the recommendations of Bhore Committee (1946) and Mudaliar Committee (1964). All India institute of medical science (AIIMS), Delhi was established in1956 as an institution of national importance by an act of parliament with the object of teaching in undergraduates and post graduates.

Government of India shifted its gear from 6th Five Year Plan. From 6th to 11th Five Year Plans, the main focus of government was to improve the availability of human resources, building rural infrastructure, increasing the availability of medicines and other health services.

National Health Policy 1983 to 2002:

This was India's first national health policy. The main objective of this policy was to achieve an acceptable health standard. It was recognized that main role have to be played by the central government because state governments lack the fiscal and other physical resources.

National Rural Health Mission 2005:

The main objective of this mission was to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care services in rural areas. Main features of this mission are:

• Involvement of communities in planning and monitoring
• Provision of untied grants to healthcare facilities and the communities annually
• Placing a trained female activist in each village for 1000 population known as ACCREDITED SOCIAL
• HEALTH ACTIVIST (ASHA) to act as a link between the public health system and the community and
• bottom up planning

Janani Suraksha Yojana:

In this scheme conditional cash was provided for institutional delivery (means delivery in hospital). Amount was 1400 in rural area and 1000 in urban area. Incentives were also given to ASHA for promoting safe delivery and providing access to institutional facilities.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karykram:

Pregnant women delivering in institutional facility will be given all services free of cost including surgery, medicine, food and transportation.

Mother and Child Tracking System:

This scheme is for reducing the IMR and MMR (we hope you know these terms. if you don't please search google) and to track sex ratio and also to track the efficiency and effectiveness of health services. In this scheme every mother has to register herself at Primary health center or Community Health Center. Mothers will be provided information regarding vaccination and nutritions through SMS.

Universal Immunisation Program:

In this scheme vaccine is given to infants against six diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, and measles.

Government also operationalised 24*7 working Primary Health Services.

There is a Program called Village Health and Sanitation Committee, which will comprise Panchayat members, Civil Society representatives, Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary Nurse and Midwives. This committee will prepare health plan for village and the funds will be provided under NRHM.

NATIONAL URBAN HEALTH MISSION: 

This mission focuses on the health needs of urban poor, particularly the slum dwellers by making available essential primary health care services.

Pradhanmantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana(2006):

This program was launched fulfill the gaps in availability of tertiary health services. This program aims to set up 8 AIIMS like institutions in country.

12th Five Year Plan:

Provisions for health in 12th five year plan are:

• Equitable access to affordable, accountable, appropriate  
• Increased government expenditure on health from 1.2 % of GDP to at least 2.5 % by the end of 12th plan and to at least 3% by 2022.
• Availability of free essential medicines.
• Use general taxation as the principal source of funding health care.
• Three year bachelor’s degree for rural health.
• Setting up of 187 new medical colleges and 382 new nursing schools over the next 10 years in Undeserved Districts
• Regulation of public and private sectors to ensure provision of assured quality and rational pricing of
• Health care system.
• Reducing IMR/MMR.
• Access to public health services for every citizen.
• Prevent and control communicable and non- communicable diseases.
• Improving child sex ratio for 0-6 years.
• Control population as well as ensure gender and demographic balance.
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle and alternative system of medicine.
• Clean drinking water, sanitation, and better nutrition and childcare
• Improve quality of NRHM services vs. quantity of NRHM infrastructure.
• Health insurance cover should be expanded to all disadvantaged groups.
• Focus on women and children, ICDS needs to be revamped.

We are the one of the youngest nations of the world. This young generation can become an economic asset only when it is healthy otherwise it will become an economic burden, Please be healthy and keep your environment healthy, so that you will be able to contribute in social, economic and political development of nation. 

Jai Hind

Jai Bharat.

For any suggestion or demand please contact us at risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can contact our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com 

sources: Wiki, WHO, forbesindia.com,  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Juvenile Issue in India

Juvenile Issue in India

Recently Government of India has proposed a new amendment in the Juvenile Justice(Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000, which will allow Juvenile aged between 16 to 18 to be tried as adult if he is involved in heinous crime. Friends heinous crimes are Rape, Murder, Loot or Dacoity. As per the new amendments Juvenile Justice Board will have the power to assess whether the Juvenile (aged between 16 to 18) involved in the heinous crime acted as an adult or a child. For this the board will take the help of a psychologist and a social expert.

This is the proposed amendment. We will now look into the main provisions of the act, international situation and the whole issue related to the act.

India is the signatory to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Child 1989, the U.N. Standard Minimum Rules for Administration of Juvenile Justice 1985 (Beijing Rules), U.N. Rules for Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty 1990. To fulfill all these obligations Government of India  passed Juvenile Justice Act 2000. According to U.N. and various other international texts, Juvenile, who is below the age of 18, lacks the physical and mental maturity to take responsibility of his/her crime and because their character is not fully developed, they should have the opportunity to be rehabilitated. Some of important provisions of Juvenile Justice Act are:

• There will be a Juvenile Justice Board Which will hear the cases involved juveniles.
• JJB must contain a metropolitan or judicial magistrate and two social workers, one of which will be a woman.
•  Magistrate must have the background in child psychology and child welfare.
• State is required to set up number of institutes to fulfill the requirements of Juveniles.
• State is required to set up observation homes or special homes in every district or group of districts for rehabilitation of Juvenile Children in conflict with the laws.
•  Police must handover the juvenile to special Juvenile Police Unit which will report to JJB with least delay.
• Bail is available to Juvenile in all cases unless JJB finds that release of juvenile will put him/her into any danger or influence of criminals.
• Exposure of Juvenile in Conflict with Law to the media is not permitted.

 According to Juvenile Justice act, the juvenile, who is involved in any crime, will not be subjected to adult justice system.There are some courses of actions like:

• He may be given advice or admonition
• He may be given Counseling
• He may be ordered to do community services
• He may be asked to pay certain fine
• At the most he may be sent to remand home for three years, not more than that.

It is interesting to know that after passing of the act the number of crimes done by Juveniles increase significantly. According to a report by National Crime Record Bureau titled "Crimes in India 2011", number of rapes done by Juvenile increase from from 399 in 2001 to 485 in 2002, to 858 in 2010 to 1149 in 2012. 

Current Issue in India:

The whole controversy regarding Juvenile started after December 2012 rape case(Nirbhaya and Damini and all that....), when we the people of India suddenly woke up from a deep sleep after thousands of rapes and demanded to government to change the laws and punish the juveniles involved in rape and also demanded the capital punishment for rape. Similarly the Supreme Court of India also asked government this year to make some amendments in Juvenile Justice Act so that no person can get away with heinous crimes.

Practices in other Countries:

• In many states of U.S.A., the case of Juvenile is automatically transfered to adult courts if he/she is involved in any heinous crime. They call it Get Though approach
• In U.K., juvenile cases are tried in Youth Court. But if Juvenile is involved in any heinous crime, then the case is transferred to Crown Court, which is similar to Session Court.

Whatever may be the act or proposed amendment or any international treaty, there should be a fine balance between the protection of rights of Juvenile and the justice to the victims of heinous crimes.

Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.

For any suggestion or demand, please contact us at risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can contact our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com

Sources: Wiki, The Hindu, The Indian Express, DNA India.com, Advocatekhoj.com, prsindia.com.

Leader of Opposition Issue in India

Leader of Opposition Issue in India

Leader of opposition is a person who lead the official opposition to government in either house of the parliament in India. Leader of Opposition keeps check on arbitrary actions of government and suggests alternatives to the policies and acts of government.  The post of Leader of opposition existed in British era too. After independence initially there was no leader of opposition due absence of required amount of strength and statutory recognition. 

First Leader of opposition in the parliament was Ram Subhag Singh of Indian National Congress(o) in 1969. This post got statutory recognition through "Salary and Allowance of Leader of Opposition in the Parliament Act 1977". Leader of Opposition gets salaries and allowances equal to the cabinet ministers. According to the act of 1977, "leader of opposition will be the member of Loksabha or Rajysabha, who for the time being will be the leader of that house of the party in opposition of the government having greatest numerical strength and recognized as such by Chairman of Rajyasabha or Speaker of Loksabha".

Now here speaker's or chairman's recognition is an important term. And this convention established by ruling of first speaker of Loksabha Mr. G.V. Malvankar. According to his ruling, to qualify for the post of leader of opposition, a party in opposition must have at least 10% of the total seats of the house. (For loksabha its 55, because total strength of loksabha is 545.)  The ruling of G. V. Malvankar was later incorporated in Direction 121(1) of Directions of Speaker, Loksabha and Leaders and Chief Whips of Recognized Parties and Groups in Parliament (facilities) Act 1998.

A similar kind of system is present in Britain which they call Shadow Cabinet. In this system every member of cabinet has a corresponding member in opposition who will provide alternative to his policies and acts and will keep check on the arbitrary activities of government.

Current Issue:

After general elections of 16th loksabha, the BJP led NDA government came into power with huge majority(acche din). But no party in opposition could make it to 55 seats in loksabha. The single largest opposition party Congress with only 44 seats claimed for the post of Leader of Opposition. Speaker of Loksabha Smt. Sumitra Mahajan after consultation with Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi rejected the claim of Congress party citing the first speaker's ruling. But this is not the first time that we do not have Leader of Opposition in Loksabha. Until 1969 there was no Leader of Opposition. From 1980 to 1989 too there was no Leader of Opposition in the Loksabha due to less than required number of seats.

Why we require Leader of Opposition:

In appointment of various statuary posts is done on the recommendations of a panel consisting Leader of Opposition as one of the members. These posts are Lokpal, CBI Director, Secretary General of Loksabha, Central Vigilance Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner . According to Supreme Court "The Leader of Opposition also conveys the voice of the house. It represents the views different from that of the government. If there is no leader of Opposition, the decision would not be objective. Ultimately a vacuum remains. "

Well whatever may be the rulings or acts, but the true democracy requires the presence of the Leader of Opposition to check the arbitrary actions of government and to provide a constructive criticism of the actions of government. For the true realization of "ACCHE DIN", the democratic nature of government must be maintained by having the post of Leader of Opposition. 

For any suggestion or demand, please contact us at risingyouthteam@gmail.com . or you can contact our admin  directly at pn.borse@gmail.com

Sources: Wiki, Indian Express, The Hindu, Times of India and Amar Ujala

Location of Nuclear Fuels

Location of Nuclear Fuels

Uranium and Thorium are the two most important mineral which are used to generate nuclear energy. Uranium is very common mineral produced to generate nuclear energy. Uranium is generally found in the crust of the earth. Uranium is a silver white metal in the actinide series in the periodic table. (Wiki says Actinide series encompasses 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic number from 89 to 103. Not important for our discussion)

When it comes to reserves Australia has the highest amount of reserves of Uranium with 31% followed by Kazakhstan 12%, Russia 9%, Canada 9%, Nigeria 8% and South Africa 5%. But when it comes to production of Uranium, Kazakhstan tops with 34% followed by Canada 19%, Australia 11%, Namibia 9%, Nigeria 8% and Russia 7%. 

Apart from reserves Uranium is also obtained by recycling of Plutonium and used Uranium. It is very easy to obtained Uranium from recycling of Plutonium rather than using used Uranium. Uranium can also be obtained by re-enriching depleted Uranium. Russia is very efficient in re-enriching depleted Uranium.

Thorium is a potential substitute of Uranium. Although it is currently not used as a nuclear fuel, but it has greater potential to become a nuclear fuel in near future. Thorium can not be used directly as a nuclear fuel. Thorium is first converted to a fissile Uranium (U233) by capturing a neutrons in a CANDU reactor (Canada Deuterium Uranium Reactor) . CANDU reactor is specially designed to use Thorium as in generating nuclear energy. 

Thorium is more commonly distributed in the crust of the earth than the Uranium. Although exact knowledge of its distribution is not available but it is believed that the highest amount of reserves are present in Australia, USA, Turkey, India,Venezuela and Brazil.

Indian Scenario :

India has very little amount of Uranium available with it. According to Department of Atomic Energy, current reserve of Uranium is India is around 2 lac tonnes. Highest amount of Uranium reserves are present in Andhra Pradesh followed by Jharkhand and Meghalaya. Production of Uranium is banned in Meghalaya due to social and cultural sentiments of Garo, Khasi and Jayantiya tribes. Some of the prominent reserves are:

Jharkhand:

• Jaduguda
• Bhatin
• Turamdih
• Bagjata
• Narwapahar

Andhra:

• Tumalpalle
• Koppunuru
• Sikar
• Yadgir
• Gogi
• Wahkut

One interesting thing is that India has substantial amount of Thorium reserves. Thorium is found in form of Thorium Oxide in Monazite ore. Monazite ore is found in beach and rivers sands. Highest amount of Monazite in  the world is found Pallakad and Kollam districts of Kerala, Vishakhapattanam and Mahanadi Deltas in Odisha. Odisha has the richest reserves of Thorium followed by Andhrapradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Unlike the Coal and Petroleum, Nuclear is a clean and green source of energy. As concerns for global warming are high Nuclear provides an alternative to the conventional sources of energy.

For any suggestion, query or any demand contact us at risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can contact our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com

Sources DOPT, WIKI, nrc.gov, eia.gov, npcil.nic.in

Locations of Petroleum

Locations of Petroleum

Petroleum is one of the most important mineral in the world. It is called the BLACK GOLD or LIQUID GOLD. Petroleum is used in the internal combustion of the engines of automobiles, aircrafts and railways. Petroleum is obtained in the form of crude oil from the sedimentary rocks which is generally from the tertiary period. Crude oil is a fossil fuel which is formed when large amount of dead organisms are buried in the sedimentary rock and are subjected to the intense heat and pressure. These sedimentary rocks are found at the mantle of the earth.

Most of the petroleum is found in the middle east which is more than 60% of the world followed by Latin America 14%, Canada 13%, Africa 11% and Russia 8%.  In Latin America Venezuela and Mexico are major producers and in Africa Libya and Algeria are the major producers. Some of the major oil fields are:

• Saudi Arab: Ghawar Field
• Kuwait: Burgan Field
• Iran: Ferdows Field
• UAE: Zakum Field
• Venezuela: Bolvar Coastal Field
• Brazil : Sugar Loaf Field
• Mexico: Ku Maloob Zaap Field

There are some major off shore fields too. These are the fields where oil is obtained from the sea away from land. Some of the major off shore fields are:

• Saudi Arab: Safaniya Fields and Manifa Oilfields in Persian Gulf
• UAE : Upper Zakum oilfields in Persian Gulf
• Kazakhstan: Kashgan oilfields in Caspian Sea
• Brazil: Lula Oilfields

More than 80% oil is found in the OPEC Countries. OPEC, which is Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, is an organization major oil producing economies with the intension to coordinate and unify petroleum policy of its members to ensure stabilization in oil market. OPEC has twelve members Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arab, UAE and Venezuela. 

There are two types of Crude Oils Sweet Crude and Sour Crude

Sweet Crude: This crude contains less than 0.5% of sulfur. This crude requires less amount of energy in extraction and yields high amount of gasoline. Iran is the leading producer of this crude oil. Some of the major locations are North America, Western Texas, North Dakota, North Sea, North Africa, Australia and Indonesia.

Sour Crude: Sour Crude contains more than 0.5% of sulfur. It is not pure crude oil. Impurity of sulfur has to be removed before further processing. Venezuela is the leading producer of Sour Crude Oil. Some of the major locations of Sour Crude are: Canada, Gulf of Mexico, Canada and Mexico.

Petroleum Scenario in India:

India is one of the biggest importers of the crude oil, because we do not have that much amount of crude oil which can fulfill our requirements. But still we have some amount of crude oil present in India. Some of the major oil producing locations are:

• Gujrat: Ankaleshwar, Kalol, Mehsana, Nawagam, Kosamba, Lunej
• Assam: Digboi, Naharkatia and Moran
• Bombay High
• Rajasthan
• Tamil Nadu 

For any suggestion, inquiry and demands please talk to us at risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can talk to our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com. 

Sources: OPEC, Wikipedia, Britanica, UFA, Indian Institute of Petroleum.

Acid Attacks in India

Acid Attacks in India

According to an universal definition acid attack is a vitriol attack of throwing acid or similar form of corrosive substance on the body of another person with intentions of damage, defame, deform or kill.

Most of the time acid is thrown on the face with intentions to damage face ( mostly by the people who claimed to love you the most). Sulfuric acid and the nitric acids are widely, because their intensity is high.

The impact of these attack is obviously physical like permanent damage of skin, tissue and sometimes bones. But these attacks have social, psychological and economic impacts as well. Acid attacks have been reported all over the world but Bangladesh is the most affected country. Highest concentration of acid attacks is in South Asian region.

Medical Effects:

• Hair Loss
• Destruction of Ear Cartilage and Deafness in some cases
• Damage of Eyelids and Permanent Blindness in some cases
• Deformation of Nose, and in some cases nostrils are closed due to damage of Cartilage
• Leaps may be partially of fully destroyed causing difficulty in eating and speaking. Sometimes movement of mouth may be stopped
• Neck motion may be hampered

Psychological Impact:

• Higher level of anxiety 
• Depression
• Lowered self esteem
• Increased self consciousness

Social Impact:

• In some cases victim may be dependent on others for eating or expressing
• Not able to find suitable jobs due to loss of vision or being handicapped or in some case due to some stigma.
• Economic hardship
• Divorce
• Social rejection

Scenario in Different Countries:

• In countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait victims are psychologically tortured. Media does not cover these attacks. If covers than blames the women victims,  being sympathetic to man who commits attack.  
• In Uganda women are abandoned by their husbands after attack in 25% of cases
• In Bangladesh, number of cases have been reduced due to legal reforms by government and efforts by NGOs.  

Many NGOs are working in the field for providing Legal, Medical, Psychological and Economic assistance to the victims. Some of the prominent NGOs are Acid Survivors Foundation (Bangladesh), Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity(Cambodia), Acid Survivors Trust  International(Asia and Africa) and the Palash Foundation (India).

Indian Scenario:

• 72% of the cases reported involved women.
• From year 2000 to 2010 more than 330 cases have been reported, but this is underestimated because many of the cases are not reported.
• Reasons in India are: Rejection of marriage or sexual relationship, Dowry and personal rivalry.

Supreme Court's Guidelines in 2013:

• Court directed States and UTs to categories acid as Poison and issue license to retailers selling acids.
• Anyone under the age of 18 will not be sold acid
• Anyone purchasing acid will have to submit his/her photo identity card to retailer. Retailer will maintain a register with information regarding quantity available and sold and persons who purchased acid. Retailer will provide this information to the nearest police station. Failure to do so will lead to confiscation of stocks and fine up to 50000 rupees.

Supreme Court's Guidelines on 11 April 2015: 

• Court asked Private Hospitals to provide free treatment including free medicines and corrective surgeries to acid attack victims.
• Private hospitals to make sure that victims are attended immediately and adequately.
• Private hospitals to issue certificates to such people endorsing them as acid attack victims. The certificate will be used for future benefits.
• Court asked states and UTs to give 3 lakh rupees to acid attack victims as financial help
• Court asked states and UTs to notify acid as scheduled substance to stop its unregulated sale.

No one will be able to attack you, if you are determined to fight. नारी आप शक्ति हैं।
Everything is possible if we have the political will.

For any suggestion or demand talk to our team at risingyouthteam@gmail.com or you can talk to our admin directly at pn.borse@gmail.com

Sources for this post: NLRD, Indian express, The Hindu, Wikipedia, The Times of  India, PIB, DD . 

+UNESCO +HelpAge International +Amnesty International 

Something About Coal

Something About Coal

Coal is a conventional energy resource. It is the most mined mineral of the world. Coal is used in thermal power generation, which is the most used way of generating energy in India and China. Estimated reserve of Coal on the  is 860938 million tonnes. Largest reserves of Coal are found in U.S.A.(28%), Russia(18%), China(13%), Australia(9%) and India(7%). Coal is mostly found in the form of Lignite and Anthracite. Top Coal exporter countries are Australia and Indonesia. Japan is the largest importer of Coal.

Here are the continental distributions of Coal.

Asia:

• India: Singreni, Jharia, Bokaro, Damodar valley and Raniganj
• Pakistan: Kalabagh, Quetta and Thar Coal Fields
• China: Shanxi, Fushun, Inner Mongolia, Kansu
• Japan: Ishikari and Chikugo

Europe:

• Ruhr valley and Silsia of Germany
• Ural Mountains, Kuznetsk and Moscow-Tula Coal Field  of Russia
•  Donetz Coal Field of Ukrain 

North America:

• USA: Pennsylvania Anthracite Field, Appalachian Bituminous Field, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lowa, Missourie, Oklahama, Texas, Alabama, Arkansan,Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, new Mexico
• Canada: British Colombia , Nova Scotia

Africa:

• Zimbabwe: Wankie
• Mozambique: Miniamba
• Zaire: Luena
• Nigeria: Enugu
• Zambia: Nkandabwe, Mamba
• Transval and Natal

South America:

• Brazil: Santa Caterina, Rio Grande de Sul
• Mexico: Pedras Nigras, Sabinaz and Lampazos
• Chile: Concepcian
• Columbia: Cauca Valley

Something About Indian Coal:

In India coal is the most important and highly used energy source. Estimated coal reserve in India is 293000 million tonne. Most of the coal in India is Lignite coal which is found in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Tamil Nadu, Jammu Kashmir, Kerala and Puducherry.

Gondwana Coal which belongs to Carboniferous period is found in Mahanadi, Damodar, Narmada and Godavari Valley. Gondwana Coal found in the states of A.P., Chattisgard, Jharkhand, M.P. Maharastra and Odisha. Major Coal fields are Singreni, Singrauli, Bokaro, Jharia, Raniganj, Chandrapur, Tatapani, Talcher, Korba, Sargujha and Wardha.

Very little tertiary coal found in Arunachal Pradesh, Gujrat, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland. 

AFSPA

AFSPA

Many of us have heard about AFSPA. We regularly listen about AFSPA in various tv channels and newspapers. Let us have some inside about this act.

The history of AFSPA or we can say "ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT 1958", dates back to India's independence. After the independence many princely states were merged with India (thanks to the persuasive skill of sardar vallabh bhai patel). The north east region was also merged to India. Naga people of Assam and Manipur opposed the merger of their area with India. They claimed that they are socially, culturally and racially different from Indians. They revolted and held a referendum declaring independence from India. They resorted to violence against state machinery. Rebellions under the leadership of Naga Nationalist Council set up a parallel government call Federal Government of Nagaland in 1956. Government of the state of Assam tried hard to control rebels, but failed and asked support from Government of India. After all parliament of India passed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958.

So this was the story of AFSPA. Now we will see the provisions of AFSPA.

Provisions:

The act confers on an officer, warrant officer or a non commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in armed forces, the power to

• Fire upon any person or use force, causing even death to the person who is disregarding the orders against unlawful assembly.     
• Arrest  without warrant
• Enter and Search any premise
• Destroy any arms dumps
• Stop, Search and Seize any vehicle

The act provide legal immunity to the person of armed forces, as prosecution against the person of armed forces can not be initiated without the prior permission of central government.

This act was initially enacted in Assam and Manipur in 1958 and later covered whole north east.

It was in force in Punjab from 1985 to 1994. It is in force in Jammu and Kashmir since 1990.

This act comes into force only when an area of a state is declared disturbed and the power to declare an area disturbed is extended to central government by the act 7 of 1972.

Controversy:

It has been alleged that the AFSPA is used by armed forces for arbitrary killings, torture, cruelty and inhuman treatment.

After lot of agitations in Manipur, central government in 2005 appointed a committee under supreme court judge B.P. Jeevan Reddy to review the act. The committee submitted its report suggesting repealing the act. But supreme court of India has confirmed the validity of act by suggesting to use it more judiciously.   

GLOBAL CRUDE OIL TACTICS

GLOBAL CRUDE OIL TACTICS

All over the world oil crude oil prices are falling and keep falling. It seems that acchhe din have been started all over the world. People are very happy specially in India(ACCHHE DIN). But it is a serious matter for global oil producers. Despite of their will they are not able to curb the falling oil prices. We will now see what are the cause of the sharp decline in oil prices

• First and very simple reason is the demand for crude oil is low because of poor and weak global economic activities
• There is an increase in efficiency in economic activities all over the world which results in less wastage. Believe it or not but it is one of the reasons of fall in oil prices
• A movement all over the world to switch over to non conventional sources of energy like solar, biogas and wind energy.
• United states of America which was the biggest importer of the world, now has become the biggest producer of Oil, which resulted in decline in demand of oil
• Shale gas production in United states of America has made it less dependent on Oil.
• Due to decline in the demand, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), Countries considered the option of lowering the production, but it will result in the further loss of revenue. It will also benefit the countries like Russia, Iran and Venezuela which will not subsequently lower the production in lure of selling at lower prices. Specially Saudi Arab is against the lowering of production.

Oil market was funded by Federal Reserves cheap money in Quantitative Easing program, with zero rate of interest. which may have resulted in an upward trend of oil prices. But after winding up the Quantitative Easing Program, interest rates started increasing which may have resulted in falling in oil prices.

Experts have predicted that the oil prices will be at lower side for one year or more and it may decline further. +OPEC Multimedia