The Supreme Court also asked the governments of these states to provide information on the number of people who have died due to the lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
The Water Crisis in India
A Growing Concern
India is facing a severe water crisis, with millions of people struggling to access clean water and sanitation facilities. The issue is not just a matter of scarcity, but also of quality. Many communities are forced to rely on contaminated water sources, which can lead to a range of health problems.
The Impact on Public Health
The Background of the Bench’s Decision
The bench, comprising of two judges, was hearing a petition filed by a group of farmers who were affected by the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) order on illegal sand mining in the state. The NGT had ordered the closure of 14 sand mining sites in the state due to environmental concerns. The farmers, who were involved in the sand mining business, were seeking a stay on the NGT’s order, arguing that it would lead to a loss of livelihood for thousands of people.
The Key Issues at Stake
The Bench’s Decision
The bench, after hearing the arguments, decided to check if a similar petition against the NGT’s order on illegal sand mining was pending in the top court. It also sought to know if the EIA was needed for sand mining.
India’s Environmental Clearance Process Under Scrutiny Over Inadequate Protection of Environment.
The Background of the Environmental Clearance Process
The environmental clearance process in India is governed by the Environmental Protection Act, 1986. This act mandates that the Central Government, in consultation with the State Governments and other concerned authorities, shall ensure that the environmental impact of any project is assessed and mitigated. The process involves several stages, including:
The petitioner argued that the current process is inadequate and does not provide sufficient protection to the environment.
The PIL was filed by a group of 15 students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, who were part of the National Science Olympiad (NSO) team. The PIL challenged the government’s decision to allow the use of the term “NSO” for the new scheme, which was launched by the Ministry of Education.
The Background of the PIL
The PIL was filed by a group of 15 students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, who were part of the National Science Olympiad (NSO) team. The students were concerned that the government’s decision to allow the use of the term “NSO” for the new scheme would dilute the prestige and reputation of the NSO. The NSO is a prestigious national-level science competition that attracts students from all over India. The NSO team has been a source of pride for IIT Delhi, and the students were concerned that the government’s decision would undermine their achievements.*
The Government’s Decision
The government’s decision to allow the use of the term “NSO” for the new scheme was seen as a move to promote the new scheme and attract more students to participate. However, the students argued that this decision would dilute the prestige and reputation of the NSO, which is a highly competitive and prestigious national-level science competition. The new scheme is a government-backed initiative aimed at promoting science education among students.
