Category: News

Visualising the human price of gold

In May 2016 the South African High Court (Gauteng Local Division) granted an order in the case of Nkala and Others v Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and Others that certified a consolidated class action against 32 mining companies. The action had been brought by mineworkers who had contracted silicosis by breathing in the silica dust that is generated during mining, along with their dependents. This disease can take many years to manifest, is incurable, debilitating and often fatal.

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Courtesy: Open Democracy

Maharashtra govt ‘diverts’ 460 hectares of tribal land near Mumbai for industries

Despite opposition from the locals, the Maharashtra government has diverted 460 hectares of tribal land in Palghar for industrial activity. The land, now set aside for the development of industries, is a part of the 2,766 hectares it had acquired from tribal families in the early 1960s for a dairy project for supplying milk to Mumbai. But as the project never took off, most of the land has remained unutilised.

While the tribal families belonging to hamlets in Palghar’s Dahanu and Talasari talukas, whose lands were acquired, have been opposing industrialisation of the lands, the state’s Dairies Development department, which is in possession of the land, issued orders on November 24, notifying that 460-hectare land was now being handed over to the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation. “The development of industries in the (tribal district) of Palghar will benefit the local population and result in all-round growth of the region,” states the government resolution, signed by Ashok Uike, deputy secretary (Dairy Development).

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Courtesy: The New Indian Express

In 2016, malnutrition caused most death and disability in Gujarat

Child and maternal malnutrition continue to account for most death and disability in Gujarat, besides dietary risk and air pollution, according to a recent report, India: Health of the Nation’s States. The report, prepared by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health Foundation of India and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, provides estimates of the impact of 333 diseases and injuries and 84 risk factors for every state from 1990 to 2016.

According to the study, malnutrition caused maximum death and disability in 1990 and maintained its position till 2016, especially among the children in the age group of 0-9 years.

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Courtesy: The Times of India

Silicosis patient yet to get compensation

JAIPUR: Prem Lal Meghwal of Chainpura in Asind, Bhilwara, can scarcely take two steps without panting for breath. He is only 38, father of four children, the oldest of whom is a married daughter, 18 years old.
He has been bedridden with silicosis for over five years, and his wife now sets out to find work at construction sites or in farms, to keep the household going.

Meghwal has a certificate dated December 27, 2016, showing that he is suffering from silicosis.

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Courtesy: The Times of India

Malnutrition deaths in tribal areas: Maharashtra govt assures Bombay HC of ‘substantial progress’

The Advocate General (AG) Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that substantial progress has been made in terms of tackling the issue of continued death of children due to malnutrition in tribal areas. A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, was hearing Public Interest Litigations (PIL), highlighting the rising cases of malnutrition-related deaths and illnesses among those living in Melghat region of Vidarbha and other tribal areas in Maharashtra.

“Various posts have been filed. We have made a chart to show compliance of various court orders by the state,” said the AG, A Kumbhakoni. Taking into consideration this statement, the court has now granted two weeks to the state to place on record all details pertaining to this issue. The court reminded the state on the “seriousness” of the issue and asked the government “to do something” to improve the situation. The Chief Justice has ordered that all the PILs pertaining to this issue be transferred to a special bench to ensure better monitoring by the court.

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Courtesy: The Indian Express

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