When was stubble burning banned

Editor's Note: Manisha Chakraborty is a freelance journalist based in India. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN. During an open plenary session of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 in Madrid, Indian Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar trumpeted the Narendra Modi government's achievements on climate action. However, the shocking reality is that New Delhi and other major cities have been suffering from severe air pollution over the last few years during winter. Last month, New Delhi, home to nearly 20 million people, declared a health emergency. Every year, between November and January, Delhi experiences severe air pollution caused by toxic smog. During the first two weeks of November this year, all schools in New Delhi and its nearby areas were forced to shut down as levels of dangerous fine particles, known as PM2.5, in the air ranged between eight to 16 times the safe limit for humans. Given … [Read more...] about India needs political willpower to deal with air pollution

KOLKATA: Protests over the amended Citizenship Act continued to rock various parts of West Bengal for the third consecutive day on Sunday while Internet services were suspended by the state government in six districts. Internet services were suspended in Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and parts of South 24 Parganas districts to prevent rumour-mongering and circulation of fake news, especially on social media, a senior government official said. "Despite several requests by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, it was found that a few communal outfits have been carrying out violent protests and trying to spread false propaganda. "In view of the situation, the administration has decided to temporarily suspend Internet services in six districts of the state," the official said. In South 24 Parganas district, Internet services were suspended in Baruipur and Canning sub-divisions, he said. Incidents of violence, loot and arson were reported from Nadia, Birbhum, North … [Read more...] about Protests against Citizenship Act stir continue in Bengal, Internet services suspended in 6 districts

The sky in Guwahati was filled with smoke and roads choked with ash from burning cars when the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 came into effect in India. President Ram Nath Kovind’s assent to the Bill, turning it into an Act, on Thursday rekindled an old collective memory as youths protested against the legislation defying a curfew. The Act grants Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christian, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on the contested claim of religious persecution. But the old and young, flooding WhatsApp groups, wondered if this is the Second Assam Agitation – until moments before an Internet ban. Amid chaos, the regional party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which cemented immigration of foreign nationals in state politics, is seen absent from the scene of politics and protest. The lone AGP MP in the Rajya Sabha, Birendra Prasad Baishya, had voted in favour of the Act. Nevertheless, the spirit and sentiment of the agitation, which … [Read more...] about Why AGP, Which Started Assam Movement in 80s, is Nowhere to be Seen During CAA Protests in Assam