Over 100 student and adult consumers attended an awareness programme on telecom services at the Jairam Arts & Science College on January 29. Conducted by CAG, the programme discussed latest practices and regulations in grievance redressal within the telecom service sector.
As the Greater Chennai Corporation plans gender studies to make public places and public transport women-friendly, Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher at CAG comments that in addition to looking at physical infrastructure (lighting, bus stop locations), it would be useful to improve passenger information systems so women don't wait for long periods at bus stops especially during non-peak hours. There is also a lack of communication regarding existing safety measures such as how the installed panic buttons work.
An article discussing findings from the CAG study which revealed that a significant majority of consumers knew of the single-use plastics ban. However, poor enforecement and therefore easy availability of SUPs lead to a reliance on plastics.
Vamsi Kapilavai, Senior Researcher at CAG, commenting on the large quantities of supposedly 'non-toxic' coolant packages and discarded close to the Pallikaranai marshland, asks how these can be treated as non-toxic materials. Even just the plastic packaging is well established as having toxic properties. They are known to leach several toxins into the soil, air and water when exposed to even ambient conditions.
Are civic agencies doing enough to engage with the public, via social media? Sumana, researcher at CAG, comments that grievance redressal is important content to the public, and one that should be prioritized by civic authorities.
At the 'datajam' organised by OpenCity.in, CAG, IRCDUC, and diverse members of the public worked together to identify Chennai's most flood prone zones, drainage issues, budget outlays and potential solutions to Chennai's floods.
As the incidence of hypertension soars across the nation, the TN government has pioneered the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme, in a bid to take healthcare for non-communicable diseases to the hard to reach communities in the state. CAG spoke to beneficiaries of the scheme and this piece documents these patient voices.
Saroja.S, Executive Director, CAG comments on the long overdue Front of Pack Labelling system for processed foods in India. With the much contested draft regulations recommending a star rating system, Saroja points out the practical problems behind such a system. This begins with the assumption that all foods are nutritious at some level, since the regulation does not allow for any food to be given less than half a star.
Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, CAG, participated in the Citizen's Clinic organised by Citizen Matters. The event brought together experts who guided households onward in their zero waste journeys.
An article quoting CAG's analyses of the Tamil Nadu government's fare free scheme for women on public buses, even as Telengana replicates the scheme on government operated buses, non-luxury buses anywhere within the state.
Madhuvanthi Rajkumar, CAG and delegate representative of Consumers International at the recently concluded INC-3, Nairobi, gives a first hand account of proceedings from the event and the status of progress towards the Global Plastics Treaty.
Sumana Narayanan, CAG, comments on the fewer new car registrations in the State that it does not mean fewer new cars on the road. If discouraging private transport, and easing congestion is what the government aims to achieve, it needs to be done through strengthening the public transport network.