In the previous issue of Public Newsense, we reported the official launch of Kuppai Matters during the first Kuppai Thiruvizha in Anna Nagar in November 2017. Since its launch, it has been in the news for all the right reasons, evincing phenomenal support from the denizens of different parts of the city, both online and on the ground.

Electricity generation has largely been powered by coal as the raw material, for last 200 years and it is expected to be the major source of electricity for the next few decades. However, coal impacts the environment more than any other source of electricity generation such as natural gas, oil, and renewable energy sources.

In the previous issue of Public Newsense, we looked at Government of India’s attempt to strengthen road safety by amending the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. At that time, the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, 2017, had been passed by the Lok Sabha and was awaiting introduction to the Rajya Sabha.

Cheyyur, in Kanchipuram district, has been proposed by the Government of India as one of the Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) sites. The thermal power plant will function together with a captive port and jetty located on site for transportation of coal.

CAG initiated Electricity Consumer Cells (ECCs) in December 2016 to create awareness, to advice, and educate consumers on the electricity sector of Tamil Nadu. The ECCs are situated in Cuddalore, Tiruvallur, and Tirunelveli. They are manned by electricity experts who advise consumers on electricity issues, create awareness through outreach meetings, and empower civil society organizations (CSOs) and electricity consumers through capacity building programmes. 

Over the years, there is a growing awareness of the multiple problems caused by plastic pollution. It is unfortunate that the very factors of durability and resistance to degeneration that make plastics so useful are the very reasons why the management of its waste is so difficult.