Media Coverage

ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில் தொற்றாத நோய்களின் சிகிச்சைக்கு கவனம் செலுத்தும் '75/25' என்ற இந்திய அரசின் சமீபத்திய முயற்சியின் தொடர்பாக, சி.ஏ.ஜி மற்றும் சினம் அமைப்புகள் இணைந்து திருவண்ணாமலையில் 'உயர் இரத்த அழுத்தம் - சைலண்ட் கில்லர்' குறித்த விழிப்புணர்வு அமர்வை நடத்தியது.  ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களில் சிகிச்சை பெறும் கிராம மக்கள் கூட்டத்தில் கலந்து கொண்டு, உயர் இரத்த அழுத்தத்தின் தீவிரத்தையும், சிகிச்சையின் அவசியத்தையும் பற்றி தெரிந்துகொண்டனர்.

An article about CAG's Zero Waste Store Locator - an online resource to help shoppers identify local stores that can sell plastic free. If you are looking to start your zero waste journey, this is a good place to begin. The Zero Waste Store Locator is a crowd sourced database - so if you know of a shop that should go here, get in touch with us!

A waste map that will show methane emissions from landfills around the world is to be launched at COP-28. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, CAG, describes Chennai's landfills as  'methane ticking bombs' but also adding that when presented with data on these, Municipality authorities are receptive to addressing these issues. The proposed AI map (which will make organic waste, visible through satellite imagery) will therefore give governments and CSOs much needed data to address methane emissions and its contribution to the climate crisis.

A timely reminder for all motorists of the risks of driving in rainy conditions. Madhumati, CAG. writes about how flooded roads create new driving risks and hide existing ones such as potholes.

Sumana, CAG, explains that to be properly utilised, a cycle track must be continuous, with permanent separations between track and road, with speed limits in place for motorists. She adds that without this, the proposed cycle track between Neelankarai and Akkarai will go the way other city cycle tracks have gone before it - dysfunctional.

The quintessential  Aavin milk packets, produced in the thousands, are made of Low Density PolyEthylene (LDPE), a type of plastic that can be recycled effectively. However, Chennai-based petitioner Ayya points out that the pouches are merely discarded, endangering human health and the environment. The petition filed before the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal cites findings from CAG's plastic brand audit (2021) that Aavin milk pouches constituted 7% of the plastic waste analysed in the audit. 

With nearly 8000 post graduate medical specialisation seats going vacant, the National Medical Council has decided to bring down eligibility criteria, allowing even those students with zero and negative marks on their qualifying exams to pursue further studies. Saroja, CAG, asks what the point of qualifying exams is then, if it does not serve a gate-keeping function, allowing only deserving students to progress into specialisations.

As fans of AR Rahman have been left angry and disappointed after the booking fiasco during his most recent Chennai concert, Saroja, CAG explains that mismanagement of the event will fall under 'deficiency of services' under consumer law. Ticket holders will therefore be well within their rights to approach the Consumer Fora and demand full refunds and compensation for mental agony caused by events over that evening.

As electricity bills soar after the tariff revision by TANGEDCO in 2022, Vishnu Rao, CAG, explains that commercial entities' and industries' high tariffs are currently subsidising domestic use. To keep costs bearable, the state government needs to look into revising the subsidy they offer domestic consumers. Meanwhile consumers must prioritise transitioning into cleaner energy sources such as rooftop solars.

Foot over-bridges (FOBs) are a poor option to help pedestrians safely cross a road. Women feel unsafe using them; people with disabilities cannot use them at all; and even the average pedestrian finds the extra walk tedious. Sumana, CAG, explains that at-grade pedestrian crossings are needed every 200 metres as per IRC Guidelines, along with a fundamental shift in the attitude of motorists towards vulnerable road users.

 

A piece by Shankar Prakash offering a critical review of the Chennai Climate Action Plan, examining its merits and those areas that need improving. An important read as we cross over from 'global warming' to 'global boiling'.

Mala Balaji, CAG writes about why systemic transformation and individual changes need to come together, if we are to come out winning, in our battle against climate change. This article highlights commendable practices and looks at areas needing improvement in fostering sustainability.