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The Hindu

Consumers and activists want masoor dal to be supplied through PDS outlets in T.N.

Tue, 19/03/2024 - 12:03

S. Saroja, executive director, CAG, commenting on a request by sections of the public to supply masoor dal via PDS says that this is certainly a produce that could be introduced on a pilot basis across select outlets. The demand to supply masoor dal is purportedly because this is the cheaper and more nutritious alternative to toor dal.

Speed breakers come under lens after death of two-wheeler rider

Thu, 29/02/2024 - 14:51

Speed breakers are one of several tools to reduce traffic speed. Speed breakers are not appropriate for all locations and when used, they must be built as per IRC Guidelines which specifies the height, width, etc of the speed breaker as well as markings and signages required to warn motorists in time.  Very few speed breakers in Chennai meet the criteria, making them ineffective as a road safety tool, says Sumana Narayanan, senior researcher, CAG.

NGO opens discussion with TNPCB, Chennai police on correlation between air quality and violent crimes

Wed, 31/01/2024 - 11:13

CAG's soon to be released study findings on the correlation between air pollution and violent crime, was preceded by a discussion bringing together TNPCB officials and the Chennai police. As part of the discussion, officials considered the reasons for weak implementation of the various environmental protection laws.

Scores of non-toxic medicinal cooling packs lying near Greater Chennai Corporation’s dump site in Perungudi

Thu, 18/01/2024 - 14:31

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. 

MTC is the latest to join the list of government line agencies that are harnessing the reach of social media platforms

Tue, 09/01/2024 - 16:03

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.

Hypertension in healthcare: Tamil Nadu’s march towards universal coverage

Sat, 06/01/2024 - 16:21

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.

Spotlight neighbourhood stores that shun banned plastics

Tue, 31/10/2023 - 11:31

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!

Petition in NGT seeks restriction of plastic milk pouches by Aavin

Wed, 27/09/2023 - 11:03

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. 

Chennai’s love for bicycles erodes with time and traffic

Mon, 21/08/2023 - 16:07

As cyclists are increasingly crowded out of our roads, this article quotes a study by CAG that found that livelihood cyclists (or captive cyclists, as they cannot afford a motorised form of transport) are the ones mostly left on our roads, battling traffic. Sumana, CAG, explains that piecemeal approaches to making cyclists safer, such as isolated cycle tracks on a few roads, are not good enough to solve the problem of the vulnerable cyclist.