EY India office lacked labour welfare permit, probe finds after employee's death
Pune: An investigation into the death of a 26-year-old Ernst & Young (EY) employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, has revealed that the company's Pune office had been operating without a mandatory labour welfare permit since 2007. Perayil's family claims that her death was due to the overwhelming workload she faced while employed at the firm.
Maharashtra's additional labour commissioner, Shailendra Pol, confirmed that EY had applied for a permit in February 2024, which was rejected due to non-compliance with labour laws. According to the state's Shops and Establishments Act, work hours must be regulated to a maximum of nine hours per day and 48 hours per week. The company has been given seven days to respond.
Perayil’s mother had written to EY India's chairman, Rajiv Memani, attributing her daughter’s death to the intense pressure at work, sparking discussions about the impact of high-pressure corporate environments on employee health. The National Human Rights Commission has also taken cognisance of the case, calling it a potential human rights violation.
If found in violation, EY India could face a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, with the potential for jail time for the company's head. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the company's employee logbook and welfare policies.
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One-third of Karnataka’s coastal areas at risk of erosion: Report
Bengaluru: A recent study commissioned by the Karnataka government has revealed that 28% of the state's 328.55-km coastline is experiencing high levels of erosion. The report, submitted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management to the Environment Department, shows that the length of eroding stretches has more than doubled, from 43.7 km in 1990 to 91.6 km in 2024.
Titled Shoreline Management Plan Along Karnataka Coast, the report highlights the impact of increased sediment barriers and upstream activities on coastal erosion. It also calls for the adoption of nature-based solutions to counter the effects of climate change and human activities.
District-wise findings
The coastline of Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada spans 328.55 km, with varying levels of erosion across the districts:
Uttara Kannada: Although 28% of its 193-km coastline is eroded, the district accounts for 39% of the state’s total erosion due to increased coastal development.
Udupi: Despite 43% of the coastline being protected by seawalls, 38% remains affected by erosion, contributing to 32% of Karnataka's overall erosion.
Dakshina Kannada: The district’s 37-km coastline faces “critical” erosion, with 39% of its stretches severely impacted, including areas such as Uchil and Batapady.
The report warns that coastal erosion threatens habitations, estuarine environments, mangroves, mudflats, and fish landing areas.
Recommendations
Identifying 44 critical erosion zones, the report suggests:
1. Beach nourishment through sand replenishment.
2. Rehabilitation of sand dunes and bioshields.
3. Mangrove afforestation to stabilise coastlines and support fisheries.
The findings will inform the Karnataka-Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (K-SHORE) project, which prioritises nature-based solutions over hard approaches like seawalls. R Gokul, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, stated that the Rs 840-crore project will focus on mangrove planting, beach nourishment, and tackling plastic pollution. These measures aim to protect the coastline and boost the blue economy.
The report will also guide the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority in reviewing coastal development proposals.
