Odd-even: SC stays NGT order on not exempting women drivers
New Delhi, Sep 17 : The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order in which it had not given exemption to two-wheelers and vehicles driven by women in the national capital during the odd-even vehicle rotation scheme.
A bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta stayed the November 11, 2017 order of the NGT after the counsel appearing for Delhi government contended that apart from the two-wheelers, they also wanted exemption for vehicles driven by women due to "safety" concern.
The NGT had directed that odd-even scheme, which is currently not in force in Delhi, would be applicable for all vehicles otherwise such relaxation would defeat the purpose of improving Delhi's ambient air quality.
Under the scheme, odd and even numbered vehicles are to ply on alternate days.
The top court while hearing the Delhi government's plea against the NGT order, also issued notice to the petitioner who filed the plea before the tribunal.
During the hearing, the apex court also asked the counsel appearing for Delhi government why there is no odd-even scheme in force now. At this, counsel replied the scheme would be implemented based on the level of PM10 and PM2.5 and the ensuing months of winter would be the time for it.
As per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the odd-even scheme comes into effect automatically whenever the particulate matter PM10 and PM 2.5 rises to 500 microgram per cubic metre and 300 microgram per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours.
Earlier, during odd-even scheme, exemption was granted to women driving four-wheelers due to safety reasons.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Two held in UP's Bijnor for contact with Pakistan linked Dubai handler
_vb_24.jpeg)
Bijnor (PTI): Two men were arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district on Friday for allegedly being in touch with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Dubai, police said.
Circle Officer, Najibabad, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider were arrested following inputs on their alleged links with Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently staying in Dubai.
According to police, Aqib had earlier come into the spotlight after a video surfaced on Instagram purportedly showing him displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives.
During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly told police that Aqib used to incite youngsters against Hindus and encourage anti-national activities, the officer said, adding that detailed questioning of the accused is underway.
On April 6, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha said the video first surfaced in November last year. Aqib, a native of Sathla village in the Mawana area of Meerut, was allegedly seen in the video brandishing weapons.
Following the viral clip, a case was registered at the Nangal police station by sub-inspector Vinod Kumar. However, the then station house officer and investigating officer Satyendra Singh had recorded Aqib's statement and filed a final report, stating that the weapons seen in the video were toys, effectively giving him a clean chit.
Police said fresh developments have now revealed Aqib's suspicious links and the probe has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The SP said action has been taken against the officials concerned, with the then SHO and investigating officer suspended and Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh removed from his post.
