SC issues notice to Centre, others on Tamil Nadu govt's plea against HC stay on VCs' appointment
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Centre, Tamil Nadu Governor's office, and others on a plea by the TN government challenging a Madras High Court order that stayed its power to appoint vice-chancellors at state universities.
Besides the two, a bench of justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan also issued a notice to the University Grants Commission on a plea against the May 21 interim order passed by a vacation bench of the high court.
The provision of the law for which the stay has been granted was originally among the bills that were given deemed assent by the Supreme Court in the Tamil Nadu government vs the Tamil Nadu governor case.
The high court's order had come on a PIL filed by a lawyer who challenged the constitutional validity of the state's amendments.
The petitioner argued that the laws violated UGC regulations, which are central and mandate that the appointment of VCs must be made by the chancellor, the governor of the state.
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Chlorine gas leaks at defunct water purification plant in Pune; 24 persons hospitalised
Pune, Apr 30 (PTI): At least 22 residents and two firemen were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leakage at Kondhwa in Pune after midnight on Thursday, fire officials said.
The leak originated from an abandoned tank containing chlorine at a defunct water purification plant godown in the Gangadham area around 1 am, they said.
"Following the leak and the subsequent spread of gas, residents in the vicinity complained of breathlessness. Upon receiving the call, fire teams were dispatched. Several citizens were evacuated, and the leaking tank was patched using safety equipment," a fire official said.
During the operation, 22 residents and two fire personnel complained of breathlessness and were rushed to the hospital, he said.
A man who previously operated the water purification plant at the site said he had dismantled the unit, but the tank containing chlorine appeared to have remained unattended and developed a leak.
"All the affected residents and the two fire personnel are out of danger and currently under observation at Sassoon General Hospital," the official said.
