Supreme Court judges sing for Kerala flood relief
NEW DELHI: In a rare, benevolent gesture, two Supreme Court judges on Monday sang at a cultural programme organised by apex court journalists in Delhi to raise money for relief and rehabilitation of people in flood-ravaged Kerala.
Justices Kurian Joseph and K M Joseph, both hailing from Kerala, performed at the event at the auditorium of Indian Society for International Law, opposite the Supreme Court complex. The programme was attended by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and several apex court and Delhi High Court judges.
The CJI said it was a consolidated effort for a cause.
"Some may feel that this is a celebration because there are certain performances, but I would like to say this is a consolidated effort of finding energy to raise contribution for a noble cause," Justice Misra said.
Justice K M Joseph, who was recently elevated to the apex court, sang a song from a classic Malayalam movie 'Amaram', which tells the story of a fisherman.
"Fishermen were the first to react when the state was reeling under severe floods. This song is a tribute to them," he said. Justice Kurian Joseph and playback singer Mohit Chauhan sang the song 'We shall overcome someday'.
More than Rs 10 lakh was collected during today's event. A few journalists also performed during the event.
Earlier, the apex court judges contributed Rs 25,000 each to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.
The apex court staff has donated one day's salary.
Attorney General KK Venugopal had contributed Rs 1 crore to the fund. Venugopal's son and senior advocate Krishnan Venugopal also contributed Rs 15 lakh to the relief fund.
Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has announced a contribution of Rs 50 lakh to the flood-ravaged state.
A group of Delhi-based Malayali lawyers had initiated a collection drive and dispatched eight truck-load full of necessary supplies, including clothes, sanitary napkins, candles, baby food, water bottles and medicines in a Navy aircraft.
Justice Kurian Joseph has remained active in ensuring and arranging relief materials. He had taken part in a drive in support of lawyers collecting supplies at a collection point near the apex court.
He had also contributed a significant amount for flood relief activities for Kerala. Senior lawyer Jaideep Singh contributed Rs five lakh towards the distress relief fund.
Another senior advocate Chander Uday Singh has reportedly contributed Rs five lakh. On August 16, the Supreme Court Bar Association has donated Rs 30 lakh from its Calamity Relief Fund.
The deadliest deluge in Kerala in nearly a century has claimed more than 300 lives since August 8. According to the Home Ministry's National Emergency Response Centre, 443 people have died in Kerala and 54.11 lakh have been severely affected in 14 districts this monsoon season.
Kerala has been receiving financial aid from various state governments across the country.
courtesy : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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SC to hear plea on air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR on Dec 17
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday said it will list for hearing on December 17 a plea related to worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pamcholi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting it as an amicus curiae, that though the preventive measures are there in place but the key issue was of their poor implementation by the authorities.
Singh said till this court directs something, the authorities do not comply with the protocols which are already there.
“This is coming up before a three judges bench on Wednesday. It will come up,” the CJI said.
Another lawyer referred to an application relating to the health issue of children, and said schools, despite the earlier orders, are holding outdoor sports activities.
“Despite the order of this court, Schools have found ways and means to have these sporting activities.. it is taking place. The CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) is again citing the order of this court,” the amicus also said.
“We know the problem and let us pass orders which can be complied with. There are some directions which can be forcibly imposed. In these urban metropolitan cities people have their own lifestyle. But the poor…,” the CJI said.
The amicus said the poor labourers are the worst ones to suffer.
Earlier the bench had said the plea against air pollution cannot be treated as a "customary" case to be listed only during the winter months only.
It had said the case will be taken twice in a month to find out short and long-term solutions to the menace.
Delhi on Monday choked under a thick blanket of smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, which falls in the higher spectrum of 'severe' category.
The air quality was 'severe' at 38 stations while it was 'very poor' at two stations. Jahangirpuri, which recorded an AQI of 498, recorded the worst air quality amongst all 40 stations.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.
The AQI in Delhi had climbed to 461 on Sunday and marked the city's most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface.
