River Phalguni being polluted with industrial waste: Citizens’ Forum approaches KSPCB
Surathkal: Members of the Citizens’ Forum here have alleged that River Phalguni is being polluted with the waste from the Baikampady Industrial Area, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“The industrial waste is being dumped into the stream in Thokuru, whose water has turned black due to the pollution and is already stinking. The water from the stream goes to River Phalguni, as a result of which, the river water too is being polluted,” the forum members have alleged.
The forum members met the zonal officer of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) on Thursday, to discuss the matter.
An investigation team led by the zonal officer Ramesh collected samples of the water from the stream in Thokuru. The officer and the members of the team admitted that the stream did seem to have been polluted by industrial waste.
“The matter should be investigated and strict action should be taken against the guilty. Only then can River Phalguni be saved,” members of the forum urged the KSPCB officer.
They also warned that a protest would be undertaken if the Board failed to do so.
Muneer Katipalla, convener of the forum, Farooq, president of Jokatte Gram Panchayat, and Aboobakar Bava, member of the Panchayat and leader of the forum were present.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
