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Nearly 11.6 Lakh Women Now Directors At Public, Private Firms In India: Centre

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The Commune
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Nearly 11.6 Lakh Women Now Directors At Public, Private Firms In India: Centre

The government informed the Parliament on Tuesday that nearly 11.6 lakh women directors are currently associated with public and private companies in the country. The government continues to encourage women’s participation in decision-making at various levels in enterprises across the spectrum.

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply that while 11,11,040 women are directors in private companies (including OPCs), 46,939 are associated with unlisted public companies and 8,672 with listed public companies.

The MCA has included several provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, to boost women’s participation at top levels in companies, like making it mandatory for prescribed classes of companies to have at least one woman director.

Also, every listed company and every other public company having paid-up share capital of Rs 100 crore or more or having a turnover of Rs 300 crore or more is required to appoint at least one woman director. Suppose a company defaults in complying with this provision of the Act. In that case, the company and every officer who is in default is liable for a penalty provided under section 172 of the Companies Act, 2013, according to the ministry.

The total number of companies registered during the current fiscal year (FY25) stands at 1,12,962 (as of November 30). Meanwhile, the government has made six amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), to strengthen the process of insolvency resolution and ensure proper implementation of the provisions of the IBC.

According to Malhotra, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has made more than 100 amendments in regulations since the inception of IBC based on the needs of the market to streamline processes and maximise the value of the corporate debtor’s assets.

IBC provides a consolidated framework for reorganisation, insolvency resolution and liquidation of corporate persons, except financial service providers (FSPs).

However, Section 227 of the IBC enables the central government to notify FSPs and categories of FSPs for insolvency and liquidation proceedings.

–IANS

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“DMK Has Turned Tamil Nadu Into A ‘Lawless Jungle'” – BJP TN Chief Annamalai Slams DMK Govt After Activist’s Brutal Knife Attack

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The Commune
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DMK Has Turned Tamil Nadu Into A Lawless Jungle, BJP TN Chief Annamalai Slams DMK Govt After Brutal Knife Attack On Activist

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has strongly criticized the ruling DMK government, claiming that under its leadership, the common man in the state has no freedom to report unlawful activities in their locality. He accused DMK members of being involved in a wide range of illegal activities, from drug trafficking to the illegal sale of alcohol, contributing to a state of lawlessness and hooliganism.

Annamalai’s comments came in the wake of a disturbing incident in Namakkal, where a local citizen was allegedly attacked with a knife for reporting the illegal sale of liquor in his area. The attackers are reportedly associated with the DMK and are closely linked to the Pallipalayam DMK Chairman, Selvaraj.

In a post on social media platform X, Annamalai condemned the actions of the DMK government and its cadres, stating, “In Tamil Nadu, under the DMK Government, the common man has no right to complain about the lawlessness and hooliganism in the State. Those in DMK are involved in all sorts of unlawful activity, from international drug smuggling to selling liquor illegally. A responsible citizen in Namakkal district in TN was brutally attacked for complaining to the police department about the sale of illegal liquor. The attack, reportedly ordered by Pallipalayam DMK Chairman Selvaraj, is a stark reminder of the injustice that has become all too common in TN. Over the past 4 years, the DMK has transformed our once peaceful state into a lawless jungle. However, staying far from reality, TN CM Thiru @mkstalin will be writing an appreciation letter to himself about how the people of TN praise his good governance.“

The victim of the attack, who sustained serious injuries, shared the details of the assault stating, “There is a public toilet on the way to Periyar Nagar. I parked my car to use the toilet. One Michael of Avarangadu and the other person’s name is Kuyil. Both of them was there. They hacked me and asked if I cannot keep quiet. They asked how long will you keep working against us. They abused me using cuss words and I retaliated and asked what the problem was. they asked why I am writing petitions to the district SP to shut down the illegal liquor shop. I said I will write petitions to anyone. What was their problem? while I was talking, they started beating me up. I hit them back and the four people started attacking me, I fell down. When I was about to stand when they took out a knife and stabbed my head, blood started gushing out of my head. I couldn’t do anything, and I sat on the floor. People around me cried for help, the preparator’s flew from there. They threatened to kill me if I continue to create issues for Chairman Selvaraj.” He added, “The attackers said I shouldn’t write petitions and said they would go to any extent for the sake of their boss. “

The victim explained further, detailing his efforts to report the illegal liquor shops, “On 26 October 2024, I wrote a petition to Palliplayam SI to take action against the illegal liquor shops, but no action was taken. On 30 November 2024, I did a road roko and for that to no action was taken. On 11 December 2024, I went to the SP office to file a petition, he was not available, so I gave the petition to the registrar and came.”

The victim was later helped by two individuals, Sakthi and Singh, who drove him to the Erode Government Hospital for treatment.

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CM Yogi’s Jibe At Priyanka Over ‘Palestine’ Bag, Says ‘UP Has Sent Over 5,500 Youth To Israel’

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The Commune
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CM Yogi's Jibe At Priyanka Over 'Palestine' Bag, Says 'UP Has Sent Over 5,500 Youth To Israel'

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday took a potshot at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her symbolic support for Palestine using a bag. He sought to shed light on how Israel ranked higher in priority for his government and the Centre and also how this “association” was yielding better gains for the state’s youth.

“A Congress leader goes to show off her bag with ‘Palestine’ emblazoned on it while the government has already sent more than 5,500 youths from Uttar Pradesh to Israel who are engaged in infrastructure projects there and earning handsome wages in return,” Chief Minister said, addressing the House on the second day of UP Assembly’s winter session.

He said that youths from the state are living happily and in a secure environment they are also earning more than 1.5 lakh per month. “Whatever they send back contributes to the state’s economy and interestingly, there has been increasing demand from Israel as the UP youths have made their mark with hard work,” he added.

CM Yogi’s taunt on Priyanka comes in the wake of criticism that the Congress MP invited after she carried a bag flaunting Palestine tag. Many BJP leaders rebuked the Congress lawmaker over her Monday’s gesture and called it “crass communal posturing”.

As Priyanka’s gesture for extending support to Palestine with her handbag stoked a major row, she also hit back at critics. “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? Who is going to decide that? That’s typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear also. I don’t subscribe to that. I will wear what I want,” she told the newspersons.

Notably, the bag that Wayanad MP carried to Parliament on Monday had ‘Palestine’ emblazoned on it. It also featured a watermelon, symbol signifying support to the war-torn nation. Notably, the Congress General Secretary has been vociferous over Israel’s military offensive against Palestine, which followed after dastardly terror attacks by Hamas in October last year.

–IANS

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“Will Mobilize People, Load Biomedical Waste And Dump It Back In Kerala”: BJP TN Head Annamalai Warns Pinarayi And Stalin Govt

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The Commune
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Will Mobilize People, Load Biomedical Waste And Dump It Back In Kerala: BJP TN Head Annamalai Warns Pinarayi And Stalin Govt

In light of Kerala dumping illegal medical waste in border villages of Tamil Nadu, Bharatiya Janata Party state President K Annamalai slammed the ruling DMK government for its inefficiency.

Taking to social media platform X, he wrote, “Chief Minister @mkstalin, who is ceding Tamil Nadu’s rights, including Cauvery water, to states ruled by his coalition parties, has allowed the border districts of Kerala, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli, to be turned into a garbage dump for the Communist government of Kerala. While the DMK government is in league with the Communist government of Kerala, our southern districts have been turned into a dumping ground for the state’s biomedical, plastic, and meat waste. The check posts that were supposed to stop this waste, which is brought in by trucks every day, have become mere collection centers. On the one hand, the DMK government seems to be turning a blind eye to the illegal smuggling of minerals from Tenkasi and Kanyakumari districts to Kerala, and on the other hand, it has given free rein to use Tamil Nadu as a garbage dump. Despite repeated complaints to the authorities and the Chief Minister’s Special Cell, no action has been taken to stop this. This is happening with the full knowledge of the DMK government. The DMK government should immediately stop the conversion of Tamil Nadu border districts into a garbage dump for the state of Kerala. If similar incidents continue, in the first week of January 2025, we will mobilize the public, load this biomedical waste and garbage into trucks and dump it in Kerala. I inform the DMK government that I will also go in the first truck.”

Large volumes of biomedical, food, and plastic waste, reportedly from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Credence Private Hospital, were found dumped across multiple Kodaganallur and Palavoor villages. The waste included hazardous biomedical materials, such as used syringes and PPE kits, discarded on patta lands and waterbodies, causing significant health and environmental concerns.

As reported by TNIE, the dumping, which has been ongoing for several months, allegedly occurs during the night, making it difficult to apprehend those responsible. Trucks believed to be transporting loads for a nearby paper mill are suspected of bringing in the waste. Despite complaints by affected landowners, authorities have taken little action, and the issue remains unresolved.

Medical records containing sensitive personal information of cancer patients treated at the RCC were also found among the waste. Documents included patient names, addresses, treatment details, diagnoses, and dietary plans. Several of these records appeared to be recent, with dates from November 2024. The discovery of such documents not only highlights improper waste disposal practices but also raises concerns about a serious data breach.

The illegal dumping has had a direct impact on the local environment and livelihoods. Contaminated water sources near the dumping sites have led to health issues among livestock, including cattle and goats. Local farmers and residents are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of biomedical waste exposure on their health and the surrounding ecosystem.

The issue has been brought to the attention of various authorities, including the Suthamalli police and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Special Cell. Complaints were filed over a month ago, but no case has been registered to date. Residents have alleged negligence on the part of both the police and revenue officials, as neither group has visited the affected sites despite repeated requests.

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Saidapet Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Dravidianist Journo ‘Nakkheeran’ Gopal In Nithyananda Ranjitha Scandal Video Extortion Case

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The Commune
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Saidapet Court Issues Arrest Warrant For Dravidianist Journo 'Nakkheeran' Gopal In Nithyananda Ranjitha Scandal Video Extortion Case

The Saidapet Court has issued an arrest warrant for journalist Nakkheeran Gopal in connection with the Nithyananda-Ranjitha scandal video case, where he is accused of attempting to extort money from those involved.

The CBCID police have filed a chargesheet against eight individuals, including Nakkheeran Gopal, for allegedly extorting crores of rupees in relation to the scandal. This case, which was being heard in the Saidapet 11th Criminal Judicial Magistrate Court, has now led to the court issuing the arrest warrant for Gopal, who had failed to appear in court.

The controversy dates back to 2012, when a scandalous video involving Nithyananda and actress Ranjitha stirred up public attention. Prior to the video’s release, Nakkheeran Gopal and several individuals connected to the Nithyananda Ashram allegedly threatened Nithyananda for money. These discussions reportedly took place at a hotel in Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai, which later escalated into a scuffle, leading to injuries and a complaint filed at the Soundarapandian Nagar (Pandy Bazaar) police station.

The case was subsequently transferred to the CBCID, which conducted further investigations. Based on their findings, the CBCID filed a chargesheet, accusing the eight individuals, including Nakkheeran Gopal, of blackmailing Nithyananda and others involved for large sums of money in exchange for withholding the scandalous video. With the court now issuing an arrest warrant, the case continues to unfold.

(With Inputs From Indian Express Tamil)

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94% Of Indian Desk Workers Feel Urgency To Master AI: Report

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The Commune
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GenAI Adoption Projected To Transform Nearly 3.8 Crore Jobs In India By 2030

Amid the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, 94 per cent of desk workers in Indians feel the urgency to master the advanced technology, according to a report on Tuesday.

Slack’s new Workforce Index showed that AI adoption is on the rise in India with 61 per cent of Indian desk workers using AI in their jobs and 80 per cent excited about the prospect of AI replacing some tasks.

India’s progress in AI adoption underscores the growing prioritisation of AI among its executives and reflects a heightened sense of urgency among business leaders to unlock its transformative potential.

The report, based on a survey of 1,029 desk workers in India, showed that although 94 per cent workers are keen to skill up on AI, 40 per cent have spent less than five hours total learning how to use the technology.

About 30 per cent of global workers said they’ve had no AI training at all, including no self-directed learning or experimentation. “India’s workforce is leading the way in AI adoption, with 61 per cent of desk workers already integrating AI into their roles. This enthusiasm highlights the transformative potential of AI and its alignment with leadership priorities for innovation and upskilling,” said Rahul Sharma, Vice President – Sales, Salesforce India.

“However, to fully harness AI’s benefits, there remains uncertainty that agents can address. By introducing AI agents with clearly defined roles and guidelines, businesses can reduce worker anxiety and foster seamless integration into daily tasks,” Sharma said.

While Indian workers are leading the way on AI adoption globally, the research points to some uncertainty and discomfort around AI usage. About 21 per cent of Indian workers report feeling uncomfortable admitting AI use to their managers for fear they might be seen as incompetent, lazy, or cheating. To realise the benefits of AI, employers need to encourage employees to use the technology and equip them with the training and guidance needed to work successfully in this new era, the report suggested.

–IANS

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SC Dismisses TN Govt’s Appeal Against CBI Probe In Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy

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The Commune
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SC Dismisses TN Govt’s Appeal Against CBI Probe In Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy

The Supreme Court has upheld the Madras High Court’s directive for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, rejecting the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal against the order. The tragedy claimed the lives of 67 people in Kallakurichi district after they consumed illicit liquor laced with methanol, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of anti-spurious liquor laws in the state.

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Pardiwala and Mahadevan dismissed the appeal, stating that the CBI is the appropriate agency to handle the investigation due to its inter-state implications, involving Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and other regions. The court emphasized that there is no obstacle to the continuation of the CBI’s investigation, reinforcing the Madras High Court’s decision.

The Tamil Nadu government argued that its police had made significant progress in the case, with 24 arrests, the methanol source traced, and key witnesses examined. It also highlighted the appointment of a one-man commission led by Justice (Retd.) B. Gokuldas and the transfer of the case to the CB-CID, which was awaiting toxicology reports before filing a charge sheet.

Despite these arguments, the Supreme Court affirmed the need for an impartial and comprehensive investigation by the CBI, citing public dissatisfaction with past inquiries into similar hooch tragedies. Petitioners from AIADMK, PMK, and BJP had argued that systemic failures and recurring incidents necessitated a central probe to ensure accountability and justice.

The CBI will now take over the investigation from the state police, who have been instructed to transfer all relevant case files and provide full cooperation.

(With inputs from Nakkheeran)

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Indian Firms Raise Over ₹3 Lakh Crore From Stock Market In 2024

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The Commune
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Indian Firms Raise Over ₹3 Lakh Crore From Stock Market In 2024

The year 2024 has been historic for the Indian stock market as companies have raised a record capital of over ₹3 lakh crore so far this year through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs), and Rights Issues, breaking the previous record of raising capital – ₹1.88 lakh crore in 2021.

According to reports, 90 companies have raised or announced fundraising of ₹1.62 lakh crore so far this year, which is 2.2 times more than last year’s ₹49,436 crore.

The amount raised through new issues in 2024 is around ₹70,000 crore, compared to ₹43,300 crore in 2021. So far in 2024, 88 companies have raised ₹1.3 lakh crore through QIPs.

Earlier, 25 companies raised the highest amount ₹80,816 crore, through QIPs in 2020. So far, 20 companies have raised about ₹18,000 crore through rights issues.

Last year, this figure was ₹7,266 crore and in 2022 it was ₹3,884 crore. This figure is also expected to increase in the last two weeks of 2024, as this week, IPOs of companies like DAM Capital Advisors, Ventive Hospitality, Carraro India, Senores Pharmaceuticals, Transrail Lighting, Concord Enviro Systems, Sanathan Textiles, and Mamta Machinery are open.

Experts say that the reason for the large amount of funds raised by the companies is the high economic growth rate, due to which companies are making more capital expenditures for expansion. It also shows the increasing confidence of the investors in the equity market.

The growth rate of the Indian economy was 8.2 per cent in the financial year (FY) 2023-24. According to the Reserve Bank of India, the growth rate is estimated to be 6.6 per cent in the current financial year (FY 2024-25).

–IANS

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Villagers In Kallakurichi Seize Tractor Allegedly Used To Steal Temple Property, Complaint Filed Against HR&CE Officials

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The Commune
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Villagers In Kallakurichi Seize Tractor Allegedly Used To Steal Temple Property, Complaint Filed Against HR&CE Officials

Villagers in Kallakurichi have seized a tractor that was allegedly used to steal old iron rods and wooden items from the Thirunavalur temple. What shocked the villagers even more was that the tractor, which was reportedly transporting the temple’s property, had been hired by officials from the HR&CE department to sell the items as scrap.

This disturbing incident occurred at the Thirunavalur Sri Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, which had recently held its Kumbabhishekam on 21 November near Ulundurpet in Kallakurichi district. During renovations at the temple, iron and wooden items were stored in a room. However, on the morning of 16 December 2024, HR&CE department officials allegedly loaded these items onto a tractor in the early morning. They took them to an old scrap iron shop near Pu Mambakkam in the Ulundurpettai area.

The items were being loaded onto the tractor for the second time, which raised suspicions. Upon learning of this, Kallakurichi residents gathered around noon, seized the tractor, and questioned where the items were being taken. What the HR&CE officials revealed was a shock to the villagers. The officers stated that they had decided to sell the materials as scrap to fund the salaries of executive officers at another temple. When the villagers demanded to know whose orders they were following, the officers blamed higher officials but failed to provide any concrete answers.

Explaining the issue, one villager remarked, “The recent events at the Sri Bhaktajaneswarar Shiva Temple in Thirunavalur union, Kallakurichi district, an example how poorly the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments is operating in Tamil Nadu. Only recently the Kumbabhishekam ceremony completed and after the Kumbabhishekam, they took all the old items such as iron and wooden items from the temple, loaded them onto a tractor, and transported them to an iron (scrap) shop in Ulundurpet. After unloading about 20 tons, they came back again to take more items from the temple. When the villagers confronted them, they asked where the temple property was being taken. The officer responded that the items were being taken to a shop in Ulundurpet. When asked why, she claimed the Executive Officer (EO) ordered it. When the EO was questioned, she evaded and said the Joint Commissioner (JC) had ordered. The villagers then contacted the HR&CE Joint Commissioner via conference call, and he denied the claim, saying, ‘It’s not like that… I will speak in person.’ When asked why the items were taken, the EO woman said they were unloading everything there. The villagers then asked, ‘Why are you unloading them now? Where did you take them?’ She replied that the materials were needed to pay the salaries of workers at the Parikkal temple.”

A complaint has been filed with the Thirunavalur police against the Executive Officer of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, his assistant Lokesh, and the tractor owner, Ayyappan, for allegedly taking the temple’s old iron and wooden items. The police are currently investigating the matter.

(With Inputs From Dinamalar)

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How Kerala Govt Has Been Using Tamil Nadu And Karnataka As A Dumping Ground For Its Toxic Wastes

By
The Commune
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Biomedical Waste & Confidential Patient Records From Kerala Illegally Dumped In Tamil Nadu Villages.

Kerala is in the news, this time for dumping medical waste in Tamil Nadu villages. Large volumes of biomedical, food, and plastic waste from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) and Credence Private Hospital have been dumped across multiple villages in Kodaganallur and Palavoor in Tamil Nadu. The waste includes hazardous materials like used syringes, PPE kits, and medical records containing sensitive personal information, raising serious health and environmental concerns.

The dumping, which has been ongoing for months, usually occurs at night, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators. Suspected trucks, allegedly carrying loads for a nearby paper mill, are thought to be involved.

Despite repeated complaints from landowners, authorities have failed to take action, leaving the issue unresolved.

Sensitive medical records, including patient details and treatment plans, were found among the waste, pointing to improper disposal practices and potential data breaches. The dumping has also contaminated local water sources, affecting livestock and causing health problems for residents.

The matter has been brought to the attention of the Suthamalli police and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister’s Special Cell, but no case has been filed yet. CCTV cameras at strategic locations could potentially identify the trucks involved, but no action has been taken. The District Collector has instructed local officials and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to investigate and take legal action, with an FIR expected soon. Residents and activists are calling for the waste to be returned to Kerala and for stronger measures to prevent further illegal waste transportation.

But this is not the first time Kerala has dumped its waste in Tamil Nadu. While recent media reports have highlighted this issue, several incidents have gone unreported, further raising concerns over illegal waste disposal across the state borders. These recurrent incidents not only jeopardize the environment but also strain local governance and law enforcement systems.

Meat Waste Dumping

One such incident occurred in 2022, when meat waste from a slaughterhouse in Kerala was found discarded in an open area in Thanakkarkulam panchayat, located in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The truck, which was transporting over 100 jute bags of waste, was fined Rs 10,000 by local authorities after residents raised alarm about the foul smell emanating from the truck. The truck driver claimed that the owner of a slaughterhouse near Ernakulam had paid him Rs 40,000 to dump the waste in Tamil Nadu, with an additional Rs 20,000 paid for bribing officials at checkposts. Despite the severity of the situation, no arrests were made, and the authorities only imposed a fine without pursuing further legal action.

This incident followed a similar one in which a truck was intercepted by municipal officials in Kuzhithurai, Kanniyakumari district. However, the authorities failed to send the truck back to Kerala, allowing it to continue its journey to Tirunelveli. Once there, the waste was unloaded at the site, and the police refrained from registering a case, claiming that the issue should have been handled by the Kanniyakumari police.

In another instance from 2018, a truck carrying meat waste was caught dumping it illegally along the Karnataka border. Local residents near Baleguli in Irde village alerted authorities when they noticed the truck, and it was subsequently stopped. This prompted protests from locals who warned the drivers not to repeat the illegal dumping. Despite several complaints from locals, no action had been taken by the relevant authorities until the incident was exposed by the public.

This persistent issue has not been limited to just one or two cases. Activists have raised alarms about the regular illegal disposal of various types of waste, including bio-medical, plastic, and electronic waste, into water bodies along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. In 2015, local residents in Kanyakumari district held a protest demanding immediate action from the district administration, as waste from slaughterhouses and meat shops in Kerala was being dumped in nearby water bodies, posing a significant public health risk.

In 2023, unidentified individuals dumped nearly 10 tonnes of plastic, medical, and domestic waste from Kerala near Nanguneri town panchayat in Tamil Nadu on 7 October 2023 night. The waste, including plastic goods, medicines, and household items, was found in several locations, blocking roads and farmland. Villagers had to burn some of it to clear the road. Authorities suspected the waste originated from Thiruvananthapuram, as identified in medical bills and household articles. Police launched an investigation, analyzing CCTV footage to trace the culprits. A case regarding Kerala’s waste dumping is also pending in the Madras High Court.

On 12 October 2023, Nanguneri police in Tirunelveli registered a case against two individuals for transporting various types of waste from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The truck was seized. On the night of 11 October 2023, a truck transporting poultry waste from Kerala was fined Rs 25,000 by the town panchayat in Kulasekaram, Kanniyakumari district.

Over the years, Kerala has faced increasing scrutiny for dumping biomedical, electronic, and other types of waste in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts. This illegal practice, often conducted in the dead of night, has been reported multiple times, with various waste types, including used syringes, surgical waste, plastic goods, and electronic appliances, found discarded in public spaces, farmland, and water bodies in Tamil Nadu.

In recent incidents, around 10 tonnes of waste from Kerala, including plastic and medical waste, were dumped near Nanguneri town in Tirunelveli. This included materials from hospitals, such as expired drugs and used syringes, which were found in lorries from Kerala. Villagers had to burn part of the waste to clear roads, while authorities removed the rest using earthmovers. Investigations into these incidents revealed that the waste was transported through the Kanniyakumari district, with police and local authorities passing the blame between each other. Despite fines imposed on transporters, no concrete action has been taken against those burning the waste or the individuals involved in the illegal dumping.

A similar case occurred in Naranapuram village in Tenkasi, where biomedical and electronic waste from Kerala was dumped for the second time in two weeks. This time, authorities were slow to respond, and locals had to intervene. The waste included used televisions, home appliances, and poultry waste. The Tenkasi police, despite raising the issue with their counterparts in Kanniyakumari, have yet to take substantial action to prevent such incidents.

Authorities have imposed fines on some violators in the past, such as in 2018 when 29 trucks carrying medical and biomedical waste from Kerala were caught at Puliyarai check-post, but waste disposal practices continue unchecked. Local activists and villagers are demanding stronger enforcement of waste management laws and more accountability from authorities on both sides of the border.

Electronic Waste Dumping

In 2023, in Tenkasi district, residents of Karumbanur, Kalathimadam, and Anaiyappapuram were seen to face serious health issues due to the illegal burning of electronic waste (e-waste) from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The e-waste, which includes motherboards, used cellphones, batteries, wires, capacitors, and vehicle parts, was being burned to extract valuable metals like copper. This process, occurring mainly at Karumbanur, caused breathing difficulties and sleepless nights for local residents, especially affecting children and the elderly.

Despite multiple complaints to local authorities, including the police and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), no concrete action was taken. The police, citing a lack of proper complaints with technical details, did not take any measures against the perpetrators. On a recent inspection following a complaint from a local farmer, the police found the burning of e-waste but were unable to apprehend the culprits.

In May 2023, a truck carrying electronic and plastic waste from Kerala was discovered near Kalathimadam village on Alangulam-Ambasamudram Road. The driver claimed to have transported the waste from Kerala to Alangulam via the Kanniyakumari district check post without proper documentation.

Tenkasi Police (Alangulam) took prompt action the following day, with support from the health department. They discovered that the truck also contained medical waste. The truck was seized, and two individuals were arrested.

In August 2023, Alangulam police registered a case against four individuals and arrested two for transporting medical, plastic, and bakery waste, including hospital beds, from Kerala and burning it near Sivalarkulam village. The suspects, identified as Karthik Murugan, Ganesan, Senthil Murugan, and Rajalingam, were charged under various sections of the IPC and the Epidemic Diseases Act. Health inspector A Rajanainar, upon receiving a tip-off, investigated the site and found a truck loaded with medical waste, bakery items, and plastic. The suspects threatened the inspectors, but they were apprehended with the help of the public. The truck, linked to APV Traders in Kottayam, Kerala, was seized. In a related incident, Alangulam police previously arrested a truck driver from Thiruvananthapuram for transporting medical and electronic waste from Kerala to Tamil Nadu and arrested a local resident for attempting to dump the waste.

In November 2023, NTK functionaries in Kanyakumari district seized another vehicle carrying waste from Kerala.

In November 2023, a petition was filed after a truck carrying medical waste was released by a lower court, affecting the investigation. The High Court canceled the lower court’s order, supporting the government’s stance. Tamil Nadu informed that legal advice was sought to take action against those involved under the Gangster Detention Act. The court acknowledged the government’s efforts and suggested a legal amendment to tackle medical waste dumping more effectively.

In December 2023, Puliyarai police in Tenkasi district intercepted a vehicle transporting meat waste from Kerala to Tamil Nadu at a check post and promptly sent it back.

Illegal Waste Dumping In Karnataka

If you thought, it was only Tamil Nadu that was bearing the brunt of Kerala’s illegal dumping, there’s news. Around 2018, Kerala started illegally dumping medical and other wastes in border towns of Karnataka too. Here are a few recorded instances of illegal dumping by Kerala.

In 2018, five individuals, including three from Kerala, were arrested for illegally dumping meat waste in Vittal, Karnataka. They reportedly charged slaughterhouses in Kerala to dispose of waste in Karnataka, bypassing Kerala’s strict regulations and fines. The public caught the violators red-handed with a truckload of waste, prompting police action. A goods tempo and a car used for transport were seized. The accused face charges under IPC Sections 269, 270, 277, and 278 for endangering public health and the environment. Sources indicated that lorry owners were paid up to ₹400 per sack, with medium lorries transporting 200-300 sacks per trip.

In 2020, two individuals were arrested for attempting to dump 15 sacks of plastic waste in Kodagu’s reserve forest area. Past reports indicated medical waste was dumped in Kodagu forests by vehicles from Kerala.

Six trucks carrying biomedical and plastic waste were intercepted at the Bandipur Moolehole checkpost. The waste included toxic materials and animal carcasses.

Nanjangud police caught two individuals from Malappuram dumping biomedical waste on the outskirts of the town. Vacant lands in Nanjangud’s industrial area were used as dumping sites by trucks from Kerala.

On 30 January 2023, two individuals were arrested for attempting to dump 15 sacks of plastic waste in a reserve forest near the Makutta checkpost on the Kerala-Karnataka border. The waste, transported in a truck from Kerala, was intercepted by alert forest rangers. The driver and cleaner, both natives of Andhra Pradesh, were booked under the Wildlife Protection Act and remanded to judicial custody.

Over the years, trucks from Kerala have been illegally transporting and dumping solid waste, including biomedical, animal, and plastic waste, in Karnataka, causing environmental and health concerns. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) raised the issue with its Kerala counterpart, but violations persist. Notable incidents include the seizure of six trucks near the Mulehole check post in Gundlupet, Chamarajanagar, based on a tip-off, leading to FIRs against seven individuals.

Activists and officials warn that unchecked waste dumping threatens wildlife in Bandipur-Nagarahole and BRT tiger reserves and pollutes border areas. Despite earlier efforts to alert local authorities and forest directors, the trucks continued to cross from Kerala’s Wayanad region without proper checks.

In May 2024, CCTV cameras installed by Manjanady gram panchayat captured a Kerala-registered car (KL 14 AB 3823) dumping garbage on vacant land near Batyadka, Karnataka, on the day of installation. The area, located near the Kerala-Karnataka border, has raised suspicions that the waste is transported from Kerala. Local residents had previously complained about foul smells from garbage dumped near their homes, prompting the installation of cameras. The footage shows the offenders stopping their cars, dumping the waste, and speeding off. In response, the Panchayat Development Officer filed a complaint with Konaje police to address the illegal dumping and its environmental impact.

Kerala’s biomedical waste management crisis has reached a critical point of irresponsibility. With just one operational biomedical waste treatment plant in Palakkad and chronic delays in establishing another in Brahmapuram, the state has repeatedly demonstrated a callous disregard for proper waste management. These are not mere administrative challenges, but deliberate negligence that comes at a devastating cost to neighboring Tamil Nadu’s environment and public health.

Bureaucratic inefficiencies or infrastructural limitations cannot excuse the recurring pattern of illegal waste dumping. Each truckload of medical waste, each discarded syringe, and each contaminated water source represents a direct assault on the ecological and health safety of border communities. Will Kerala continue to hide behind bureaucratic ineptitude while systematically exporting its waste management failures to neighbouring states?

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