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When an offence is committed by a government department, the head or heads of that department will be held responsible for that particular offence and legal proceedings can be initiated against them.  In addition to this, if it is proven that the offence was committed with the consent, involvement, or neglect of any officer ofRead more

Air pollution is associated with many sectors, which include power, transport, industry, residential, construction, and agriculture. Sources of Air Pollution Burning of fossil fuels and emissions The majority of air pollution comes from use of energy like the burning of fossil fuels which releases toxic gases and chemicals into the air.1 The two most commonRead more

Police Anyone can file a complaint at the nearest police station and can even register an FIR (First Information Report) for public nuisance1 against the establishment, industry or person responsible for air pollution.  Central and State Pollution Control Boards The Central Pollution Control Board is a body constituted under the law to prevent and controlRead more

CrimeLawPunishmentCausing air pollution beyond air quality limitsThe law bans industries from releasing any air pollutants more than the limits the State Pollution Control Board has laid down.1 Act, 1981.)) If they do, the person in-charge of the establishment has to immediately notify the State Pollution Control Board2 Act, 1981.)) and they have to pay forRead more

The Central Pollution Control Board established the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) to track air quality across 29 states and 6 union territories. The aim of NAMP is to:1 Determine the status and trends of ambient air quality.Determine whether the prescribed ambient air quality standards are being violated.Identify cities that do not meet theRead more

The Central Pollution Control Board1 Act, 1981.)) and the State Pollution Control Boards2 Act, 1981.)) have been set up under the law to monitor air pollution in India. They have the following powers and functions: Advise the Central and State governments on all matters relating to the prevention, control and reduction of air pollution.  Planning andRead more

Air pollution is the presence of dust, fumes, gas, mist, odor, smoke or vapour, in the atmosphere, in quantities that can cause injury to human, plant or animal life or harm the environment.1 Air pollution is caused by air pollutants like:2 Solid Air Pollutant. For example, burning of solid fuels such as firewood, crop residue,Read more

Noise pollution is largely a by-product of industrialisation, urbanisation and modern civilisation. Noise pollution has two sources1 i.e. industrial and non-industrial. The industrial source includes the noise from various industries and big machines working at a very high speed and high noise intensity. Non-industrial source of noise includes the noise created by transport/vehicular traffic andRead more

Noise can disturb our work, rest, sleep, and communication. It can damage our hearing and evoke other psychological, and possibly pathological reactions. Given below are some of the adverse health effects of noise pollution:1 Hearing Loss Hearing loss can be either temporary or permanent. Noise-induced temporary threshold shift (NITTS) is a temporary loss of hearingRead more

Loudspeakers and public address systems are a common source of noise pollution in India. To play loudspeakers, public address systems, amplifiers or other equipments you need written permission from local authorities. 1 The police and local government authorities will seize and confiscate such equipment if it causes noise. 2 The noise level where loudspeaker orRead more

Vehicles are a common source of noise pollution in India. You can be fined1 if you misuse your vehicle horn by sounding the horn: In a silent zone2 Needlessly or continuously in a manner which is more than necessary to ensure your or others’ safety During night time (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in residentialRead more

If any noise is being made which causes you annoyance, discomfort or any injury, then you can file a complaint with the authorities given below. You can also complain if you know that the noise1 level has exceeded the noise standards by 10 dB(A) in any area or there is noise pollution that happens atRead more

Causing noise pollution is a punishable offence under the law. The punishment is: Causing Public Nuisance Creating noise is considered to be a public nuisance when you cause any injury, danger or annoyance to the public. 1 For example, if your neighbour plays a sound system at midnight very loudly, then this is a publicRead more

Every State Government categorizes areas into the following zones, to which specific zone-wise noise standards/limits apply: Industrial Commercial Residential Silence areas/zones Development authorities, local bodies and other authorities while planning a developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town/country planning have the responsibility to avoid noise menace and maintain noise standards/limits.1 For example, theRead more

An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts are known as silence areas or silence zones.1 In a silent zone you cannot2: Use a public address system Play any music Raise any sound amplifiers Beat a drum or tom-tom Blow a musical or pressure horn, or trumpet or PlayRead more

Noise is common in everyday life, but when it goes above a certain limit, it is considered to be pollution1 as well as a public nuisance1. Noise at such levels may be injurious to human beings, living creatures, plants, property and the environment2 The law known as the Noise Pollution (Regulation And Control) Rules, 2000Read more

There is a ban on loudspeakers during the silence period – 48 hours prior to the date of polling. It cannot be fitted on any vehicles, buildings, etc., and if anyone does this, it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). After the 48 hours are over, proper permissions from the DistrictRead more

There is a ban on  liquor 48 hours before elections. 1 The day(s) on which a constituency observes a silent period is a dry day. The law requires all liquor shops to be closed 48 hours before the date of polling to prevent consumption, distribution of alcohol and bribing of voters. States are responsible forRead more

Conducting conferences and interviews 48 hours before elections is forbidden. During the 48 hours before polling, candidates and political parties should not address the media on election matters by press conferences and interviews. 1  Section 126(1)(b),The Representation Of The People Act, 1951 (RPA).[↩]Read more

Advertisements or sponsored programmes or reports which support or criticize a candidate with an intention to influence the election cannot be broadcasted on the television or the radio. If general events relating to a political party are broadcasted which does not influence the public in any manner then it can be broadcasted via TV or the radio.Read more

The law prohibits any public meetings which discuss elections through1: Musical concertsTheatrical performancesProcessionsOther forms of entertainment No person can convene or hold, attend or join or address any public meetings which are in connection with elections 48 hours before the date of polling. For example: A candidate cannot gather a group of people and advocateRead more

In the period of 48 hours (2 days) before voting day, all election related campaigning stops – it is called the silence period. This applies to both State and General (for example, Lok Sabha) elections.  No one – citizens, journalists, candidates, election agents, movie actors, theatre artists, etc. –  is allowed to do election related campaigning.Read more