Quotes:
"Environment Minister ‘Thoppu’ ND Venkatachalam on Monday said air quality in Chennai is better than other Indian cities as the pollution level is only 75 points compared to 140 in Bengaluru and 255 in Hyderabad."
"In order to monitor air quality on a continuous basis, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had established three continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, he (Venkatachamal) said."
Main Argument:
The air quality in Chennai, according to Environmental Minister Venkatachalam, is far superior to other cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Venkatachalam supported this claim by saying that there has been an increase in monitoring and action on the State government's part, and also due to the natural sea and land breezes due to their coastal location.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is the main operative in creating air quality monitoring systems. The TNPCB helped to set up the Care Air Centre, a real-time monitoring system for the Manali Industrial Area (includes 315 industries). Both air and water quality surrounding the factories is monitored; the government is also monitoring certain bodies of water. Noise pollution monitors had been set up around the city of Chennai.
The government had subsidized "mobile environment monitoring centres." In Tamil Nadu, the TNPCB and State Government gave permission to twelve companies to handle all types of e-waste. Also, the government has handed out interest-free loans to improve wastewater treatment plants (including sewage and factory discharge, such as dyes).
Actors Involved:
Thiru Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam- Venkatachalam is the Minister for the Environment for the Southeast-India state of Tamil Nadu. The article is based off his commentary of Chennai's air quality.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board- The TNPCB was the foremost organization involved in pollution monitoring in Chennai.
Causation and Responsibility:
By assigning the Care Air Centre to monitor it, the TNPCB was acknowledging the industrial sector of the city's affect on air quality. They have also acknowledged wastewater treatment plants as necessary infrastructure for clean water.
The Environmental Minister seems to believe that the state government has taken full responsibility and that that is enough, and that the government will tell companies if they are ever in the wrong. There is little direct responsibility given to those companies, and none suggested to the general population.
Health Disparities/ Equity Issues:
No equity issues were directly addressed. (Its easier for them that way.)
"Chennai Not Polluted Like Other South Metros: Minister." The New Indian Express. September 15, 2015. Accessed October 25, 2015.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Chennai-Not-Polluted-Like-Other-South-Metros-Minister/2015/09/29/article3052605.ece
Quotes:
"Environment Minister ‘Thoppu’ ND Venkatachalam on Monday said air quality in Chennai is better than other Indian cities as the pollution level is only 75 points compared to 140 in Bengaluru and 255 in Hyderabad."
"In order to monitor air quality on a continuous basis, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had established three continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations, he (Venkatachamal) said."
Main Argument:
The air quality in Chennai, according to Environmental Minister Venkatachalam, is far superior to other cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Venkatachalam supported this claim by saying that there has been an increase in monitoring and action on the State government's part, and also due to the natural sea and land breezes due to their coastal location.
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) is the main operative in creating air quality monitoring systems. The TNPCB helped to set up the Care Air Centre, a real-time monitoring system for the Manali Industrial Area (includes 315 industries). Both air and water quality surrounding the factories is monitored; the government is also monitoring certain bodies of water. Noise pollution monitors had been set up around the city of Chennai.
The government had subsidized "mobile environment monitoring centres." In Tamil Nadu, the TNPCB and State Government gave permission to twelve companies to handle all types of e-waste. Also, the government has handed out interest-free loans to improve wastewater treatment plants (including sewage and factory discharge, such as dyes).
Actors Involved:
Thiru Thoppu N.D. Venkatachalam- Venkatachalam is the Minister for the Environment for the Southeast-India state of Tamil Nadu. The article is based off his commentary of Chennai's air quality.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board- The TNPCB was the foremost organization involved in pollution monitoring in Chennai.
Causation and Responsibility:
By assigning the Care Air Centre to monitor it, the TNPCB was acknowledging the industrial sector of the city's affect on air quality. They have also acknowledged wastewater treatment plants as necessary infrastructure for clean water.
The Environmental Minister seems to believe that the state government has taken full responsibility and that that is enough, and that the government will tell companies if they are ever in the wrong. There is little direct responsibility given to those companies, and none suggested to the general population.
Health Disparities/ Equity Issues:
No equity issues were directly addressed. (Its easier for them that way.)
Follow Up:
Care Air Centre-
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/care-air-centre-set-up-to-monitor-emissions-online/article477804.ece