RGNUL launches Research Outcome Dissemination Series (RODS)

Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy Law (CASEL) in collaboration with Centre for Environmental Legal Studies (CELS) organized lecture on "The Prismatic Gap between Judgement and Implementation: An Assessment of SC Verdict on Environment Degradation" under the new initiative RGNUL-Research Outcome Dissemination Series (RODS). The speaker for the maiden lecture in the series was Mr. Debadityo Sinha, a Yale-trained environmentalist in tropical forests and a Senior Resident Fellow, at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy. Notably, Vidhi has been instrumental in the drafting of various legislations and bills like the Aadhaar prominent Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services Act, 2016, Personal Data ProtectionBill, 2019, The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 or Nuclear Liability Act. Mr. Debadityo highlighted the plight of thousands of people who have been affected by pollution caused by the Pharma industries. He focused on the Patancheru-Bollaram industrial cluster comprising of pharmaceutical entities and drug companies. "The residents of Patancheru and Bollaram have been complaining of air and water pollution leading to serious health issues and deformities among locals. Many studies and reports based on data obtained from the Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) have also categorized the areas as critically polluted. Over the years, the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have passed countless directions to restore the environment in this region and to make polluters pay for the damages. Despite these interventions, pollution levels remain unabated," he said. Through a documentary on the tormented lives of many farmers and locals who left their homes and lands to escape the pollution and health hazards, he sensitized the audience. Mr. Debadityo also shared the research output and implementation process at Vidhi and plans for future. He told that Vidhi was planning on to disseminate research through a series of documentaries. 70 delegates from different institutes attended the online lecture.

Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab organized the second lecture in the Research Outcome Dissemination Series (RODS). Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Raghavan, Head, Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai Campus deliberated on Rapid Needs Assessment Survey of Criminal Justice Affected Persons and their Families During COVID Crisis carried out by Prayas, a Field Action Project of the centre. He said that Prayas initially provided financial aid of Rs. 1000-2000/-, dry rations, masks, sanitary kits and other items in response to the Supreme Court's orders in the case of suo motu writ petition titled Contagion of COVID-19 in Prisons to release suitable prisoners so as to prevent the spread of the virus in prisons. Besides the released prisoners, families of the prisoners, children in conflict with law, women in shelter homes, women rescued from commercial sexual exploitation and their families were supported. The study included employment trend before the lockdown, the lack of a safety and welfare projects for informal workforce."Crowded housing, the usage of public/community toilets and a lack of sanitary facilities made adherence to COVID-19 protocol impossible," said Dr.Raghavan. The study revealed not only gender divide but also cases of domestic abuse, harassment and family conflict," he added. Other concerns studied wereinaccessibility to digital sources, gaps in implementation of government schemes and psychiatric diseases.Dr. Raghavan pointed out thatthe criminal justice system mechanism must consider post-release requirements of prisoners.He also spoke about legal issues like delay in dispensation of cases, suspension of jail visits (mulakat), inability to pay fees charged by advocates.