The Times of India

Despite instructions from the government to stop the sale of seatbelt blocker clips, these are still easy to purchase across the country. (Seatbelt blocker clips stop the car's alarm system from going off when the seatbelt is not engaged.) Interestingly, even these clips are made to fit only the front seats, because rear passenger seats are not fitted with an alarm system at all. It is no surprise then that CAG's study on seatbelt use found zero compliance among rear seat passengers. 

Vishnu Rao, CAG, speaking on the proposed TANGEDCO scheme to incentivise middle income households to give up their subsidy explains that the scheme should instead target the creamy layer of consumers. If these users can be encouraged to openly declare that they have given up their subsidy, it could inspire similar change from their followers. The scheme is yet to be approved by the TNERC.

CAG's regional meeting on 'Non-communicable diseases and the need for warning labels on the front of processed food products' brought together different stakeholders to discuss the urgent action needed to help consumers make informed food choices. 

Are you turning off devices (like the AC) with the remote and not at the wall? CAG's report found that this results in electricity still being discharged. TANGEDCO officials also confirm that the 'load that these devices have on the transformer cannot be ruled out'. Remember to always switch off appliances at the wall.

While Tamil Nadu topped the food safety index announced by the  Union Health Ministry earlier this month, this article reminds us that re-using cooking oil is highly prevalent among street food vendors (as found by a CAG study). This is a practice with significant implications on public health.

A survey by TOI on the efficacy of the single-use ban in Tamil Nadu throws up findings similar to what CAG found in its 2021 study - the use of plastics among vendors remains prevalent. Vamsi Shankar, CAG points out that for the ban to be effective, enforcement must be at the level of plastic bag manufacturing and a viable ecosystem of alternatives should be created. For as long as plastic bags are cheaply available, they will remain the street vendor's packaging of choice.

What will it take to transform Chennai's Public Transport scene? Amongst other targets, we need a commitment to re-imagine our woefully inadequate pedestrian spaces documented by CAG in this article in the Journal of Road Safety.

Saroja.S, CAG makes a case for why health star ratings (HSR) will not help stem the rise in non-communicable diseases in our country. Front of pack warning labels, on the other hand, is a better system for India - and those countries that have already employed this are seeing the benefits of it.

As it comes to light that Chennai corporation owes TANGEDCO Rs. 175 crores in unpaid electricity bills, Vishnu Rao, CAG recommends that the Chennai Corporation move to sustainable energy options such as solar lights.

As frequent power outages in Tamil Nadu leave residents irritated, the long term solution to this would be to reduce our dependence on coal and increase our energy independence and security. As Vishnu Mohan Rao, CAG says, solar panels are the best way forward.