# Bhopal gas disaster

• The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the centre’s plea filed in 2010 seeking an additional compensation of ₹7400 crore from union carbide corporation for the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy.
• It brought down the curtain on legal proceedings that continued for almost four decades.
• A five judge bench rejected the curative petition – the last resort in court proceedings – filed by the centre for compensation above the amount of $470 million (around ₹750 crore) paid by the US company in 1989 towards full and final settlement in the disaster that claimed 5295 lives.
• The centre had submitted in the argument that damages done to life and environment was not estimated properly in 1989 and more people died or suffered over the years, which must be taken into account, and more compensation should be given.

# pollution

• India was the world’s eighth most polluted country in 2022 with an annual average PM2. 5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre, according to fifth annual world air quality report 2022.
• In 2021, India was ranked the fifth most polluted country with an average PM 2.5 level of 58.1 micrograms per cubic metre.
• With an annual average PM 2.5 concentration of 92.6 micrograms per cubic metre, Delhi has been ranked the fourth most polluted city in the world after lahore in Pakistan, Hotan in China and Bhiwandi in Rajasthan.
• The annual safe limit prescribed by World Health Organization is 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

# Wheat production

• The government on Tuesday informed the Loksabha that the high temperatures in February would not adversely impact the standing wheat crops and the situation on the estimated production front is normal.
• Loksabha was also informed that canopy temperature can be easily modulated by 2-3 degree celsius less than air temperature by irrigation.
• The Scientists of ICAR have issued the advisory of giving light irrigation to modulate the crop canopy temperature favourably as and when required.

# WPI inflation

• The wholesale price based inflation declined to a nearly two year low of 3.9% in February on easing prices of manufactured items, fuel and power, even though food items remained expensive.
• This is the ninth straight month of decline in the rate of wholesale price index based inflation.
• WPI inflation was 4.7% in January and 13.4% in February last year.