PIB Analysis - 21st July 2020

By Paras Chitkara|Updated : July 23rd, 2020

PIB Analysis 21st July 2020

Zoram Mega Food Park in Mizoram

Context

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries inaugurated the Zoram Mega Food Park Ltd at Kolasib in Mizoram through a virtual conference. 

Details

  • The Food Park is located near National Highway 54 
  • It will help in overcoming the transportation constraints and will soon become a major milestone for the storage and processing of high variety of foods, spices, fruits and vegetables grown in the region.
  • It is spread over 55 acres and is expected to benefit more than 25,000 farmers.
  • It is also expected to provide employment opportunities to over 5,000 people in the region.
  • This is the first Mega Food Park in the state of Mizoram.
  • The North-East region has the potential to become the Organic Destination of the world due to its rich agricultural and horticultural produce. 

About Mega Food Parks

  • The scheme was launched in 2008 and under this, the government provides financial assistance (up to Rs. 50 crores per food park) to set up modern infrastructure facilities for food processing.
  • The Scheme of Mega Food Park aims at providing a mechanism to link agricultural production to the market by bringing together farmers, processors and retailers.
  • It ensures maximizing value addition, minimizing wastage, increasing farmers income and creating employment opportunities particularly in the rural sector. 
  • The Mega Food Park Scheme is based on the “Cluster” approach and envisages creation of state of art support infrastructure for setting up of modern food processing units with well-established supply chains.
  • In the last six years, 37 Mega Food Parks have been approved and 18 of them are already in operation.


Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639896

 

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Manodarpan- an initiative of HRD Ministry

Context

The Union HRD Minister launched Manodarpan,an initiative to provide psychosocial support to students for their Mental Health and Well-being.

Background 

  • The present pandemic situation has taken a huge sudden toll in the lifestyle of children.
  • With schools closed and public movement restricted, they are confined within the four walls of their homes leading to huge psychological stress.
  • For many children it has been very challenging to adapt to new methods of instruction(online) and maintain concentration and attention.

Details

  • MANODARPAN – will cover a wide range of activities to provide Psychosocial Support to students for their Mental Health & Well-being during the COVID outbreak and beyond.
  • It has been included in the ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ABHIYAN, as a part of strengthening human capital and increasing productivity and efficient reform and initiatives for the Education sector.
  • The initiative will help in keeping a healthy lifestyle and lead a stress free life.

Source:

 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1640013

 

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India’s first of its kind public EV Charging Plaza 

Context

India’s first public EV (Electric Vehicle) charging plaza was inaugurated at Chelmsford Club in New Delhi.

Background

  • EESL is spearheading the EV ecosystem development in India by undertaking demand aggregation for procuring EVs and identifying innovative business models for implementation of Public Charging Station (PCS).  

Details

  • EESL in collaboration with NDMC has established India’s first of its kind public EV Charging Plaza in Central Delhi.
  • It focuses on enhancing energy efficiency and promoting e-mobility.
  • This plaza will host 5 Electric Vehicle Chargers of different specifications therefore ensuring  its compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles
  • The charging plaza, with its compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles will greatly spur e-mobility adoption. 
  • This would make EV charging hassle free and convenient for the consumers, thereby making e-mobility adoption an attractive proposition.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639976 

 

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RAISE Initiative

The Union Power Minister launched  “Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency” (RAISE) national program.  

Background

  • Poor air quality has been a concern in India for quite some time and has become more important in light of the COVID pandemic. 
  • As people return to their offices and public spaces, maintaining good indoor air quality is essential for occupant comfort, well-being, productivity and the overall public health. 
  • As a pilot project EESL has undertaken a retrofitting of its office air-conditioning and ventilation system. 

Details

  • Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor air quality for Safety and Efficiency” is developed for healthy and energy efficient buildings, in partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) MAITREE program
  • It can potentially alleviate the issue of bad air quality in workspaces across the nation and pioneer ways to make them healthier and greener.
  • The pilot focused on improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, and energy efficiency (EE) in EESL office’s air conditioning system.
  • As per EESL, the pilot project has shown very impressive results – about 80% improvement in Air Quality parameters with almost no implementation hassles. 

Both RAISE Initiative and EV Charging Plaza reaffirms the pledge for ecological preservation and building a resilient energy sector, undertaken by EESL and other key stakeholders during the “#iCommit” campaign held on World Environment Day. 

Energy Efficiency Services Limited ( EESL )

  • It is an energy service company of the Government of India and is the world's largest public ESCO
  • It is 100% government-owned, a joint venture of state-owned NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, REC Limited and POWERGRID.

The ‘#iCommit’ initiative

  • Launched on World Environment Day
  • It is a clarion call to all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability to create a robust and resilient energy system in the future.
  • iCommit initiative is centered around the idea of building an energy resilient future.
  • Driven by EESL, it is uniting a diverse set of players such as Governments, Corporate, Multilateral and Bilateral Organizations, Think Tanks and Individuals.

 

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639976

 

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DekhoApna Desh Series

Context

The Ministry of Tourism organised a Webinar titled, “The Mystical Triangle- Maheshwar, Mandu & Omkareshwar” under Dekho Apna Desh Series 

Details

  • Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is an effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and it is continuously spreading the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat through virtual platforms. 
  • The Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is presented with support of National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).

Highlights

  • The webinar showcased the richness of the destinations covered under the mystical triangle and acquainted the viewers with the serene, captivating getaways in the State of Madhya Pradesh namely Maheshwar, Mandu & Omkareshwar.
  • Maheshwar
    • The Town lies on the north bank of the Narmada River. It was the capital of the Malwa during the Maratha Holkar. 
    • The city got its name after Lord Shiva/ Maheshwara, it also finds a mention in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharatha. 
  • Mandu
    • Located in Dhar district of State of Madhya Pradesh, it is also known by the name of Mandavgarh, Shadiabad (City of Joy).
    • It is about 98km away from Indore and at an elevation of 633 meters. 
    • Mandu is mainly known for the love story of Sultan Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati.
    • Baz Bahadur's Palace built in the 16th-century is famous for its large courtyards encompassed by large halls and high terraces. 
  • Omkareshwar 
    • It is a spiritual town in Madhya Pradesh, 78kms away from Indore.
    • Omkareshwar has 33 deities and 108 impressive shivling in divine form and this is the only Jyotirlinga which is situated on the north bank of Narmada. 

Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat 

  • The initiative ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ was announced by Hon'ble Prime Minister on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Through this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different states & UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the states, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India.
  • The broad objectives of the initiative are as follows: 

i. To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our Country

ii. To PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States

iii. To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity

iv. TO ESTABLISH long-term engagements and

v. TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences.

 

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639884 

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Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Context

The Consumer Protection Act,2019 came into force on 20th July 2020. 

Highlights

  • This new Act will empower consumers and help them in protecting their rights through its various notified Rules and provisions like Consumer Protection Councils, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions, Mediation, Product Liability and punishment for manufacture or sale of products containing adulterant / spurious goods.

Provisions

  • Establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers.  
    • The CCPA will be empowered to conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights and institute complaints / prosecution, order recall of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuance of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. 
    • It can impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements. 
  • For E-Commerce Platforms 
    • The rules for prevention of unfair trade practice by e-commerce platforms will also be covered under this Act.
    • Under the act every e-commerce entity is required to provide information relating to return, refund, exchange, warranty and guarantee, delivery and shipment, etc. including country of origin which are necessary for enabling the consumer to make an informed decision at the pre-purchase stage on its platform. 
    • e-commerce platforms have to acknowledge the receipt of any consumer complaint within forty-eight hours and redress the complaint within one month from the date of receipt under this Act.  
  • Consumer Dispute Adjudication Process 
    • The Act provides for simplifying the consumer dispute adjudication process in the consumer commissions
    • It includes,empowerment of the State and District Commissions to review their own orders, enabling a consumer to file complaints electronically and file complaints in consumer Commissions that have jurisdiction over the place of his residence.
    • Videoconferencing for hearing and deemed admissibility of complaints if the question of admissibility is not decided within the specified period of 21 days.
    • Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanism of Mediation has been provided in the new Act.  
    • This will simplify the adjudication process.  
  • Penalties and Liabilities 
    • The Act provides for punishment by a competent court for manufacture or sale of adulterant/spurious goods. 
    • The court may, in case of first conviction, suspend any licence issued to the person for a period of up to two years, and in case of second or subsequent conviction, cancel the licence.
    • The New Act introduces the concept of product liability and brings within its scope, the product manufacturer, product service provider and product seller, for any claim for compensation.
  • Central Consumer Protection Council Rules 
    • They are provided for constitution of the Central Consumer Protection Council, an advisory body on consumer issues, headed by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution with the Minister of State as Vice Chairperson and 34 other members from different fields. 
    • The Council, which has a three-year tenure, will have Minister-in-charge of consumer affairs from two States from each region- North, South, East, West, and NER. 
    • There is also provision for having working groups from amongst the members for specific tasks.

This Act will prove to be a significant tool in protecting consumer rights in the country. 

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1639925



MCQs based on PIB Analysis 

Q.1 Consider the following statements :

  1. Zoram Mega Food Park will be the first Mega Food Park in the North-East Region
  2. Tropic of Cancer passes through Mizoram

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 Only
  2. 2 Only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

 

Q.2 Manodarpan,an initiative to provide psychosocial support to students for their Mental Health and Well-being is launched by

  1. NITI Aayog
  2. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  3. Ministry of Human Resource Development
  4. Ministry of Women and Child Development

 

Q.3 With reference to Consumer Protection Act ,2019, consider the following statements :

  1. It provides for penalties for misleading advertisements
  2. E-commerce platforms are excluded from its ambit 

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?

  1. 1 Only
  2. 2 Only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

 

Q.4 Consider the following pairs

Famous place

River

Pandharpur

Chambal

Tiruchirappalli

Cauvery

Omakreshwar

Narmada

 

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

 

Mention your answers in the Comment section !

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