10 Oct | UPSC Current Affairs: CCPA, Humsafar Policy, Rice Fortification, Trachoma, Unified Genomic Chip, and More

UPSC GS 2

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)

• News:   Ola Electric, a prominent electric two-wheeler manufacturer, recently received a show-cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
• About Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):
  • • The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was notified on August 9, 2019, and became effective from July 20, 2020, replacing the earlier Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
    • The CCPA was established in July 2020 under the provisions of this new Act.
    • Its primary objective is to safeguard consumer rights by addressing unfair trade practices and combating false or misleading advertisements that could harm public and consumer interests.

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• Nodal Ministry:
  • • The CCPA operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
• Powers and Functions of CCPA:
  • • Protect and promote consumer rights as a class, while preventing their violation under the Act.
    • Prevent unfair trade practices and ensure no individual engages in such practices.
    • Regulate advertisements, ensuring that no false or misleading advertisements are made about any goods or services in violation of the Act or associated regulations.
    • Monitor advertisements to ensure that no individual participates in the publication of deceptive or false advertisements.
• Composition of CCPA:
  • • The authority is headed by a Chief Commissioner, along with two other commissioners:
    • One commissioner deals with matters related to goods.
    • The other commissioner handles issues concerning services.
• Powers of the CCPA:
  • • The CCPA has broad authority to intervene and prevent consumer harm arising from unfair trade practices.
    • It can initiate class action suits and enforce measures like product recalls, refunds, and returns.
    • The CCPA has an investigation wing, led by a director-general, responsible for investigating consumer law violations.
    • The authority can take suo-moto actions, including recalling defective products, ordering reimbursement for goods or services, revoking licenses, and filing class action suits if a consumer issue affects multiple individuals.
    • The CCPA can order the discontinuation of unfair practices that negatively affect consumer interests and impose penalties for false or misleading advertisements.

Humsafar Policy

• News:  Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched the ‘Humsafar Policy’ to provide essential facilities like clean toilets and baby care rooms along the country’s national highways network.
• Overview of the Humsafar Policy: 
  • • Alignment with Ministry Goals: The Humsafar Policy supports the Ministry’s objective to upgrade national highways to meet international standards.
    • Purpose: This policy is designed to enhance the infrastructure of India’s national highways, emphasizing comfort, convenience, and inclusivity for all travelers.
    • Objective: It aims to improve the travel experience by providing essential services and making highways more user-friendly.
• Key Features of the Humsafar Policy: 
  • • Sanitation Facilities: Clean and well-maintained toilets will be installed at regular intervals along highways for travelers.
    • Family-Friendly Amenities: Dedicated baby care rooms, equipped with changing tables, will be available for families traveling with young children.
    • Accessibility: Wheelchair provisions will be implemented to ensure access for differently abled travelers.
    • Support for Electric Vehicles (EVs): EV charging stations will be installed along highways to encourage eco-friendly transportation.
    • Parking and Fuel Stations: Adequate parking facilities will be established at fuel stations and rest stops to manage traffic flow, along with an increased number of fuel stations for easier access to petrol, diesel, and essential services.
    • Food and Refreshment Options: Restaurants and food courts will be set up at regular intervals, providing quality meals and refreshments.
    • Short-Term Accommodation: Dormitories will be available at fuel stations for truck drivers and travelers to rest during long journeys.
• Benefits of the Humsafar Policy
  • • Boost to Local Economies: The policy will create new business opportunities and jobs at petrol pumps, restaurants, and rest stops along the highways.
    • Safety Focus: Clean toilets, designated parking spaces, and rest areas will encourage drivers to take breaks, reducing fatigue and the risk of accidents.
    • Sustainability and Future-Readiness: By supporting the transition to electric vehicles through charging infrastructure, the policy ensures that highways meet modern travel needs.

UPSC GS 3

Rice Fortification

• News: The Union Cabinet has extended the universal supply of fortified rice in all central government schemes providing free food grain under the National Food Security Act, 2021, in its present form, until December 2028. 
• Rice Fortification:
  • • Rice fortification is the process of deliberately increasing essential micronutrients in rice to enhance its nutritional value, thereby contributing to public health with minimal risk.
    • Fortification is done to improve the nutrient content in foods and is particularly aimed at addressing widespread malnutrition.
    • Fortified rice is packed in jute bags with the logo (‘+F’) and the line “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12”. 
• How Rice is Fortified:
  • • Several methods like dusting, coating, and extrusion are used to fortify rice with micronutrients.
    • Extrusion technology, which is most suitable for India, involves producing fortified rice kernels (FRKs) by mixing dry rice flour with a premix of micronutrients and water. 
    • This mixture is then processed in a twin-screw extruder with heating zones.
    • The extruded fortified rice kernels are made to resemble regular rice in shape and size.
    • These kernels are dried, cooled, and packaged, with a shelf life of at least 12 months.
    • To produce fortified rice, 10 g of FRK is blended with 1 kg of regular rice.
    • Rice may also be fortified with zinc (10 mg-15 mg), vitamin A (500-750 microgram RE), vitamin B-1 (1 mg-1.5 mg), vitamin B-2 (1.25 mg-1.75 mg), vitamin B-3 (12.5 mg-20 mg) and vitamin B-6 (1.5 mg-2.5 mg) per kg. 
• Nutrient Content of Fortified Rice: FSSAI norms specify that 1 kg of fortified rice must contain:
  • • Iron: 28 mg-42.5 mg
    • Folic acid: 75-125 micrograms
    • Vitamin B-12: 0.75-1.25 micrograms
    • Additional nutrients like zinc (10 mg-15 mg), vitamin A (500-750 micrograms RE), vitamin B-1 (1 mg-1.5 mg), vitamin B-2 (1.25 mg-1.75 mg), vitamin B-3 (12.5 mg-20 mg), and vitamin B-6 (1.5 mg-2.5 mg) can also be included per kilogram of fortified rice.
• Why Rice Fortification is Needed:
  • • India faces a high prevalence of malnutrition, especially among women and children.
    •  One in every two women in India is anaemic, while one in three children suffers from stunting.
    • According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021, anaemia continues to affect people of all ages, genders, and income groups across the country.
    • Besides iron deficiency, deficiencies in other vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B12 and folic acid are also common, affecting overall health and productivity.
    • Fortifying food, particularly rice, which is a staple for around two-thirds of the Indian population, is an effective strategy to combat these nutritional deficiencies.

Trachoma

• News:   India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed.
• Trachoma Overview:
  • • Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eyes caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
    • It is a contagious disease, spreading through contact with infected individuals’ eyes, eyelids, or secretions from the nose or throat.
    • If left untreated, trachoma can lead to irreversible blindness.
    • The disease primarily affects communities living in poor environmental conditions.
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease.
    • WHO estimates that 150 million people globally are affected by trachoma, with around 6 million either blind or at risk of severe visual impairment.
• Transmission of Trachoma:
  • • Trachoma spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s eyes, eyelids, or nasal/throat secretions.
    • It is particularly prevalent in areas with inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, and limited access to clean water.
• Government of India Initiatives:
  • • The National Trachoma Control Program was launched in India in 1963.
    • Trachoma control efforts were later incorporated into India’s National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
    • Due to these initiatives, in 2017, India was declared free from infective trachoma.
    • Ongoing surveillance for trachoma cases has been in place in all districts of India from 2019 and will continue until 2024.
    • The National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT only) Survey was conducted in 200 endemic districts between 2021 and 2024 under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) as part of WHO’s mandate to declare trachoma elimination as a public health problem in India.
• WHO’s SAFE Strategy for Trachoma Elimination: To combat trachoma, WHO promotes the SAFE strategy, which involves:
  • • Surgery to correct trachomatous trichiasis (blinding stage).
    • Antibiotics, particularly azithromycin, to treat the infection.
    • Facial cleanliness to reduce transmission.
    • Environmental improvements, such as better access to water and sanitation facilities, to prevent the disease.
• Countries that Have Eliminated Trachoma:
  • • Seventeen other countries have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, including:
    • Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Togo, and Vanuatu.

Unified Genomic Chip

• News:   PM Modi has launched the ‘Unified Genomic Chip’ – aimed at helping farmers identify high-quality cattle early and enhance dairy farming efficiency in India. 
• Overview: The Unified Genomic Chip is designed to advance livestock breeding in India, with a focus on improving both cattle and buffalo breeds.
• Purpose: Its main goal is to assist farmers in identifying superior-quality cattle early, thereby enhancing the efficiency of dairy farming in India.
• Chip Versions:
  • • The chip is available in two distinct versions: the ‘Gau Chip’ for cattle and the ‘Mahish Chip’ for buffalo.
    • Both versions are customized to suit the unique genetic traits of Indian cattle breeds.
• Developer: This chip was created by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
• Farmer Benefits:
  • • Enables farmers to make more informed choices in selecting animals by detecting superior bulls early in their life.
    • Aims to boost livestock quality and enhance dairy productivity, leading to greater economic benefits for farmers.
• ‘Make in India’ Alignment: This initiative promotes the ‘Make in India’ campaign by focusing on indigenous technological innovations for livestock improvement.
• Impact on Dairy Farming: The introduction of this genomic chip is expected to significantly improve the quality and productivity of India’s dairy sector, contributing positively to the agricultural economy.

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Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary

• News:   The Bihar government announced that the Centre has given its nod for a tiger reserve at the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Location: Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in Bihar, situated in the Kaimur District.
• Geography: The sanctuary is nestled within the Vindhyachal hill ranges.
• Rivers: It serves as a critical catchment area for the Kav, Sone, and Durgawati river systems, along with their important tributaries.
• Connectivity: The sanctuary is linked to the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, which is further connected to the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and Panna landscape in Madhya Pradesh. These connections are facilitated through stepping stone forests located in Marihan, Sukrit, and Chunar ranges, as well as the wildlife sanctuaries of Ranipur (UP).
• Vegetation: The area is characterized by a mix of mosaic prairies, tropical dry deciduous forests, and swampy regions.
• Fauna: 
• Key wildlife species include Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Indian boars, sloth bears, sambar deer, chitals, four-horned antelope, and nilgai.
• Flora: 
• Plant species found in the sanctuary include Salai (Boswellia serrata), Siddha, Indian Rosewood (Sheesham), Jamun, Teak, Koraiya, Sal, and Jheengar.