Monthly Pib October 2019

pg. 51 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  It aims to sensitize the public about the significance Cotton Technical Assistance Programme of maintaining optimum oral health and equips them (TAP) with the tools and knowledge to do so, including awareness on the nearest oral health service facility.  TAP is an technical assistance programme to Cotton sector by the Department of Commerce of e-DantSeva contains information about the National India in 6 African countries, namely – Benin, Burkina Oral Health Program, detailed list of all the dental Faso, Chad, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda from 2012 facility and colleges, Information, Education and to 2018. Communication (IEC) material and a unique feature called the ‘Symptom Checker’.  The Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) covers the following broad areas: – The symptom checker provides information on symptoms of dental/oral health problems, ways to  Increasing cotton production (area expansion and prevent these, the treatment modes, and also directs productivity enhancement) the user to find their nearest available dental facility (public and private sectors both).  Improving Extension & Support Service Efficiency The website also provides GPRS  Enhancing R&D/ Quality Control route/images/satellite images of the facility for easier access to the general population.  Marketing/Distribution Infrastructure Context  Strengthening/development of cotton residue-based value addition industry  Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare launched the eDantseva website and mobile  Creating/Strengthening Downstream Industry in application, the first ever national digital platform on Textiles and Clothing oral health information and knowledge dissemination. India will be announcing the launch of the second World Cotton Day phase of the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (TAP) for Africa at the Partners Conference in  The first-ever World Cotton Day (WCD) was Geneva. hosted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva in 2019. In the five year long second phase, the programme will be scaled up in size and coverage and will be introduced in five additional countries, namely Mali, Ghana, Togo, Zambia and Tanzania.  The international day aims to celebrate the National e-Assessment Centre of advantages of cotton, ranging from its qualities as a Income Tax Department natural fibre to the benefits people obtain from its production, transformation, trade and consumption. Context:  World Cotton Day also aims to highlight the The National e-Assessment Centre (NeAC) of the challenges faced by the world’s cotton economies, as Income Tax Department is being inaugurated by the cotton is significant for the least developed, Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman in New developing and developed economies worldwide. Delhi. Context Details:  Textiles Minister Addresses WTO on World Cotton  The aim of the Income Tax (IT) Department in Day in Geneva, and said that India remains opening this Centre is to ensure faceless e-assessment committed to building on its longstanding to impart greater efficiency, transparency and development partnership with Africa, especially in accountability in the assessment process. the field of cotton. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 52 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  There would be no physical interface between the  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of taxpayers and the tax officers. Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of  This is in-line with the government’s ‘Digital India’ goods to and from India and ‘Ease of Doing Business’  MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs of water from  Under the new system, taxpayers have received Feni river by India for drinking water supply, scheme notices on their registered emails as well as on for Sabroom town, Tripura registered accounts on the web portal www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in with real-time  The two leaders directed the Technical Level alert by way of SMS on their registered mobile Committee of the Joint Rivers Commission to number, specifying the issues for which their cases expeditiously exchange updated data and information have been selected for scrutiny. and prepare the draft framework of Interim Sharing Agreements for the six rivers — Manu, Muhuri,  The replies to the notices can be prepared at ease by Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar and to firm the taxpayers at their own residence or office and be up the draft framework of interim sharing agreement sent by email to the National e-Assessment Centre by of Feni river. uploading the same on the designated web portal. Agreement concerning the implementation of GoI  This is an initiative by the Central Board of Direct Line of Credits (LOC) extended to Bangladesh Taxes (CBDT). MoU between the University of Hyderabad and About the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT): University of Dhaka  It is a statutory authority functioning under the Cultural Exchange Programme- Renewal Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963. MoU on Co-operation in Youth Affairs  It is a part of the Department of Revenue under the Finance Ministry. MoU on providing Coastal Surveillance System Impact  The CBDT provides inputs for policy and planning  They have decided to expand connectivity network of direct taxes in the country and is also responsible corridors boosting Delhi’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with for the administration of direct tax laws through the Dhaka emerging as a key pillar in that vision. IT Department.  It is also India’s official Financial Action Task  Tripura will be a major beneficiary of the seven Force (FATF) unit. Indo-Bangladesh agreements signed during  The Chairman and members of the CBDT are Bangladesh Prime Minister’s visit. selected from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS).  It will become the first Northeast state to have List of MoUs/Agreements exchanged direct access to international sea trade routes, once between Bangladesh and India the agreements are implemented. Context  The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is in the process of setting up a jetty for inland India and Bangladesh have entered into agreements waterways connectivity with Bangladesh. during the official visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India.  This new route would put Tripura in direct access to Ashuganj port, which is 60 km from the List of MoUs international border. Both leaders underlined the immense potential of movement of cargo using the inland water and coastal shipping trade. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 53 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  Towards this, they welcomed the decision to Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Criminal operationalize the Dhulian-Gadagari-Rajshahi- Procedure Code of 1973 also govern the functioning Daulatdia-Aricha Route (to and fro) and include of the police. Daudkandi-Sonamura Route (to and fro) under Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade. Major issues with Police in India The Indian ports will attract enhanced cargo and also  Huge vacancies: With the phenomenal expansion the overall transportation cost to Bangladesh will get of the geographic area to be policed and the increase reduced. in the number of lives to be guarded, the Indian police, more than in many western democracies, have Make policing and police stations been stretched and outnumbered. people-friendly: Vice President  Over-burden: Police force is over-burdened Context especially at lower levels where constabulary is forced to work continuously for 14-16 hours, 7 days a  The Vice President of India Addressed a National week. It adversely impacts their performance. Seminar on SMART Policing organized jointly by the Indian Police Foundation, the National Centre for  Arduous nature of duties and working Good Governance and the Bureau of Police Research conditions: The nature of the duties is very uncertain and Development (BPR&D). and the police itself say that policemen are on duty all What SMART policing? the time – it’s a violation of Human Rights.  S – Strict and sensitive  Risk to life: The risk to life in Police is very high.  M – Modern and mobile Policemen are killed in India in the performance of  A – Alert and Accountable duties than in any other country of the world. There’s  R – Reliable and responsive no indication that in future the risk element would be  T – Techno-savvy and Trained less.  Police Infrastructure:The weaponry, vehicles etc. used by police force at lower level is obsolete and is unmatched with the modern weaponry used by the criminals and anti-social elements. Police in India  Qualifications and training of police personnels: Police training methods have been out dated and  Under the Constitution of India, Police and Public aspects of human rights are largely ignored in training order are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule to modules. the Constitution.  Lack of co-ordination between centre and  As a result, all states have their individual police states is a matter related to maintenance of law & laws. Also, Article 355 of the Constitution enjoins order results in ineffective functioning of police upon the Union to protect every state against external force. aggression and internal disturbance. Reforms required for SMART Police:  It also imposes the duty upon the Union  Improvement in capacity and infrastructure of Government to ensure that that government of every police forces: Boosting infrastructure and capacity of state is carried on in accordance with the the police forces includes increase in the number of Constitutional provisions. police personnel in the country, improvement in recruitment, training and service conditions.  Legally, the Police Act, 1861 is still the basic instrument governing the functioning of the Indian Police. Besides the Indian Penal Code, 1862, the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 54 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  Revisiting the constitution of police forces in the Agency and craftsmen and weavers from the north east will be featured in the event. country through legislative/administrative changes: The legislative changes include, enactment Significance of the organized Crimes Act, a single police act for the country, moving Police to the Concurrent List,  Handloom and handicrafts can generate huge declaration of Federal Crimes, measures regarding employment opportunities in the North East, due to registration of crimes, statutory backing for the CBI, availability of natural resources and presence of Commissionerate system for large areas, etc. traditional culture and skill  In addition to the legislative changes, there is an  Handloom will play a bigger role for progress of urgent need for administrative reforms as well. On the region. the administrative side, changes include separation of investigation from law and order, specialized wings Indian Council of World Affairs for Social and Cyber Crimes, restricting the police to (ICWA) core functions, setting up authorities as directed by the Supreme Court, strengthening state machinery Context: and linking prosecution with police. The Vice President Mr. Venkaiah Naidu addressed  Technological scaling-up: The police force needs the 18th meeting of the Governing Body of Indian to keep pace with changing times. Modernization of Council of World Affairs (ICWA) at New Delhi. the force has become inevitable especially in cyber security, counter-terrorism/insurgency and relying on About the Indian Council of World Affairs technology for policing. (ICWA): North East Handloom and Handicraft  The Indian Council of World Affairs was Exhibition in Aizawl established in 1943 by a group of Indian intellectuals as a think tank. Context  By an Act of Parliament in 2001, the ICWA was  Union Minister for Home Affairs inaugurated the declared an institution of national importance. North East Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition in Aizawl, Mizoram.  The Vice President of India is the ex-officio About the exhibition President of ICWA.  This first ever North-East Handloom and  It is devoted exclusively for the study of Handicraft Exhibition is fully funded by the North international relations and foreign affairs. Eastern Council and hosted by the Government of Mizoram.  The founder-president of the Council was Sir Tej  Mizoram has invited all the North Eastern states Bahadur Sapru. including Sikkim for participation in the event.  Historic international conferences like ‘Asian  Besides participation from state government Relations Conference’ in 1947 under the leadership departments, participation from organisations such as of freedom fighter Sarojini Naidu and ‘United North East Handloom and Handicraft Development Nations and the New World Order’ in 1994 have Corporation Shillong, Cane and Bamboo Technology been held by this think tank in which world-renowned Centre Assam, Nagaland Bamboo Development dignitaries addressed huge gatherings of intellectuals. India – Bangladesh Business Forum Context: Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 55 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 The India – Bangladesh Business Forum took place in assistance to Bangladesh for various infrastructure New Delhi. projects. Details: Goa Maritime Conclave– 2019  The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Ms. Sheikh Context: Hasina was also present at the event. The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) – 2019 was  On this occasion, two Government to Business inaugurated by the National Security Advisor, Shri (G2B) MoUs were signed between Start up Ajit Kumar Doval, at Goa. Bangladesh and Tech Mahindra, and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority and Adani Ports and Details: SEZs. About India – Bangladesh Ties:  The conclave saw the participation of heads of the navies of ten nations from the Indian Ocean region –  Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Asia. Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.  Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh has  The conclave was conducted by the Naval War grown steadily over the last decade. College, Goa.  India’s exports to Bangladesh for the financial year  The theme for the conclave is “Common Maritime 2018-19 (April-March) stood at USD 9.21 billion and Priorities in IOR and need for Regional Maritime imports from Bangladesh for the same period stood at Strategy”. USD 1.22 billion.  On the side-lines of the conclave, various bilateral meetings were also held, between the Chiefs of India and Bangladesh are members of various Navies, to further build on the existing bonds of regional trade agreements including the Asia Pacific friendship and also discuss issues specific to both Trade Agreement (APTA), SAARC Preferential countries. Trade Agreement (SAPTA) and the Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) which govern Amendments in Electric Vehicle (EV) the tariff regimes for trade. Charging Guidelines and Specifications Under SAFTA, India has granted duty-free, quota- Context: free access to Bangladesh on all items except alcohol and tobacco. To boost Electric Vehicles in India, the Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Four Border Haats, two each in Tripura (Srinagar and Energy (IC) Shri RK Singh has approved Kamalasagar) and Meghalaya (Kalaichar and Balat), amendments in Electric Vehicle Charging Guidelines have been established for the benefit of communities and Specifications. living along the border areas of both countries. Ten additional Border Haats on the India-Bangladesh Details: border are under implementation.  The guidelines have been made more consumer- Cumulative Foreign Direct Investment from India to friendly. Bangladesh has more than doubled during the period  In order to address a range of issues of electric 2014 to 2018. vehicle owners, a phase-wise installation of an appropriate network of charging infrastructure Bangladesh is the biggest development partner of India today. India has extended 3 Lines of Credits (LOCs) to Bangladesh in the last 8 years amounting to USD 8 billion. India has also provided grant Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 56 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 throughout the country has been envisaged in the observed from 7th October to 11th October 2019 in Guidelines ensuring that Geneva.  At least one charging station should be available in About World Cotton Day: a grid of 3 km X 3 km in the cities, and  At least one charging station every 25 km on both  It is being organised by the World Trade sides of highways/roads. Organisation (WTO) in collaboration with the Secretariats of the United Nations Food and Assuming that most of the charging of EVs would Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations take place at homes or at offices where the decision Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), of using Fast or Slow chargers would rest on the the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the consumers, it has been clarified in the guidelines that International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). private charging at residences/offices shall be permitted and DISCOMs may facilitate the same.  WTO is hosting the event at the request of the Cotton – 4 countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Setting up Public Charging Stations (PCS) shall be a Chad and Mali to celebrate their official application de-licensed activity and any individual/entity is free for the recognition of 7th October as World Cotton to set up public charging stations subject to the Day by the United Nations. conditions as specified in the Guidelines.  World Cotton Day will celebrate the many Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has been advantages of cotton, from its qualities as a natural nominated as the Central Nodal Agency. fibre, to the benefits people obtain from its production, transformation, trade and consumption. The domestic charging shall be akin to domestic consumption of electricity and shall be charged as  World Cotton Day will also serve to shed light on such. the challenges faced by cotton economies around the world because cotton is important to least developed, However, in the case of PCS, it has been provided developing and developed economies worldwide. that tariffs for the supply of electricity to PCS shall be determined by the appropriate commission in  Cotton occupies just 2.1 % of the world’s arable accordance with the Tariff policy. land, yet it meets 27% of the world’s textile need. About the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):  In addition to its fibre used in textiles and apparel, food products are also derived from cotton, like  It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, edible oil and animal feed from the seed. Government of India.  Cotton is a drought-resistant crop ideal for arid  It assists in developing policies and strategies with climates. the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. A sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi made out of cotton will be displayed to commemorate the 150th birth  It coordinates with designated consumers, anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, at the event. designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to (TEXPROCIL) will be displaying India’s high- it under the Energy Conservation Act. quality cotton textiles at the exhibition. World Cotton Day Between 2011 and 2018, India implemented a Cotton Technical Assistance Programme (Cotton TAP-I) of Context: about USD 2.85 million for seven African countries namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad and also The Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is Uganda, Malawi and Nigeria. participating in the World Cotton Day event being Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 57 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 The technical assistance focused on improving the  The Vayoshreshtha Sammans is conferred upon competitiveness of the cotton and cotton-based senior citizens and institutions in recognition for their textiles and apparel industry in these countries service to the elderly, especially indigent senior citizens. through a series of interventions that had significant outcomes leading to a demand for a follow on project.  The award scheme was elevated to the level of national awards in 2013 under 13 categories. Youth Co:Lab  The awards are given every year.  The awardees are announced on 1st September and Context: distributed on 1st October. 1st October is observed as the International Day of Older Persons. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and UNDP India jointly launched Youth Co:Lab to  The recipients receive a citation, a plaque and a accelerate youth-led social entrepreneurship and cash award. innovation in India. About the International Day of Older Persons: Details:  This day is observed on 1st October every year.  It was initiated by the UN in 1990 and the first  Through Youth Co:Lab, young entrepreneurs and International Day of Older Persons was marked in innovators will get a chance to connect with 1991. governments, mentors, incubators and investors, who  The day is celebrated by raising awareness about will help equip them with entrepreneurial skills. issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and  The first phase of Youth Co:Lab will focus on six elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the SDGs: contributions that older people make to society.  SDG 5 (Gender Equality)  Theme for 2019: The Journey to Age Equality.  SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)  SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) KAZIND -2019  SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)  SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) Context:  SDG 13 (Climate Action) The 4th edition of the annual military exercise Vayoshreshtha Sammans KAZIND between the armies of India and Kazakhstan commenced at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Context: About KAZIND: The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind,  The aim of this exercise is joint training of troops in presented the Vayoshreshtha Sammans – a scheme of counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism operations in National Awards for senior citizens of the Ministry of both jungle and mountainous terrains. Social Justice and Empowerment in New Delhi.  As part of the exercise, lectures, demonstrations About the Vayoshreshtha Sammans: and drills related to counter-insurgency and counter- terrorism operations will be conducted.  The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment decided to initiate a national awards scheme for  Both the armies will also share their valuable senior citizens in 2005. experiences in countering such situations and also refine drills and procedures for joint operations whenever the need so arises. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 58 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  The current 4th edition is a 13-day exercise with  The bilateral exercise is aimed at training troops in about 100 soldiers from both sides participating in the counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations event. under the United Nations mandate.  KAZIND is conducted every year with the venue  The joint exercise will enhance defence cooperation being India and Kazakhstan alternatively. and military relations between the two nations. Exercise Ekuverin  It is an ideal platform for the armies of both countries to share their experiences and best practices Context: and gain mutually during the joint training. The 10th edition of the joint military  The joint training aims at evolving various tactical exercise Ekuverin between the Indian Army and drills in counter-terror environment like convoy the Maldives National Defence Force will be protection drill, room intervention drills, organised in October 2019 at Aundh Military Station ambush/counter-ambush drills, while jointly in Pune, Maharashtra. conducting counter-terrorist operations under the UN mandate. About Ekuverin:  The joint training will also lay emphasis on conducting operations by a cohesive subunit,  The Indian Army and the Maldives National comprising of troops from both the armies, in an Defence Forces have been conducting Exercise adverse operational conditions thus enhancing the Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ in Dhivehi (Maldivian interoperability between the two armies. language) since 2009.  The exercise is an annual event being held since 2006.  The 14-day joint exercise is held alternatively in India and the Maldives. National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC)  The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two forces for carrying out counter- Context: insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under the United Nations The National Health Systems Resource Centre mandate. (NHSRC) has been designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Priority Medical Devices  The focus of the exercise will be on sharing best and Health Technology Policy. practices and acquainting each other with the operating procedures being followed while Details: undertaking counter-insurgency and counter- terrorism operations. Exercise Nomadic Elephant-XIV  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the World Health Organization Context: (WHO) formally announced the re-designation of the The 14th edition of the Indo – Mongolian joint NHSRC as the WHO Collaborating Centre for military training, Exercise Nomadic Elephant-XIV, Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology will be conducted over a period of 14 days at Bakloh, Policy. Himachal Pradesh.  Previously, NHSRC as a collaborating centre has About the Exercise Nomadic Elephant: supported WHO in formulating technical specifications for medical devices such as oxygen concentrators and resuscitation devices and continues Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 59 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 to support evaluation of innovations for WHO’s  This is an important step in ensuring adequate compendium on innovative devices. availability and optimum utilization of coal at thermal  This year in collaboration with WHO’s country’s power plants. office, NHSRC developed a guidance document for  PRAKASH is an acronym for ‘Power Rail Koyla the Ministry’s free diagnostics initiative to further Availability through Supply Harmony’. strengthen the agenda of Universal access to  The portal is designed to help in mapping and affordable diagnostics. monitoring the entire coal supply chain for power  NHSRC also works with WHO on development of plant in: technical specification of Blood pressure measuring  Coal supply at stock end (mines) devices, In vitro diagnostics and devices for cancer  Coal quantities/rakes planned and cardiovascular diseases.  Coal quantity in transit  Coal availability at power generating station About the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC):  Established in 2006, the NHSRC’s mandate is to Benefits of the portal: assist in policy and strategy development in the provision and mobilization of technical assistance to  Coal companies will be able to track stocks and the states and in capacity building for the Ministry of coal requirements at power stations for effective Health. production planning.  It was set up under the National Rural Health  The Indian Railways will plan to place the rakes as Mission (NRHM) of the Government of India to per actual coal available at siding and stock available serve as an apex body for technical assistance. at power stations.  The goal of this institution is to improve health  Power stations can plan future schedules by outcomes by facilitating governance reform, health knowing rakes in the pipeline and the expected time systems innovations and improved information to reach stock at power generating station. sharing among all stakeholders at the national, state, district and sub-district levels through specific  Ministry of Power /Ministry of Coal/ CEA/ POSOCO can review overall availability of coal at thermal power plants in different regions. capacity development and convergence models. The present system of an inter-ministerial group which met once a week to review the coal supply PRAKASH Portal situation was found to be cumbersome and faced several issues like scattered information, correctness Context: of data from different organizations, timely Union Ministers launch PRAKASH portal for availability of data, etc. which often led to difficulties transparency and better coordination in coal supplies in decision-making. to power plants. The PRAKASH Portal is developed by NTPC (which About the PRAKASH Portal: is an electric power distribution PSU).  The portal aims at bringing better coordination for Audio Odigos coal supplies among all stakeholders, namely, the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Coal, Coal India, Context: Railways and power utilities. The Ministry of Tourism launches an Audio Guide facility App “Audio Odigos” for 12 sites of India (including Iconic Sites). Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 60 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 Details: generate awareness about the initiative of converting used cooking oil to biodiesel.  Audio guide Odigo offers the Government of India verified content, with visuals & voice over Details: support.  Wide publicity is being given to the RUCO  With this App, tourists can enjoy a more (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil) initiative by the Oil enriching experience and take back historical insights Marketing Companies (OMCs) to make India more into Indian culture and heritage. environmentally sustainable by the conversion of used cooking oil, which otherwise would be disposed  The Audio Odigos App contains an inbuilt map of in drains, cause spillages/ environmental damage of the site for smooth navigation during the tour. and pose health hazards.  Listeners will be offered various versions of  More such initiatives are being planned in other history like synopsis, detailed history and podcasts. cities of the country.  The audio can be chosen in their preferred  The publicity involves wide social media language. campaigns to spread awareness and educate people about the ill effects of used cooking oil and ways to  Audio Odigos can be downloaded on all Android dispose it off for converting it to biodiesel. and iOS supported mobile phones. Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019  Oil Marketing Companies, under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, have floated Context: Expression of Interest (EOI) across 100 cities of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Swachh for the supply of Bio-diesel produced from Used Bharat Diwas 2019. Cooking Oil (UCO). Details:  The EOI was floated on 10th August 2019 on the occasion of World Bio-fuel Day.  Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Swachh  Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO), launched Bharat Diwas 2019 in Ahmedabad. by FSSAI, provides an ecosystem that will enable the collection and conversion of UCO to biodiesel.  This marked the third anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.  Consumers can give their used cooking oil to  It was also the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma authorised aggregators of used cooking oil who will Gandhi on 2nd October. in turn give it to the biodiesel manufactures for production of biodiesel which will be used for  Modi also distributed the Swachh Bharat blending with diesel. The details of the RUCO oil Puraskar to the winners. aggregators are available at FSSAI’s official website. For more details about the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ill-effects of Consuming Used Cooking Oil: click on the linked article. Converting Used Cooking Oil to  During frying, several properties of cooking oil are Biodiesel altered. Total Polar Compounds (TPC) are formed on repeated frying. Context:  The toxicity of these compounds is associated with The Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and several diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Natural Gas flagged off publicity vans in Delhi, to Alzheimer’s disease, liver diseases, etc.  Additionally, the disposal of UCO in drains causes ecological damage and is an environment concern. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 61 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019  In order to safeguard consumer health, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has fixed a limit for Total Polar Compounds at 25 percent beyond which the vegetable oil shall not be used for cooking. You can read more about World Bio-fuel Day in the 8th August 2019 edition of PIB. About the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):  It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI.  It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.  It is headquartered in New Delhi with regional offices and laboratories across the country.  It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

pg. 62 Easy to PICK–“PIB Monthly Magazine \"October - 2019 All the Best Jai Hind  Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved