Infrastructure Development
New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and the Operation Control Centre of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor inaugurated

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about EDFC + about OCC + about DFCCIL) + Mains ( GS III Infrastructure development)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister will inaugurate the ‘New Bhaupur- New Khurja section' of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) on 29^th December, 2020
• Prime Minister will also inaugurate EDFC's Operation Control Centre (OCC) at Prayagraj.

Know! the benefits of EDFC

• The 351 km New Bhaupur- New Khurja section of EDFC is situated in Uttar pradesh and is built at a cost of Rs 5,750 crores.
• The section will open new vistas of opportunity for the local industries such as aluminium industry (Pukhrayan region of Kanpur Dehat district), dairy sector (Auraiya district), textile production/block printing (Etawah district), glassware industry (Firozabad district), pottery products (Khurja of Bulandshahr district), asafoetida or ‘hing' production (Hathras district) and locks and hardware (Aligarh district).
• The section will also decongest the existing Kanpur-Delhi main line and will enable Indian Railways to run faster trains.

Know! about OCC

• A state-of-the-art Operation Control Centre (OCC) at Prayagraj will act as the command centre for the entire route length of the EDFC.
• The OCC is one of the largest structures of its type globally, with modern interiors, ergonomic design and best-in-class acoustics.
• The building is environment-friendly with a Green Building rating of GRIHA4 and is built as per norms of the ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan'.

Know! about Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)

• The EDFC (1856 route km) starts from Sahnewal near Ludhiana (Punjab) and will pass through the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand to terminate at Dankuni in West Bengal.
• It is being constructed by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), that has been set up as a special purpose vehicle to build and operate Dedicated Freight Corridors.
• DFCCIL is also constructing the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (1504 route km) that connects Dadri in Uttar Pradesh to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai and will traverse through the states of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Know! about DFCCIL

• The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) corporation run by the Government of India's Ministry of Railways to undertake planning, development, and mobilisation of financial resources and construction, maintenance and operation of the "Dedicated Freight Corridors" (DFC).
• The DFCCIL was registered as a company under the Companies Act 1956 in 2006.
• First 2 DFC, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai and Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), Ludhiana in Punjab to Dankuni in West Bengal, which will decongest railway network by moving 70% of India's goods train to these two corridors, are both on track for completion in December 2021.

Defence
India successfully test-fires surface-to air missile (MRSAM)

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about MRSAM)
What's the NEWS

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a major milestone today with the maiden launch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Army Version from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Coast of Odisha
• The missile completely destroyed a high speed unmanned aerial target which was mimicking an aircraft with a direct hit.

Know! all about MRSAM

• Army version of MRSAM is a surface to Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO, India and IAI, Israel for use of the Indian Army.
• MRSAM Army weapon system comprises of Command post, Multi-Function Radar and Mobile Launcher system.
• The complete Fire Unit has been used during the launch in the deliverable configuration.
• Number of range instruments such as Radar, Telemetry and Electro-Optical Tracking System were deployed and captured the complete mission data, validating the weapon system performance including the destruction of the target.
• The entire mission trajectory from the launch to plunging into the sea was monitored by various radars and electro-optico instruments
• An unmanned air vehicle (UAV), 'Banshee', was first flown into the air, which was hit by the MRSAM.
• The missile has been jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries and has been manufactured by Bharat Dynamics limited. It is capable of engaging multiple aerial targets with a range exceeding 50 km.
• The missile was fired from a ground mobile launcher and as part of its test successfully shot down an unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
• The deadly missile is expected to be a boon for Indian Armed Forces' combat effectiveness after its induction.
• In 2019 the Indian Navy had successfully test fired a MRSAM marking a major feat towards enhancing its anti-air warfare capabilities.
• After its induction into the Indian army, the missile will significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of the defence forces

Health
Grand Challenge for strengthening the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) system

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CoWIN system + grand challenge to strengthen CoWIN platform) + Mains ( GS II Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors + Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health)

What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) along with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the launching of "CoWIN", a Grand Challenge for strengthening the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) system, a digitalised platform to be used to effectively roll out and scale up the mechanism for COVID Vaccine Distribution System, nationally.
• Union Minister invited the innovators and startups for grand challenge to strengthen CoWIN platform for roll out of COVID19 vaccination program across India.

Know! about the challenge

• To be launched on the MSH (MeitY Startup Hub) portal, a collaborative platform developed under the aegis of MeitY towards building meaningful synergies in the Indian tech startup space, the challenge invites participation from talented and innovative startups and emerging technology specialists to augment and scale the CoWIN platform.
• MoHFW has identified seven (07) focus areas of technology development to holistically address the likely limitations associated with complete and effective vaccine distribution system (VDS) and its seamless administration across India.
• These challenges try to broadly address the priority areas relating to infrastructure, monitoring and management, dynamic learning and information systems, constraints of human resources-including technical capacities, vaccine logistics management and tracking enlisted beneficiaries for any adverse event following immunization on real time basis.
• The Challenge kickstarts with registration process at https://meitystartuphub.in on 23rd December 2020 and is open for participants to apply till 15th January 2021.
• The top 5 applicants will be provided the CoWIN APIs (Application Programming Interface) to prove the efficacy of their solutions for possible integration with the platform.
• Each shortlisted applicant at this stage stands a chance to win Rs. 2 Lakhs covering their logistical requirements.
• The solutions once integrated with the platform through open APIs will be assessed for robustness and scalability.
• Top 2 contestants from the challenge will be rewarded with Rs. 40 Lakh and 20 Lakh respectively post successful migrations of the developed solutions on the cloud on which the CoWIN is hosted, apart from their integration with CoWIN.

Governance
Cabinet approves Merger of Five Film Media Units
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about NFDC and the four film media units) + Mains ( GS II governance, transparency and accountability)
What's the NEWS
The Union Cabinet has approved to merge four of its film media units, namely

• Films Division
• Directorate of Film. Festivals
• National Film Archives of India, and
• Children's Film Society, India

with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Ltd. by expanding the Memorandum of Articles of Association of NFDC, which will then carry out all the activities hitherto performed by them.
Know! about these media units and about NFDC

• The merger of Film Media Units under one corporation will lead to convergence of activities and resources and better coordination, thereby ensuring synergy and efficiency in achieving the mandate of each media unit.
• Films Division, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established in 1948, primarily to produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of Government programmes and cinematic record of Indian history.
• Children's Film Society, India, an autonomous organisation, was founded in 1955 under the Societies Act with the specific objective of providing children and young people value-based entertainment through the medium of films.
• National Film Archives of India, a subordinate office of M/o I&B, was established as a media unit in 1964 with the primary objective of acquiring and preserving Indian cinematic heritage.
• Directorate of Film Festivals, as attached office of M/o I&B was set up in 1973 to promote Indian films and cultural exchange.

Know! about NFDC and its new role

• NFDC is a Central Public Sector Undertaking, incorporated in the year 1975 with the primary object of planning and promoting an organized, efficient and integrated development of the Indian Film Industry.
• The umbrella organization, NFDC, consequent upon the merger of Film Media Units will be uniquely placed with regard to promotion, production & preservation of filmic content - all under one management.
• The vision of the new entity will be to ensure balanced and focused development of Indian cinema in all its genres-feature films, including films /content for the OTT platforms, children's content, animation, short films and documentaries.
• The merger of Film Media Units under a single corporation will lead to synergy amongst the various activities with better and efficient utilization of misting infrastructure and manpower.
• This will lead to reduction in duplication of activities and direct savings to the exchequer.

Miscellaneous
Cabinet approves Revision in guidelines for providing Direct to Home (DTH) Services in India

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the revised guidelines)
What's the NEWS

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for revision of the guidelines for obtaining license for providing Direct-To-Home (DTH) broadcasting service in India.

The salient features of the decision are:
i. License for the DTH will be issued for a period of 20 years in place of present 10 years. Further the period of License may be renewed by 10 years at a time.
ii. License fee has been revised from 10% of GR to 8% of AGR. AGR will be calculated by deduction of GST from GR.
iii. License Fee will be collected on quarterly basis in lieu of presently annual basis.
iv. DTH operators shall be permitted to operate .to a maximum of 5% of its total channel carrying capacity as permitted platform channels.
v. The cap of 49% FDl in the existing DTH guidelines will be aligned with the extant Government (DPIIT's) policy on FDl as amended from time to time.
Benefits

• The amended DTH guidelines, with longer license period and clarity on renewals, relaxed FDI limits, etc., will ensure fair degree of stability and new investments in the DTH sector along with employment opportunities.

Miscellaneous
National Consumer Rights Day 2020
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about National Consumer Rights Day +Consumer Protection Act 1986 + Consumer Protection Act 2019) + Mains (GS II) Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
What's the NEWS

• National Consumer Rights Day is observed on December 24, every year in India.
• The Consumer Protection Act 1986 came into effect on this day.
• The CPA 1986 was enforced so that consumers can be more aware of their entitled rights.
• The theme of the National Consumer Day is ‘The Sustainable Consumer'. The theme is in view of the urgent need for action to approach the worldwide crisis, global temperature change and biodiversity loss.

National Consumer Rights Day 2020

• On December 24, 1986, Consumer Protection Act 1986, regarded as the ‘Magna Karta', received the approval of the President of India. Consumer Protection Act 1986 in the field of consumer protection came into force for checking unfair trade practices.
• Consumers are provided protection from the damages brought about to them due to different unfair trade practices.
• The act has ensured speedy settlements of consumer disputes by establishing a widespread and effective network of redressal forums.
• The appellate courts all across India also ensure inexpensive resolution of consumer discrepancies.
• It has empowered consumers to a greater extent and also had a significant impact on how businesses deal with such complaints.
• The rights recognized under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provided in the UN charter are Right to Protection, Right of Information, Right of Choice, Right of Hearing, Right of Redressal, and Right of Education

Consumer Protection Act 2019 - highlights

• The Consumer Protection Act 2019 is in to force from 20th July 2020.
• The 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.
• The Act includes 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, impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
• Under this act every e-commerce entity is required to provide information relating to return, refund, exchange, warranty and guarantee, delivery and shipment, modes of payment, grievance redressal mechanism, payment methods, security of payment methods, charge-back options, 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.
• Also, the 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.
• The 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.
• The Act provides for simplifying the consumer dispute adjudication process in the consumer commissions, which include, among others, 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.

• An Alternate Dispute Resolution mechanism of Mediation has been provided in the new Act. This will simplify the adjudication process.
• A complaint will be referred by a Consumer Commission for mediation, wherever scope for early settlement exists and parties agree for it.
• Mediation will be held in the Mediation Cells to be established under the aegis of the Consumer Commissions. There will be no appeal against settlement through mediation.
• As per the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Rules, there will be no fee for filing cases upto Rs. 5 lakh.
• The CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment for up to two years for a false or misleading advertisement.
• In case of a subsequent offence, the fine may extend to Rs 50 lakh and imprisonment of up to five years.

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