Context: Indian Toy industry witnesses 52% decline in imports and 239% rise in exports in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15.

News:

A case study on the "Success Story of Made in India Toys" conducted by IIM Lucknow for DPIIT highlights positive trends in the Indian toy industry:

• Dependence on imported inputs decreased significantly from 33% to 12%, showcasing increased self-sufficiency in the toy manufacturing sector.
• Gross sales value witnessed a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10%, indicating substantial economic growth in the industry.
• Labor productivity has shown an overall increase, demonstrating the positive impact of government initiatives on efficiency.
• India is emerging as a top toy-exporting nation, benefitting from integration into the global toy value chain and enjoying zero-duty market access in countries like UAE and Australia.

The government has implemented several interventions and initiatives, including:

• Formulation of a comprehensive National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) having 21 specific action points, and implemented by 14 Central Ministries/Departments, with DPIIT as the coordinating body.
• Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on toys (HS code 9503) was increased from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023.
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has mandated sample testing of each import consignment to curb the import of sub-standards toys
• A Quality Control Order (QCO) for Toys was issued in 2020, with effect from 01.01.2021.
• Special provisions were notified by BIS on 17.12.2020 to grant licences to micro sale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility, which was further extended by three years.
• BIS has granted more than 1200 licences to domestic manufacturers and more than 30 licences to foreign manufacturers for manufacture of toys with BIS standard Marks
• Cluster-based approach adopted to support domestic Toy industry. The Ministry of MSME is supporting 19 Toy clusters under the Scheme of Funds for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Ministry of Textiles is providing designing and tooling support to 13 Toy clusters.
• Several promotional initiatives have also been undertaken to promote indigenous toys and encourage innovation, including The Indian Toy Fair 2021, Toycathon, etc.

To position India as a competitive alternative to major toy hubs like China and Vietnam, collaborative efforts between the government and the toy industry are crucial.Key recommendations include advancements in technology, embracing e-commerce, encouraging partnerships and exports, investing in brand-building, engaging with educators and parents, valuing cultural diversity, and collaborating with regional artisans.

Context: Indigenous equipment called single screw extruder developed for mechanical recycling through melt-mixing of waste thermoplastic polymers and inorganic particulate fillers can help manufacture and characterize polymer composites that can be molded to the required shape for making paver blocks, tiles, and bricks.

Present status of recycling:  At present, commercially available melt-mixing equipment are not designed for handling waste thermoplastic polymers that are often adhered by contaminants, as the barrel and screw system are not robust enough.

About the equipment:

• IIT Bombay has developed an instrument named GolDN (pronounced as Golden) for melt-mixing of waste thermoplastic polymers and inorganic particulate fillers to manufacture polymer composites.
• It can carry out melt mixing as a continuous process, particularly in laboratory conditions, to replicate the real-life conditions as compared to other conventionally available instruments.
• The researchers at the institute considered some key parameters such as compression ratio and clearance depth to facilitate efficient mixing of waste polymers and fillers.
• The above technology, developed with the support of Department of Science and Technology (DST) through Waste Management Technologies, is now ready for commercialization for carrying out melt- mixing operations in a laboratory environment. It can bring down the cost of this instrument to INR 5 lakhs (by 6-8 times at least) by avoiding the complex design and operating tools and including the indigenous fabrication that are required.
• The researchers have also developed a TGeosA for obtaining thermogravimetric analyses of the polymer composites obtained from the melt mixing instrument. The setup facilitates a sample size as high as 200 g that can incorporate the heterogeneity aspect of the materials being tested.

Thermoplastic Polymers

They are types of polymers that can be melted by heating and recasted by cooling almost infinitely. Thermoplastic polymers are a type of plastic that can be repeatedly melted and reshaped without losing their original properties.

• They are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including packaging, automotive parts, and household items.
• Examples of thermoplastic polymers include Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
• These can be classified as polymers with a high molecular weight.
• They can also attain a high strength supported by the structure of the intermolecular chains. 
• When the temperature near thermoplastic polymers is increased, the intermolecular force starts to weaken which then yields a liquid with high viscosity. 

Context: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said caste-based discrimination of prisoners, segregation of manual work among them according to caste-hierarchy and treatment of inmates from the denotified tribes as “habitual offenders” within the four walls of jails across India is a “very important issue” and needs to be addressed.

The current status of Indian prisons is marked by several challenges :

• Overcrowding: Indian prisons are severely overcrowded, with an occupancy rate of 114% and, in some areas, as high as 277% .This overcrowding leads to poor living conditions and increased health risks for prisoners.
• Prolonged detention of under-trial prisoners: A significant portion of the prison population consists of under-trial detainees, who often wait for extended periods before their trials.This prolonged detention can lead to violations of their rights and negatively impact their mental well-being.
• Unsatisfactory living conditions: Indian prisons often face issues with sanitation, medical staff, and overall living conditions, which can be life-threatening. For example, a special commission of inquiry in 1995 reported that 10,000 inmates in Tihar Central held in appalling conditions, facing overcrowding, poor sanitary facilities, and a shortage of medical staff
• Lack of treatment programs and rehabilitation services: Indian prisons lack adequate treatment programs and rehabilitation services for prisoners, which can help reduce recidivism and improve public safety.These programs are essential for addressing the root causes of crime and preparing prisoners for successful reintegration into society.
• Staff shortage and inadequate training: Indian prisons face staff shortages and insufficient training for prison staff. This can lead to poor management, inadequate supervision, and increased risks for prisoners and staff within the prison facilities.
• Corruption: Corruption is a significant issue within the Indian prison system, which can impact the treatment of prisoners, the administration of justice, and the overall functioning of prisons. Efforts to address corruption are essential for ensuring the rights and well-being of prisoners and the proper functioning of the prison system.

Steps taken:

The Indian government has taken several steps to address the issues of Indian prisons, including overcrowding, prolonged detention of under-trial prisoners, unsatisfactory living conditions, staff shortage, and corruption. Some of these steps are:

• Establishment of the Indian Jail Committee in 1919: This committee aimed to review prison problems in India and made several recommendations for improving the prison system
• Setting up of the Mulla Committee in 1980: The government of India established a committee on jail reform under the chairmanship of Justice A. N. Mulla to review laws, rules, and regulations related to prison management and rehabilitation of offenders
• Transfer of the subject of jails from the center to the control of state governments in 1951: This change allowed state governments to have their own rules for the day-to-day administration of prisons, upkeep, and maintenance of prisoners
• Invitation of UN expert Dr. W.C. Reckless in 1951: The government of India invited Dr. Reckless to undertake a study on prison administration and suggest policy reforms
• Implementation of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003: This act aims to ensure that prisoners serving their sentences are released and rehabilitated properly after completing their terms
• Release of Model Prison Manual (2016): The government released the Model Prison Manual to provide guidelines for the management and administration of prisons, emphasizing the importance of human rights and rehabilitation programs
• Despite these efforts, it is essential to continue working on improving prison conditions, reducing overcrowding, and providing adequate rehabilitation programs for prisoners in India.

Context: According to a report from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) around 50% of cybercrime complaints received on the national cybercrime helpline every day have their origin in China and pockets of Cambodia and Myanmar.

Cybercrime

• It is characterized as a criminal activity in which a computer serves as either the target or the instrument for committing an offense.
• In accordance with the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, cybercrimes are categorized as State subjects.
• This category encompasses illicit or unauthorized actions that leverage technology to perpetrate diverse forms of criminal acts.
• Cybercrime spans a broad spectrum of offenses, impacting individuals, entities, and governmental bodies alike.

Types of cybercrime

• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: These aim to render an online service inaccessible by inundating the network with traffic from diverse sources, causing a system shutdown.
• Botnets: Networks of compromised computers are manipulated externally by remote hackers. These botnets are utilized to send spam or launch attacks on other computers.
• Identity Theft: This cybercrime involves unauthorized access to a user's personal or confidential information, with the intent to damage reputation or extort a ransom.
• Cyberstalking: Online harassment is perpetrated through a barrage of messages and emails, typically using social media, websites, and search engines to intimidate and instill fear in the targeted user.
• Phishing: A form of social engineering attack employed to illicitly obtain user data, including login credentials and credit card details. It occurs when an attacker, posing as a trusted entity, deceives the victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.

Steps taken by Indian government:

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Coordinating nationwide efforts to combat various types of cyber crimes.
• National Cyber Forensic Laboratory: Offering early-stage cyber forensic assistance to Investigating Officers from all State/UT Police through both online and offline channels.
• CyTrain Portal: A Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform designed for the capacity building of police officers, judicial officers, and prosecutors. It provides online courses on crucial aspects of cyber crime investigation, forensics, and prosecution.
• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: A platform for the public to report cyber crimes, with a special emphasis on incidents involving women and children.
• Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System: Facilitating immediate reporting of financial frauds and aiding in lodging online cyber complaints through a toll-free helpline.
• Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme: Providing financial support to States/UTs to enhance the capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies in investigating cyber crimes against women and children.
• Joint Cyber Coordination Teams: Formed to improve coordination among Law Enforcement Agencies of States/UTs, especially in areas with multi-jurisdictional issues related to cyber crimes.
• Central Assistance for Modernization of Police: Offering financial support to States/UTs for acquiring modern weaponry, advanced communication/forensic equipment, and cyber policing tools.

Context: For the seventh year in a row, Indore has been ranked as the cleanest city in India under the Central government’s annual Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023, announced on Thursday (January 11).

Background: When the Awards first began in 2016, Indore ranked at number 25.

Swachh Survekshan:

• It was initiated in 2016 and constitutes the world's largest urban sanitation and cleanliness survey.
• Operated within the framework of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), it aims to instill a sense of healthy competition among towns and cities.
• The survey encourages widespread citizen participation, fostering awareness across society about the collective effort needed to enhance service delivery and create cleaner and more livable urban spaces.

What the number 1 ranking means

• The cleanliness measurement methodology relies on citizen feedback and field assessment.
• State governments, responsible for sanitation, enter updated data on the Swachh Bharat Mission Management Information System (MIS).
• The assessment involves validating criteria like segregated garbage collection through Citizen Validation in Residential and Commercial Areas on a sampling basis.
• On-field assessors randomly visit households/shops to record responses regarding waste collection and its frequency.
• Questions related to waste collection include assessing technical support for sanitation workers, such as the issuance of Identity cards (IDs) and provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits.

Why does Indore keep ranking as the cleanest city?

• Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) achieved consecutive success in the National Cleanliness Survey based on a sustainable garbage collection, processing, and disposal system.
• The city targeted various indicators early on and implemented measures to improve sanitation and waste collection.
• IMC terminated private contracts for solid waste collection, and the municipality took on the responsibility with new strategies.
• Routes of garbage disposal vehicles were changed to collect dry and wet waste directly from households, promoting segregation.
• NGOs were involved in raising awareness among citizens to hand over garbage to municipal vehicles for a monthly charge.
• Initially, there was resistance from local garbage collectors and ragpickers, but many were absorbed into the workforce.
• Nearly 692 tonnes of wet waste, 683 tonnes of dry waste, and 179 tonnes of plastic waste are collected daily under different categories.
• Legacy waste, accumulated over the years, was cleared and treated at the Devguradiya ground to meet Swachh Bharat criteria.
• Funds from Smart Cities Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, and property tax were used to construct transfer stations and treatment plants.
• NGOs identified areas in need of urinals and toilets to tackle open defecation, and around 1,000 free dustbins were distributed to vehicle owners.
• The success is attributed to people's participation in the campaign, holding meetings and administering cleanliness oaths.
• IMC issued spot fines against littering, spitting, and open defecation, using public shaming as a deterrent to habitual offenders.

The waste management sector in India has witnessed significant growth in recent years due to the government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, resulting in a surge in demand for waste management solutions. This will help to achieve the goal of “Clean India”.

The Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education recently introduced the "Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Center 2024."

Guidelines for Registration and Regulation of Coaching Center 2024

• According to the guideline, a ‘coaching center’ includes a center established, run, or administered by any person to provide coaching for any study programme, competitive examinations, or academic support to students at the school, college, and university level for more than 50 students.
• Guidelines:
  • Registration process:
    • Coaching centers are required to submit applications for registration to the competent authority within their local jurisdiction, complying with specified forms, fees, and document requirements outlined by the appropriate government.
    • Notably, if a coaching center has multiple branches, each branch is considered a separate entity, necessitating individual registration.
  • Marketing Standards:
    • Coaching centers must refrain from making misleading promises or guarantees regarding ranks or marks to attract parents and students.
    • Transparency is emphasized, with coaching centers mandated to maintain an updated website containing information on tutors' qualifications, courses, curriculum details, duration, hostel facilities, and fees.
  • Student Enrolment: Students below the age of 16 are not permitted to enroll, and entry is allowed only after the completion of secondary school examinations.
  • Fee Structure:
    • Tuition fees for various courses must be fair and reasonable, with detailed receipts provided.
    • A comprehensive prospectus, displayed prominently, should include information on courses, duration, classes, tutorials, hostel facilities, fees, exit policies, and fee refund procedures.
    • Any fee increase during the course duration is strictly prohibited. This applies to both course fees and hostel-related charges.
  • Exit Policy: In the case of mid-course withdrawals, a pro-rata refund is mandated within 10 days.
  • Infrastructure Requirements:
    • Coaching centers must allocate a minimum of one square meter per student in each class.
    • Adherence to fire safety and building codes, along with obtaining Fire and Building Safety Certificates, is compulsory.
    • Proper electrification, ventilation, lighting arrangements, and security measures are essential.
    • The coaching center should also be equipped with CCTV cameras, a first aid kit, and medical assistance.
  • Study hours:
    • Classes should not coincide with school hours to ensure regular attendance.
    • Weekly offs for both students and tutors are mandatory.
    • Class sizes should align with maintaining a healthy teacher-student ratio.
  • Mental wellbeing of students: 
    • Coaching centers should establish a mechanism for immediate intervention to provide targeted and sustained assistance to students in distress and stressful situations.
    • The competent authority may take steps to ensure that a counselling system is developed by the coaching centre and is easily available for the students and parents.
  • Complaint Mechanism:
    • Students, parents, or coaching center tutors/employees can file complaints against coaching centers, and coaching centers can file complaints against students/parents.
    • These complaints will be resolved within thirty days by the competent authority or an inquiry committee established for this purpose by the appropriate government.
  • Penalty: If the coaching center breaches any terms or conditions of registration or general requirements, it will face penalties: ?25,000 for the first violation, Rs 1 lakh for a second offense, and registration revocation for subsequent breaches. 

Pro Rata?

Pro rata is a Latin term used to describe a proportionate allocation. It essentially translates to "in proportion," which means a process where whatever is being allocated will be distributed in equal portions. If something is given out to people on a pro rata basis, it means assigning an amount to one person according to their share of the whole.

It is a US-made long-range cruise missile used for deep-land attack warfare.It can be launched from a ship or submarine and deliver its warhead precisely to a target at a long range.

It flies at low altitudes to strike fixed targets, such as communication and air-defense sites, in high-risk environments where manned aircraft may be vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles.

Features:

• It is designed to fly at subsonic speed while maintaining a low altitude, making it difficult to detect on radar.
• It uses tailored guidance systems to manoeuvre at such low elevations.
• It has an accuracy of about 5 meters (16 feet).
• The 6-meter (18.4-foot) long missile has a range of up to 2,400 km (1,500 miles) and can travel as fast as 885 km (550 miles) per hour.
• Tomahawks are launched vertically from ships, but they can be launched horizontally from torpedo tubes on attack submarines or from external launchers attached to a submarine’s hull.
• Propulsion: It is powered by a solid propellant during its launch phase. Thereafter, it is powered by a turbofan engine that does not emit much heat, which makes infrared detection difficult.
• It uses satellite-assisted navigation and TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) radar to guide it to a target.
• It is capable of twisting and turning like a radar-evading fighter plane, skimming the landscape at an altitude of only 30–90 metres (100–300 feet).
• It can carry either conventional or nuclear payloads.

The Ram temple in Ayodhya will be inaugurated on January 22. The complex is in the Nagara style of temple architecture, designed by 81-year-old Chandrakant Sompura and his 51-year-old son Ashish.

Nagara style

• Nagara architecture is a classical architecture of temple design in northern India, contrasted with Dravida architecture in southern India.

Nagara temples have a shikhara (mountain peak) over the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), a circumambulatory passage around it, and one or more mandapas (halls).

• Shikhara is a symbolic representation of the cosmic order and the divine presence.
• There are five modes of shikhara design: Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija.
  • Valabhi and Phamsana are Early Nagara modes, derived from barrel-roofed wooden structures.
  • Latina is a single, slightly curved tower with four equal sides, ominant for three centuries.
  • Shekhari and Bhumija are composite Latinas with attached sub-spires or miniature spires, creating a complex and ornate appearance.
• These modes are scholastic classifications, not rigid categories. There is much variation and innovation within and across these modes.

Shikhara?

In North Indian temple architecture, the superstructure, tower, or spire above the sanctuary and also above the pillared mandapas (porches or halls); it is the most dominant and characteristic feature of the Hindu temple in the north.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority issues notice to Amazon for sale of sweets under the misleading name of Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad.

• The action has been initiated based on a representation made by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) alleging that Amazon is engaging in deceptive trade practices involving the sale of sweets under the guise of 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad'.
• It may be mentioned that under the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020 no e-commerce entity shall adopt any unfair trade practice, whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise Further, 'Misleading advertisement' as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Central Consumer Protection Authority

• As provided in the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has been established w.e.f. 24th July, 2020.
• Objective: To promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.
• Composition:
  • It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members — one of whom will deal with matters relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to services.
• It will be empowered:
  • To conduct investigations into violation of consumer rights and institute complaints / prosecution,
  • Order recall of unsafe goods and services,
  • Order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements,
  • Impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

Consumer Protection Act 2019

The Consumer Protection Act 2019 defines a consumer under Section 2(7). It states that a consumer is somebody who purchases products or services. You are not considered a consumer if you purchase goods or services for resale or a business.

Unlike the Consumer Protection Act of 1986, this definition encompasses internet transactions. It is carried out to keep up with developing technology and expand online selling and advertising.

Consumer Protection Act 2019 – Rights of Consumer

According to the Consumer Protection Act 2019, consumers have six rights which are as follows:

• Protection from products and services that endanger life and property.
• Protection from products and services that risk property and human life.
• To have access to various products or services at affordable costs.
• Information about a product’s qualities, costs, and purity will help protect you from unscrupulous practices.
• Access to a variety of goods and services at affordable pricing.
• Assurance that customer interests are represented in relevant forums.
• Combating exploitation and unjust business practices.
• To have consumer assurances assured.

Salient Features of Consumer Protection Act 2019

The new Consumer Protection Act has modified the meaning of “consumer”. According to the Act, a person who uses the services or purchases any good for personal use is referred to as a consumer. It’s important to note that a person is not regarded as a consumer if they purchase a good or use a service for resale or commercial purposes. This definition of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 includes offline and online transactions such as those made through teleshopping, direct sales, or multi-level marketing. Some salient features of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 are as follows:

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA):

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which would serve as a regulatory body, is proposed to be established by the Consumer Protection Act 2019.
• Consumer rights disputes involving unfair practices, false advertising, and violations of those rights will be governed by the CCPA, which will also defend, promote, and uphold such rights.
• The wide-ranging authority would be granted to CCPA.
• The CCPA will be able to take sub-divisional actions, recall items, order the price of goods or services to be reimbursed, revoke licenses, issue fines, and bring class-action lawsuits.
• The CCPA will have a division dedicated to conducting independent investigations into infringements of consumer protection laws.

Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission:

• The salient features of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 mandated that Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions handle consumer complaints at the national, state, and district levels. As per the established rules, the State Commissions will provide the Central Government with information on vacancies, disposal, the status of cases, and other items, quarterly.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, CDRCs accept the following types of complaints:

• Excessive or misleading billing.
• Unfair or limiting business tactics.
• Sale of potentially life-threatening goods and services.
• Sale of faulty products or services.
• The Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission Rules state that lawsuits up to Rs. 5 lahks can be filed without paying fees.

Online Complain Submission:

• Another important feature of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 is that it allows consumers to lodge complaints with the consumer forum that has jurisdiction over them and is situated near their residence or employment. This is in contrast to the previous requirement, which required the consumer to lodge a complaint at the store where the item was purchased or the address of the seller’s registered office.
• Additionally, the new Consumer Protection Act includes provisions that allow consumers to submit complaints electronically and conduct hearings and/or examinations of parties through videoconferencing.
• Additionally, consumers won’t need legal counsel to handle their complaints.

Disciplinary Actions & Product Liability:

• The Consumer Protection Act 2019 introduced the concept of product liability. In the future, compensation for harm or loss brought on by subpar products or services will be the responsibility of the manufacturer, product service provider, or product seller.
• The product seller, service provider, and manufacturer are all covered by this clause for any compensation claims. E-commerce platforms would also be considered product sellers.

Penalties for False Advertising:

• The CCPA may fine a manufacturer or even an endorser for making a false or deceptive advertisement. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 allows CCPA to imprison them.

Provision for Alternative Dispute Resolution:

• As an alternative dispute resolution method, mediation is provided by the Consumer Protection Act 2019. There will be a stringent deadline established in the guidelines for mediation.
• According to the recently unveiled regulations, a Consumer Commission will send a complaint for mediation whenever there is potential for an early resolution and the parties consent. The mediation will take place in one of the Mediation Cells that the Consumer Commissions will set up. There won’t be an appeal against the mediation-based settlement.

Unfair Business Practices:

• The Consumer Protection Act has also empowered the government to take action against deceptive business practices.
• The Act adopts a broad definition of unfair trade practices, which includes disclosing personally identifiable information provided by customers in trust unless required by any other legislation.

The Central Consumer Protection Council:

• The Central Government is given the authority to create a Central Consumer Protection Council by the Consumer Protection Act 2019. It will serve as a consumer problems advisory council.
• According to the Central Consumer Protection Council Rules, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution would serve as the Council’s chairman, with the Minister of State serving as vice chairperson and 34 other members representing various industries.
• Two States from each of the five regions—North, South, East, West, and NER—will nominate a minister in charge of consumer affairs to the Council, which has a three-year term. Additionally, it is possible to form working groups among the members to complete particular tasks.

Applicability:

• Unless a specific product or service is specifically excluded from its application by the Central Government, the Consumer Protection Act 2019 applies to all goods and services.

Consumer Protection Act 2019 – Product Liability Causes

A new addition to the Consumer Protection Act 2019 is product liability, which reflects norms from the modern world. The new act includes a whole chapter devoted to product responsibility. Consumers are protected from defective goods under this clause.

• The COPRA 2019 act holds the manufacturer liable if a product does not meet specifications or is found to be defective. The Product Liability Clause also allows for liability for the service provider and the product vendor.
• When a service is poor or flawed, the provider is held accountable. If no prior warnings, negligence, or injury occurred, the service provider would be held accountable under product responsibility.
• A product seller is responsible if they exercise significant control over the product’s development, testing, packing, and labelling. Under the Consumer Protection Act 2019 provisions, they are also accountable if a product alteration causes harm to a consumer.
• The product seller is responsible for lacking assembly, maintenance, and product inspection.

The Annual Status of Education Report 2023 has been published recently by Pratham, a civil society organisation.

What is ASER?

• It is a nationwide citizen-led household survey that provides a snapshot of the status of children’s schooling and learning in rural India.
• Conducted by- Pratham, a non-governmental organisation.
• Launched- 2005
• Published- It was conducted annually until 2014 and switched to alternate year cycle in 2016.
• Basic ASER- It collects information about enrolment in pre-school and school for children in the age group of 3 to 16, and assesses children aged 5 to 16 one-on-one to understand their foundational reading and arithmetic abilities.
• ASER, 2017- For the first time it focused on the activities, abilities and aspirations of the youth aged 14 to 18 in 28 districts of the country.
• ASER 2023- It revisits 14-18 age group on collecting data and information about new domain that have emerged as important in the post pandemic world.
• Theme- Beyond Basics
• Data collection- The survey was conducted in 28 districts across 26 states in India.

What are the key highlights of the report?

• Opted streams- Most of the people in this age group were enrolled in the Arts/Humanities streams.
• Females are less likely to be enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) stream (28.1%) than males (36.3%).
• Vocational training- Only 5.6% of surveyed youth report taking vocational training or other related courses currently.
• Basic reading- About 25% still cannot read a Class II level text fluently in their regional language.
• Math abilities- More than half struggle with division (3 digit by 1 digit) problems.
• English ability- A little over half can read sentences in English (57.3%).
• Of those who can read sentences in English almost three quarters can tell their meaning.
• Gender based performance- Females can do better than males in reading a Class II level text in their regional language.
• Males do better than females in arithmetic and English reading.
• Across all digital tasks, such as finding and sharing videos, searching the internet, setting an alarm, and using Google maps, boys outperformed girls.
• Gender gap- Males are more than twice as likely to have their own smartphone as females.
• Mobile penetration- Close to 90% of all youth have a smartphone in the household and kn0w how to use it.
• About two-thirds of the youth reported using smartphones for educational purposes, such as watching online videos related to studies, solving doubts or exchanging notes.
• Digital literacy divide- Females are less likely to know how to use a smartphone or computer as compared to males.
• Skill deficit- The report revealed that there is a huge skill deficit among adolescents, many of them only a few years away from entering the job market.

• Fo Guang Shan Cultural and Educational Centre, received registration under ‘religious, cultural, economic, educational and social purpose’ category recently.
• Fo Guang Shan (FGS) is one of the largest Buddhist organization and monastic order based in Taiwan.
• The name translates to "Buddha's Light Mountain".

FGS practices Humanistic Buddhism, which has roots in the Linji school of Chan Buddhism.

• The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) is a zoo in Darjeeling, India.
• It's also known as the Darjeeling Zoo and is the largest high-altitude zoo in the country.
• The zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and is known for its breeding programs for red pandas, Himalayan salamanders, Tibetan wolves, and snow leopards.

World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has recently annpunced that it has the world’s largest number of snow leopards in captivity.

• Munagapaka is a village in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India.
• Munagapaka, known for sugarcane cultivation, is gearing up to organise the 15^th edition of the traditional sports like Horse, bullock cart races during Sankranti.

The races were quite different from Jallikattu organised in Tamil Nadu or similar competitions held in Krishna and Guntur.