PIB Summary- 26th February, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Sustainable Development for Coal Sector

Context: Government has put major thrust on sustainable development in coal mining and is taking multi-pronged action on both environmental & social fronts.

Details

• The Ministry of Coal has undertaken several out-of-the-box measures besides regular environmental monitoring and mitigation during mining operation in order to sustainably develop the coal sector.
• Some of the measures are described below.
  • Utilisation of mine water: Huge volume of mine water released during mining operation is partially utilized for internal consumption by coalmines for providing drinking water in their colonies, dust suppression, industrial use, plantation, etc. The internal consumption constitutes about 45% of the total mine water leaving a substantial volume for community use. A plan has been drawn up for the maximisation of mine water supply to nearby villages.
  • Eco Parks: Coal companies have already developed 15 eco-parks in various coalfields. Ten new eco-parks are in different stages of development.
  • Extraction and use of Sand from Over Burden (OB): Extraction of sand from Over Burden (OB) for use as construction & stowing material will not only help in availability of cheaper sand for house & other construction but will also minimize the land required for OB dump in future projects. This initiative also lowers the adverse footprint of riverbed mining of sand.
  • First Mile Connectivity: Under this measure, coal is being transported through conveyor belt from Coal Handling Plants to Silo for loading. This process eliminates movement of coal through road and thus not only minimizes the environmental pollution, but also reduces the carbon footprint.
  • Renewable Energy: Coal companies have set up solar power plants towards achieving their set targets of renewable energy production.
  • Bio-Reclamation and Tree Plantation: Bio-Reclamation and massive tree plantation has been one of the key thrust areas of coal companies in promoting environmental sustainability.

E-Daakhil Portal

Context: E-Daakhil portal for consumer grievance redressal is operational in 15 States/UTs.

What is E-Daakhil Portal?

• It is a portal for e-filing of consumer complaints with the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and other consumer commissions.
• It was launched by the NCDRC in September 2020 with Delhi being the first state to implement it.
• The fees for filing the complaint can also be paid online through the e-Daakhil portal.
• The e-Daakhil portal empowers the consumer and their advocates to file the consumer complaints along with payment of requisite fees online from anywhere for the redressal of their complaints.
• It also facilitates the consumer commissions to scrutinize the complaints online to accept, reject or forward the complaint to the concerned commission for further processing.
• To facilitate rural consumers for e-filing, it has been decided to integrate the Common Service Centres (CSC) with the e-daakhil portal.
  • As many consumers at Gram Panchayat level may either not have access to electronic modes of communication or are unable to use the tools, they may avail the services of CSCs in filing their complaints in the Consumer Commission.

Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021

Context: Union Minister inaugurates Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021.

About Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021

• The Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021 is being organised at Noida Haat by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• More than 300 rural self-help groups and craftsman from 27 states are participating in the Mela.
• Stalls showcasing regional cuisines and cultural performances are being organised at the Mela (fair).
• During the Mela, workshops on product packaging and design, communication skills, social media publicity and Business 2 Business marketing will be organised to educate the rural self-help groups and craftsman.
• Through participation in SARAS Aajeevika Mela, these rural SHG women get vital national level exposure to understand the demand and taste of urban customers.

Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

Context: DBT celebrates its 35th Foundation Day.

About DBT

• The Department of Biotechnology is a government department under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for administrating development and commercialisation in the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India.
• It was established in 1986 and is headquartered in Delhi.
• DBT’s mandate:
  • Promote large scale use of Biotechnology
  • Support R&D and manufacturing in Biology
  • Responsibility for Autonomous Institutions
  • Promote University and Industry Interaction
  • Identify and Set up Centres of Excellence for R&D
  • Integrated Programme for Human Resource Development
  • Serve as Nodal Point for specific International Collaborations
  • Establishment of Infrastructure Facilities to support R&D and production
  • Evolve Bio Safety Guidelines, manufacture and application of cell based vaccines
  • Serve as nodal point for the collection and dissemination of information relating to biotechnology.

Prelims Facts

INS Utkrosh

• INS Utkrosh is an Indian naval air station under the joint-services Andaman and Nicobar Command of the Indian Armed Forces.
• It is located near naval base INS Jarawa, on Port Blair in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• It is the first naval air station in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It was transferred from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to the Indian Navy in 1984.
• It was initially commissioned as INS Jarawa II and in 1985, it was formally commissioned as INS Utkrosh.
• This station operates the Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft and a SAR (Search & Rescue) flight of HAL Chetak helicopters. The station also handles courier flights from the mainland, and civil flights to and from Port Blair.
• Its location makes it an important strategic station for protecting India’s maritime interests in the Bay of Bengal. It also serves as an important facility for undertaking humanitarian operations, such as disaster relief and evacuation of medical emergencies from the remote islands.