PIB Summary- 29th November, 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

SAREX-24

Context

The 11th edition of Indian Coast Guard’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise & Workshop (SAREX-24) will be in Kochi, Kerala on November 28-29, 2024.

SAREX-24

Key Highlights
Theme

• “Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional Collaboration”: Focuses on strengthening operational capabilities through joint efforts and cooperation among regional and international partners.

Objectives

• Demonstrating ICG’s Commitment:
  • Showcasing the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) preparedness to handle large-scale contingencies.
  • Ensuring aid during emergencies irrespective of location, nationality, or circumstances within and beyond the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
• Capacity Building:
  • Evaluating operational efficiency and coordination with national stakeholders.
  • Promoting cooperative engagements with neighboring littoral states and friendly nations.

Event Features

• Workshops and Seminars:
  • Includes participation from:
    • Senior officials from government agencies, ministries, and armed forces.
    • Various national stakeholders and foreign delegates.
• Table-Top Exercise:
  • Aimed at strategic planning and response evaluation for simulated emergencies.
• Sea Exercise:
  • Conducted off the Kochi coast.
  • Involves:
    • Ships and aircraft of ICG and Navy.
    • Assets from the Indian Air Force, Cochin Port Authority, Customs, and passenger vessels.
    • Demonstration of evacuation techniques using advanced technology.

Innovative Demonstrations

• Technological Integration:
  • Satellite-aided distress beacons.
  • Drones deploying life buoys.
  • Air-droppable life rafts.
  • Remote-controlled life buoys.
• Evacuation Methods:
  • Testing diverse techniques to rescue distressed passengers during large-scale emergencies.

Significance

• Operational Efficiency:
  • Enhances search and rescue capabilities by testing real-time coordination among stakeholders.
• International Cooperation:
  • Strengthens partnerships with regional and international allies.
• Advancing Maritime Safety:
  • Promotes the use of cutting-edge technology in maritime disaster response.

E-Daakhil portal 

Context

The Department of Consumer Affairs is proud to announce the successful nationwide implementation of the E-Daakhil portal, now operational in every state and union territory of India.

About E-Daakhil portal:

• It is launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
• The e-daakhil portal empowers the consumer and their advocates to file consumer complaints online.
• It also facilitates to male payment of requisite fees online from anywhere in order to redress their complaints.
• The site of the e-Daakhil Portal was developed and is maintained by the National Information Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
• This portal has been developed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

National consumer dispute redressal commission:
Nodal: Ministry of consumer affairs and public distribution

• The Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986 to protect the interests of the consumers.( quasi- judicial body)
• The objective of this law is to provide a simple, fast and inexpensive mechanism to the citizens to redress their grievances in specified cases.

The Act envisages a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the National, State and District levels:

• National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission  known as “National Commission”;
• State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission known as “State Commission”;
• District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum – known as “District Forum”.