Direct Action Day - Muslim League Proclamation (16 August, 1946) - This Day in History

 

What is the Direct Action Day?

The Muslim League Council proclaimed 16^th August 1946 as ‘Direct Action Day’ in order to accentuate their demand of a separate Muslim homeland after the British left the Indian subcontinent. Their main aim was to attain a different country with a Muslim majority.

 

 

Direct Action Day – Series of Events

• In 1946, the Cabinet Mission was sent to India by the British government to find a resolution to the conflict between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Muslim League on the issue of independence. The two parties were the largest in India’s Constituent Assembly.
• The League wanted a separate homeland for the Muslims they called Pakistan while the INC wanted a united India.
• The Mission was not successful since the League and the Congress could not agree on the point of a united India with a strong centre.
• Since the Mission failed, the Muslim League announced 16^th August as Direct Action Day and called for a general hartal in order to protest the INC’s stand and demand vehemently a separate homeland.
• The Chief Minister of Bengal at that time was Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy of the Muslim League. The League announced that there was to be a mass rally presided over by Suhrawardy. Processions of people would come from different places and meet at the Ochterlony Monument to attend the rally.
• The rally started at noon, although there were instances of forced closing down of shops, stabbing and stoning from morning itself.

It is believed that when Muhammad Ali Jinnah asked the people to ‘suspend all business’, he did not expect the riot to get so violent. However, the outcome of this Direct Action Day turned out to be extremely violent and took the lives of hundreds of people in both countries.

 

 

Direct Action Day – Outcome

• League leaders gave fiery speeches at the rally which got the massive crowd excited.
• This was followed by large-scale rioting in Calcutta. Around 4000 people were killed on the first day. The riots involved killing, rape, forced conversions and looting.
• Many people blame Suhrawardy for inciting the people and then failing to put an end to the violence as Chief Minister.
• Some also put the blame on the Governor of Bengal, Sir Frederick John Burrows for not taking control of the situation.
• This communal violence soon spread to other parts of northern India particularly Bihar. Noakhali (now in Bangladesh) saw gruesome violence.
• The violence witnessed during and after the Direct Action Day has also been called the Great Calcutta Killings. Some of the places saw rioting on the scale of what can be termed genocide.
• India’s independence was overshadowed by thousands of people getting killed or tortured in various riots particularly in eastern, northern and north-west India. The Calcutta killings were the first of such pre-independence rioting.
• All this bloodshed and communal tensions ultimately led to the INC’s acceptance of the partition of the country in order to suppress the violence and blood bath.

 

Also on This Day

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1886: Death of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Guru of Swami Vivekananda. 1932: British government in India gives separate electoral representation for the ‘Depressed Classes’.

 

 

#Credits2Byju'sIAS

 

 

 

Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)

 

The Local Area Development Scheme known as MPLADS is a government scheme launched on 23rd December 1993. This central sector scheme was developed as an initiative to enable the parliament members to recommend developmental work in their constituencies based on locally felt needs. These developmental works mainly focused on the areas of national priorities such as drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads, etc. 

The scheme, Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was started by the late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. This scheme is now administered by the Ministry of Statistics and Implementation but was initially administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Key Features of MPLADS

In addition to the regular State Government departments and the three levels of Panchayats, the rural areas of many districts are also being serviced by Area Development Authorities/Rural Development Boards. These organizations receive sizeable grants from both the Union and the State Governments for schematic expenditure in their jurisdiction with emphasis on crop improvement, creation of minor irrigation facilities, up-gradation of local infrastructure and other area-specific needs. 

Government schemes are an important part of the UPSC syllabus. Aspirants must be thorough with the objectives and the activities of these major schemes for the IAS exam.

Some of the key features of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) are:

• It is a government-funded scheme where the annual fund provided to each MP constituency is Rs. 5 crores.
• The initial assistance under the MPLAD scheme was Rs. 5 lakh / MP. From 1998-99 onwards, this amount has been increased to Rs. 2 crore / MP and the amount currently available under this scheme has been increased to Rs. 5 crore rupees.
• Recommendation by the MPs should be done annually with works costing at least 15 percent of the MPLADS entitlement for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5 percent for areas inhabited by the S.T. population. 
• A sum of Rs. 75 lakhs is provided for building assets by trusts and societies as per the scheme guidelines to encourage the trusts and societies for the betterment of tribal people.
• Lok Sabha Members can recommend works within their Constituencies and Elected Members of Rajya Sabha can recommend works within the State of Election. Nominated Members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works anywhere in the country.

Implementation of MPLADS

• An MP is required to provide his/her choice of the nodal district to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in a prescribed format. A copy of the same should be given to the State Government and the District Magistrate of the chosen district. 
• The government of India releases an annual entitlement of Rs. 5 crores in two equal installments. This amount is given to the District Authority of the Nodal District selected by the concerned MP.
• The Implementing Agency should be identified by the District Authority. The Implementing Agency should have the capability to execute the eligible work qualitatively, timely and satisfactorily. 
• All the recommended works must be sanctioned within 75 days from the date of receipt of the recommendation after the completion of all formalities. If any work is not sanctioned within the prescribed time period, the District Authority shall, however, may inform the MPs regarding the rejection of the work within 45 days from the date of receipt of recommendations.
• The scheme can also be converted into individual/stand-alone projects under the Central and State Government schemes provided they meet the eligibility conditions of MPLADS. 
• Funds from local bodies can be similarly pooled with MPLADS works but the funds provided by other scheme sources should be used first. MPLADS funds should be released later for the successful completion of the project. As soon as a work under the Scheme is completed, it should be put to public use.

Nai Roshni Scheme - Indian Polity

In 2012- 2013, the Government of India launched a welfare scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the development of minority women in order to inculcate confidence and empower them by providing knowledge and techniques. This topic is important for students preparing for the IAS Exam. Nai Roshni Scheme also spelled as, Nayi Roshni Scheme, is a part of the polity/social justice sections of the General Studies Paper 2 in the UPSC Syllabus.

Nai Roshni Scheme Objectives

• Nai Roshni Scheme is a Government welfare scheme launched to empower minority women with knowledge, basic techniques and tools which would help them interact with government banks and other institutions on all levels.
• The scheme has been implemented through NGOs, civil societies and government institutions.
• Minority women can apply for the scheme online as well.
• The scheme helps in fighting different social stigmas such as poverty, as women and children are the worst sufferers of poverty. 
• It empowers the minority women to stand up for their rights and help them grow economically thus strengthening civil society.

Training Modules under Nai Roshni

Advocacy for Social and Behavioral Change	Digital-Literacy
Educational Empowerment	Financial Systems
Health and Hygiene	Leadership of Women
Legal Rights to Women	Life Skills
Swachh Bharat

Nai Roshni Scheme Target Group

• Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Zoroastrian (Parsi) and Jain women notified under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 come under the target group.
• However, to further increase the strength of the mosaic of plurality in society and bring about solidarity and unity through their own efforts to improve their lot, the scheme permits a mix of women from non-minority communities not exceeding 25% of a project proposal.
• Efforts should be made by the organization so that a representative mix of women comes up from SCs/STs/OBCs. Also, women with disabilities and other communities are included within this 25% group.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Nai Roshni Scheme

• A study was conducted by NITI Aayog to evaluate the impact of the scheme on the minority and to identify the setbacks faced in the implementation of the scheme.
• The study covered 15 districts, 30 blocks, 87 villages, 27 NGOs spread over 8 States namely Assam, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• According to NITI Aayog, majority of the findings of the study indicate that the programme has been appreciated by a majority of the segments of the population and it has assisted in creating confidence among minority women and in developing leadership spirit in them.
• Trained women are utilizing their knowledge to help their families and neighbours in raising their essential demands and claims from various government authorities.

Recommendations of the Study

• Taking up more awareness programmes about the scheme.
• Inclusion of women from the general category. The scheme provides for the selection of 25 non-minority women.
• Longer periods of training.
• Including training modules on laws protecting the interests of women.
• Including persons with disabilities in the training module.

Important Days and Dates of a Year

Important Days and Dates of January

• January 4: World Braille Day
• January 9: NRI Day
• January 10: World Hindi Day
• January 12: World Youth Day
• January 15: Army Day
• January 25: National Voters Day
• January 26: India’s Republic day, International Customs Day
• January 27: International Day of Commemoration
• January 30: Martyrs’ Day
• January (last Sunday): World Leprosy Eradication Day

Important Days and Dates of February

• February 2: World Wetlands Day
• February 4: World Cancer Day
• February 6: International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
• February (second day of the second week of February): Safer Internet Day
• February 10: National De-worming Day
• February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
• February 12: National Productivity Day
• February 13: World Radio Day, World Women’s Day
• February 14: Valentine’s Day
• February 20: World Day of Social Justice
• February 21: International Mother Language Day
• February 24: Central Excise Day
• February 28: National Science Day

Important Days and Dates of March

• March 1: Zero Discrimination Day; World Civil Defence Day
• March 3: World Wildlife Day, World Hearing Day
• March 4: National Security Day
• March 8: International Women’s Day
• March (2nd Thursday in March): World Kidney Day
• March (2nd Wednesday in March): No Smoking Day
• March 15: World Disabled Day; World Consumer Rights Day
• March 16: World Sleep Day
• March 18: Ordnance Factories Day (India)
• March 20: International Day of happiness; World Sparrow Day
• March 21: World Forestry Day; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry Day
• March 22: World Day for Water
• March 23: World Meteorological Day
• March 24: World TB Day
• March 27: World Theatre Day

Important Days and Dates of April

• April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
• April 4: International Day for Mine Awareness
• April 5: National Maritime Day
• April 7: World Health Day
• April 10: World Homeopathy Day
• April 11: National Safe Motherhood Day; National Pet Day
• April 17: World Haemophilia Day
• April 18: World Heritage Day
• April 19: World Liver Day
• April 21: Secretaries Day; Civil Services Day
• April 22: Earth Day
• April 23: World Book and Copyright Day
• April 24: National Panchayati Day
• April 25: World Malaria Day
• April 26: World Intellectual property Day
• April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work; World Veterinary Day
• April 29: International Dance Day
• April 30: Ayushman Bharat Diwas

Important Days and Dates of May

• May 1: Worker’s Day (International Labour Day), Maharashtra Day
• May 3: Press Freedom Day
• May (1st Sunday): World Laughter Day
• May (1st Tuesday): World Asthma Day
• May (2nd Sunday): Mother’s Day
• May 4: Coal Miners Day; International Firefighters Day
• May 7: World Athletics Day
• May 8: World Red Cross Day; World Thalassaemia Day
• May 11: National Technology Day
• May 12: International Nurses Day
• May 15: International Day of the Family
• May 17: World Telecommunication Day; World Hypertension Day
• May 18: World AIDS vaccine Day; International Museum Day
• May 21: National Anti-Terrorism Day
• May 22: International Day for Biological Diversity
• May 24: Commonwealth Day
• May 31: Anti-Tobacco Day

Important Days and Dates of June

• June 1: World Milk Day
• June 3: World Bicycle Day
• June 4: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
• June 5: World Environment Day
• June (3rd Sunday): Father’s Day
• June 8: World Ocean Day
• June 12: Anti-Child labor Day
• June 13: International Albinism Awareness Day
• June 14: World Blood Donor Day
• June 20: World Refugee Day
• June 21: International Day of Yoga
• June 23: United Nations Public Service Day
• June 26: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Important Days and Dates of July

• July 1: Doctor’s Day
• July 6: World Zoonoses Day
• July 11: World Population Day
• July 17: World Day for International Justice
• July 18: International Nelson Mandela Day
• July 28: World Hepatitis Day

Important Days and Dates of August

• August (1st Sunday): International Friendship Day
• August 6: Hiroshima Day
• August 8: World Senior Citizen’s Day
• August 9: Quit India Day, Nagasaki Day, International Day of the World’s Indigenous peoples.
• August 15: Indian Independence Day
• August 12: International Youth Day
• August 19: Photography Day, World Humanitarian Day
• August 29: National Sports Day

Important Days and Dates of September

• September 2: Coconut Day
• September 5: Teacher’s Day; Sanskrit Day
• September 8: International Literacy Day
• September 14: Hindi Diwas
• September 15: Engineers Day; International Day of Democracy
• September 16: World Ozone Day; International Day for preservation
• September 21: Alzheimer’s Day; Day for Peace & Non-Violence (UN)
• September 22: Rose Day (Welfare of cancer patients)
• September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
• September 26: Day of the Deaf; World Contraception Day
• September 27: World Tourism Day; World Maritime Day
• September 29: World Heart Day
• September 30: International Translation Day
• September (Last Saturday): World Rivers Day

Important Days and Dates of October

• October 1: International Day of the Elderly
• October 2: Gandhi Jayanthi; International Day of Non-Violence
• October (First Monday): World Habitat Day
• October 4: World Animal Welfare Day
• October 8: Indian Air Force Day
• October 9: World Post Office Day
• October 10: National Post Day; World Mental Health Day
• October 11: National Girl Child Day
• October (2nd Thursday): World Sight Day
• October 13: UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
• October 14: World Standards Day
• October 15: World Students Day; World White Cane Day (Guiding the Blind)
• October 16: World Food Day
• October 24: UN Day; World Development Information Day
• October 30: World Thrift Day
• October 31: National Unity Day

Important Days and Dates of November

• November 5: World Tsunami Day
• November 7: National Cancer Awareness day
• November 9: Legal Services Day
• November 14: Children’s Day; Diabetes Day
• November 17: National Epilepsy Day
• November 20: Africa Industrialization Day
• November 21: World Television Day
• November 29: International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People

Important Days and Dates of December

• December 1: World AIDS Day
• December 2: National Pollution Control
• December 3: World Day of the Handicapped
• December 4: Indian Navy Day
• December 7: Indian Armed Forces Flag Day
• December 10: Human Rights Day; International Children’s Day of Broadcasting
• December 11: International Mountain Day
• December 14: World Energy Conservation Day
• December 16: Vijay Diwas
• December 18: Minorities Rights Day (India)
• December 22: National Mathematics Day
• December 23: Kisan Divas (Farmer’s Day) (India)
• December 24: National Consumers Day
• December 25: Christmas Day

Cabinet approves transgender persons Bill

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to introduce The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. It will be introduced in the ongoing Parliament session. The Bill provides a mechanism for the social, economic and educational empowerment of transgenders.

Impact

The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalised section and bring them into the mainstream of society. This will lead to inclusiveness and will make transgender persons productive members of the society.

Background

* The transgender community is among one of the most marginalised because they don’t fit into the stereotypical gender categories. Consequently, they face problems ranging from social exclusion to discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, lack of medical facilities and so on. The Bill shall empower the transgender community socially, educationally and economically.

* According to the new definition, a transgender person is somebody “whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-men or trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities such as kinnar, hijras, aravani and jogta”.

What does the Bill guarantee?

* The Bill aims to stop discrimination against a transgender person in various sectors such as education, employment and health care. It also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes for them.

* Moving the Bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said that it was a long-standing demand to bring a legislation to protect the rights of transgender persons and their welfare. He added that the Bill is aimed at bringing the community into the mainstream of the society.

Who is a transgender person?

* As per international standards, ‘transgender’ is an umbrella term that includes persons whose sense of gender does not match with the gender assigned to them at birth. For example, a person born as a man may identify with the opposite gender, i.e., as a woman. In addition to this sense of mismatch, the definition provided under the Bill also lists further criteria to be defined as a transgender person. These include being (i) ‘neither wholly male nor female’, or (ii) ‘a combination of male or female’, or (iii) ‘neither male nor female’.

* The Supreme Court, the expert committee of the social justice and welfare ministry and the recent standing committee report all define ‘transgender persons’ based on the mismatch only. Therefore, the definition provided under the Bill does not clarify if simply proving a mismatch is enough (as is the norm internationally) or whether the additional listed criteria ought to be fulfilled as well.

Short Takes / POCSO Act

              

 

Punishment for sexual crimes against kids

 

In a bid to protect children from sexual abuse, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. It will make punishment more stringent, including death penalty, for committing sexual crimes against children. The amendments also provide for levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography.

Impact

 

* The amendment is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions incorporated in the Act.

* It intends to protect the interests of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity.

* The amendment is aimed at establishing clarity regarding the aspects of child abuse and punishment thereof.

Background

 

The POCSO Act, 2012, was enacted to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography with due regard for safeguarding the interest and well-being of children. The Act is gender neutral.

POCSO Act

 

In order to effectively address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children through less ambiguous and more stringent legal provisions, the women and child development ministry championed the introduction of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Salient features

 

* The Act defines a child as any person below 18 years of age, and regards the best interests and well-being of the child as being of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the child.

* It defines different forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual harassment and pornography, and deems a sexual assault to be “aggravated” under certain circumstances, such as when the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority vis-à-vis the child, like a family member, police officer, teacher or doctor.

* People who traffic children for sexual purposes are also punishable under the provisions relating to abetment in the Act. The Act prescribes stringent punishment graded as per the gravity of the offence, with a maximum term of rigorous imprisonment for life, and a fine.

Know about Rurban Mission

 

 

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has urged the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) to draw inspiration from Mukherji’s life and bring in development based on his vision of reducing the rural-urban divide.

Tomar said that migration from rural to urban areas would reduce if we provide employment, education and basic amenities in these clusters. He laid emphasis on skill development linked with market linkage, and insisted on developing theme-based clusters, which would encourage entrepreneurial skills and buying power of the clusters.

What are Rurban clusters?

 

Large parts of India’s rural areas are not standalone settlements, but part of a cluster of settlements, which are relatively proximate to each other. These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth, have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages, making a case for concerted policy directives for such clusters. Once developed, these clusters can be classified as ‘Rurban’. Taking cognisance of this, the Union government proposed the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission for developing such rural areas by provisioning of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.

Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30-40 lakh population. A Rurban cluster would be a cluster of geographically contiguous villages with a population of about 25,000 to 50,000 in plain and coastal areas and with a population of 5,000 to 15,000 in desert, hilly or tribal areas.

* SPMRM was launched on February 21, 2016, with an outlay of Rs 5,142 crore.

* The mission has an objective for comprehensive development of 300 clusters, out of which Integrated Cluster Action Plans for 279 clusters have been approved.

* The total investment in these 279 clusters is estimated at Rs 26,258 crore, of which Rs 5,150 crore has already been spent. The SPMRM will provide an additional funding support of up to 30 per cent of the project cost per cluster as critical gap funding as central share to enable the development of such clusters.

* State governments identify the clusters in accordance with the framework for implementation prepared by the Ministry of Rural Development.

* Basic amenities in a cluster typically comprise of provision of 24x7 water supply to all households, waste management facilities, provision of village roads, adequate street lights and public transport facilities using green technologies.

* Economic amenities in a cluster comprise various thematic areas in the sectors of agri services and processing, tourism and skill development to promote small- and medium-scale enterprises.

How is SPMRM linked to PURA?

 

A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA). Announced in 2003, it aimed at providing urban amenities and livelihood opportunities in rural areas to bridge the rural-urban divide, thereby reducing migration from rural to urban areas.

PURA was championed by the then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

PURA was for holistic and accelerated development of compact areas around a potential growth centre in a panchayat (or group of panchayats) through public-private partnership by providing livelihood opportunities and urban amenities to improve the quality of life in rural areas. It included…

* Simultaneous delivery of different schemes

* Deployment of funds for operations and maintenance of assets along with capital investment for creation of assets

* Synergy in operations of schemes - leading to optimal use of resources

* Standards for service delivery in rural areas at par to those set for urban areas

Govt unveils rural sanitation strategy

                       

 

A document on 10-year Rural Sanitation Strategy, with a focus on increasing access to solid and liquid waste management, was unveiled by the department of drinking water and sanitation (DDWS), ministry of jal shakti, on September 28.

It also focuses on sustaining the behavioural change regarding sanitation, which has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the 10-year Rural Sanitation Strategy is a framework to sustain the efforts of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).

Department of drinking water and sanitation secretary Parameswaran Iyer said the document will be sent to the Union Cabinet for its approval.

ODF Plus plan

Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) in 2014, more than 10 crore toilets have been built in rural areas, while over 5.9 lakh villages, 699 districts and 35 states and Union territories have declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).

According to the document, the strategy also speaks about potential collaborations with development partners, civil society and inter-government partnerships, and also highlights innovative models for sanitation financing.

ODF Plus envisages that everyone uses a toilet and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management.

This ODF Plus plan has been prepared by the DDWS in consultation with state governments and other stakeholders, and it lays down a framework to guide local governments, policymakers, implementers and other relevant stakeholders in their planning for ODF Plus, Iyer said.

He said the 10-year strategy focuses on the need for states and Union territories to continue their efforts to sustain the gains of the mission through capacity strengthening, information, education and communication, organic waste management, plastic waste management, grey water management and black water management.

Swachh Bharat Mission

To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014.

The mission aims to achieve a Swachh Bharat by 2019, as a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.

In rural India, this would mean improving the levels of cleanliness through solid and liquid waste management activities and making villages ODF, clean and sanitised.

Mission objectives

* To bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in rural areas by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation.

* To accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas to achieve the vision of Swachh Bharat by October 2.

* To motivate communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices and facilities through awareness creation and health education.

* To encourage cost-effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation.

* To develop community managed sanitation systems focusing on scientific solid and liquid waste management systems for overall cleanliness in rural areas.

* To create significant positive impact on gender and promote social inclusion by improving sanitation, especially in marginalised communities.

Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)

Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is a department formed by Government of India under Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under Ministry of Commerce and Industry,to administer Explosives Act 1884,Explosive Substance Act, Petroleum Act 1934, Inflammable substance Act 1952 and Environment Protection Act 1986 to control import, export, transport, storage and usage of explosive materials,flammable materials, pressure vessels, cryogenic vessels, design and installation of all necessary and relevant infrastructure etc. PESO is a regulatory authority with autonomous status. 

The Department is headed by Chief Controller of Explosives and is headquartered at Nagpur in the State of Maharashtra in India. The authority framed various rules like Petroleum Rules 2002, Explosive Rules 2008, Gas Cylinder Rules 2002, Static & Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) 2016, Ammonium Nitrate Rules, Calcium Carbide Rules 1987, Cinematographic Films Rules, 1948 etc. 

It was established during the British India in 1890s as Department of Explosives and later expanded to various other activities. PESO is known for one of the most efficient departments in India. The officers are selected by the UPSC into Indian Petroleum and Explosives Safety Service (IPESS), a central civil services cadre.

Clean India-2 to focus on plastic ban

               

 

Ridding the country of single-use plastic by 2022 will be Clean India (Swachh Bharat) Part 2, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said and added that the government will conduct a mega public outreach programme in the next three years to achieve the target.

The government’s next big priority after achieving the aim of building 100 million toilets as part of the Clean India programme is to phase out single-use plastic, he said.

In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for an end to single-use plastic to protect the environment. Since then, the Centre as well as various state governments have announced measures to curb its use.

“Like establishing 100 million toilets was the first part of Clean India programme, now plastic waste management becomes the Clean India Part 2,” Javadekar said.He said the government is focusing on instilling behavioural changes among people to shun plastic and various ministries and government bodies are working towards it. He also referred to the BJP giving out cotton bags with the slogan ‘Plastic Nahi, Kapda Sahi’.

Javadekar said 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day in India. Of this, 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste does not get collected. 

Asked about the response of corporates, including manufacturers of plastics, Javadekar said their response has been impressive and they are coming forward with alternatives.

“Every ministry has taken action. It is a people’s movement and simultaneously producers of plastic can also think of alternatives and we are improving the plastic waste management system. All strategies working together will make India plastic waste free country,” he said.

Some measures taken by the govt

* The environment secretary said all government offices must completely ban all types of plastic carry bags, thermocol disposable cutlery and discourage the use of artificial banners, flags, flowers, water bottles, plastic folders and the like.

* The environment ministry has already directed more than 500 national parks, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries across the country to become free of single-use plastic.

* Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel announced that single-use plastics will not be allowed on the premises of historical monuments or within 100 metres of them.

* Indian Railways has urged all its vendors and staff to use reusable bags to reduce plastic footprint. The Railway Board has asked authorities to expedite the installation of plastic water bottle crushing machines at major stations. The board has also asked Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation to implement the return of plastic drinking bottles as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility.

CREDITS# Manorama.