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Type: PIB

  • HSN Code

     

    No imports will be allowed without HSN code into the country clarified the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry.

    What is HSN Code?

    • HSN code stands for “Harmonized System of Nomenclature”.
    • This system has been introduced for the systematic classification of goods all over the world.
    • HSN code is a 6-digit uniform code that classifies 5000+ products and is accepted worldwide.
    • It was developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and it came into effect from 1988.
    • The main purpose of HSN is to classify goods from all over the World in a systematic and logical manner. This brings in a uniform classification of goods and facilitates international trade.

  • [pib] BIS Gold Hallmarking

    Gold hallmarking is being made mandatory to ensure consumers are not cheated, are better informed about purity and corruption is removed.

    Gold Hallmarking

    • Bureau of Indian Standards (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018 were notified w.e.f. 14.06.2018. BIS is running a hallmarking scheme for gold jewelry since April 2000.
    • The BIS Act 2016 has enabling provisions under Section 14 & Section 16 for mandatory hallmarking of Gold jewellery & artefacts by the Central Government.
    • This made it compulsory for all the jewelers selling  Gold jewellery and artefacts to register with BIS & sell only hallmarked Gold jewellery & artefacts.
    • The caratage is marked on jewelry in addition to fineness for convenience of consumers, e.g. for 22 carat jewelry, 22K will be marked in addition to 916, for 18 carat jewelry, 18K will be marked in addition to 750 and for 14 carat jewelry, 14K will be marked in addition to 585.

  • [pib] State Energy Efficiency Index 2019

    The Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy has released the ‘State Energy Efficiency Index 2019’.

    State Energy Efficiency Index

    • The first such Index, the “State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index 2018”, was launched on August 1, 2018.
    • The index tracks the progress of Energy Efficiency (EE) initiatives in 36 states and union territories based on 97 significant indicators.
    • It is developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in association with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
    • It categorizes states as ‘Front Runner’, ‘Achiever’, ‘Contender’ and ‘Aspirant’ based on their efforts and achievements towards energy efficiency implementation.
    • It incorporates qualitative, quantitative and outcome-based indicators to assess energy efficiency initiatives, programs and outcomes in five distinct sectors – buildings, industry, municipalities, transport, agriculture, and DISCOMs.

    Performance evaluation

    • For rational comparison, States/UTs are grouped into four groups based on aggregated Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) required to meet the state’s actual energy demand (electricity, coal, oil, gas, etc.) across sectors.
    • TPES grouping shall help states compare performance and share best practices within their peer group.
    • Under four categories based on TPES, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Puducherry and Chandigarh have been evaluated as progressive states/UTs in the index.
    • The top performing states Haryana, Kerala and Karnataka – are in the ‘Achiever’ category.
    • Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand and Rajasthan performed the worst in each of their groups.

    Utilities of the index

    • It will help states contribute towards national goals on energy security and climate action by helping drive EE policies and program implementation.
    • It will help tracking progress in managing the states’ and India’s energy footprint and institutionalising the data capture and monitoring of EE activities by states.

  • [pib] Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)

    Union Minister for Home Affairs has inaugurated the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and also dedicated National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to the Nation.

    I4C

    • The scheme to setup I4C was approved in October 2018 to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
    • At the initiative of Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA), 15 States and UTs have given their consent to set up Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centres at respective States/UTs.
    • It has seven components:
    1. National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit
    2. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
    3. National Cyber Crime Training Centre
    4. National Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Centre
    5. National Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory Ecosystem
    6. Platform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Team
    7. Cyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit

    About National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

    • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) is a citizen-centric initiative that will enable citizens to report cyber crimes online through the portal.
    • All the cyber crime related complaints will be accessed by the concerned law enforcement agencies in the States and Union Territories for taking action as per law.
    • This portal was launched on pilot basis on 30th August, 2019 and it enables filing of all cyber crimes with specific focus on crimes against women, children, particularly child pornography, child sex abuse material, online content pertaining to rapes/gang rapes, etc.
    • This portal also focuses on specific crimes like financial crime and social media related crimes like stalking, cyber bullying, etc.
    • This portal will improve coordination amongst the law enforcement agencies of different States, districts and police stations for dealing with cyber crimes in a coordinated and effective manner.

  • [pib] Exercise MILAN 2020

    Visakhapatnam is set to host an International Naval event ‘MILAN’ in March 2020.

    MILAN 2020

    • It is a multilateral naval exercise aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime domain.
    • The Exercise with the theme ‘Synergy Across the Seas’ would provide an excellent opportunity for Operational Commanders of friendly foreign navies to interact with each other in areas of mutual interest.
    • Of the 41 navies invited, confirmations from over 30 navies have been received towards their participation in MILAN 2020.

    In continuity with:

    https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/pib-exercise-milan-2020/

  • [pib] Mutual Legal Assistance

    In furtherance to India’s policy of zero tolerance for crime and in an endeavor to fast track the dispensation of justice, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Revised Guidelines for Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

    Mutual Legal Assistance guidelines

    • They aim to enhance and streamline the process of international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
    • By incorporating various legal and technological developments in the recent years, it aims to make the documentation in this regard more precise and focused as well as compliant with International requirements.
    • The guidelines have also taken into account the concerns raised by various courts for prompt and timely responses in service of documents on persons residing abroad.
    • As an initiative, the revised guidelines have provision for service of documents on authorities of foreign country preferably within 10 days of receipt of request in respect of offences committed against women and children.

    Why need Mutual Legal Assistance?

    • The transnational nature of crime and digital explosion has blurred geographical boundaries for criminal activities.
    • Availability of evidence and criminals outside the sovereign jurisdiction of countries has necessitated the transformation of scope and nature of conventional investigation.

    MLA treaties

    • India has entered into Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties/ Agreements with 42 countries and is signatory to various international conventions i.e. UNCAC, UNTOC etc.
    • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the designated ‘Central Authority’ for India. Generally, assistance is sought and received in the form of Mutual Legal Assistance Requests/Letters.

  • [pib] Operation Sankalp

    Indian Navy has commenced Maritime Security Operations, code named Op SANKALP, in the Gulf region to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Op Sankalp

    • Indian Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchantmen, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises.
    • The operation is being progressed in close coordination with all stakeholders including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping.
    • The Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining presence in the region to ensure security of our sea borne trade and the safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels transiting through the region.

  • [pib] Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE)

    Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has issued an Avalanche warning to Leh in Ladakh region.

    SASE

    • SASE is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
    • It is located near Manali, Himachal Pradesh.
    • Its primary function is research in the field of snow and avalanches to provide avalanche control measures and forecasting support to Armed forces.
    • Leh is important as it has two passes namely Chang La and Khardung La with world’s highest motorable roads through them with several avalanche-prone zones.
    • Its utility is also meant for the soldiers in the worlds highest battle filed Siachen, in the region.

  • [pib] New Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners

    The Central Government in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has notified new energy performance standards for Room Air Conditioner (RACs).

    240C default setting

    • The 240C default setting has been made mandatory from Jan 1, 2020 for all room air conditioners covered under the ambit of BEE star-labelling program vide this notification.
    • Additionally, the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) as per the new standards will range from (3.30 – 5.00) for split and (2.70 – 3.50) for window air conditioners, which will be applicable from 1st January 2021 onwards.
    • ISEER is the energy performance index used for Room Air Conditioners (RACs) and its assessment is based on the bin hours defined in ISO 16358.

    Voluntary star labelling program

    • BEE launched the voluntary star labelling program for fixed-speed room air conditioners (RACs) in 2006, and this program became mandatory on 12th January 2009.
    • Thereafter, in 2015, voluntary star labelling program for inverter room air conditioners was launched and which was made mandatory with effect from 1st January 2018.
    • The BEE star labelling program for Room Air Conditioners now covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 TR).
    • Continual enhancement in performance levels has resulted in substantial energy efficiency improvement of about 43% in the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for split units, which are the most popular RACs sold in the market.

    About BEE

    • BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
    • It is assisted in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
    • BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organization to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the energy conservation act.

  • [pib] Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (NetSCoFAN)

    Union Health Minister has launched NetSCoFAN, a network of research & academic institutions working in the area of food & nutrition.

    NetSCoFAN

    • The NetSCoFAN would comprise of eight groups of institutions working in different areas viz. biological, chemical, nutrition & labelling, food of animal origin, food of plant origin, water & beverages, food testing, and safer & sustainable packaging.
    • FSSAI has identified eight Nodal Institutions who would develop a ‘Ready Reckoner’ that will have inventory of all research work, experts and institutions and would carry out and facilitate research, survey and related activities.
    • It would identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities.
    • The need for identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities, will be addressed by NetSCoFAN.
    • The NetSCoFAN directory would be covering detailed information of various heads/Directors and lead scientists of lead and associated partnering institutions.