GS-Paper-2

Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb: Three disputed islands between Iran and UAE

Context: Russia and China appear to be supporting UAE in its claim over the three small disputed islands located near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. This has been seen well by Iran's government.

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Three Disputed Islands: Abu Musa, Greater Tunb & Lesser Tunb

  • Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are three small islands located near the entrance of Strait of Hormuz in Persian Gulf.
  • Only Abu Musa is inhabited by small population and all three have Iranian naval and airforce presence.
  • Though the size of these islands is very small, the strategic importance of these islands is that due to the greater depth of sea large oil tankers and ships pass between Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb islands.
  • Currently, these three islands are under the administrative control of Iran.

Iran-UAE dispute over the islands

  • Iran's claim: According to Iran, these islands have historically under its control. In 1971, the then Shah of Iran dispatched Royal Navy to these three islands after the British withdrew its forces from UAE. These three islands fell into British hands in 1921, prior to which they were under Persian control.
  • UAE's claim: UAE maintains that these three islands were part of the territory which later became UAE. Iran illegally annexed these three islands just two days before UAE was born. UAE has even raised this issue in UNSC.

Houthis Attacking Red Sea Ships & Operation Prosperity Guardian

Context: Post the Israeli military offensive against Hamas in Gaza strip region of Palestine the peace and security of the middle east region has again started to appear fragile. Houthi rebels based in Yemen have started conducting a series of attacks using UAVs and ballistic missiles on commercial and merchant shipping vessels in the Southern Red Sea. To counter this threat by Houthi rebels against merchant vessels, US has announced establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian under the Combined Maritime Forces.

Operation Prosperity Guardian

  • Operation Prosperity Guardian is a multinational security initiative for countering the threat posed by Houthis rebels against merchant vessels and ensuring the foundational principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
  • Countries like USA, UK, Bahrain, Canada, Netherlands, Norway and Seychelles will come together to jointly address security challenges in Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
  • The Operation will function under the umbrella of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). CMF's Task Force 153 is charged with international maritime security and capacity building in the Red Sea, Bab-al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.
  • Operation Prosperity Guardian will serve to create a safe passage for commercial and merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
  • It is a defensive coalition aiming to reassure, assist and respond to global shipping and mariners that will be transitioning the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Waterway.

About Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)

  • CMF is a multinational maritime partnership, which exists to uphold the rules-based international order (RBIO) by countering illicit non-state actors on the high seas and promoting security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world's most important shipping lanes.
  • Established in 2001.
  • Headquarters of CMF is in Manama, Bahrain.
  • Focus areas of CMF: Counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation and engaging with regional and other partners. Promoting a safe maritime environment free from illicit non-state actors. When requested, CMF assets at sea will also respond to environmental and humanitarian incidents.
  • 39 Members of CMF are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen. (India is a member and also Pakistan).
  • Functioning of CMF: CMF is a coalition of the willing and does not proscribe or mandate a specific level of participation from any member nation. CMF members are not bound by a fixed political or military mandate.
  • Combined Task Forces under CMF:
    • CTF 150: Conducts Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf to ensure that legitimate commercial shipping can transit the region, free from non-state threats.
    • CTF 151: Aims to suppress piracy outside territorial waters of Coastal States, indirectly curb trafficking of humans and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
    • CTF 152: Focuses on regional maritime security cooperation focusing on illicit non-state actors in the Arabian Gulf, especially between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
    • CTF 153: Focuses on Red Sea Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb and Gulf of Aden. Established in 2002.
    • CTF 154: Train partner navies and improve operational capabilities to enhance maritime security in Middle East. Established in 2023.
  • CMF's head or commander by vice-admiral of US Navy. CMF's deputy commander is a UK Royal Navy Commodore.
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About Red Sea

  • Red Sea is a narrow sea between Arabian Peninsula and Africa.
  • Towards its north lies the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba. Suez Canal connects the Gulf of Suez to the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Towards its south, Bab-al-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Bab al Mandeb separates Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula to the Djibouti and Eritrea located on the Horn of Africa.
  • Bab al-Mandeb passage (choke point) which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden is only 29 km wide at its narrowest point.
  • Currently, between 10-15% of global shipping flows through the Red Sea.
  • On account of the recent Houthi attacks, many international shipping companies have had to re-route through the Cape of Good Hope adding weeks to the delivery of goods and materials, including oil and gas.
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About Houthis

  • Houthis are an armed group who as sect among the Shia muslims minority known as Zaidis in Yemen.
  • They rebelled against ex-Yemen President Saleh, who was supported by Saudi Arabia.
  • Houthi rebels have been fighting a civil war against the Saudi backed Yemen Government since 2014.
  • Houthi rebels have modelled themselves on lines of Shia armed group Hezbollah based in Lebanon and are supported by Iran.

Post Office Act, 2023

Context: Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha has passed the Post Office Act, 2023. The Act seeks to replace Indian Post Office Act, 1898 and simplify legislative framework to facilitate evolution of India Post into a citizen-centric service network. This legislation is an attempt to ensure the effective functioning of the Postal Department as a messenger service and as a provider of banking facilities.

Historical Context of Indian Post Office

  • 38th Report of Law Commission on Indian Post Office Act, 1898:  The 1898 Act provides for the interception on the ground of ‘public emergency’. The Law Commission highlighted that since the term  ‘public emergency' has not been explicitly defined in the act, it provides a broad basis for interception, thus limiting citizen’s 
    • Right to Privacy (Puttaswamy Case)  
    • suspension of fundamental rights to speech and expression (Article 19 (1)).
  • Recommendations of Law Commission: Parliament should amend the existing laws relating to interception to ensure that they adhere to the Constitution. 
  • This recommendation led to the enactment of Telegraph (Amendment) Act of 1981 which gave the executive limited powers of interception. 
  • However, Parliament passed the Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1986 which gave executive power to intercept in the national interest. This Bill empowered Union or State Government or any authorised officer to 'intercept or detain' any postal article on certain grounds such as public emergency.
  • Despite being passed by the Parliament this bill could not come into force as Former President Zail Singh neither assented nor returned the Bill to the Parliament for reconsideration. (Famous Case of Pocket Veto and Presidential activism in India’s constitutional history).

Salient features of Post Office Act, 2023

About Post Office Act, 2023 
Issuance of postal stamp It states that India Post will have the exclusive privilege over issuing postage stamps.
Services to be prescribed Provides that India Post will provide services, as may be prescribed by the central government.
Director General to make regulations Provision for the appointment of a Director General, who is authorized to create regulations for all activities essential to postal service provision.
Power of Interception Allows interception of postal articles on grounds such as state security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency, public safety, or contravention of the Act or other laws.  An authorized officer appointed by the central government can conduct interceptions.
Examination of Postal Article Empowers an India Post officer to deliver the postal article to the customs authority or any other specified authority for handling.
Exemption from liability The government is exempt from liability for loss, mis-delivery, delay, or damage to postal articles, unless the central government explicitly assumes liability. Officers are also exempt, except in cases of fraud or wilful misconduct.
Removal of offence and penalties Provide for one offence or consequence that is unpaid amounts can be recovered as arrears of land revenue.

Contentious Provisions of Post Office Act, 2023 

  1. Interception of Articles: The Post Office Act, 2023 empowers the Union government to appoint an officer-in-charge who is empowered to ‘intercept, open, or detain’ any postal article on grounds such as the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency, public safety, or contravention of the provisions of the Act or any other laws."
  2. The Union government, by notification, can also empower any officer of the Post Office to deliver a postal article suspected of containing any prohibited item to the customs authority or any other specified authority.
  3. Exemption of Liability to Post Office: The Act exempts the Post Office from incurring any liability related to its services. It specifically stipulates that no officer shall incur any liability unless the officer has acted fraudulently or wilfully caused any loss, delay, or mis-delivery of service.

Issues Raised Against the Post Office Act, 2023

  • Violation of Fundamental Right to Privacy: 
    • The interception power given to the state is not defined. In the absence of clear guidelines, it encourages state surveillance and violates Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and Article 21 of the Constitution. 
    • There is no provision in the Act that prevents officers from leaking any contents of the intercepted postal articles.
  • Lack of Clarity:
    • It does not specify the grounds for interception, giving unbridled powers to the authorities concerned.
    • The Act does not stipulate what would qualify as an ‘public emergency’—a ground for interception.
  • Lack of Procedure for Interception: The Act fails to specify the procedure for interception, making it arbitrary in nature.
  • Lack of Clarity on Recruitment of the Officer in Charge of Interception: The officers empowered by the Act to ‘open and detain’ any intercepted shipment lack provisions regarding their qualification, selection process, and training.
  • Absence of Grievance Redressal Mechanism: The Act does not provide any grievance redressal mechanism to citizens, despite relieving post officers of any liability with regard to the services offered.
  • Violation of Principle of Natural Justice and Due Process of Law: There is no clause in the legislation requiring the government to inform a citizen about such actions. Thus, a citizen will be unable to raise concerns about interception or contest the action, violating every principle of natural justice and due process of law.
  • Paternalistic State and Big Brother Syndrome: By monitoring citizens without providing any redressal mechanism, the state has assumed the roles of both a parent and a big brother.
  • Chilling Effect on freedom of expression: It may lead to a chilling effect affecting the freedom of expression of an individual and using the post as a means of expressing thoughts.

Courts cases related to Interception

People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) versus Union of India (1996)

  • In this case, the constitutionality of Section 5(2) of Telegraph Act was challenged for permitting telephonic interception without any due process guarantees.
  • The Supreme Court acknowledged that telephone tapping infringed upon  right to privacy and created safeguards against arbitrariness in the exercise of the state’s surveillance powers.
  • It held that in the absence of a just and fair procedure to regulate the powers of interception, it is not possible to safeguard the rights of citizens under Articles 19(1)(a) and Article 21.

Justice KS Puttaswamy versus Union of India (2017)

  • Supreme Court declared the right to privacy to be a fundamental right of all Indians.
  • The verdict stipulated that any state measure proposing to interfere with the right to privacy must satisfy certain requirements:
    • Legality: the measure is authorized by statute.
    • Legitimate goal: the measure pursues a proper purpose.
    • Suitability: the measure takes meaningful steps towards achieving the proper purpose.
    • Necessity: the measure is the least rights-restrictive measure amongst equally effective alternatives.
    • Proportionality: the measure does not disproportionately impact individual rights.
    • Procedural safeguards: the measure incorporates meaningful guardrails against possible abuse.

Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015)

  • In this case, the Supreme Court held that arbitrary grounds for restricting freedom of speech and expression are unconstitutional.

Way Forward

  • Ensure the Act aligns with constitutional provisions (Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and Article 21) by introducing clear guidelines to define the scope and limits of state-granted interception powers.
  • Define 'public emergency' to prevent arbitrary use of interception powers.
  • Outline a transparent procedure for interception in the Act, with an independent oversight body to review and authorize requests.
  • Establish an accessible grievance redressal mechanism for citizens to raise concerns related to interception.
  • Include a clause requiring the government to inform affected citizens about interception actions. 
  • Provide a mechanism for citizens to appeal actions of interceptions, ensuring adherence to principles of natural justice and due process.
  • It does not specify the grounds for interception, giving unbridled powers to the authorities concerned.

Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme

Context: The Kerala state government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to withhold the release of Rs 1,500 crore to the state under various centrally sponsored education schemes. The funds have reportedly been held back after Kerala refused to sign the PM SHRI scheme memorandum.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) Scheme.

About PM-SHRI Scheme

  • PM-SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by Ministry of Education aiming to develop more than 14500 schools across the country as PM-SHRI Schools by strengthening select existing schools managed by Central/State/Local bodies.
  • These schools will showcase all the components of the National Education Policy, 2020 as model schools.
  • PM-SHRI schools are to act as exemplar schools, and offer mentorship to other schools in the vicinity.
  • It also aims to deliver quality teaching for the cognitive development of the students and provide the students with key 21st century skills.

Key Features of PM-SHRI Schools

  • Provide high-quality education in an equitable and inclusive environment, that will take care of the diverse backgrounds, multilingual needs and different academic abilities of children.
  • Schools under the scheme are to be developed as ‘Green School’, that will incorporate environment friendly aspects like Solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, water conservation and harvesting, climate change related hackathon etc.
  • The schools will adopt pedagogy that will be more experiential, holistic, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, and learner-centred.
  • Assessment of students will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real life situations.
  • The scheme aims to provide linkage with the sector skill councils and local industry to enhance employability and to provide better employment opportunities.
  • To evaluate the schools at regular intervals, ‘A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF)’, will be developed, which will specify performance indicators.

Illustrative Illustrations under PM-SHRI Scheme

  • Quality and Innovation, includes learning enhancement programme, holistic progress card, innovative pedagogies, bagless days, internships with local artisans etc.
  • Under RTE Act, beneficiary-oriented entitlements will be provided.
  • 100% of PM-SHRI schools will receive Science and Math kits.
  • Focus will also be on early childhood care and education, that will also include Balvatika and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
  • Encourage flexibility in choice of subjects offered to students.
  • Local languages/mother tongue are to be encouraged as medium of instructions and use of technological interventions to help bridge language barriers.
  • 100% of the PM SHRI Schools will be covered under ICT, smart classrooms and digital initiatives.
  • To develop these schools with all modern facilities, saturation approach will be adopted.
  • The scheme also envisions to converge with existing schemes/Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban Local Bodies and community participation for infrastructure upgradation of the school.

Implementation and Selection strategy of the scheme

  • It will be implemented through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, Kendriya Vidyalaya schools and Navodaya Vidyalaya schools.
  • The schools under the scheme shall be monitored vigorously to assess progress and understand the challenges faced in the implementation of National Education Policy, 2020.
  • The schools shall be selected through ‘Challenge Mode’, where the schools would compete for support to become exemplar schools.
  • The Elementary Schools, Secondary/Senior Secondary Schools managed by the Centre/State/UT governments/Local self-governments having UDISE+ code will be considered for selection under the scheme.
  • Maximum of two schools (one elementary and one secondary/senior secondary) would be selected per block/Urban local bodies with upper limit number of total schools across India.
  • PM-SHRI schools will be Geo-tagged for the selection and monitoring processes.
  • Services of Bhaskaryacharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N) will be taken for geo-tagging.
  • For the final selection of schools, an expert committee would be constituted.
  • Beneficiaries under the PM-SHRI Scheme: More than 18 Lakh students are expected to be direct beneficiaries of the scheme.

India proposes Group Standards for Millets at Codex Alimentarius and gets elected to Executive Committee

Context: India has unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during 46th meeting of FAO Headquarters in Rome.

About Codex Alimentarius Commission

  • Codex Alimentarius  or 'Food Code' is a collection of internationally adopted food standards and related texts presented in a uniform manner. These standards are developed by consensus and are based on the most robust up-to-date science available. Codex Alimentarius standards are adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission is a body established by FAO and WHO to develop food standards under Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program.
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission meets in regular session once a year alternating between Geneva and Rome.
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission is based in FAO in Rome, Italy.
  • Scope: Includes standards for all principal foods, whether processed, semi-processed or raw for distribution to the consumer. Codex texts are voluntary and do not have binding effect on national food legislation. However, WTO Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) encouraged WTO members to harmonise national regulations with the international standards.
  • Members of Codex Alimentarius Commission: Currently, Codex Alimentarius has 189 Codex Members and 1 Member Organisation i.e., European Union. Membership to Codex Alimentarius Commission is open to all member nations and associate members of FAO and WHO which are interested in international food standards.

Mandate of Codex Alimentarius

  • Contribute to safety, quality and fairness of international food trade.
  • Protection of consumer's health
  • Promote coordination of all food standards at work.

Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius

  • Executive Committee of Codex comprises of Chair, three vice Chairs along 6 regional and 7 elected representatives from various geographical groups of Codex.
  • Between sessions, Executive Committee acts as the Executive organ of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
  • Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius contributes substantially in International standard setting process for different food products and is involved in the decision making process. It makes proposals to Codex Alimentarius Commission regarding general orientation, strategic planning and programming of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

India's Proposal for Group Standards on Millets

  • Codex Alimentarius Commission  accepted India's proposal for development of global standards for millets.
  • Currently, Codex Alimentarius Commission has brought out standards for Sorghum and Pearl Millets.
  • India put forward a proposal for development of global standards for millets, particularly for Finger millet, Barnyard millet, Proso millet and Little millet as group standards in case of pulses.
  • Currently, FSSAI (a statutory regulatory body mandated for food standards) has framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying 8 quality parameters. They are:
    • Maximum limits for moisture content
    • Uric acid content
    • Extraneous matter
    • Other edible grains
    • Defects
    • Weevilled grains
    • Immature grains
    • Shriveled grains.
  • The group standard for millets developed by FSSAI will act as an important foundation for development of global standards for millets. The existing Codex standards for Sorghum and Pearl millet would also be reviewed while making group standards for millets.
  • Important standards proposed by India include Standard for Okra, BWG Pepper, Aubergines, Dried and Dehydrated Garlic, Dried or Dehydrated Chilli Pepper and Paprika, Fresh Dates, Mango Chutney, Chili Sauce, Ware Potatoes and labelling requirements for non-retail containers.

Draft Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns

Context: Central Consumer Protection Authority under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has Draft Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns.

Draft Guidelines on Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns

  • These guidelines have been issued under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 by the Central Consumer Protection Authority for prevention and regulation of dark patterns.
  • These guidelines will apply to all platforms offering goods and services in India, advertisers and sellers.
  • The guidelines bars any person or platform to engage in any dark patterns.
  • These guidelines have defined Dark Patterns and specified what constitutes dark patterns.

DEFINITION OF DARK PATTERNS

Any practice or deceptive design patterns using UI/UX (user interface/user experience) interactions on any platform which is designed to mislead or trick users to do something they originally did not intend or want to do by subverting or impairing the consumer autonomy, decision making or choice which amounts to misleading advertisement or unfair trade practice or violation of consumer rights.

Specified dark patterns

  • False Urgency: Falsely stating or implying the sense of urgency or scarcity so as to mislead a user into making an immediate purchase or take an immediate action, which may lead to a purchase.
  • Basket sneaking: Inclusion of additional items such as products, services, payments to charity/donation at the time of checkout from a platform, without the consent of the user, such as that the total amount payable by the user is more than the amount payable for the product/service chosen by the user.
  • Confirm shaming: Using a phrase, video, audio or any other means to create a sense of fear or shame or ridicule or guilt in the mind of the user to nudge the user to act in a certain way
  • Forced action: Forcing a user into taking an action that would require the user to buy any additional good(s) or subscribe or sign up for an unrelated service, to buy or subscribe to the product/service originally intended by the user.
  • Subscription trap: It is the process of:
    • Making cancellation of a paid subscription impossible or a complex and lengthy process.
    • Hiding cancellation option for a subscription.
    • Forcing a user to provide payment details and/or authorisation for auto debits for availing a free subscription.
    • Making instructions related to cancellation of subscription ambiguous, latent, confusing and cumbersome.
  • Interface interference: A design element that manipulates the user interface in ways that highlights certain specific information, obscures other relevant information relative to information being highlighted to misdirect a user from taking an action desired by her.
  • Bait and switch: Practice of advertising a particular outcome based on the user's action but deceptively serving an alternative outcome.
  • Drip pricing: It is a practice whereby:
    • Elements of prices are not revealed upfront or are revealed surreptitiously within the user experience.
    • Revealing price post-confirmation of purchase i.e., charging an amount higher than the amount disclosed at the time of checkout.
    • A product or service is advertised as free without appropriate disclosure of fact that
  • Disguised advertisement: Practice of posing, masking advertisements as other types of content such as user generated content or new articles or false advertisements.
  • Nagging: A dark pattern due to which users face an overload of requests, information, options or interruptions which is unrelated to the intended purchase of goods or services, which disrupts the intended transaction.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority

  • Central Consumer Protection Authority is an authority provided by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 which was to be notified by the Central Government.
  • Main aims of CCPA is to regulate unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the interests of public and consumers and to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.
  • CCPA consists of a Chief Commissioners and Commissioners who are appointed by Central Government.
  • CCPA has an investigation wing headed by Director General for conducting inquiry or investigation under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • District Collector may, on a complaint or a reference made to him by CCPA or Commissioner of a regional office, inquire into or investigate complaints regarding violation of rights of consumers as a class, violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements, within his jurisdiction and submit his report to CCPA or Commissioner of a regional office.

Functions of Central Consumer Protection Authority are:

  • Protect, promote and enforce rights of consumers as a class and prevent violation of consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages himself in unfair trade practices.
  • Ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Ensure that no person takes part in publication of any advertisement which is false or misleading.
  • Inquire or investigate into violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices, either suo moto or on a complaint or on directions of central government.
  • File complaints before District Commission, State or National Commission as the case may be under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Intervene in any proceedings before district, State or National Commission in respect of any allegation of violation of consumer rights of unfair trade practice.
  • Review matters relating to inhibition of enjoyment of consumer rights and recommend remedial measures for their effective implementation.
  • Recommend adoption of international covenants and best international practices on consumer rights to ensure effective enforcement of consumer rights.
  • Undertake and promote research in the field of consumer rights.
  • Spread and promote awareness on consumer rights.
  • Encourage NGOs and other institutions working in the field of consumer rights to cooperate and work with consumer protection agencies.
  • Mandate the use of unique and universal goods identifiers in such goods to prevent unfair trade practices and to protect consumers' interest.
  • Issues safety notices to alert consumers against dangerous or hazardous or unsafe goods or services.
  • Advise Ministries and Departments of Central and State Governments on consumer welfare measures.
  • Issue necessary guidelines to prevent unfair trade practices and protect consumers' interest.

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