25-Aug-2022: Centre asks edible oil producers to declare net quantity in volume without temperature in addition to declaring the same in weight
Centre has advised the Edible Oil Manufacturers/ Packers/ Importers to declare net quantity on edible oil etc. in volume without temperature in addition to declaring the same in weight. They have also been advised by the department of Consumer Affairs to correct their labeling of declaring net quantity in the units of volume without mentioning temperature with weight of the product, within six months from the date of direction issued i.e. upto January 15, 2023.
Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 it is mandatory to declare the net quantity in terms of standard units of weight or measure apart from other declarations on all pre-packaged commodities in the interest of consumers.
As per the provisions made under the rules the net quantity of edible oil, vanaspati ghee etc. needs to be declared either in weight or volume and if declared in volume, then the equivalent weight of the commodity mandatorily to be declared. It is observed that industries are proactively mentioning temperature while declaring the net quantity in volume.
The manufacturers/ packers/ importers are declaring net quantity of edible oil etc. in volume mentioning the temperature at the time of packing along with the units of mass. Few manufacturers were depicting the temperature as high as 600C. It has been observed that such declaration of net quantity of edible oil, vanaspati ghee etc. in terms of volume keeping the volume fixed (for example 1 litre) at different temperatures with mass, which differs, when the packaging mentions a higher temperature. The weight of soyabean edible oil may be different at different temperatures keeping the volume one litre, as follows:
|
Sr. No. |
Temperature |
Weight (in g) |
|
1 |
210C |
919.1 |
|
2 |
300C |
913.0 |
|
3 |
400C |
906.2 |
|
4 |
500C |
899.4 |
|
5 |
600C |
892.6 |
Therefore, weight of edible oil is different at different temperature. Hence, to ensure that the consumer get the correct quantity in the package at the time of purchase, the manufacturers/ packers/ importers of edible oil etc. have been advised to pack the said products without mentioning temperature and to ensure that the quantity declared on the package in volume and mass should be correct.
3-Aug-2022: Parliament passes the National Anti-Doping Bill 2022 to provide for the constitution of National Anti-Doping agency as a statutory body for regulating anti-doping activities in sports
The Rajya Sabha today passed the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2022. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 17th December, 2021 and passed on 27th July, 2022 with some Official Amendments proposed on the basis of the suggestions/recommendations received from the Parliamentary Standing Committee and some other key stakeholders. It was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 28th July, 2022. With this, the Bill stands passed in the Parliament. A notable feature of the discussions on the Bill was that the members across the political spectrum unanimously endorsed the Bill.
The salient features of the Bill are as follows:
- Statutory framework in the form of legislation for prohibition of doping in sports and enforcing anti-doping activities in the country.
- The proposed Bill intends to accomplish: -
- Building institutional capabilities in anti-doping and enabling hosting of major sports events;
- Protecting rights of all sportspersons;
- Ensuring time-bound justice to athletes;
- Enhancing cooperation among agencies in fighting doping in sports;
- Reinforcing India’s commitment to international obligations for clean sports;
- Independent mechanism for anti-doping adjudication;
- Providing legal sanctity to National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) & National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL);
- Establishing more Dope Testing Labs;
- Creating job opportunities both, directly & indirectly; and
- Creating opportunities for academic research, science and manufacturing relating to Anti-Doping.
- Establishing standards for the manufacturing of nutritional supplements for sports in India.
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Thakur said that it is a landmark occasion when India joins the select group of around 30 countries which have their own Anti-Doping Law. The making of this Law will send a strong message to the world that India is very serious about sports, sportspersons and tackling doping. The new Law will ensure highest standards of integrity while participating and preparing for sports competitions, domestically and internationally, the Minister explained. This strongly establishes our commitment to Sports, he added.
Replying to the discussion in the House, the Minister said that NADA has developed anti-doping education and awareness generation toolkit with the use of technology. We are also working on awareness generation right down the school level about what comprises doping and related aspects. The passing of the Bill will help to increase awareness, education and research facilities related to anti-doping within the country. Shri Anurag Thakur further said that we have increased the capacity of NDTL which will fulfil Prime Minister’s dream of AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The Bill will also pave way for establishing more Dope Testing Laboratories in the country.
3-Aug-2022: Lok Sabha passes Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022
Lok Sabha today passed Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022 for conversion of the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), a Deemed to be University into Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a Central University.
While replying in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always works with a vision for the future and under his leadership, a future-ready workforce ready to embrace the fourth industrial revolution and challenges of the 21st century is being prepared. He also spoke about the technological developments happening under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi and said that by 2022 India will be Aatmanirbhar in the area of frontier technologies.
Shri Pradhan spoke about the transformations taking place in the infrastructure and transport sectors including roads, railways, shipping, aviation etc. He said that the growth of transport sectors, building of airports across nation in smaller cities and increasing air traffic is reflective of aspirations of the people of India. He said that the transformations taking place in the transport sector calls for building an institution to build a knowledge repository, conduct research, curate best practices, facilitate skill development, work on capacity building and facilitate the growth of transport sectors. He also said that the students of future would need to learn about environment, commerce, and social sciences, in addition to STEM to succeed in the infrastructure sector. Thus a world-class, multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional futuristic institution called Gati Shakti University has been envisioned.
The Minister also spoke about the need to bring more and more youth in the mainstream education and skilling ecosystem in line with the vision of National Education Policy. Our endeavour is to create a generation of job creators and not only job seekers, he further added. Shri Pradhan also said that a new work culture is being developed in India in which what will be promised, will be delivered. Gati Shakti is another example of that work culture, he further added.