PIB 8th June

Contents

1. BS-6 4-Wheelers: Distinct colour band for number plate
2. CAT Bench at Jammu
3. Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT)

DISTINCT COLOUR BAND FOR NUMBER PLATE STICKER FOR BS-6

Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology

Why in news?

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has mandated a strip of green colour on top of the existing sticker carrying details of registration for BS-VI vehicles of any fuel type.

Existing Stickers For petrol or CNG: a light blue colour

For diesel vehicle which: orange colour

Bharat stage emission standards (BSES)

• Bharat stage emission standards (BSES) are emission standards instituted by the Government of India to regulate the output of air pollutants from compression ignition engines and Spark-ignition engines equipment, including motor vehicles.
• The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The standards, based on European regulations were first introduced in 2000. Progressively stringent norms have been rolled out since then. All new vehicles manufactured after the implementation of the norms have to be compliant with the regulations.
• While automobile manufacturers are making available vehicles that comply with the new norms, oil companies will have to provide fuel that meet these standards.
• BS-VI standard fuel is said to be the world’s cleanest fuel.

What makes BS-VI fuel better?

• Sulphur content in fuel is a major cause for concern. Sulphur dioxide released by fuel burning is a major pollutant that affects health as well.
• BS-VI fuel’s sulphur content is much lower than BS-IV fuel.
• It is reduced to 10 mg/kg max in BS-VI from 50 mg/kg under BS-IV.
• This reduction makes it possible to equip vehicles with better catalytic converters that capture pollutants.
• However, BS-VI fuel is expected to be costlier that BS-IV fuel.
• Vehicles that are compliant with BS-VI will also be more expensive.

CAT BENCH AT JAMMU

Focus: GS-II Governance, Prelims

Why in news?

18th Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was inaugurated on 8^th June 2020.

Details

All three important agencies of DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training)- CAT, CIC and CVC are now operational in UTs of J&k and Ladakh.

Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT): History of formation

The Supreme Court in its judgement in 1980 observed that civil servants should not waste time in fighting battles in ordinary courts and suggested the establishment of such tribunals, based on recommendations by 1960’s Administrative Reforms Commission.

• Article 323A of the Constitution provides for the setting up of administrative tribunals for adjudication of disputes in matters pertaining to recruitment and conditions of services of persons employed in public services.
• Parliament passed a law to establish administrative tribunals in India.
• The Act visualizes a Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) for the Centre and state administrative tribunal for a particular state.

About CAT:

The CAT was created by Administrative Tribunals Act in 1985.

It was established under Article 323A of the Constitution of India, By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

Hence, they are Constitutional Bodies.

How does CAT Function?

• It enjoys the status and power of High Court.
• In disposing of cases, it follows the principles and norms of natural justice.
• Appeals against its orders lie only with the Supreme Court of India.
• The aggrieved person may appear before it personally.
• It is a multi-member body whose members are drawn from judicial and administrative streams so as to give it the benefit of expertise legal as well as administrative fields.
• The administrative tribunals deal exclusively with service litigation and are free from the formalities of legal technicalities.
• The Central Administrative Tribunal (1985) has regular benches operating at the principal seats of High Courts.

Jurisdiction of CAT

The CAT exercises original jurisdiction over all service matters concerned with:

1. Members of the all-India services.
2. Persons appointed to any civil service of the Union or civil post under the Union.
3. Civilians appointed to any defence services or posts related to defence.
4. Employees of PSUs or public sector organisations notified by the government.

Members of the defence forces, officers, Supreme Court staff, the Parliament’s secretarial staff are not covered under the CAT.

AIRBORNE RESCUE POD FOR ISOLATED TRANSPORTATION (ARPIT)

Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Prelims

Why in news?

• The Indian Air Force has designed, developed and inducted an Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT).
• This pod will be utilised for evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases including COVID-19 from high altitude area, isolated and remote places.

Significance in terms of Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Only indigenous materials have been used to fabricate this pod.

This indigenously designed system has been developed at a very low cost.