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PIB Summaries 15 March 2025

  1. PM-GATI SHAKTI NATIONAL MASTER PLAN
  2. World Consumer Rights Day 2025


Introduction

  • Launch & Context: Introduced in October 2021, the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) aims to address India’s high logistics costs (13-14% of GDP) and revolutionize infrastructure development through integrated, data-driven planning.
  • Objective: Ensure seamless multimodal connectivity across roads, railways, ports, airports, and waterways for efficient movement of people, goods, and services.
  • Key Feature: Utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based portal for precise project planning, alignment optimization, and execution.
  • Ministry Responsible: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) spearheads implementation, aligning National Highway (NH) development projects with NMP principles to enhance logistics efficiency and connectivity.

Relevance : GS 3(infrastructure)

Core Principles of PM Gati Shakti NMP

  • Data-Driven Planning: Uses a GIS-based portal with over 550 data layers, including:
    • Economic nodes (industrial hubs, SEZs)
    • Social nodes (urban centers, healthcare, education facilities)
    • Logistics nodes (ports, warehouses, freight corridors)
  • Multimodal Connectivity: Integrates road, rail, air, and water transport modes for a seamless logistics network.
  • Holistic Development: Aligns infrastructure projects with economic and logistics hubs, addressing missing connectivity gaps.
  • Seamless Mobility: Reduces travel times and logistics costs, boosting India’s global competitiveness.

Implementation & Achievements

Road Infrastructure Planning

  • Scale: 115 NH projects covering ~13,500 km with an investment of ₹6.38 lakh crore have been examined using the Gati Shakti portal.
  • Coordination: The Network Planning Group (NPG) under NMP ensures optimized project alignments.
  • Efficiency Gains: Reduces project costs and timelines by streamlining design, clearances, and approvals.

Use of GIS & Digital Tools

  • DPR Module: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) tool integrates GIS data for:
    • Refined NH alignments
    • Assessment of ecological impacts (forest areas, eco-sensitive zones)
    • Minimization of mid-course corrections
  • Outcomes: Faster project preparation, reduced environmental disruption, and efficient resource utilization.

Integration with Other Databases

  • Key Integrations:
    • Electronic Detailed Accident Database (eDAR) for safety planning
    • Traffic survey data and toll plaza statistics for real-time monitoring
  • Benefits: Enables data-driven decision-making and proactive infrastructure adjustments.

Benefits of PM Gati Shakti NMP

  • Reduced Logistics Costs: Optimized NH alignments and multimodal integration cut transit delays and fuel costs.
  • Faster Project Approvals: The GIS-based portal streamlines clearances, reducing approval timelines.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Minimizes ecological impact by incorporating conservation considerations in project planning.
  • Economic Growth: Enhanced connectivity boosts trade, attracts investment, and generates employment.
  • Improved Public Services: Better infrastructure improves healthcare, education, and market accessibility, particularly in rural areas.

Challenges & Way Forward

Challenges

  • Data Integration: Harmonizing data across ministries and states requires advanced systems for accuracy and consistency.
  • Land & Clearances: Land acquisition and environmental approvals remain bottlenecks.
  • Real-Time Updates: Continuous data updation is needed to reflect current infrastructure conditions.

Future Plans

  • Data Expansion: More state and local infrastructure layers will be added.
  • Advanced Technology: AI and Big Data analytics will enhance predictive infrastructure planning.
  • Logistics Hubs: Strengthening multimodal logistics hubs will further reduce supply chain bottlenecks.

Conclusion

  • Transformative Impact: PM Gati Shakti NMP represents a paradigm shift in India’s infrastructure development, enabling data-driven, multimodal integration.
  • Strategic Vision: With continuous GIS upgrades and inter-ministerial collaboration, the plan aims to reduce logistics costs and enhance economic growth.
  • Broader Goals: As per Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the NMP aligns with Indias $5 trillion economy vision, positioning the country as a global leader in infrastructure development.


Overview

  • Date and Origin:
    • Observed annually on March 15 since 1983.
    • Commemorates President John F. Kennedys 1962 speech to the US Congress, which first formally recognized consumer rights globally.
  • Theme for 2025:
    • “A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles”
    • Focuses on affordable, equitable, and sustainable consumer choices amid climate change and social equity challenges.
  • Global Objective:
    • Raises awareness of consumer rights.
    • Advocates for robust protection and empowerment mechanisms worldwide.
  • Indian Context:
    • The Department of Consumer Affairs aligns with this theme through:
      • Modern policies
      • Digital innovations
      • Sustainable consumption initiatives (2024-25).

Relevance : GS 2(Consumer Rights, Governance) , GS 3(Economy)

Key Initiatives and Developments in Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection Act, 2019

  • Modernization:
    • Repealed the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
    • Addresses globalization, e-commerce, and technological advancements.
    • Effective since 2019.
  • Structure:
    • Establishes a three-tier quasi-judicial system:
      • District Consumer Commission
      • State Consumer Commission
      • National Consumer Commission
  • Powers:
    • Enables compensation, product replacements, and penalties against unfair trade practices.
  • Timelines:
    • Complaint resolution mandates:
      • 3 months (if no testing required).
      • 5 months (if testing required).

Consumer Welfare Fund (CWF)

  • Purpose:
    • Financial support for consumer welfare and movement promotion.
  • Funding Model:
    • 75:25 cost-sharing (90:10 for special category states/UTs).
    • Establishes State Consumer Welfare Corpus Funds.
  • Progress (2024-25):
    • ₹32.68 crore released as the central share.
    • 24 states and 1 UT (out of 28 states and 8 UTs) established Corpus Funds.
    • Supports awareness campaigns and consumer rights projects.

 

Strengthening Consumer Grievance Redressal Mechanisms

E-Daakhil Portal

  • Launch: September 7, 2020, by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
  • Features:
    • Paperless, transparent online consumer complaint filing and tracking.
  • Impact:
    • Reduces costs and travel for complainants.
    • Accelerates access to justice.

e-Jagriti

  • Introduction: Launched in 2024.
  • Benefits:
    • Faster case disposal.
    • Reduces delays and improves communication between parties.

National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 2.0

  • Upgrades:
    • AI-powered speech recognition.
    • Translation system (17 languages).
    • Multilingual chatbot via toll-free number 1915.
  • Growth:
    • Calls increased from 12,553 (Dec 2015) to 1,55,138 (Dec 2024).
  • Integration:
    • Links with FSSAI, BIS, and INGRAM portal for rapid grievance redressal.
  • Convergence Programme:
    • 1,000+ companies onboarded (e-commerce, banking, FMCG) for pre-litigation resolution.

Consumer Empowerment Tools

Jaago Grahak Jaago Portal and App

  • Purpose:
    • Alerts consumers to unsafe URLs and scams.
  • Functionality:
    • Phishing alerts, digital safety tools, and marketplace support.

Consumer Protection in E-Commerce and Digital Transactions

E-Commerce Rules, 2020

  • Framework:
    • Notified under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Transparency, accountability, and grievance redressal.

Dark Patterns Guidelines, 2023

  • Issued by CCPA: November 30, 2023 (Central Consumer Protection Authority).
  • Scope:
    • Regulates 13 deceptive practices (e.g., hidden fees, forced subscriptions).
  • Objective:
    • Protects consumers from manipulative online tactics.

BIS Draft Standard for E-Commerce

  • Objective:
    • Establishes self-governance framework for fair and transparent marketplaces.
  • Provisions:
    • Clear disclosures (e.g., pricing, country of origin).
    • Prohibits misleading ads.
    • Ensures quick action against counterfeit products.
  • Impact:
    • Boosts consumer trust and security in digital transactions.

Broader Implications

  • Sustainable Lifestyles
    • Aligns with India’s push for ethical consumption and environmental responsibility.
  • Digital Empowerment
    • Expands justice access via digital tools (e-Jagriti, NCH 2.0).
  • Economic Impact
    • Strengthened e-commerce regulations drive consumer confidence.
  • Global Alignment
    • India’s focus on consumer rights and sustainability positions it as a leader.

Challenges

  • Implementation Gaps
    • 4 states and 7 UTs yet to establish Consumer Welfare Corpus Funds.
  • Awareness Deficit
    • Rural consumers often unaware of digital redressal tools (e-Daakhil, NCH).
  • E-Commerce Compliance
    • Stricter monitoring and penalties required to enforce dark pattern and counterfeit regulations.

Conclusion

  • Transformative Steps
    • Modern laws, digital innovations, and sustainable policies enhance consumer protection.
  • Future Outlook
    • Expanding digital platforms and rural education will improve accessibility.
  • Alignment with Theme
    • Transparency, accessibility, and fairness will shape a just and sustainable marketplace.

March 2025
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