CONTENTS

1. SAREX-24
2. E-Daakhil portal 

SAREX-24

Context:

The 11th edition of Indian Coast Guard’s National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise & Workshop (SAREX-24) will be in Kochi, Kerala on November 28-29, 2024.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

SAREX-24

SAREX-24 is a premier maritime search and rescue exercise conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB). The exercise underscores India’s commitment to enhancing maritime safety and fostering regional collaboration.

Key Highlights

Theme

• “Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional Collaboration”: Focuses on strengthening operational capabilities through joint efforts and cooperation among regional and international partners.

Objectives

• Demonstrating ICG’s Commitment:
  • Showcasing the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) preparedness to handle large-scale contingencies.
  • Ensuring aid during emergencies irrespective of location, nationality, or circumstances within and beyond the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
• Capacity Building:
  • Evaluating operational efficiency and coordination with national stakeholders.
  • Promoting cooperative engagements with neighboring littoral states and friendly nations.

Event Features

• Workshops and Seminars:
  • Includes participation from:
    • Senior officials from government agencies, ministries, and armed forces.
    • Various national stakeholders and foreign delegates.
• Table-Top Exercise:
  • Aimed at strategic planning and response evaluation for simulated emergencies.
• Sea Exercise:
  • Conducted off the Kochi coast.
  • Involves:
    • Ships and aircraft of ICG and Navy.
    • Assets from the Indian Air Force, Cochin Port Authority, Customs, and passenger vessels.
    • Demonstration of evacuation techniques using advanced technology.

Innovative Demonstrations

• Technological Integration:
  • Satellite-aided distress beacons.
  • Drones deploying life buoys.
  • Air-droppable life rafts.
  • Remote-controlled life buoys.
• Evacuation Methods:
  • Testing diverse techniques to rescue distressed passengers during large-scale emergencies.

Significance

• Operational Efficiency:
  • Enhances search and rescue capabilities by testing real-time coordination among stakeholders.
• International Cooperation:
  • Strengthens partnerships with regional and international allies.
• Advancing Maritime Safety:
  • Promotes the use of cutting-edge technology in maritime disaster response.

E-Daakhil portal 

Context:

The Department of Consumer Affairs is proud to announce the successful nationwide implementation of the E-Daakhil portal, now operational in every state and union territory of India.

Relevance:

GS II-Polity and Governance

About E-Daakhil portal:

• It is launched by National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
• The e-daakhil portal empowers the consumer and their advocates to file consumer complaints online.
• It also facilitates to male payment of requisite fees online from anywhere in order to redress their complaints.
• The site of the e-Daakhil Portal was developed and is maintained by the National Information Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
• This portal has been developed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

National consumer dispute redressal commission:

Nodal: Ministry of consumer affairs and public distribution

• The Consumer Protection Act was passed in 1986 to protect the interests of the consumers.( quasi- judicial body)
• The objective of this law is to provide a simple, fast and inexpensive mechanism to the citizens to redress their grievances in specified cases.

The Act envisages a three-tier quasi-judicial machinery at the National, State and District levels:

• National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission  known as “National Commission”;
• State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission known as “State Commission”;
• District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum – known as “District Forum”.