• 25 Aug 2025

Food Adulteration Cases in MP

Why in News? 

State Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Pratap Rao Jadhav, replied in the Rajya Sabha that, on average, seven food adulteration cases are reported daily in Madhya Pradesh, placing the state third in India, after Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, for food safety violations. 

Key Points 

• Penalties Under FSS Act: In the financial year 2024-25, 2,597 cases were penalized under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, out of a total of 13,920 food samples tested.  
  • This reflects an increase of 659 cases compared to 2023-24, when 1,938 penalties were imposed on 13,842 samples. 
• Trend Analysis: Over the past five years, Madhya Pradesh has seen the highest number of penalties imposed for food adulteration among all states, following Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. 

Food Adulteration 

• About: As per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food adulteration refers to the intentional addition, substitution, or removal of substances that negatively impact the nature, quality, or safety of food.   
  • It also includes unintentional contamination that may occur during cultivation, harvesting, storage, processing, transportation, or distribution.  
• Causes of Food Adulteration in India: 
  • Weak enforcement and fragmented food supply chains (80% in informal markets). 
  • Lack of unified national policy and divergence from global safety standards. 
  • Resource constraints in processing industries, reuse of frying oil, poor hygiene. 
  • Pesticide residues and substandard fortification practices; misleading labeling. 
• Legal & Policy Framework: 
  • FSSA, 2006 & FSSAI – regulates production, import, sale, and standards. 
  • Packaging & Labelling Regulations, 2011 – ingredient, allergen, expiry disclosure. 
  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – right to compensation for adulterated food. 
• Recommended Measures: 
  • Formalize the food processing sector (e.g., PM FME Scheme). 
  • Align regulations with global standards; amend FSSA. 
  • Increase skilled workforce; promote industry–academia collaboration. 
  • Strengthen surveillance, penalties, mobile labs, and supply chain management. 
  • Adopt One Health Approach for upstream/downstream contamination control. 

First Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas

Why in News?

The first Pravasi Rajasthani Diwas will be observed on 10th December 2025 in Jaipur, alongside the Rising Rajasthan Partnership Conclave, to recognize the contributions of Rajasthani migrants to other states and countries.  

Key Points 

• About: It is a two-day conclave organized as a follow-up to the 2024 Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, with investor roadshows to be held at key domestic and international locations beforehand. 
• Objective: It aims to promote partnerships across various sectors and strengthen the state's relationships with key international and multilateral organizations. 
• Events: The state government will present the Pravasi Rajasthani Samman Awards to Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) for their global achievements in business, science, art, industry, philanthropy, social service, and music. 
• Significance: The event will serve as a platform to celebrate the achievements of the Rajasthani diaspora and promote strategic industrial alliances.  
  • It will provide Non-Resident Rajasthanis (NRRs) an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and invest in the state's growth and development.  
  • The event aligns with the state government’s NRR Policy 2025, aimed to ensure sustained engagement with the diaspora and create a supportive environment for investment. 
• Other Measures: The Government of Rajasthan (GoR) had established the 'Rajasthan Foundation (RF)' in March 2001, under the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958 for a sustainable and meaningful connection with the NRRs.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 

• About: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is observed biennially on 9th January,  to celebrate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland.  
  • The 18th PBD Convention was organised by Odisha from 8th to 10th January 2025, with the theme 'Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).  
• Background & History:  This bi-annual celebration commemorates the day in 1915 when Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi (migrant), returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle.    
• PBD Conventions: The PBD Convention was first established in 2003 under the government of then Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a platform to recognise and engage with the overseas Indian community.  
• Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA): The award, given out as part of the Pravasi Bharatiya programme, is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO); or an organisation or institution established and run by them.  
  • The award is to commemorate the contribution of the Indian diaspora to create a better understanding of India abroad, support India’s causes and work for the welfare of the local Indian community 

GB Nagar and Shravasti Top in Complaint Redressal

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government released its grievance redressal report through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System, highlighting districts with the highest citizen satisfaction.  

Key Points 

• Police Complaint Redressal: Gautam Budh Nagar topped with a 98.72% satisfied feedback rate, followed by Pilibhit (98.23%), Ballia (96.04%), Basti (95.43%), and Shravasti (95.14%). 
• District Magistrate Complaint Redressal: Shravasti led with 90.2% satisfaction, followed by Shahjahanpur (89.08%), Balrampur (83.44%), Hamirpur (82.15%), and Bareilly (80.11%). 
• Mechanism for Transparency: Complaints cannot be closed by officers against whom they are filed; senior officials such as ADM, ASP, DCP, or DCP-level officers review resolutions and personally interact with complainants. 

Key Infrastructure Projects Announced in MP

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced major infrastructure projects in Madhya Pradesh, including a four-lane corridor connecting key tiger reserves to boost tourism and a greenfield highway between Bhopal and Jabalpur, with construction set to begin next year. 

Key Points 

• Tiger Corridor: The ₹5,500-crore 'tiger corridor' will link Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, and Panna tiger reserves, aiming to boost tourism, create jobs, and enhance the state's economy. 
• Highways: A new 255-km greenfield highway between Bhopal and Jabalpur will be built at a cost of ₹15,000 crore, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) due by December 2025. 
  • A 220-km high-speed corridor connecting Lakhnadon in Seoni district to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, was also announced. 
• Longest Flyover: A new 6.85 km flyover in Jabalpur, the longest in the state, was also inaugurated and will reduce travel time between Madan Mahal and Damoh Naka from 45 minutes to just 7 minutes.  
  • It also includes a 192-meter cable-stayed bridge and three bow-string bridges. 
  • The flyover, costing ₹1,200 crore, was funded by the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and was originally initiated in 2019.

Central Road and Infrastructure Fund

• The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), originally known as the Central Road Fund, was established in 2000 under the Central Road Fund Act, 2000. 
  • The fund is financed through a cess levied alongside the excise duty on petrol and diesel. 
• The Ministry of Finance now administers the CRIF, whereas it was previously managed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. 
• The Central Road Fund Act (Amendment) of 2018 renamed the fund and expanded its scope, allowing proceeds to finance other infrastructure projects such as waterways, railway infrastructure, and social infrastructure like educational and medical institutions. 

PM to Inaugurate SEMICON India 2025

Why in News?

PM Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 4th edition of SEMICON India 2025 on 2nd September 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. 

• The event will be India’s largest semiconductor and electronics exhibition, bringing together global leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and students to showcase advancements in the semiconductor ecosystem and reinforce India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Key Points 

• SEMICON India: SEMICON India is one of eight annual SEMICON expositions globally hosted by SEMI, connecting executives, experts, and innovators in the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. 
  • SEMI: SEMI is a global industry association with over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide, working to accelerate collaboration in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. 
• Theme: Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse. 
• Participation: 33 countries, 50+ global CXOs, 350 exhibitors, 50+ visionary speakers, 6 international country roundtables, and 9 state pavilions. 
• Focus Areas: Fabs, advanced packaging, smart manufacturing, AI, supply chain management, sustainability, workforce development, design innovations, and start-ups.

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): ISM, under MeitY, is the nodal agency for the Semicon India Programme, facilitating sustainable and globally competitive semiconductor manufacturing in India.  
  • ISM evaluates proposals, coordinates with governments, manages fiscal incentives, and ensures India becomes a trusted global hub for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. 

Haryana Rajya Udyamita Ayog

Why in News? 

During the state-level programme on ‘World Entrepreneurship Day’ (21st August) held at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini announced the establishment of the ‘Haryana Rajya Udyamita Ayog’, aimed at motivating and training young entrepreneurs across the state. 

• Currently, there are 9,000 active startups in Haryana (7th largest state in terms of startups). The state aims to triple this number to 27,000, positioning Haryana as the number one state for startups nationally. 

Other Key Initiatives 

• Centers of Excellence will be set up in 197 institutions for skill development. 
  • Centres of Excellence will be established in every district under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to nurture entrepreneurial skills. 
• Under the Mukhya Mantri Yuva Kaushal Samman Yojana, 2,000 students will receive training in industries with a monthly stipend of ₹10,000. 
• Winners of the World Skills Olympics from Haryana will get ₹10 lakh each and additional support for business, while those not pursuing business will be employed as skill trainers. 
• During the event, the Chief Minister handed over grant money of over Rs 1.14 crore to 22 startups of the Agri Business Incubation Centre, CCSHAU, Hisar. 
• Open Skill Competitions will be held annually at district and state levels to identify and train talented youth.

World Entrepreneurship Day 

• Every 21st August, World Entrepreneurs’ Day honors the visionaries who transform ideas into enterprises, fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping economies.  
• It’s a global celebration of the courage, creativity, and resilience that define entrepreneurship in all its forms.