National Human Rights Commission

Paper 2 –Polity

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: “Silence always encourages the oppressor, not the oppressed. There is no choice but to be proactive and we must intervene.” While discussing about human rights, explain the significance of the above statement.

Why Should You Know?

Recently the National Human Rights Commission completed 30 years of its establishment.

In details –

• On October 12, 2022, Addressing the 30th Foundation Day celebration of the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi, the Vice President appreciated NHRC for being guardian of the human rights of underprivileged and vulnerable sections of society.
• On this occasion, the Vice President also emphasised the need to live in harmony with and respect the rights of all living beings by protecting our natural environment. “We must discharge our Duty under Article 51 A (g) of our constitution that ordains every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment… and to have compassion for living creatures,” he said.
• Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Mishra, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission, Members and functionaries of the National Human Rights Commission, Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commissions, judges of the Supreme Court, diplomats from various countries, representatives of UN agencies and other dignitaries attended the event.

About National Human Rights Commission of India

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a statutory public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.
• It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA).
• The NHRC is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the act as “Rights Relating To Life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the constitution or embodied in the international covenants and enforceable by courts in India”.
• So The Commission is responsible for spreading of human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stake holders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at international level too.
• NHRC is a unique institution because it is one of the few National Human Rights Institutes (NHRIs) in the world whose Chairperson is the former Chief Justice of the country.
• The NHRC, India plays an active role in coordinating with other NHRIs of the world to enhance awareness from the perspective of human rights. It has also hosted delegations from UN Bodies and other National Human Rights Commissions as well as members of civil society, lawyers and political and social activists from many countries.
• The Human Rights Commission submits its report annually to the Central Government.

Structure

• The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members.
• The term of its chairman and members is 3 years or 70 years (whichever is earlier).
• Its chairman and members are appointed on the recommendation of a committee constituted by the President.

Infrastructure Projects in Himachal

Paper 3 – Science and Tech

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in the context of capital formation. From this point of view, explain how the outline of New India is being laid by the Government of India.

Why Should You Know?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is going to visit Himachal Pradesh on 13th October, where he will lay the foundation stone of various Projects in Una and Chamba.

In details

PM in Una

Bulk Drug Park

• Prime Minister’s clarion call for Aatmanirbhar Bharat has led to the country moving swiftly towards attainment of self-reliance across multiple sectors, through support of various new initiatives of the government.
• One such key sector is pharmaceuticals, and in order to bring in Aatmanirbharta in this sector, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of Bulk Drug Park at Haroli in Una district, which will be built at a cost of over Rs 1900 crore.
• The Park will help reduce dependence on API imports. It is expected to attract investment of around Rs. 10,000 crores and provide employment to more than 20,000 people. It will also give a fillip to economic activities in the region.

Indian Institute of Information Technology

• Prime Minister will dedicate the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una to the nation. Its foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister in 2017.
• Currently more than 530 students are pursuing study in this Institute.

Vande Bharat Express

• Prime Minister will also flag off the inaugural run of the new Vande Bharat Express.
• Running from Amb Andaura to New Delhi, it will be the fourth Vande Bharat train to be introduced in the country and is an advanced version compared to the earlier ones, being much lighter and capable of reaching higher speed in shorter duration.
• It accelerates to 100 Km/h in just 52 seconds. The introduction of the train will help boost tourism in the region and provide a comfortable and faster mode of travel.

PM in Chamba

Hydropower projects

• Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of two hydropower projects – the 48 MW Chanju-III Hydro-electric Project and the 30 MW Deothal Chanju Hydro-electric Project.
• Both these projects will generate over 270 million units of electricity annually and Himachal Pradesh is expected to get annual revenue of around Rs. 110 crore from these projects.

Road projects

• Prime Minister will also launch Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-III in Himachal Pradesh for upgradation of around 3125 kms of roads in the State.
• More than Rs. 420 crore has been sanctioned by the Central Government under this phase for the upgradation of 440 kms of roads in 15 border and far flung Blocks of the State.

PM-DevINEScheme

Paper 2 – Government Schemes

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: PM-DEVINE will support infrastructure building, industries, social development projects and generate livelihood for youth and women, which will generate employment opportunities, explain.

Why Should You Know?

Cabinet approved new Scheme “Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26

In details –

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, recently has approved a new Scheme, Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) for the remaining four years of the 15th Finance Commission from 2022-23 to 2025-26. 
• The new Scheme, PM-DevINE, is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% Central funding and will be implemented by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
• The PM-DevINE Scheme will have an outlay of Rs.6,600 crore for the four year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of 15th Finance Commission period).
• Efforts will be made to complete the PM-DevINE projects by 2025-26 so that there are no committed liabilities beyond this year.
• This implies front-loading of the sanctions under the Scheme in 2022-23 and 2023-24 primarily. While expenditure would continue to be incurred during 2024-25 and 2025-26, focused attention will be given to complete the sanctioned PM-DevINE projects.
• PM-DevINE will lead to creation of infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to employment generation.
• PM-DevINE will be implemented by Ministry of DoNER through North Eastern Council or Central Ministries/ agencies. Measures would be taken to ensure adequate operation and maintenance of the projects sanctioned under PM-DevINE so that they are sustainable.
• To limit construction risks of time and cost overrun, falling on the Government projects would be implemented on Engineering-procurement-Construction (EPC) basis, to the extent possible.

Objectives

The objectives of PM-DevINE are to:

• Fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti;
• Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER;
• Enable livelihood activities for youth and women;
• Fill the development gaps in various sectors.

Significance –

• There are other MDoNER Schemes for the development of North Eastern Region. The average size of projects under other MDoNER Schemes is about Rs.12 crore only.
• PM-DevINE will provide support to infrastructure and social development projects which may be larger in size and will also provide an end-to-end development solution instead of isolated projects.
• It will be ensured that there is no duplication of project support under PM-DevINE with any of the other schemes of MDoNER or those of any other Ministry/Department.
• PM-DevINE, was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region (NER). Announcement of PM-DevINE is yet another instance of the importance being attached to the development of NE Region by the Government.
• PM-DevINE is an additionality to the quantum of resources available for the development of the NER. It will not be a substitute for existing Central and State Schemes.
• While some of the projects to be approved for 2022-23 under PM-DevINE are part of the Budget announcement, projects with substantial socio-economic impact or sustainable livelihood opportunities for the general public (e.g., basic infrastructure in all Primary Health Care Centres, comprehensive facilities in Government Primary and Secondary Schools, etc) may be considered in the future.
• The justification for announcement of PM-DevINE is that the parameters of NE States in respect of Basic Minimum Services (BMS) are well below the national average and there are critical development gaps as per the BER District Sustainable Development Goad (SDG) Index 2021-22 prepared by NITI Aayog, UNDP and MDoNER. The new Scheme, PM-DevINE was announced to address these BMS shortfalls and development gaps.

Multipurpose Cargo Birth

Paper 3– Infrastructure

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Development of multipurpose cargo berth near Tuna Tekra in Gulf of Kutch at Kandla will give it a strategic advantage as it will be the nearest container terminal to meet the needs of the vast hinterland of northern part of India, check the correctness of this statement.

Why Should You Know?

Recently, Cabinet approved Development of Multipurpose Cargo (other than Container/Liquid) Berth Off Tuna Tekra at Gulf of Kutch at Kandla on Build, Operate and Transfer under Public Private Partnership Mode.

In details

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved development of Multipurpose Cargo (other than Container/Liquid) Berth Off Tuna Tekra at Gulf of Kutch at Kandla on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
• The estimated cost of development of common user facilities and construction of common user route is Rs 2,250.64 crore.
• On commissioning of the Project, it shall cater to the future growth in multipurpose cargo (other than container/liquid) traffic. 
• The projected traffic gap by the year 2026 would be 2.85 MMTPA and by 2030 it would be 27.49 MMTPA. 
• Development of Multipurpose Cargo (other than Container/Liquid) Berth Off Tune Tekra at Gulf of Kutch at Kandla will give it a strategic advantage as it will be the closest container terminal serving the vast hinterland of northern part of India (States of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan). 
• In addition to increasing the business potential of Kandla, the project will boost the economy and generate employment.
• The project would be developed by the selected Concessionaire on BOT basis.  However, the Deendayal Port Authority will develop the common user facilities.

About the Project

• The project is to be developed on BOT basis by a private developer/Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) Operator to be selected through an international competitive bidding process.
• The Concessionaire shall be responsible for the design, engineering, financing, procurement, implementation commissioning, operation, management and maintenance of the Project under the Concession Agreement to be executed by the Concessionaire (private developer/BOT Operator) and the Concessioning Authority (Deendayal Port Authority) for a period of 30 years for handling designated cargoes.
• The Concessioning Authority shall be responsible for common supporting infrastructure namely, common Access Channel and common user road.
• The Project consist of construction of an off-shore berthing structure for handling four vessels at a time with allied facilities at the cost of Rs.1,719.22 crore and handling capacity of 18.33 Million Tonnes per annum.
• Initially, the Project will cater 15m draught vessels of 1,00,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and accordingly, the channel will be dredged and maintained by the Concessioning Authority with 15m draught.
• During the concession period, the Concessionaire has liberty to handle vessels up to 18m draught by deepening and widening in Berth Pockets and Turning Circle; and accordingly, the draft of Access Channel may be increased based on mutual agreement between the Concessioning Authority and the Concessionaire on cost sharing and any other aspects subject to such cost-sharing mechanisms as determined at the time of proposal for increase of draft. 
• Draft of the Access Channel to be made available to the Concessionaire would be considered as the maximum draft as per average rise of the high tide.

Background

• Deendayal Port is one of the twelve Major Ports in India and is located on the West Cost of India in the gulf of Kutch in the State of Gujarat. 
• It primarily services northern India, including the land locked States of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

A New Website for Armed Forces

Paper 2 – Social Issues

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: How is the Armed Forces War Casualty Welfare Fund fulfilling its social responsibility? Have a discussion.

Why Should You Know?

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is going to launch a website enabling citizens to contribute  for the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund

In details

• ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ (MBKS) website for the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) will be launched by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh during a function being organised at National War Memorial Complex at New Delhi on 14 October 2022.
• AFBCWF is a Tri service fund, utilised for grant of immediate financial assistance of ex-gratia, to the Next of Kin and dependents of Battle Casualties.
• While the Government of India has initiated a large number of Welfare Schemes for the soldiers killed or disabled during active military operations in the line of duty, there has been a strong public sentiment and requests from patriotic citizens, corporate heads/ industry captains, to contribute to the cause of welfare of the soldiers and their families.
• This website is being launched to facilitate patriotic Indians to partner in this noble cause.
• Shri Amitabh Bachchan has accepted to be the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’. The Chief of Defence Staff, all three Service Chiefs, Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees and other prominent officials of MoD, Corporate Heads, Chairman and Managing Directors of Banks, eminent serving personnel from field of Sports and celebrities will attend the function.
• On that day, ten Next of Kins of fallen heroes and soldiers disabled in active military operations will also be felicitated. Parents and relatives of many War decorated soldiers have also been invited.

About Indian Armed Forces

• The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. It consists of three professional uniformed services: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
• Additionally, the Indian Armed Forces are supported by the Central Armed Police Forces,Assam Rifles, Indian Coast Guard and Special Frontier Force and various inter-service commands and institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command, the Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Integrated Defence Staff.
• The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces but the executive authority and responsibility for national security is vested in the Prime Minister of India and their chosen Cabinet Ministers.
• The Indian Armed Forces are under the management of the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. With strength of over 1.4 million active personnel.
• it is the world’s second-largest military force and has the world’s largest volunteer army.
• It also has the third-largest defence budget in the world.The Global Firepower Index report lists it as the fourth most-powerful military.

INS Tarkash

Paper 2- International Relations

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Explain how the Joint Maritime Exercise, Maritime Security, Joint Operational Training, strengthens the inter-operability capability to share best practices and address common maritime threats.

Why Should You Know?

Recently Indian Naval Ship Tarkash Reached South Africa for Ibsmar VII.

In details

• INS Tarkash reached Port Gqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa to participate in the seventh edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise among Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies from 10 – 12 Oct 22.
• The previous edition of IBSAMAR (IBSAMAR VI) was conducted off Simons Town, South Africa from 01 to 13 Oct 18.
• The Indian Navy is represented by the Teg class guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and the personnel from the Marine Commando Force (MARCOS).
• The harbour phase of IBSAMAR VII includes professional exchanges such as damage control and fire-fighting drills, VBSS/cross boarding lectures and interaction among special forces.
• The Joint Maritime Exercise will strengthen maritime security, joint operational training, sharing of best practices and building interoperability to address common maritime threats.

About  INS Tarkash

• INS Tarkash (F50) is the second Talwar class warship built for the Indian Navy.
• it is part of the second batch of Talwar-class warships ordered by the Indian Navy.
• The warship, built at Yantar Shipyard in  Kaliningrad, Russia, was commissioned into naval service at Kaliningrad on 9 November 2012 and joined India’s Western Naval Command on  27 December 2012.
• These are modified Krivak III-class warships built by Russia.
• Significantly, most  of the equipment on this ship is Russian-made, but a significant number of systems of Indian origin have also been included.
• Talwar class warships  – INS Talwar, INS Trishul, INS Tabar, INS Teg, INS Tarkash, INS Trikand.

MoU for demonstrating Hydrogen co-firing

Paper 3 – Energy Resources

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: To achieve de-carbonizing (reducing carbon emissions) targets, an integrated and comprehensive roadmap is needed in all energy intensive sectors, what are the steps taken by the Government of India in this direction, discuss.

Why Should You Know?

Recently NTPC and Siemens Limited signed a MoU for demonstrating Hydrogen co-firing in Faridabad Gas Power Plant.

In details

• NTPC and Siemens Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to demonstrate the feasibility for hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas in Siemens V94.2 gas turbines installed at NTPC Faridabad gas power plant.
• The total installed capacity of Faridabad gas power plant is 432 megawatt (MW) with two V94.2 gas turbines operating in combined cycle mode.
• The MoU was signed by both the companies in the presence of Shri Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director (Projects), NTPC Ltd. and Shri Satya Prakash Chowdary N, General Manager, Siemens Ltd.
• Achieving de-carbonizing targets requires a concerted and wide-ranging roadmap across all energy intensive sectors. As a part of this road map, hydrogen co-firing in gas turbines can play a key role in reducing the CO2 emissions.
• NTPC Ltd., being the largest power generator in India, intends to play a major role in energy transition and achieving the COP26 commitments. As a part of this initiative, NTPC is exploring various new hydrogen generation technologies along with hydrogen usage so as to ensure future readiness, develop the required capabilities, technical expertise, align with the national decarbonizing and hydrogen mission targets.
• Under this MoU, both the companies will collaborate to study the feasibility of introducing hydrogen co-firing in Faridabad gas power plant. Based on the feasibility studies, a pilot project for 5% (by volume) hydrogen co-firing may be implemented for demonstrating the capability and the hydrogen required for the project shall be arranged by NTPC.

About NTPC

• NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, is an Indian central public sector undertaking under the ownership of Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• It is engaged in generation of electricity and allied activities. The headquarters of the psu is situated at New Delhi.
• The company was founded on 7 November 1975 by India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. as “National Thermal Power Corporation Private Limited”. It started work on its first thermal power project in 1976 at Shaktinagar (named National Thermal Power Corporation Private Limited Singrauli) in Uttar Pradesh.
• NTPC’s core function is the generation and distribution of electricity to State Electricity Boards in India.
• The body also undertakes consultancy and turnkey project contracts that involve engineering, project management, construction management, and operation and management of power plants.

India- Norway Joint Working Group

Paper 2–International Relations

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Throw light on the relation between India and Norway, describe how India should learn something from a country with a high index like Norway.

Why Should You Know?

Recently, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the first pilot scheme of Japanese carmaker Toyota’s Flex Fuel-Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-SHEV).

In details

• The India-Norway Joint Working Group on SandT discussed the extension of SandT co-operation between the two countries to include areas like quantum science and technology, electric mobility, green hydrogen, ocean science, cyber-physical system, blue economy, information and communication technology and strengthening existing areas of co-operation like polar sciences, bio-economy, renewable energy, nano-science and technology and anti-microbial resistance, at a meeting on October 12, 2022.
• The meeting decided on furthering activities like bilateral workshops, support for on-going joint research projects, new joint R and D Project call with industry participation, human capacity development, focusing on areas which has more relevance or impact to society as well as industrial R and D programmes.
• The representatives from the Scientific and Education Ministries as well as the Ministry of External Affairs of India and their counterparts from Norway discussed in details the thematic areas in which the co-operation can be taken forward and the mechanisms to do so.

Background

• The Indo-Norwegian SandT Cooperation was formalized through an Inter-governmental agreement signed in Tromso, Norway in 2006 and was activated through a Programme of Cooperation (POC) signed in Oslo in May 2009.
• A Joint Working Group constituted under the framework of Inter-Governmental agreement met for 6 times so far, alternately in India and Norway. 
• The activities so far included support for joint workshops on ICT and Bio-economy during 2016-2017, joint projects under ICT and projects under Bio-economy.
• A joint call on renewable Energy was launched in 2017-2018. Joint projects on energy storage, microgrids and solar cell applications were supported.
• During 2018-2019 a joint call on Nanoscience and Technology was launched and 7 joint projects were supported.

About Norway

• Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway,is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
• The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of Norway. Bouvet Island, located in the Subantarctic, is a dependency of Norway; it also lays claims to the Antarctic territories of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land.
• The capital and largest city in Norway is Oslo.
• The country shares a long eastern border with Sweden. It is bordered by Finland and Russia to the northeast and the Skagerrak strait to the south, on the other side of which are Denmark and the United Kingdom.
• Norway has an extensive coastline, facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea.
• Its main- and official language is Norwegian.

The Gramin Udyami Skill Training Programme

Paper 3 –Economy

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: The Rural Entrepreneur Skills Training Programme, based on the Government of India’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, aims to empower rural youth by providing them opportunities to acquire specific skills, explain.

Why Should You Know?

Union Minister shree Rajeev Chandrasekhar is going to address Grameen Udyami Convocation in Ranchi on 13 October 2022.

In details –

• Union Minister for State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be addressing the Convocation of Gramin Udyami Skill Training Programme (the Village Engineers Programme) in Ranchi, on 13 October 2022.
• A total of 165 trainees will be receiving the certificates at the Convocation ceremony. Jharkhand Governor Shri Ramesh Bais will be giving away the certificates.

About the Programme

• The Gramin Udyami Skill Training Programme, which is based on Indian Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, targets empowering the rural youth by providing them specific skilling opportunities.
• The pilot project was launched in May this year in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and covered five states (Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, apart from Madhya Pradesh), during the first leg 152 candidates were enrolled, of which 132 successfully completed the course and were given certificates .

Phase 1.2

• The next leg (Phase 1.2) was held in four states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha. A total of 165 candidates will be given the certificates.
• Training was provided in five disciplines- electrical and solar energy, agricultural mechanization, e-governance, plumbing and masonry, two-wheeler repair and maintenance.

Phase 1.3

• The next phase (Phase 1.3), solely for women’s groups, will soon begin in Gumla (Jharkhand) by October/November, for which 153 women have already enrolled.

Village Engineers Programme

• Speaking about the Village Engineers Programme, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar said its main objective is to strengthen local village economies and limit migration as well as dependence on cities for livelihood opportunities.
• It aims to create new opportunities for employment/self-employment and entrepreneurship locally—so that tribal youth can start their own businesses, generating more livelihood opportunities for themselves as well as for others, he said and reiterated Indian governments’s vision that the road to Atmanirbhar Bharat travels through Atmanirbhar Villages.
• For this purpose, the Minister said each district magistrate and collector has been asked to draw up a Skill Development Plan for their district—keeping in mind the resources available and the local aspirations.

Expert committee on cough syrup case

Paper 2 – Health

From the point of view of mains examination

Question: Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol have been specially discussed in the newspapers recently, explaining about their side effects on health, explain their properties.

Why Should You Know?

Recently Central Govt formed a expert committee to probe WHO report on deaths of children in Gambia

In details

• The Centre has formed a four-member expert committee to investigate the report sent by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the deaths of 66 children in Gambia by consumption of cough syrups from Sonipat-based company Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited.
• The Expert committee will be chaired by Vice Chairperson of Standing National Committee on Medicines Dr YK Gupta. Members of the Committee are Dr Pragya Yadav of ICMR – National Institute of Virology Pune, Dr Arti Bahl of Division of epidemiology, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) New Delhi and A K Pradhan, Joint Drugs Controller of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation CDSCO.
• Official sources said, the Government is alert and has formed a committee to investigate the report sent by the WHO. It said, production of cough syrups by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited has been suspended and lab report is awaited.

What was the matter

• Recently The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert recenlty regarding a cough-cold syrup made by Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited of India. After the death of 66 children in The Gambia, the WHO has advised not to use it.
• According to the information received, four syrups include Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofex Malin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup. and all of them are manufactured by Haryana based Maiden Pharmaceutical.
• The World Health Organization has issued an alert saying that so far Medan Company has not guaranteed the safety and quality of these products. 4 Lab testing of product samples confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
• In this matter, the Central Government said, “CDSCO, responding to WHO, took up the matter with the concerned State Regulatory Authority within one and a half hours, under whose jurisdiction the drug manufacturing unit is located.
• Facts in the matter in collaboration with the State Drug Controller, Haryana. Or investigation has been initiated to ascertain the details.

Lethal effect

• Significantly, the consumption of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol can prove to be fatal.
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to urinate, headache, altered mental status, and kidney problems may occur due to the effects of this drug. Also life can be lost.
• The World Health Organization has stated that all batches of the product should be considered unsafe until they are properly tested by the relevant national regulatory authorities.