The Health Department of Kerala has outlined a comprehensive action plan aimed at raising public awareness regarding the detrimental effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) found in commercially available food products. The purpose is also to motivate the local food industry to adhere strictly to the existing legal limits for TFA. This campaign receives backing from several prominent organizations, including the World Bank, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the State Food Safety wing.
National Board for Wildlife and their Clearances
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), which bears the responsibility of allowing forest land in Protected Areas for industrial use, has cleared 682 out of 687 projects (a whopping 99.82%) that were presented for consideration. This statistic stands since August 2014, with only five proactileosals getting rejected during this period. However, it has been criticised by some experts as merely a “clearance house”. Officials attribute the increase in green-lit projects to streamlined processes, regular meetings since 2014, online application filling, and the fact that projects arriving at the NBWL have already gained approval from their respective state governments.
About the National Board for Wildlife
The NBWL was officially constituted in 2003 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 as a statutory board. The Prime Minister chairs the NBWL, which aims at promoting conservation and development of forests and wildlife. While the board’s role is ‘advisory’, they aid the Government in determining policies for wildlife conservation. They are an essential body due to their supreme position for reviewing all issues related to wildlife and sanctioning projects within and around national parks and sanctuaries.
The e-AUSHADHI Portal Initiative
The government has recently begun the e-AUSHADHI portal, a platform for the online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy drugs and related subjects. The intention behind the portal is to enhance transparency, elevate information management, increase data usability, and augment accountability. This acronym stands for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
| Features of the e-AUSHADHI Portal |
|---|
| Fixed timeline for processing applications |
| Status update at each step via text message and email |
| Real-time information of licensed manufacturers and their products |
| Details of cancelled and counterfeit drugs |
| Contact information of concerned authorities for specific grievances |
Hindi: Third Official Language in UAE Judiciary
The judicial system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the inclusion of Hindi as its third official language, joining Arabic and English. This move aims to simplify justice delivery, particularly beneficial to Indians, who form the largest immigrant community in the UAE, with over three million residents in Dubai. The decision will largely benefit Indian workers, especially those from central and north India’s Hindi-speaking regions. They can now voice their complaints to the labour courts in their mother tongue.