Daily filter — 19 July 2026
3 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
⚖️ Law & Judiciary · LAW track
CCPA Acts Against Restaurants for Default Service Charge
The **CCPA** initiated suo motu action against **41 restaurants** for levying service charge without explicit consent.
- CCPA initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants for unfair trade practices.
- Action based on complaints received via National Consumer Helpline (NCH).
- The practice violates CCPA Guidelines issued on 4 July 2022.
- It is an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Delhi High Court upheld validity of guidelines on 28 March 2025.
- Chaayos fined ₹50,000 for levying service charge by default.
💡 Remember: CCPA enforces 2022 Guidelines (upheld 2025 by Delhi HC) making service charge voluntary under the 2019 Consumer Protection Act.
Source: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution · PIB PRID 2286326
👷 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
NAMASTE Scheme: Empowering Sanitation Workers, Eliminating Manual Cleaning
The **NAMASTE** scheme aims to ensure dignity, safety, and social security for sanitation workers while promoting mechanised sanitation nationwide.
- NAMASTE is a flagship initiative for mechanised sanitation, jointly by MoSJE and MoHUA.
- It seeks to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning and achieve zero fatalities in sanitation work.
- 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and 2,81,117 Waste Pickers have been validated.
- 87,037 PPE kits to Sewer/Septic Tank Workers, 1,84,118 PPE kits to Waste Pickers distributed.
- 76,845 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and 1,04,729 Waste Pickers received health cards.
- 753 Emergency Response Sanitation Units (ERSUs) equipped with modern safety devices.
💡 Remember NAMASTE for its dual ministry implementation and focus on mechanization, PPE, health cards, and ERSUs for sanitation worker welfare and safety.
Source: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment · PIB PRID 2286362
💧 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain 2026 Campaign
The **Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari: Catch the Rain (JSJB: CTR)** campaign was launched on 1st June 2026, integrating prior water conservation initiatives.
- JSJB: CTR was launched on 1st June 2026, combining JSJB and Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain (JSA: CTR).
- The JSA: CTR campaign began on World Water Day (22 March 2021), themed 'Catch the Rain, where it falls, when it falls.'
- JSJB 2.0, launched on 1 June 2025, exceeded its target, reporting over 1.5 crore groundwater recharge structures by 31 May 2026.
- The JSJB initiative is guided by '3Cs': Community, CSR, and Cost, mobilizing diverse participation.
- Jal Shakti Kendras act as knowledge hubs for water conservation at the district level.
💡 Remember the evolution: JSA: CTR (2021) → JSJB 1.0 (2024) → JSJB 2.0 (2025) → JSJB: CTR (2026), all driven by Jan Bhagidari.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2286237