Investment in infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring a country’s development. It is perceived that growth in infrastructure will establish a better economy and create a more equitable world. This, however, has led to a significantly greater demand on natural resources for energy, water, and food. These infrastructure projects, which have been the main cause for rapid urbanization, have also been implicated in reports of increasing environmental damage and weakening human rights.

Rapid growth in world population, industries, and technologies has led to a greater demand for energy sources in order to meet future needs. However, there are still some parts of the world which are not able to meet their current energy needs.

Highlights

• A Note on Standby Power Losses.
• Traditional agricultural pumps can be replaced with 8K MW of Solar Power.
• Rs. 8000 Crore Solar Scheme may help Indian firms boost Manufacturing.
• Consumer Focus - Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum Case (CGRF)
• ECC Voice - Change of Tariff (ECC Success Story) (Tamil).

Plus Publications/Cases:
Solar Irrigation Pumps and India's Energy Irrigation Nexus, July 2018.

The Government of India established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2002, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. One of the objectives of BEE was to reduce energy intensity within the Indian economy and to promote the use of energy efficient equipments and devices.

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, was enacted to create an equitable and fair transaction between the seller and the buyer of properties and enhance accountability and transparency in the real estate sector. The Act also seeks to boost investments in the sector. Tamil Nadu Government Notified the Rules on June 22, 2017.

The commercialized global pharmaceutical industry today

Indian pharmaceutical companies are becoming unduly profit-centered in the not-for-profit mission of developing vital medical cures and distributing life-saving medicines for all. There had been exposés of deep-rooted corruption in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, extremely high-prices of branded drugs with large fluctuations of prices between company brands has resulted in drugs becoming unaffordable by the Indian majority. 

Data today plays a far greater role in development than it has in the past. It is regarded as a primary public good without which neither decisions nor actions can be taken. Widespread informality marked with poor record-keeping results in the failure of the government to create incisive plans for distribution of services.

Beat Plastic Pollution, the theme for World Environment Day 2018, is a call to action for all of us to come together to combat one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

Highlights

• How to Choose the Right Adapter for Mobile Phones.
• Chennai Capable of Creating 1.380 GW Solar Power: Study. 
• 24 Degree as Default AC Temperature: Centre's Proposal to Save Energy  
• Consumer Focus - Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum Case (CGRF)
• ECC Voice - Details on New Electricity Service Connection  (Tamil).

Plus Publications/Cases:
Scaling Rooftop Solar: Powering India's Renewable Energy Transition with Household's and DISCOMs, June 2018.

Consumer Update, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, is aimed at educating and informing consumers on consumer issues and related happenings, including CAG's activities.