General Knowledge Questions

India Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project

• To conserve, project and manage the coastal and marine environment, the Ministry is implementing the India ICZM Project with the World Bank assistance.

• For the implementation of the project the Ministry has established a Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) as nodal body under the Society Registration Act, in Delhi.

• The ICZM Project is being implemented as pilot investments in the coastal states of Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.

• National activities are implemented through SICOM along with monitoring of activities carried out by three selected states.

• The project has four implementing agencies-MoEF at the national level with lead responsibilities, and the Departments of Forests and Environment (DoEF) of the threeparticipating states.

All vehicle insurance policies will now include personal accident cover worth Rs 15 lakh in case of the death of the owner while driving or riding. This new rule will help the families of accident victims especially two-wheeler riders who are most of the time under-insured. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) in a circular has directed all third-party insurance companies to include this cover to vehicle owners-drivers of all vehicles (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles) for an additional premium of Rs 750 per year (annual insurance policy). This will now be part of the mandatory insurance cover that is a must for all vehicle owners.