The Waqf Act:
- The draft of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was approved at a meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament.
- The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, in order to correct the problems and challenges in the regulation and management of Waqf properties.
- The amendment bill seeks to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
- It aims to improve the efficiency of Waqf Boards by removing the shortcomings of the previous Act and introducing changes such as renaming of the Act, updating the Waqf definitions, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records.
- It is outdated and inadequate for managing Waqf properties in India.
- The repeal aims to ensure uniformity, transparency and accountability in the administration and management of Waqf properties under the Waqf Act, 1995.
- Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and any other use or sale of the properties is prohibited.
National Key Minerals Mission with an investment of Rs 34,300 crore:
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the National Key Mineral Project with an investment of Rs.34,300 crore.
- Out of this, Rs 16,300 crore has been approved as Central share.
- The remaining Rs 18,000 crore will be invested by PSUs.
- The National Key Minerals Mission has been approved in view of the rapidly growing demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, etc., for clean energy technologies and expansion needs of power generation companies including wind power, electric vehicles and their battery manufacturing.
- It will take seven years to achieve self-reliance in India’s green energy sector.
- The scheme is aimed at promoting exploration of important minerals not only in the land but also in the sea.
The kalaignarin kanavu illam
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an additional allocation of Rs 500 crore for the kalaignarin kanavu illam Scheme for 2024-25.
- 3,50,000 / – per house for construction of one lakh new concrete houses during 2024-25 under the “kalaignarin kanavu illam” scheme. 3500 crore has been sanctioned.
- In order to achieve the goal of ‘Slum Free Tamil Nadu’, based on the findings of ‘Housing for All’ survey, it was announced to construct 8 lakh new houses in rural areas in 6 years by 2030.
January 29 is India’s Newspaper Day.
- Indian Newspaper Day is celebrated to honor the beginning of newspapers in India and to raise awareness about Indian newspapers.
January 30th is Martyrs’ Day.
- Martyrs’ Day is celebrated every year on January 30 to commemorate the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi and the three revolutionaries of India.
- On January 30, 1948, the Father of the Nation was assassinated.
- On 23 March, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were hanged by the British.
January 30th is World Leprosy Day.
- World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January with a focus on the goal of zero incidence of leprosy-related disabilities in children.
Drops of information:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Games in Dehradun.
- Under the Prime Minister’s Master Plan for Ancient Tribes, houses are being provided to six tribes namely Toda, Irular, Baniyan, Kattunayakan, Kota and Kurumba residing in Tamil Nadu.
- The Union Government has set a target of 4811 houses for the year 2023-24 under the Prime Minister’s Master Plan for Ancient Tribes.
- Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso have officially left the Association of West African States (ECOWAS).
- ECOWAS was established in 1975 with 15 member countries to promote economic cooperation among West African countries.
- Tamil Nadu has won one Gold, Silver and 2 Bronze medals each in Swimming and Triathlon at the National Games being held at Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
- Swimming at the National Games 100m Rohith Benedicton of Tamil Nadu won the silver medal in the men’s shot put event.