Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker, some Opposition members of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill have threatened to “disassociate” from the panel, accusing its chairperson and BJP leader Jagdambika Pal of “bulldozing the proceedings” and “stonewalling” them.

Background: –

• In India, the history of Waqf can be traced back to the early days of the Delhi Sultanate when Sultan Muizuddin Sam Ghaor dedicated two villages in favour of the Jama Masjid of Multan. As the Delhi Sultanate and later Islamic dynasties flourished in India, the number of Waqf properties kept increasing in India.

Key takeaways

• Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and any other use or sale of the property is prohibited. Waqf means that the ownership of the property is now taken away from the person making Waqf and transferred and detained by Allah.
• ‘Waqif’ is a person who creates a waqf for the beneficiary. As Waqf properties are bestowed upon Allah, in the absence of a physically tangible entity, a ‘mutawalli’ is appointed by the waqif, or by a competent authority, to manage or administer a Waqf. —Once designated as waqf, the ownership is transferred from the person making the waqf (waqif) to Allah, making it irrevocable.
• India has had a legal regime for the governance of Waqfs since 1913, when the Muslim Waqf Validating Act came into force. The Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 followed. After Independence, the Central Waqf Act, 1954, was enacted, which was ultimately replaced by the Waqf Act, 1995.
• In 2013, the law was amended to prescribe imprisonment of up to two years for encroachment on Waqf property, and to explicitly prohibit the sale, gift, exchange, mortgage, or transfer of Waqf property.
• The Waqf law provides for the appointment of a survey commissioner who maintains a list of all Waqf properties by making local investigations, summoning witnesses, and requisitioning public documents.
• A Waqf property is managed by a mutawalli (caretaker), who acts as a superviser. Waqf properties are managed in a way that is similar to how properties under Trusts are managed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.
• The Waqf Act states that any dispute related to Waqf properties will be decided by a Waqf Tribunal.
• The Tribunal is constituted by the state government, and comprises three members — a chairperson who is a state judicial officer not below the rank of a District, Sessions or Civil Judge, Class I; an officer from the state civil services; and a person with knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence.
• The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 :
  • It changes the composition of the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards to include non-Muslim members.
  • The Survey Commissioner has been replaced by the Collector, granting him powers to conduct surveys of waqf properties.
  • Government property identified as waqf will cease to be waqf. Collector will determine ownership of such properties.
  • Finality of the Tribunal’s decisions has been revoked. The Bill provides for direct appeal to the High Court.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Delhi is among the bottom five cities in terms of fund expenditure under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) — 68% of its funds are unutilised.

Background: –

• Delhi’s air quality was in the ‘very poor’ category recently after diwali.

Key takeaways

• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is India’s comprehensive strategy to combat air pollution across the country.
• Launched in January 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the NCAP aims to systematically address air quality issues through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts.

Objectives:

• Reduction Targets: NCAP aimed for a reduction of 20-30% in PM10 concentrations by 2024-25 compared to the baseline year of 2017-18. The target has been revised to achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels or to meet national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025-26.
• The programme focuses on 131 cities (non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities) in 24 States/UTs by engaging all stakeholders.

Key Features:

• City-Specific Action Plans: Each non-attainment city is required to develop and implement a tailored action plan addressing local sources of pollution.
• Sectoral Interventions: The NCAP emphasizes interventions across various sectors, including transportation, industry, power, residential, and agriculture, to mitigate pollution sources.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: A robust monitoring framework has been established to track progress, involving real-time air quality monitoring systems and periodic assessments.
• Public Participation: The programme encourages active involvement from citizens, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions to foster community engagement and awareness.

Implementation Mechanisms:

• Institutional Framework: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) oversees the implementation, supported by state pollution control boards and urban local bodies.
• Funding: Financial assistance is provided to states and cities for implementing action plans, with provisions for capacity building and technological support.
• Capacity Building: Training programs and workshops are conducted to enhance the capabilities of stakeholders involved in air quality management.

Recent Developments:

• PRANA Portal: In September 2021, the MoEFCC launched the PRANA portal (Portal for Regulation of Air-pollution in Non-Attainment cities) to monitor the implementation of NCAP and disseminate information on air quality management efforts.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has taken cognisance of representations sent to it against an advisory of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), asking state forest departments to submit action plans on the relocation of villages from tiger reserves.

Background:

• According to NTCA, 591 villages, with a total of 64,801 families, are located within critical tiger habitats (core areas) across 54 tiger reserves in 19 states. NTCA has asked to state forest department to relocate them.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

• The NCST was established under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution, introduced by the 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.
• It was created to safeguard the rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India, separating from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• The NCST is a multi-member body consisting of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and three other members.
• Members are appointed by the President of India and hold office as specified by the President.

Mandate and Functions:

• Monitor and evaluate the progress of development initiatives for STs under Union and State Governments.
• Investigate and report to the President on issues related to the socio-economic and educational advancement of STs.
• Safeguard ST interests in employment, protection from exploitation, and welfare schemes.
• Recommend measures to prevent atrocities and discrimination against STs.

Powers:

• The NCST has powers akin to a civil court, including summoning witnesses, requesting documents, and taking evidence.
• It is empowered to inquire into matters on complaints about deprivation of ST rights or any failure in duty by the administration.

The current issue

• In June, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) sent a letter to state forest departments, urging them to prioritize and plan the relocation of villages from the core areas of tiger reserves.
• The NCST held a full commission meeting and decided to seek a report from NTCA on the relocation issue.
• The commission also decided to seek an action-taken report from the Union Environment Ministry and NTCA on its 2018 recommendations to revise the compensation package offered to villagers voluntarily opting to move out of tiger reserves.
• The NCST had said in 2018 that the compensation package should be provided based on the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Additional Information

• Under the Wildlife Protection Act, areas free of human settlements can be created in the core of tiger reserves. However, this is to be done after recognising the rights of tribal communities under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and with the informed consent of the Gram Sabha concerned.
• Additionally, before the voluntary relocation, the state government has to conclude, based on consultations with ecological and social scientists, that activities of the tribal communities or forest dwellers or their presence are sufficient to cause irreversible damage to tigers and their habitat. They have to also conclude that there is no other reasonable option for the community to co-exist with tigers.

Source: Outlook

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Ganga Utsav 2024 was recently inaugurated at  at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar. This year’s event saw participation from several river cities under the River City Alliance.

Background: –

• Ganga Utsav 2024 is organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to mark the anniversary of declaring the Ganga River as the National River. The primary aim of this festival is to promote the conservation of the Ganga River, emphasize its cultural and spiritual importance, and raise public awareness about cleanliness.

About River City Alliance

• The River Cities Alliance (RCA) is a collaborative platform established in India to promote sustainable management of urban rivers.
• Launched in November 2021 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the RCA serves as a forum for riverine cities to exchange knowledge and best practices related to river conservation and urban planning.

Key Objectives:

• Networking: Facilitate connections among cities to share experiences and strategies for river management.
• Capacity Building: Enhance the skills and knowledge of urban local bodies in river conservation and sustainable development.
• Technical Support: Provide assistance in implementing projects aimed at rejuvenating urban rivers.

Membership and Expansion:

• Initially comprising 30 member cities, the RCA has expanded to include 110 river cities across India.
• The Alliance is open to all river cities of India. Any river city can join the Alliance at any time.

Global Engagement:

• Building on the success of the RCA, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) launched the Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) at COP28 in Dubai.
• GRCA is a unique alliance covering 275+ global river-cities in 11 countries, international funding agencies and knowledge management partners and is first of its kind in the world.
• The GRCA includes countries like India, Egypt, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Japan, as well as cities such as The Hague, Adelaide, and Szolnok. This international coalition aims to foster global cooperation in river management and conservation.

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Balfour Declaration was made on November 2, 1917. A century later, its violent ripples are still being felt.

Background: –

• The Declaration is often cited as a foundational document leading to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its repercussions still evident in contemporary Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Key takeaways

• Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930): A prominent British statesman who held various powerful positions in the British government. He was nicknamed ‘Bloody Balfour’ for his harsh suppression of Irish revolts. However, his legacy is profoundly marked by the Balfour Declaration, which has had lasting implications in the Middle East.

The Balfour Declaration:

• Date: November 2, 1917.
• Nature: A letter from Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community.
• Content: The British government expressed support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, with the stipulation that this should not prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status of Jews in other countries.

Motivations Behind the Declaration:

• Zionist Movement: The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of Zionism, advocating for a Jewish homeland in response to persecution in Europe.
• British Interests: During World War I, Britain sought to gain Jewish support, particularly from influential communities in the U.S. and Russia, to bolster the Allied war effort. Additionally, control over Palestine was strategically important for safeguarding the Suez Canal and maintaining access to British colonies, including India.

Controversies and Criticisms:

• First, of course, is the fact that a British official made a promise to another Briton about land that belonged to a different people. Palestine then was a part of the Ottoman empire, and Britain had no legal right to promise it to anyone.
• Also, while the “civil and religious rights” of “non-Jewish communities” in Palestine are mentioned in the Declaration, it does not take into account the political rights of Arabs already living in Palestine.
• Britain had taken the consent of its Allied partners before the Declaration was issued, but no Palestinian leader was consulted.
• Also, the Declaration in spirit violated the promises made in the McMahon–Hussein correspondence (July 1915 to March 1916), in which the British had promised the Arabs an independent state in return for support against the Ottoman Empire in World War I.

Significance and Legacy:

• Catalyst for Zionism: The Declaration provided political legitimacy to the Zionist movement, accelerating Jewish immigration to Palestine and laying the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the State of Israel.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) The Balfour Declaration, issued in 1917, was significant because:

a) It promised independence to Arab states under Ottoman rule.

b) It marked British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

c) It ended British rule in Palestine.

d) It established a Jewish state in Palestine immediately after World War I.

Q2.) The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India aims` to:

a) Achieve a 40-50% reduction in particulate matter levels by 2025 in 100 non-attainment cities.

b) Establish air quality monitoring stations in all cities across India.

c) achieve up to a 40% reduction in PM10 levels or to meet national standards (60 µg/m³) by 2025-26.

d) Enforce mandatory use of electric vehicles in urban areas by 2025.

Q3.) Which of the following statements about the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is correct?

a) The NCST was established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

b) The NCST is responsible for overseeing the implementation of safeguards for Scheduled Castes.

c) The NCST was created under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution.

d) The NCST has jurisdiction over all marginalized communities, including OBCs and Scheduled Castes.

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  b

Q.2) – a

Q.3) – b