Current Affairs - National

The original Haj Committee Rules, which have now been amended by the Haj Committee (Amendment) Rules, 2024, were established in 2002. This amendment reflects the administrative shift from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Ministry of Minority Affairs. According to the new rules, officers from the ministries of external affairs, home affairs, finance, and civil aviation will be nominated as ex-officio members of the Haj Committee. This inclusion ensures a comprehensive approach to managing the committee's activities.

The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative aims to increase telecom connectivity in rural areas, replacing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). It focuses on promoting telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas, funding research, supporting pilot projects, and introducing new telecom services and technologies. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to bridging the digital divide by targeting underserved groups and enhancing connectivity across India's diverse geographic regions.

Tata Power has launched the 'Ghar Ghar Solar' initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, to promote rooftop solar solutions among residents. This initiative offers substantial subsidies, state-of-the-art technology, and financial savings on electricity bills, aiming to drive widespread adoption of clean energy and support sustainable development goals in the region.

In India, children up to 14 years of age are considered child labour according to regulations aimed at protecting their rights and ensuring their welfare. The declaration of Jharkhand's mica mines as 'child labour-free' by NCPCR underscores efforts to eliminate underage labour from hazardous industries like mining, where children were historically involved in collecting mica.

Santhals rank as the third largest scheduled tribe in India, after Gonds and Bhils. They are predominantly found in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Santhali language, written in the Ol-Chiki script, is recognized as a scheduled language in the Indian Constitution.