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  • 21 Feb 2025
  • 20 min read
  • Switch Date:  
Bihar Chhattisgarh Haryana Jharkhand Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Uttarakhand Uttar Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Maharashtra West Bengal Punjab Gujarat Odisha State PCS Quiz PCS Parikshan 2024 PCS Parikshan
Haryana Switch to Hindi

Haryana's New Chief Secretary

Why in News? 

The Haryana government appointed 1990-batch IAS officer Anurag Rastogi as the state's new chief secretary. 

 Key Points 

  • New Appointments: 
    • Chief Secretary: 
    • According to a government order Anurag Rastogi has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Haryana. 
    • He will continue to hold the charge of the Financial Commissioner, Revenue, and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance and Planning). 
  • Election Commission: 

 Chief Secretary of State 

  • Appointment: 
    • The Chief Secretary is ‘chosen’ by the Chief Minister. As the appointment of Chief Secretary is an executive action of the Chief Minister, it is taken in the name of the Governor of the State. 
  • Position: 
    • The post of Chief Secretary is the senior-most position in the civil services of the states and union territories of India. 
    • The position is a cadre post for the Indian Administrative Services. 
    • The Chief Secretary is the chief advisor to the Chief Minister in all matters of the cabinet. 
  • Tenure: 
    • The office of Chief Secretary has been excluded from the operation of the tenure system. There is no fixed tenure for this post. 

Election Commission of India.

Haryana Switch to Hindi

Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister of Haryana announced that the state will now extend Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana benefits to potato growers. This decision will shield farmers from price fluctuations and ensure essential financial assistance. 

 Key Points 

  • Disbursement of Financial Assistance: 
    • The government has successfully disbursed an amount of Rs 46.34 crore to farmers for the year 2023-24 under the scheme. 
  • About Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana: 
    • The Haryana government launched this scheme to protect farmers from financial losses due to declining market prices. 
    • The scheme covers 21 horticultural crops, including: 
      • 5 fruit crops 
      • 14 vegetable crops 
      • 2 spice crops 
  • Current Registration and Assistance: 
    • 3,15,614 farmers have registered 7,02,220 acres under the scheme. 
    • The government has provided over Rs 110 crore in financial assistance to 24,385 farmers. 
  • Advisory for Potato Farmers: 
    • Farmers have been advised to store their potato crops in cold storage if market prices fall to safeguard their produce and income. 
  • Process: 
    • Farmers must register their crops on the "Meri Fasal Mera Byora" portal. 
    • The Horticulture Department verifies the details before issuing benefits. 
    • The scheme covers landowners, lessees, and tenants, ensuring broad-based farmer support. 
Haryana Switch to Hindi

Railways Upgrade for Delhi-Ambala Corridor

Why in News? 

To address the increasing load on the Delhi-Ambala rail corridor, the Ministry of Railways has planned to upgrade the existing two-track system into a four-line corridor.  

  • Railway officials met with district administration officers in Panipat and Sonepat under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to discuss the project details. 

 Key Points 

  • Need for Expansion: 
    • Deputy Commissioner Sonepat emphasized the urgent need for expanding the Delhi-Ambala rail corridor due to the increasing train load. 
    • The current two-track system is insufficient, prompting the Railway Ministry to plan the expansion of the 193.6 km corridor from Delhi to Ambala. 
  • Project Scope and Cost: 
    • The expansion will involve development work at 32 railway stations along the route. 
    • The project has an estimated cost of Rs 7,074 crore and aims for completion within four years. 
  • Land Acquisition Details: 
    • The expansion requires 11 hectares of land from 15 villages: 
    • 8 villages in Samalkha division 
    • 7 villages in Panipat 
    • The administration will ensure appropriate compensation for landowners. 
  • Railway’s Land Proposal: 
    • The project requires 85 hectares, including: 
      • 80 hectares of private land 
      • 5 hectares of government land 
    • Upon completion, the upgraded corridor will offer significantly improved facilities for the public. 

 Indian Railways 

  • Indian Railways was established in 1853 and is one of the world's largest railway networks. 
  • The first railway on the Indian sub-continent ran over a stretch of 21 miles from Bombay to Thane.  
  • India is projected to account for 40% of the total global share of rail activity by 2050. 
  • Indian Railways crafted the National Rail Plan (NRP) for India - 2030 to develop a modern railway system.
Uttarakhand Switch to Hindi

Uttarakhand Budget 2025-26

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand government has unveiled a Rs 1,01,175.33 crore budget for the financial year 2025-26, aiming to strengthen infrastructure while ensuring economic stability. 

 Key Points 

  • Budget Presentation and Vision: 
    • The State Finance Minister presented the Rs 1,01,175.33 crore budget in the State Assembly, Dehradun. 
    • The budget outlines a comprehensive roadmap for the state’s economic and infrastructural development. 
  • Sectoral Focus Areas: 
    • The government has prioritized agriculture, industry, energy, infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and Ayush. 
    • Additional emphasis has been placed on education, health, infrastructure, and rural development to foster growth. 
  • Revenue and Receipts Overview: 
    • The budget estimates total receipts at Rs 1,01,034.75 crore, including: 
    • Tax revenue is expected to contribute Rs 39,917.74 crore, while non-tax revenue is estimated at Rs 22,622.80 crore. 
  • ‘GYAN’ Model for Inclusive Development: 
    • The budget is based on the ‘GYAN’ model, focusing on: 
      • Gareeb (Poor) 
      • Yuva (Youth) 
      • Anndata (Farmers) 
      • Naari (Women) 
  • Boost to Industry and Startups: 
    • To support industrial growth and entrepreneurship, the budget includes: 
    • Rs 50 crore for MSME industries. 
    • Rs 35 crore for the Mega Industry Policy. 
    • Rs 30 crore for startup promotion. 
    • Rs 500 crore under the Mega Project Scheme to drive economic expansion. 
  • Major Allocations by Sector: 
  • Strategic Focus on Development: 
    • The budget reflects the state government's commitment to holistic growth and sustainable development. 
    • By emphasizing infrastructure, social welfare, environment, and economic expansion, the government aims to improve the quality of life for Uttarakhand residents. 

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana 

  • PMGSY is a central government scheme launched in 2000 to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations. 
    • The scheme was originally a 100% centrally-sponsored initiative, but starting from the financial year 2015-16, the funding has been shared between the Central and State governments in a 60:40 ratio. 
    • Around 800,000 kilometres of rural roads have been built and 180,000 habitations were connected under various phases of the PMGSY scheme. 

 Vibrant Villages Programme 

  • It is a Centrally sponsored scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 (to 2025-26) for development of villages on the northern border, thus improving the quality of life of people living in identified border villages. 
  • It will cover the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Ladakh. 
  • It will cover 2,963 villages with 663 of them to be covered in the first phase. 
  • Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats. 
  • There will not be overlap with the Border Area Development Programme. 
Uttar Pradesh Switch to Hindi

Brahmos Missile

Why in News? 

The manufacturing of BrahMos missiles will begin in Lucknow in May-June 2025, marking a significant advancement for the Indian defense sector. 

Key Points 

  • About the Manufacturing: 
    • According to the Defense Minister Brahmos missiles along with defense equipment will be manufactured in Lucknow. 
    • A railway track will also be built to transport the missile to the manufacturing unit 
      • In this project, Russian scientists will also work with India . 
    • It is a part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. 
      • The defence manufacturing centres are being established through the Defence Corridor in two states of India, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu . 

Brahmos Missile  

 Brahmos Missile

  • The BrahMos missile , which has a range of 290 km, is an Indo-Russian joint venture and is the world's fastest cruise missile with a top speed of Mach 2.8 (about three times the speed of sound). 
    • BrahMos is named after the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers. 
  • It is a two-stage missile (solid propellant engine in the first stage and liquid ramjet in the second stage). 
  • It is a multiplatform missile i.e. it can be launched from land, air and sea and is a multi-capability missile with high accuracy which operates both during day and night irrespective of weather conditions . 
  • It operates on the "fire and forgets" principle i.e. it does not require guidance after launch. 
  • Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia are among other potential customers for the BrahMos missile. 
Bihar Switch to Hindi

New Airport Approved in Bihar

Why in News? 

Recently, approval has been given by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the construction of a new airport at Bihta, Bihar. 

Key Points  

  • About Bihta Airport: 
    • It will be constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 459 crore. 
    • The work of construction of the airport has been assigned to a Russian company. 
    • The target has been set to complete this airport by the year 2026. 
    • The Bihar government has allotted about 108 acres of land for the construction of the airport.  
    • Along with this, Danapur-Bihta elevated corridor is being constructed at a cost of about Rs 2000 crore, which is likely to be completed by the year 2026. 
  • Benefits: 
    • This airport will be connected to Patna city and will also become a new air traffic hub for the entire Bihar and surrounding areas. 
    • This will enhance air connectivity between major cities, driving growth in business and tourism. 
    • The airport's construction will boost local employment, enhance passenger facilities, and make travel more affordable. 

Airports Authority of India (AAI) 

  • AAI is a statutory body , constituted by an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1995. 
  • Its headquarters is in New Delhi. 
  • This authority constructs, upgrades, maintains and manages civil aviation infrastructure both on ground and in airspace . 
  • At present, the AAI manages 137 airports, including 23 international airports, 10 customs airports, 81 domestic airports and 23 domestic civil enclaves in defence airfields. 
  • It also provides air navigation services and operates a training institute for aviation professionals.
Bihar Switch to Hindi

Buddhist Festival 2025

Why in News? 

A three- day Buddhist Festival 2025 was organized at the Kalachakra Ground in Gaya district of Bihar .    

Key Points  

  • About the Festival: 
    • A glimpse of spiritual , cultural and tourism activities was seen in this Buddhist festival 
    • Apart from local artists, artists from 6 countries including Indonesia , Laos and Japan participated in it .   
    • A Buddhist film festival was also organized. For this, big filmmakers , writers etc. from many countries were invited.   
      • This film festival and arts festival was organised at Mahabodhi Convention Centre . 

Buddhist Festival  

  • Buddhist Festival is an annual cultural and spiritual event , celebrated mainly in Bodh Gaya, Bihar . 
  • This festival celebrates the teachings of Lord Gautam Buddha , Buddhism and its rich cultural heritage.  
  • The Buddhist Festival was  first organised in the year 1998 . 
    • Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment (Bodhi) , hence this place is very sacred for the followers of Buddhism.  
  • This festival promotes the basic principles of Buddhism like non-violence , compassion , peace and meditation .  
  • Thousands of devotees and tourists from India as well as Sri Lanka , Nepal , Bhutan , Japan , China , Thailand , Myanmar and other countries participate in it.
Madhya Pradesh Switch to Hindi

Cheetah Mitra Sammelan

Why in News? 

On 18 February 2025, Cheetah Mitra Sammelan was organized in Kuno National Park, Sheopur , in which 100 Cheetah Friends participated. 

Key Points  

  • About the conference : 
    • The conference was held on the completion of  two successful years of rehabilitation of cheetahs introduced from South Africa to Kuno National Park . 
    • Cheetah friends shared their experiences and suggestions related to the project, which can be helpful in improving this project in future. 
    • Detailed information about Project Cheetah was given and direct experience of the work done under the project was shared. 
  • Objective: 
    • The purpose of this conference was to analyze the work done under the project. 
    • Through this it was ensured that all aspects were taken into consideration and contributed to the success of the Cheetah project . 

Kuno National Park  

Cheetah

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