• 28 Feb 2025

ED Seizes Cryptocurrencies in Haryana

Why in News? 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized cryptocurrencies worth Rs 17.20 crore after conducting searches at six locations in Haryana related to an investment scam. 

 Key Points 

• Seizure of Cryptocurrencies: 
  • The ED found cryptocurrencies stored in multiple wallets. 
  • The alleged mastermind, and his associates owned and managed these wallets. 
  • Officials seized several mobile phones during the searches which contained multiple apps used to access cryptocurrency wallets. 
• Basis of the Investigation: 
  • The probe stems from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Haryana Police. 
  • A victim’s complaint also contributed to the initiation of the investigation. 

 The Enforcement Directorate (ED) 

• The ED is a multi-disciplinary organization mandated with investigation of offences of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws. 
• It functions under the Department of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance. 
• As a premier financial investigation agency of the Government of India, the ED functions in strict compliance with the Constitution and Laws of India. 

 First Information Report (FIR) 

• A first information report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognisable offence. 
  • A cognisable offence is one in which the police can arrest a person without a warrant. 
  • The term FIR is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law, but in police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR). 

Army Vehicle Fired Upon in J&K

Why in News? 

On 26 February 2025, suspected militants opened fire on an Army vehicle in the Pir Panjal Valley’s Sunderbani sector in Rajouri district. Security forces launched a search operation after the attack in the forest range. 

 Key Points 

• Firing Incident: 
  • Preliminary reports indicated a brief exchange of fire at Phal village in the Sunderbani sector of Nowshera. 
  • Gunshots were heard from a nearby forest area as an Army vehicle moved through the region. 
• No Casualties Reported: 
  • Officials confirmed that the incident did not result in any casualties. 
  • The firing occurred near the Line of Control (LoC). 
• Security Response and Search Operation: 
  • Security forces launched a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) in the nearby pockets of Phal village. 
  • Rajouri district has previously witnessed infiltration incidents along the LoC. 

 Line of Control  

  

• The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War.  
• It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries.  
• LoC is demarcated up to the Siachen Glacier (Point NJ9842)- the world's highest battlefield.  
• LoC is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement.  

 Pir Panjal   

• About:   
  • The Pir Panjal Range is a mountain range in the northern Indian subcontinent.   
  • It begins in Ramban and extends westward, lying south of Jammu and Kashmir’s Vale of Kashmir, reaching Muzaffarabad District.   
  • The range rises sharply to an average elevation of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).   
  • It separates the Jammu Hills in the south from the Vale of Kashmir, beyond which lie the Great Himalayas.   
  • The range separates from the Himalayas near the banks of the Sutlej River.   
  • It forms a natural divide between the Beas and Ravi rivers on one side and the Chenab River on the other.   
• Major Passes:   
  • The range has six historical passes, Hajipir Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, Bairam Gala Pass.   
• Important Peaks:   
  • Deo Tibba (6,001 m) and Indrasan (6,221 m) are two significant peaks at the eastern end of the range 

India Slams Pakistan on J&K Issue

Why in News? 

India strongly criticized Pakistan for raising the Jammu and Kashmir issue at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

 Key Points 

• India’s Response: 
  • India exercised its Right of Reply at the 58th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 26 February, 2025. 
  • The response came after Pakistan once again raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir at the multilateral forum. 
• Strong Rebuttal to Pakistan’s Allegations: 
  • Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, dismissed Pakistan’s claims as “baseless and malicious.” 
  • He criticized Pakistan’s leaders for spreading “falsehoods handed down by its military-terrorist complex.” 
• Criticism of Pakistan’s Governance and Policies: 
  • India described Pakistan as a “failed state” that thrives on instability and survives on international handouts. 
  • The counsellor accused Pakistan of hypocrisy, human rights abuses, minority persecution, and the systematic erosion of democratic values. 
  • He asserted that Pakistan harbors UN-sanctioned terrorists and lacks credibility to lecture others on human rights. 
  • India accused Pakistan of misusing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as its propaganda tool. 
• Jammu and Kashmir’s Development Under India: 
  • The counsellor reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. 
  • He highlighted the region’s unprecedented political, social, and economic progress in recent years. 
  • He stated that these developments reflect the people’s trust in the government’s commitment to normalcy and peace, despite decades of Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. 

 United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) 

• About: 
  • The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. 
• Formation: 
  • The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights. 
  • The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council. 
  • OHCHR is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Maharashtra Additional Subsidy for Rural Homes

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra government is going to provide an additional subsidy of Rs 50,000 for homes in rural areas under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. 

 Key Points 

• Approval of Additional Subsidy: 
  • The state Chief Minister approved the decision to provide an additional subsidy.  
  • The Maharashtra government allocated funds for this subsidy in the 2025-26 budget. 
• Increased Financial Support: 
  • The State Rural Development Minister announced that the additional subsidy would raise the total financial assistance per beneficiary to Rs 2.1 lakh. 
  • The State government will bear the cost of this additional subsidy. 
  • The government aims to complete 20 lakh housing units within a year. 

 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 

• Launch:  
  • To achieve the objective of “Housing for All” by 2022, the erstwhile rural housing scheme Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) was restructured to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) from 1st April 2016, as a centrally sponsored scheme. 
• Ministry Involved: Ministry of Rural Development.  
• Objective: 
  • The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to address housing shortages in urban and rural areas. 
  • The scheme prioritizes economically weaker sections and low-income groups. 
  • It follows a demand-driven approach, allowing States and Union Territories to approve projects based on identified eligible beneficiaries. 
• Beneficiaries:  
  • People belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and non-SC/ST categories, widows or next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces, disabled persons and minorities.  
• Selection of Beneficiaries:  
  • Through a three-stage validation such as Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha, and geo-tagging. 

Conclusion of the Maha Kumbh 2025

Why in News? 

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which began in Prayagraj on 13^th January 2024, concluded 45 days later on 26^th February 2025 with the Mahashivratri holy bath. 

Note:  

• Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 became the largest fair in the world, attracting over 66 crore devotees which is twice the population of the United States. Such a massive gathering has never been witnessed anywhere in the world.   

Key Points  

• About the Closing Ceremony:  
  • The closing ceremony was held at Sangam Ghat on 27th February 2025, in which the Chief Minister officially declared the closing of the Mahakumbh Mela.   
  • CM honored the employees and institutions who contributed in making the Maha Kumbh historic, divine, grand, clean, safe and digital.  
• Key Announcements:  
  
  • Under the Kisan Aapda Yojana, boat operators will receive disaster assistance similar to the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Bima Yojana, offering financial aid of Rs 5 lakh in case of an unfortunate event. 
    • People who do not have health insurance will be covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme. 
  • An additional bonus of Rs 10,000 for the sanitation and health workers deployed on Maha Kumbh duty was also announced. 
  •  The CM also announced that the state government is all set to form a corporation through which it will provide Rs 16,000 per month to every sanitation worker, health worker and all those workers who were not getting minimum wages.  
    • This amount will be sent to their account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from April 2025. 
• Major Attractions of Kumbh Mela 2025: 
  • Triveni Sangam: The sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. 
  • Ancient Temples: Hanuman Temple, Alopi Devi Temple, Mankameshwar Temple. 
  • Kalagram: Cultural village set up by the Ministry of Culture, featuring crafts, cuisine and culture. 
  • Akhara Camp: Centre for meditation, discussion and philosophical exchange of sadhus and seekers. 
  • International Bird Festival: Over 200 migratory and local birds, including endangered species, were spotted during the festival held from February 16 to 18, 2025. 
• Important Initiatives Taken: 
  • Medical Facilities: 
    • 133 ambulances were deployed during the fair, including seven water ambulances and one air ambulance.  
    • Affordable medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras. 
  • Green Initiative: 
    • Around 56,000 sq. meters of Dense Forests created in Prayagraj in last two years using Miyawaki Technique. 
    • Baswar dumping yard converted into green area. 
    • Cleaning of Rivers with trash skimmer machines.  

Kumbh Mela 

• About:  
  • The word ' Kumbh' is derived from the metal 'Kumbhaka' (sacred pot of the nectar of immortality). 
  • King Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started organizing the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. 
  • It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which the participants bathe or take a dip in the holy river. This congregation takes place at 4 different places, namely: 
    • On the banks of the Ganga at Haridwar. 
    • On the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain. 
    • On the banks of the Godavari (South Ganga) at Nasik. 
    • At the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical invisible Saraswati in Prayagraj. 
  • In 2017, UNESCO added the Kumbh Mela to its list of " Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ". 
• Types of Kumbh: 
  • Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times in 12 years. 
  • The Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every sixth year in Haridwar and Prayagraj. 
  • The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated in Prayagraj after every 144 years (after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas'). 
  • Magh Kumbh is celebrated every year in the month of Magh (January-February) in Prayagraj