Hul Divas: PIB Notes
In News: Prime Minister Pays Tribute on Hul Divas
- Hul Divas is observed annually on 30 June to commemorate the Santhal Rebellion of 1855. The Prime Minister paid tribute to Sidho Kanhu, Chand, Bhairav, Phulo and Jhano on Hul Divas.
About: Santhal Rebellion (1855–56)
- The Santhal Rebellion was fought against the British East India Company and the zamindari system.
- The uprising was led by Sidhu, Kanhu, Chand and Bhairav, who were four sibling brothers.
- The rebellion is also popularly known as the Santhal Hul.
- Causes of the Hul
- Oppressive extraction, extortion and illegal practices became major causes behind the Santhal uprising.
- Property dispossession and false measurements further intensified resentment against the colonial administration.
- Role of Women
- Phulo Jhano led an army of nearly one thousand women during the rebellion.
- The East India Company army suffered defeat twice during the uprising.
- End of the Rebellion
- The East India Company imposed martial law after the rebellion began.
- Martial law remained effective until 3 January 1856, when it was suspended.
- The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the Presidency armies.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI): PIB Notes
In News: UPI Goes Live in Greece
- UPI services were launched in Greece through the Eurobank and NIPL partnership.
- Greece became the tenth country where Indians can use UPI for digital payments abroad.
- Countries where UPI is available
- Singapore, United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Greece
About: Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- UPI is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
- The platform was launched in 2016 for instant bank-to-bank digital fund transfers.
- UPI enables instant transfers between two bank accounts through mobile platforms.
- Users can transfer funds using a Virtual Payment Address without sharing bank account details.
Key Features
- A single app allows users to access multiple bank accounts conveniently.
- UPI supports payments through mobile number, Virtual Payment Address or bank account number.
- QR codes enable quick and secure digital payments for goods and services.
- AutoPay supports recurring payments for utility bills and subscription services.
- Users can raise collect requests for convenient peer-to-peer payment transactions.
- UPI transactions are protected through two-factor authentication for enhanced payment security.
- The platform enables 24×7 payments without interruption throughout the year.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): PIB Notes
In News: DRI Busts Trans-Border Gold Smuggling Syndicate
- DRI officers seized 15 kilograms of foreign-origin smuggled gold during a major operation in Delhi.
- Preliminary investigations revealed cryptocurrency was used for financing cross-border gold smuggling activities.
About: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- DRI was constituted in 1957 as India’s apex anti-smuggling intelligence and investigation agency.
- It functions under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs within the Ministry of Finance.
- DRI enforces the Customs Act, 1962 and more than fifty allied legislations.
- Functions
- DRI detects and curbs smuggling of contraband, drug trafficking and illicit international wildlife trade.
- It investigates commercial frauds related to international trade and customs duty evasion.
- The agency collects, analyses and disseminates intelligence inputs to field formations across the country.
- It maintains seizure statistics to monitor smuggling trends and recommend procedural improvements.
- DRI operates through zonal, regional and sub-regional units supported by intelligence cells.
- Important Legislations
- DRI also enforces the Arms Act and the NDPS Act.
- It implements COFEPOSA, the Wildlife Act and the Antiquities Act during anti-smuggling investigations.
