Current Affairs - National

Surat has emerged as a leading example of urban transformation due to focused government initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of the urban poor. The efforts emphasise in-situ redevelopment, construction of affordable housing, and provision of essential civic amenities such as water, sanitation, and electricity. These large-scale rehabilitation measures are designed to integrate slum dwellers into the formal urban framework rather than displacing them. While Chandigarh is recognised as the first slum-free city among urban centres with a population of about 10 lakh, Surat is now poised to achieve this milestone on a much larger scale, marking a significant step in urban development in India.

New Delhi’s Public Works Department has introduced mandatory QR codes on all new road signages to enhance transparency, quality control, and citizen participation. These QR codes provide details such as manufacturer name, material, manufacturing date, reflective sheeting code, and warranty information. Integrated with the PWD Sewa app, they allow residents to report damaged signboards, potholes, or other infrastructure issues directly. The initiative also enforces standards such as retro-reflective sheeting for night visibility and a 10-year warranty, demonstrating how technology can strengthen accountability and efficiency in public infrastructure management.

The Dulhasti Stage-II Hydel Project is a 260 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project approved for development in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the Chenab River, which is a major river of the Indus river system and holds significant strategic and hydropower importance. Implemented by NHPC Limited, the project extends the existing Dulhasti hydropower facility with underground generating units. The clearance allows the project to move forward with construction tenders, even as issues related to the Indus Waters Treaty remain under discussion.

Under “Operation Milap,” the Delhi police successfully traced 1,303 missing persons through sustained and coordinated efforts. The initiative involved extensive use of modern technology, close coordination across multiple districts, and systematic follow-ups on long-pending missing cases. These recoveries reflect improved policing strategies, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and a focused commitment to reuniting missing individuals with their families. The operation highlights the effectiveness of organised law enforcement initiatives in addressing sensitive social issues and strengthening public trust in the policing system in the national capital.

The government has announced a significant change in the taxation framework for sin goods such as tobacco and pan masala by introducing additional levies beyond GST. These include an additional excise duty on tobacco products and a Health and National Security Cess on pan masala. The new tax structure replaces the earlier compensation cess and follows parliamentary approval of relevant legislation. These measures are intended to discourage consumption due to health concerns while also enhancing government revenue. The notified implementation date for these changes is February 1, from which the revised taxation mechanism comes into effect.