Current Affairs - State

Kerala launched the ‘Sthree Suraksha’ Scheme to provide financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month to economically backward women and transwomen aged between 35 and 60 years. The initiative aims to promote gender justice and economic independence by supporting those not covered under other social welfare pension programmes. Over 10 lakh verified beneficiaries received the first instalment through direct benefit transfer. The scheme reflects Kerala’s welfare-oriented governance model, emphasising inclusive development, gender budgeting, and women’s empowerment while ensuring transparency through careful verification and timely fund disbursement.

Andhra Pradesh has implemented an AI-powered facial recognition system to digitally record the attendance of Members of the Legislative Assembly. The new system replaces traditional physical registers and ensures that attendance is marked only when MLAs are seated in the House. It also tracks the duration of their presence, promoting greater accountability and transparency. The initiative aims to curb absenteeism and address concerns related to paid absences. By enforcing stricter monitoring and supporting the principle of “no work, no pay,” the reform strengthens legislative discipline and institutional integrity.

Phase 2 of the 72-hour ‘Operation Prahar’ was launched by the police force of Punjab to strengthen action against gangsters and wanted criminals across the state. The first phase resulted in more than 3,000 arrests and the seizure of 69 weapons, indicating a strong crackdown on organised crime. Senior headquarters officers were deputed to supervise operations statewide, ensuring strict monitoring and coordination. The Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, also encouraged citizens to provide information through the Anti-Gangster Helpline to support ongoing enforcement efforts.

Kerala is the state where the new dragonfly species Lyriothemis keralensis was discovered. The species was identified by researchers near Kothamangalam and has been named to honour the state’s rich biodiversity. It primarily inhabits shaded plantation canals and pools and is mostly seen during the Southwest monsoon season. For nearly a decade, the species had been misidentified, highlighting the importance of detailed taxonomic research. The discovery also raises conservation concerns because most of its known populations are located outside protected areas, making habitat preservation and ecological monitoring crucial for its survival.

Bihar witnessed the launch of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in its Legislative Assembly by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The initiative promotes paperless functioning and enables MLAs to access legislative documents such as bills, rules, questions, notices, and reports digitally through their devices. Developed on a NIC-cloud based workflow system, the platform enhances transparency, efficiency, and streamlined legislative processes. It also aims to integrate all state legislatures into a unified digital framework, creating a comprehensive legislative data repository across the country.