Current Affairs - State

Maharashtra signed major Memorandums of Understanding with four leading companies to develop 25,400 MW of nuclear power capacity with a total planned investment of ₹6.5 lakh crore. The projects involve companies such as NTPC Limited, Adani Power, Reliance Industries Limited, and Lalitpur Power Generation Company. These initiatives include the development of advanced nuclear technologies such as Bharat Small Reactors and Small Modular Reactors. Large-scale projects are planned in Ratnagiri district and other regions, with expectations of generating significant employment opportunities. The move reflects Maharashtra’s commitment to expanding clean energy infrastructure and strengthening India’s long-term energy security through nuclear power development.

The West Bengal Cabinet approved several major welfare and administrative measures on May 18, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. One of the key initiatives was the launch of the ₹3,000 monthly ‘Annapurna’ financial aid scheme for women, replacing the earlier Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. The government also introduced free travel for women on all state-run buses to encourage financial independence and workforce participation. Additionally, religion-based stipends for imams, muezzins, and priests were discontinued, with funds redirected toward merit-based scholarships. These reforms reflected a broader focus on welfare expansion, social equity, and governance restructuring.

Karnataka launched India’s first integrated digital monitoring portal for tracking Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) medicines and regulating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) on May 15, 2026. Developed by the state’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department, the system strengthens pharmaceutical surveillance and drug safety mechanisms. The portal enables immediate e-signing of NSQ reports, automatic blocking of defective drug batches, and strict monitoring of NDPS medicine sales through prescription verification. The initiative aims to prevent the misuse of controlled substances and ensure higher standards in medicine distribution. It also reflects Karnataka’s focus on technology-driven governance and public health protection.

Karnataka became the first Indian state to adopt a globally recognised Alcohol-in-Beverage (AIB) based excise duty structure on May 11, 2026. The reform marked a major shift in liquor taxation by allowing producers to independently fix prices based on alcohol content and market conditions instead of government-controlled pricing. The policy also streamlined Indian Made Liquor categories into eight distinct slabs through amendments to the Karnataka Excise Rules, 1968. Introduced following commitments in the 2026–27 state budget, the initiative aims to provide consumers with more competitive pricing while maintaining parity with neighboring states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Kerala.

The "Jan Bhagidari – Sabse Door, Sabse Pehle" campaign was launched by the Chhattisgarh government to improve the delivery of welfare schemes in remote tribal villages. Conducted from May 18 to May 25, 2026, the initiative targeted more than 8,000 tribal villages across the state. Implemented by the Tribal Development Department, the campaign focused on benefits related to health, nutrition, education, social security, and drinking water. It also included public grievance hearings and health camps for screening diseases such as sickle cell anaemia and tuberculosis. The campaign supported national tribal welfare initiatives like PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba mission.