Current Affairs - State

Chhattisgarh signed an agreement with Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) on August 19, 2026, to implement the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) under a State-led model. The project will be executed through Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL), with ₹3,942 crore in financial support approved by the Government of India. The program aims to cover 11,682 Gram Panchayats and provide connectivity to 8,328 villages on a demand basis. It also targets more than three lakh rural home fibre connections, supporting telemedicine, e-Governance, online education, and digital payments in remote areas.

West Bengal hosted its first-ever Kaushal Mahotsav in Balurghat on August 19, 2026, organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the state government. The event aimed to provide employment opportunities to the youth of Dakshin Dinajpur. More than 7,500 interviews were conducted, over 4,500 candidates were shortlisted, and more than 7,000 job opportunities were offered. Over 50 employers from manufacturing, retail, logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and banking participated in the recruitment drive.

Meghalaya was the location of the Centre of Excellence for Eri Weaving, inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on August 18, 2026. The centre was established at Ri Sai, Nongpoh, as part of the Integrated Textile Tourism Complex. Its primary objective is to preserve and promote traditional Eri weaving skills while creating sustainable opportunities for weavers, spinners, and silkworm rearers. Eri silk, also known as Ahimsa Silk or Peace Silk, is produced without killing the silkworm. Meghalaya is a major producer of Eri silk in North East India.

Karnataka approved the Sandhya Kiran cashless healthcare scheme on August 14, 2026, to provide financial and medical security to state government pensioners and their families. The scheme initially covers around 4.93 lakh beneficiaries, including approximately 3.11 lakh state government pensioners below 70 years, along with family pensioners and eligible dependents. It provides cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per year on a family floater basis at empanelled hospitals. The scheme is implemented under Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka regulations and managed by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust.

Maharashtra declared snakebite a notifiable disease, effective from August 18, 2026, making the reporting of suspected and confirmed snakebite cases and related deaths compulsory. Healthcare institutions and professionals are required to report cases to the concerned district health authorities through systems such as the Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). The measure aims to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure timely treatment, and improve planning for anti-snake venom (ASV) availability. The state has also emphasised the importance of receiving treatment within the “golden hour” of 60 minutes after a snakebite.