Current Affairs - State

The Royal Bhutan Buddhist Temple was inaugurated at Rajgir in Bihar, an important historical and spiritual site associated with Buddhism. Rajgir holds great significance as it is the place where Lord Buddha performed penance and delivered several teachings. The inauguration ceremony was led by Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay along with India’s Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, conducted with traditional Bhutanese rituals and Buddhist customs. The temple stands as a strong symbol of the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between India and Bhutan, reflecting their shared heritage and commitment to strengthening bilateral friendship through religious and cultural collaboration.

India’s first Vulture Conservation Portal was launched in Assam through a joint initiative by We Foundation India and the Zoology Department of Gauhati University. This digital platform is designed to create a nationwide network focused on safeguarding vultures, which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by preventing the spread of diseases through carrion disposal. The initiative emphasises grassroots-level awareness, particularly using local languages, to ensure wider community participation. With India hosting nine vulture species, five of which are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, the portal aims to address threats like poisoning, habitat loss, and human disturbances.

Chhattisgarh, formed in 2000, has transformed into one of India’s major power hubs by expanding its electricity capacity from 1,400 MW to 30,000 MW in just 25 years. With ₹3 lakh crore of new investment commitments, the state is poised to double this capacity to nearly 60,000 MW in the coming years, supported by both thermal and renewable energy projects. The inauguration of a new 1,320 MW power plant, the construction of a joint headquarters in Nava Raipur for power companies, and outreach to global investors underline its growth trajectory. Solar power initiatives under schemes like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are furthering the state’s commitment to sustainability while ensuring energy security and economic development.

Maharashtra has approved significant amendments to its labour laws, increasing the maximum daily working hours for private sector employees. Under the Factories Act, the limit has been extended from 9 to 12 hours with mandatory rest breaks after 6 hours, while the overtime cap has been raised from 115 to 144 hours per quarter. Similarly, under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, daily working hours have been raised from 9 to 10, with an overtime cap of 144 hours per quarter. These changes are designed to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen worker rights, with safeguards such as double overtime pay and written consent for extended hours. The reforms align Maharashtra with other states that have already modernised their labour frameworks.

Kerala has become the first state to carry out a large scale eradication of the invasive plant species Senna spectabilis, clearing 383 acres in Wayanad. Originally introduced in the 1980s for its bright yellow flowers, this species from South America rapidly turned invasive, forming dense thickets that damage soil quality, block the growth of native plants, and reduce food availability for wildlife. While its spread has been reported in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra, Kerala’s proactive step sets an example for biodiversity conservation. Experts emphasise that early action is essential to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Western Ghats.