Current Affairs - State

The Lump Sum Traffic Challan Settlement Scheme 2026 was launched by the Bihar Police along with the state transport department to address the large number of pending traffic e-challans. The scheme focuses on resolving challans that remained unpaid for more than 90 days as of March 31, 2026. It also offers relief in penalties for minor traffic offences such as speeding, not wearing helmets or seat belts, and driving without a licence. More than two lakh pending challan cases are targeted for disposal through the National Lok Adalat process, improving efficiency in traffic law enforcement and dispute resolution across Bihar.

Uttar Pradesh is being developed as a premium fruit hub through initiatives discussed at the Fruit Horizon 2026 conference held at the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow. The conference focused on improving fruit quality, shelf life, export standards, and achieving “zero rejection” for international markets. A specialized task force involving ICAR institutions, APEDA, exporters, and related agencies will prepare an action plan to increase farmers’ income and strengthen the horticulture sector. In addition, a modern Clean Plant Centre is being established to provide disease-free planting materials for fruits such as mango, guava, litchi, and avocado, boosting export-oriented agricultural development.

Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, commissioned a 100 MW solar power project in Gujarat with effect from March 31, 2026. The project received its official commissioning certificate from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). This initiative is part of CIL’s broader strategy to diversify into renewable energy and move toward becoming a net-zero energy company. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had earlier highlighted delays in achieving the company’s solar energy targets, prompting faster implementation of renewable energy projects to support India’s clean energy transition and sustainable development goals.

The Union Cabinet approved two semiconductor manufacturing projects in Gujarat under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) on May 05, 2026. One project by Crystal Matrix Limited in Dholera will establish India’s first commercial Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Mini/Micro-LED display facility, while the second project by Suchi Semicon Private Limited in Surat focuses on semiconductor assembly and testing. Together, the projects involve investments worth ₹3,936 crore and are expected to generate employment for more than 2,200 skilled professionals. These initiatives strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and support the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for electronics and chip manufacturing.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the establishment of a new Ship Repair Facility at Vadinar in Gujarat on May 05, 2026. The project will be jointly implemented by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) with an investment of ₹1,570 crore. The facility is planned as a brownfield infrastructure project and will include advanced repair facilities such as floating dry docks, marine workshops, and a long jetty. It is expected to strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure, improve ship repair capacity for larger vessels, and generate significant employment opportunities in logistics and related industries.