Current Affairs - State

Andhra Pradesh approved a major ₹31,387-crore green AI data centre project in Visakhapatnam. AM AI Factory (Vizag) Pvt Ltd will establish a 512 MW Green Integrated AI Data Centre Facility at Amanam village in Bheemunipatnam mandal. The facility is expected to be developed within two years and four months and could create employment opportunities for around 1,000 people. The state government has also approved several incentives, including support for power infrastructure and water supply, along with exemptions from stamp duty and electricity duty. The project is aimed at attracting large-scale technology investments to Andhra Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh approved a revised maternity leave provision allowing eligible female state government employees to avail themselves of 180 days, or six months, of maternity leave twice during their service period. A major change is the removal of the earlier mandatory two-year gap between two maternity leaves. The amendment concerns Rule 153(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Financial Handbook. The revised provision is intended to support working mothers by providing adequate time for pregnancy, childbirth, recovery, and childcare. The benefit has also been extended to adoptive mothers under the revised provisions.

Uttar Pradesh is the state where India’s first fully indigenous AK-203 ‘Sher’ rifle was manufactured and successfully test-fired. The rifle was produced at the Korwa factory of Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) in Amethi. The prototype uses 100% Indian components and raw materials, marking a major achievement in defence indigenisation under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The AK-203 is a 7.62×39 mm gas-operated assault rifle based on the Kalashnikov platform. Indian Army trials for the indigenous rifle are planned for September 2026.

Chhattisgarh became the first inland state in India to initiate the export of value-added Tilapia products, with 382 tonnes exported to the United States. The achievement was highlighted during a review of the Tilapia Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Raipur. The state has received significant investment under PMMSY, with nearly ₹900 crore allocated to develop its fisheries sector. Modern technologies such as IoT, Biofloc, and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems are being promoted to improve production and processing. The initiative aims to strengthen fisheries infrastructure, create employment, and enhance India’s seafood export competitiveness.

Himachal Pradesh became the fifth state in India to implement a ban on the manufacture, storage, and sale of synthetic or non-dairy analogue paneer being sold as genuine dairy products. The ban was imposed on August 21, 2026, under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It applies to all Food Business Operators, including restaurants, hotels, cloud kitchens, and caterers. Businesses are prohibited from using analogue paneer in dishes marketed as paneer. The order is effective immediately for one year and also requires compliance with food labelling and traceability regulations to protect consumers.