Current Affairs - State

Andhra Pradesh secured India’s largest integrated lithium-ion battery Gigafactory with an investment of ₹8,175 crore by Waaree Energies. The 16 GWh facility will be established at Rambilli in Anakapalli district and is expected to generate around 3,000 direct jobs. The project strengthens India’s clean-energy manufacturing ecosystem by supporting renewable energy storage, electric vehicle expansion, and grid stability. It also reduces dependence on imported battery cells and promotes self-reliance in advanced energy storage technologies, aligning with broader national goals such as Make in India and the transition toward sustainable energy solutions.

Gujarat unanimously passed the Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to expand employment opportunities for women and introduce greater flexibility in working conditions. The legislation permits women to work night shifts between 9 pm and 6 am with mandatory safeguards such as consent, transportation, rest facilities, creche provisions, and protection against harassment. It also increases the daily working hour limit from 9 to 10 hours while retaining the 48-hour weekly cap, and raises the overtime limit from 125 to 144 hours per quarter with double wage compensation. The Bill replaces a previous ordinance and retains government regulatory oversight powers.

Arunachal Pradesh hosts the 1,750 MW Demwe Lower hydel project located on the Lohit River. The project has been granted an 11-year extension of environmental clearance, allowing operations to continue until 2037. The approval was given by the Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment after considering litigation delays. However, the extension has generated debate due to earlier interventions by the National Green Tribunal regarding wildlife clearance and biodiversity concerns in the ecologically sensitive Lohit basin region.

The pilot project for distributing digital food coupons using Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) was launched in Gujarat. This initiative was introduced by the Government of India to enhance targeted welfare delivery through secure and transparent digital payments. By issuing coupons in digital rupee, the scheme ensures leakage-free subsidy transfers directly to beneficiaries. The pilot also promotes financial inclusion and strengthens India’s digital payment ecosystem. The move supports broader CBDC adoption efforts led by the Reserve Bank of India, aiming to modernise welfare distribution through innovative financial technology solutions.

The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state of Assam. The six-lane extradosed PSC bridge has been constructed over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati and provides a direct connection between Guwahati and North Guwahati. It is the first extradosed bridge in the Northeast region, marking a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development. The project is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate smoother transportation, and boost trade, tourism, and overall socio-economic integration across Northeast India.