Current Affairs - State

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.

Tamil Nadu announced an extension of maternity leave to 365 days for women government employees having a third child, replacing the earlier entitlement of 12 weeks for employees with two or more surviving children. The decision is aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and social welfare. Tamil Nadu has progressively increased maternity leave benefits over the years, from 90 days in 2011 to six months, then nine months in 2016, and 365 days in 2021 for employees with fewer than two surviving children. A government order will provide detailed implementation guidelines and eligibility conditions for the new third-child provision.

Gujarat is set to host Asia’s first desert-themed night safari at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district. The project received approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) on August 12, 2026, and will be implemented by the Gujarat Forest Department. Spread across approximately 103 hectares, the Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari is estimated to cost ₹542.14 crore. It will feature five night safari enclosures along with a day zoo and is expected to house around 2,700 animals and birds belonging to nearly 83 species, highlighting desert and arid ecosystems.