Current Affairs - State

Uttar Pradesh has expanded its flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme by including 12 additional region-specific products, bringing the total number of recognized products to 74. This initiative, launched in 2018, aims to promote local craftsmanship, generate employment, and boost exports by focusing on one unique product per district. The newly added products include items like agricultural implements from Baghpat, hosiery from Saharanpur, and food processing goods from Firozabad and Pratapgarh. This move is part of the state’s larger vision to drive economic growth and achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2029 through localised industrial development.

Adani Power has secured a contract through competitive bidding to supply 1500 MW of thermal power to Uttar Pradesh. The power will be generated from a newly planned 2x800 MW ultra-supercritical power plant developed under the Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model. This project has been officially approved by the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. In addition to meeting the state's growing energy demands, the initiative is expected to provide a significant employment boost, with over 9,000 jobs created during the construction phase and approximately 2,000 jobs during its operational stage.

The government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced a welfare initiative granting property tax exemption for houses owned by Indian Defence personnel within the gram panchayat areas of the state. In addition to this tax relief, the state announced significant support for the family of Murali Naik, including an ex gratia payment of ₹50 lakh, five acres of agricultural land, and a 300-square-yard house site. Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan also extended his support by announcing ₹25 lakh for the family. These measures highlight the state's commitment to honouring and supporting the armed forces and their families.

Uttar Pradesh launched the UP AGREES and AI Pragya initiatives on May 9, 2025, in partnership with the World Bank. These programs are designed to boost agricultural productivity and develop digital skills among the youth. UP AGREES focuses on promoting climate-resilient, tech-driven farming in 28 districts of Bundelkhand and Purvanchal, while AI Pragya aims to train 10 lakh young individuals in Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies across sectors such as healthcare, education, and governance. The initiatives reflect Uttar Pradesh's strategic efforts toward economic growth, rural development, and digital empowerment in pursuit of a $1 trillion economy vision.

Uttarakhand has secured ₹1,910 crore funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for urban infrastructure projects. The funds will be utilized for drinking water and sewerage projects in key towns, including Pithoragarh, Sitarganj, Rudrapur, and Kashipur. This investment aims to enhance urban living conditions and infrastructure in these areas. The project is set to move forward with the signing of records in June 2025, followed by the tender process for implementation, marking a significant step in urban development for the state.