Current Affairs - State

Odisha is preparing to roll out India’s first state-wide CKD patient registry by March 31. This initiative aims to systematically track chronic kidney disease prevalence and enable targeted healthcare interventions. A dedicated task force, supported by AIIMS, ICMR, and NIC, will ensure reporting across health facilities, from primary health centres to medical colleges. The move is critical given that the state recorded nearly 19,900 CKD cases and 4,718 deaths over three years, with diabetes and hypertension contributing to 60% of cases. The registry will strengthen disease monitoring, policy planning, and preventive care strategies in the region.

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu emerged as the top performers among large states in NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024. The index evaluates states’ export readiness based on infrastructure, business ecosystem, policy and governance, and export performance. Maharashtra ranked first, followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, reflecting their strong trade infrastructure, supportive business environment, effective policy implementation, and robust export outcomes. By highlighting state-level strengths and gaps, the index guides policy decisions and promotes peer learning, aiming to enhance India’s overall competitiveness in global trade through targeted export strategies and regional economic planning.

The BSL-4 Biocontainment Facility is being developed at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar, where the foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This advanced laboratory will become India’s second-largest BSL-4 facility after Pune and is expected to play a major role in strengthening national health security. It will also support high-end research in areas such as antimicrobial resistance. The initiative aligns with India’s rapidly expanding bioeconomy, which has seen substantial growth over the last decade due to innovation, startups, incubators, and increased patent activity.

Kerala has launched the ERONET system to simplify the voter verification process for Non-Resident Indians under the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Through this digital platform, NRI voters can submit necessary documents online without attending hearings in person, making the process more accessible and efficient. Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer highlighted that the initiative reduces procedural barriers, speeds up electoral roll corrections, and encourages greater participation of overseas voters. This move reflects Kerala’s continued focus on leveraging technology to strengthen democratic processes and improve the overall efficiency of election administration.

Justice Revati Mohite Dere was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, marking a historic milestone for the state’s judiciary. The oath-taking ceremony took place in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, highlighting the constitutional importance of the event. Her appointment represents a significant step toward improving gender representation in higher judicial positions, especially in a matrilineal society where women’s leadership in constitutional roles has remained limited. The development strengthens judicial leadership in Northeast India and reflects ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity, diversity, and balanced representation within India’s judicial system.