Current Affairs - State

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Coal India Ltd have signed an MoU to improve tribal education, specifically in Chhattisgarh. This initiative will impact over 28,000 tribal students across 68 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). As part of its CSR efforts, Coal India has allocated ₹10 crore to support areas such as digital education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

Maharashtra launched Vidarbha’s first integrated steel plant in Gadchiroli, marking a significant milestone in the region’s industrial development. This project, spearheaded by Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL), includes a 4.5 million tonne per annum steel plant at Konsari and a 5 million tonne iron ore grinding unit at Hedri. A key highlight is the state’s first iron ore slurry pipeline, spanning 85 km and reducing transport emissions by 55%. The initiative not only addresses longstanding underinvestment in the mineral-rich but economically backwards district but also promotes sustainable, resource-based industrial growth, paving the way for Vidarbha to become a key industrial hub in Maharashtra.

The Uttar Pradesh government has informed the Allahabad High Court that it will be preparing guidelines to regulate police conduct in civil disputes, specifically restraining officers from visiting properties under litigation without prior court approval. These proposed rules also aim to prevent direct contact between police personnel and advocates representing parties involved in such disputes. This move came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL), reflecting the state’s intent to ensure due legal process and avoid potential misuse of authority in property-related legal matters.

Gujarat has taken a pioneering step by launching India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project. This initiative, led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), aims to improve healthcare access for tribal communities through genomic science. The project will sequence the genomes of 2,000 tribal individuals across 17 districts to detect genetic markers linked to diseases such as sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and cancer. It also seeks to establish a comprehensive genetic database for future medical research. By integrating tribal welfare with advanced genomics, Gujarat sets a strong precedent for inclusive, data-driven public health planning in India.

Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, announced a major welfare initiative offering free electricity up to 125 units per month for all domestic consumers starting August 1, 2025. This decision is expected to benefit over 16.7 million households across the state. The scheme is part of a broader push toward affordable energy access, renewable power adoption, and economic relief for low-income families. It also serves as a strategic move in the run-up to the 2025 Assembly Elections, blending electoral considerations with long-term sustainability and climate goals, particularly through the promotion of solar energy initiatives.