Current Affairs - State

Karnataka's cabinet approved the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Satellite Township (GBIST) project, covering 8,032 acres between Bidadi and Harohalli. This initiative is part of a larger plan to develop five more satellite townships in Devanahalli, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Bidadi, and Doddaballapur, enhancing multi-modal connectivity in the region. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned a ₹5,000 crore Karnataka Water Security & Disaster Resilience Program, aimed at strengthening water security and disaster preparedness. These decisions reflect Karnataka’s commitment to sustainable urban expansion and infrastructure development.

On January 24, 2025, Himachal Pradesh approved a cannabis cultivation pilot aimed at exploring its agricultural, medicinal, and industrial applications. The initiative will be managed by the state's agriculture department, aligning Himachal Pradesh with other states like Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh that have already recognized the economic potential of cannabis. Globally, cannabis is valued for its versatility, with industrial uses ranging from textiles and bioplastics to over 25,000 different products. This move signifies a step towards leveraging cannabis for economic and research benefits while ensuring regulated and sustainable cultivation practices.

The Himachal Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhu, has approved the Sadhbhawana Legacy Cases Resolution Scheme 2025. This initiative aims to settle around 3,500 pending cases and generate revenue of approximately Rs 10 crore. Additionally, the scheme clarifies that petroleum products like diesel and petrol, which fall under the State VAT Act, will remain outside the purview of GST. This move is expected to streamline tax administration and resolve longstanding disputes efficiently.

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Haryana Power Purchase Centre to supply 800 MW of electricity starting from 2028-29. The power will be sourced from DVC's Raghunathpur, Koderma, and Durgapur Thermal Power Stations. This agreement strengthens DVC’s existing collaboration with Haryana, which is already receiving 300 MW from its operational units. This long-term deal is expected to support Haryana’s growing energy needs and enhance power security in the state.

Tripura became the first northeastern state to sign an MoU with the Digital India Bhashini Division under MeitY to enhance multilingual e-governance. Led by Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, this initiative integrates AI-driven real-time translation and speech technologies supporting 22 Indian languages. The partnership aims to bridge linguistic and digital divides, improving accessibility for rural and tribal communities. By incorporating Bhashini into its governance systems, Tripura is taking a significant step toward inclusive digital governance and ensuring better communication between citizens and the administration.