Current Affairs - State

Coal India Limited (CIL) and GAIL (India) Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) plant in Raniganj, West Bengal. This plant aims to produce 80,000 Nm3 per hour of SNG by utilizing 1.9 million tonnes of coal annually. This initiative aligns with the National Coal Gasification Mission and supports the Atmanirbhar mission by reducing dependency on natural gas imports.

The Government of India has completed and operationalized four major projects under the Namami Gange Mission 2.0 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024-25 in the states of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar. These projects, costing Rs. 920 crores, aim to rejuvenate the River Ganga by adding sewage treatment capacity, improving sewer networks, and intercepting drains. Key projects in Munger (Bihar) and Mirzapur (UP) focus on improving water quality and reducing pollution, thus enhancing the ecological health of the Ganga and its tributaries.

The Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana is a welfare initiative announced by the government of Jharkhand and led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. This scheme, set to be launched on August 16, 2024, aims to empower women by providing financial assistance, enhancing educational access, improving health and nutritional standards, and fostering economic self-reliance among women in Jharkhand. The scheme is an evolution of a previous program and highlights the government's focus on women's welfare in the state.

Himachal Pradesh experienced severe devastation due to a cloudburst that caused flash floods, resulting in numerous fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure. Cloudbursts, characterized by sudden and intense rainfall over a short period, are particularly destructive in mountainous regions like Himachal Pradesh due to the orographic lift effect, where moisture-carrying air rises and forms heavy rain clouds. The event significantly disrupted local life and infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and roads.

Gujarat has recently established the GRIT think-tank, modeled after NITI Aayog, to advance its development objectives with a focus on 'Earning Well' and 'Living Well.' The think-tank is part of the state's broader strategy, which includes the 'Gujarat@2047 Roadmap' aimed at achieving a USD 3.5 trillion economy by 2047. The initiative reflects Gujarat's commitment to contributing significantly to India's GDP and advancing various sectors such as PM Gati Shakti, health, women's empowerment, and MSME development.