Current Affairs - State

The Karnataka High Court invalidated the Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) Rules, 2022, citing overreach by the Central Government. The Court emphasized that the Electricity Act, of 2003, grants exclusive regulatory powers to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions like KERC. The judgment highlighted the autonomy of state regulatory bodies in managing electricity-related provisions, including tariffs and open access rules. While the Central Government justified the GEOA Rules by citing international treaty obligations, the Court ruled that these powers could not override state authority under the regulatory framework established by the Electricity Act, of 2003.

Telangana Police introduced an innovative QR code-based citizen feedback system to improve transparency, accountability, and public satisfaction in its services. The system gathers feedback on services like FIR registrations, traffic e-Challans, petitions, and passport verifications through QR codes and a dedicated call centre. Promoted with posters in police stations, this initiative is managed by the Centre of Excellence for Cybercrime Investigation and Digital Forensics (CoE-CID), reflecting Telangana's commitment to citizen-centric policing.

Himachal Pradesh renamed its Institute of Public Administration as Dr Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration, honouring the former Prime Minister’s contributions to the state’s development. The decision, approved by the state Cabinet under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, highlights the state’s acknowledgement of Dr Singh's legacy. Additionally, the Cabinet took significant steps to address drug abuse and organized crime by establishing a Special Task Force (STF).

Karnataka has introduced the "Garudakshi" online FIR system to improve the management of forest and wildlife crimes. This innovative system, developed with the Wildlife Trust of India, simplifies case handling under wildlife protection laws. Initially piloted in five divisions, the initiative aims to expand across the state, marking a significant step toward effective forest crime management and conservation efforts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the ancient Indus Valley script, which has remained undeciphered for over a century. This announcement was made during the centenary celebration of the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilization at an international conference in Chennai. The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of understanding this ancient script and reaffirmed the state's commitment to supporting archaeological and historical research. The Tamil Nadu government is also supporting further research through various initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated research chair in the name of Iravatham Mahadevan.