Current Affairs - State

The Ministry of Coal, through Eastern Coalfields Limited, launched India's inaugural Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) pilot project at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara, Jharkhand. This initiative aims to convert coal into valuable gases such as methane and hydrogen for industrial use, marking a significant step towards enhancing efficiency and sustainability in India's coal sector.

Punjab Police initiated 'Mission Nishchay' in the Fazilka district of Punjab, collaborating with BSF and Village Defence Committees to combat drug trafficking along the India-Pakistan border. This initiative aims to gather intelligence and engage local communities in efforts to curb drug-related activities, focusing on areas with significant border proximity and historical drug trafficking incidences.

The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, recently sanctioned Rs 100 crore under the Chief Minister's Social Security Scheme (CMSSS). This scheme, initiated in 2019, aims to provide financial assistance through pensions to elderly citizens above 60 years, widows, and persons with disabilities (divyang jan). The approval is expected to benefit approximately 80,000 individuals across the state of Arunachal Pradesh, enhancing social security measures under the state government's flagship programme.

The Assam government has launched the 'Nijut Moina' scheme, offering monthly stipends to female students from class 11 to post-graduation for the next 5 years. This initiative aims to discourage child marriages by providing financial support to girls studying at different educational levels: Rs 1,000 per month for classes 11 and 12, Rs 1,250 for degree students, and Rs 2,500 for post-graduation students. The scheme is part of Assam's efforts to empower girls through education and reduce social barriers like early marriages.

GAIL, India's premier natural gas company, is set to establish India’s largest Ethane Cracker Project with a capacity of 1,500 KTA (kilotons per annum) in Madhya Pradesh (MP), specifically in Ashta, Sehore district. This ambitious project, expected to require an investment of approximately Rs 60,000 crore, underscores GAIL's strategic initiative to enhance India's petrochemical capabilities. The Madhya Pradesh state government has allocated around 800 hectares of land for the project, facilitating its development and contributing to the region's industrial growth and employment opportunities.