Current Affairs - State

The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) opened its first regional office in Patna, Bihar, inaugurated by Piyush Goyal during the Bihar Idea Festival. This office is set up to make exporter services more accessible, streamline registration, and provide market support directly within the state. Earlier, exporters from Bihar had to rely on APEDA’s office in Varanasi, which caused delays in services. By establishing the office in Bihar, the initiative directly connects local farmers and agribusinesses with global markets, enabling them to scale exports, boost income, and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth.

The first photographic documentation of the Pallas’s cat in India was made in Arunachal Pradesh during a wildlife survey. The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a rare and little-studied species of wild cat, known for its gray or tan coat that adapts seasonally to provide camouflage. While its distribution has previously been confirmed in regions like Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal, this evidence from Arunachal Pradesh marks an important extension of its known range in the eastern Himalayas. This finding adds to the ecological significance of Arunachal Pradesh and highlights the importance of continued biodiversity surveys in the state.

The ₹4,447 crore Mokama–Munger highway project is being developed in Bihar as part of the larger Buxar–Bhagalpur High-Speed Corridor. Approved under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), the 82.4 km 4-lane greenfield highway will significantly enhance connectivity across Eastern Bihar, passing through Mokama, Barahiya, Lakhisarai, Jamalpur, and Munger. The project is strategically important as it supports key regional industries, including the Ordnance Factory Corridor in Munger, the Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop, food processing hubs, and the Bhagalpur silk and textile industry. By improving mobility and reducing freight costs, the highway will drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen Bihar’s logistics network.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy inaugurated Phases II and III of the Godavari water project, a significant initiative aimed at meeting the state’s water requirements. The project will supply 20 TMC of water, with 16 TMC allocated for Hyderabad’s drinking water needs and 4 TMC dedicated to river revival. The CM also criticised the earlier government for stalling the Pranahita Chevella project and assured the construction of the Tummidihatti barrage. Additionally, emphasis was placed on rejuvenating the Musi river, taking inspiration from successful river restoration efforts like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Sabarmati. This project highlights Telangana’s commitment to sustainable water management.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a relief package of ₹1,600 crore for the flood-hit state of Punjab. The package includes not only financial assistance through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM-Kisan scheme but also ex-gratia payments for families of the deceased and injured. In addition, PM CARES funds will support orphans, while reconstruction efforts will be undertaken under the PM Awaas Yojana–Gramin. Schools will receive assistance through the Samagra Shiksha program, and further support is planned for farmers once a detailed damage report is finalised. This comprehensive aid package underscores the government’s commitment to Punjab’s recovery.