Current Affairs - State

The Gujarat government, under Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, presented a budget of Rs 3.70 trillion for the financial year 2025-26. This budget includes tax reliefs worth Rs 148 crore and plans for significant infrastructure developments, including the creation of six growth hubs, 12 high-speed corridors, two expressways, and a greenfield airport. Additionally, a ₹50,000 crore Viksit Gujarat Fund has been planned for the next five years, with ₹5,000 crore allocated for the current year to help drive these initiatives.

The Aravali Safari Park project is located in Haryana, specifically in two districts: Gurugram and Nuh. It covers a total area of 3,858 hectares, with 2,574 hectares in Gurugram and 1,284 hectares in Nuh. This safari park is set to be the largest of its kind in the world. The project has been transferred to the forest department, and an expert committee has been established to oversee its development, demonstrating Haryana’s commitment to environmental conservation and wildlife tourism.

Arunachal Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day on February 20th every year, marking its transition from a Union Territory to a full-fledged state in 1987. Known as the "Land of the Rising Sun," Arunachal Pradesh is the first region in India to receive sunlight. The day holds historical significance as it commemorates the state's journey toward statehood and its rich cultural heritage. This celebration also reflects on the progress and development the state has achieved since becoming the 24th state of India under the 55th Constitutional Amendment.

The Karnataka government has announced the provision of an additional 5 kilograms of rice starting from February, as part of the pre-poll Anna Bhagya guarantee. This will be added to the 10 kg of rice already promised to each member of families below the poverty line (BPL). The total includes 5 kg of rice supplied by the Centre under the National Food Security Act, 2013. This move aims to assist low-income families in the state with essential food security.

Gujarat has significantly expanded its Soil Health Card Yojana to help farmers with soil health assessments and fertilizer recommendations, aiming to increase agricultural productivity. The initiative has supported over 2.15 crore farmers since its inception in 2003-04. In 2024-25, the state plans to test 3.81 lakh soil samples with the help of labs and private centres. Furthermore, the establishment of 27 private soil testing laboratories at the rural level has helped strengthen the program’s impact, promoting sustainable farming practices across Gujarat.