Current Affairs - State

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.

The state of Rajasthan, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has committed Rs 100 crore towards the development of the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit. This initiative aims to bolster tourism by enhancing infrastructure and preserving cultural heritage sites associated with Maharana Pratap, such as Udaipur, Chawand, Haldighati, and others. The investment underscores Rajasthan's effort to promote its rich historical legacy and attract more visitors to these significant locations.

The two bird sanctuaries, Nagi and Nakti, from Bihar, were added to the Ramsar Sites list, marking a significant addition to India's wetlands of international importance. These sanctuaries, situated in the Jhajha forest range of Jamui District in Bihar, were included in the Ramsar Sites list on World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5th.