Current Affairs - State

The Adani Group has announced a significant ₹75,000 crore investment in Chhattisgarh, focusing on expanding energy and cement capacities. Of this, ₹60,000 crore is allocated to increase power generation by 6,120 MW in Raipur, Korba, and Raigarh, bolstering the state’s energy sector. An additional ₹5,000 crore will be invested to enhance cement production. Furthermore, ₹10,000 crore will be directed towards CSR initiatives in education, healthcare, and skill development. These investments aim to drive Chhattisgarh’s industrial growth and contribute to its holistic development, positioning the state as a key player in India’s economic landscape.

Chhattisgarh has pioneered the integration of its forest ecosystem into Green GDP, recognizing the economic and environmental value of forests. Green GDP modifies traditional GDP by accounting for environmental costs such as natural resource depletion and ecosystem degradation. This initiative emphasizes biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, aligning economic growth with environmental health. By valuing forests within the Green GDP framework, Chhattisgarh underscores its commitment to sustainable practices and climate change mitigation, setting an example for other states to adopt similar approaches for a balanced and inclusive assessment of growth and well-being.

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).