Current Affairs - State

On July 24, 2024, the Bihar Assembly passed the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, aiming to combat malpractices in government recruitment exams. The bill, introduced by State Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, imposes severe penalties, including a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a fine of at least ₹1 crore for those involved. The legislation also includes provisions for property attachment and stringent bail conditions. The bill occurred amidst opposition protests, highlighting the ongoing political and social challenges within the state.

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. is establishing two waste-to-charcoal plants in Haryana, specifically in the districts of Gurugram and Faridabad. These plants, costing ₹500 crore each, will convert 1,500 tonnes of daily waste into charcoal using indigenous technology. This initiative aims to support the Swachh Bharat campaign, enhance urban cleanliness, and promote environmental sustainability. The green coal plants will be the largest in India, surpassing the current facility in Varanasi, and are expected to be completed in about 30 months.

Haryana has made all its villages Lal Dora-free, a reformative step launched on Good Governance Day, 25th December 2019. This initiative involved mapping land parcels using drone technology and providing legal ownership cards to village household owners, ensuring clear property ownership. The effort included field verification and mapping of properties within 'Lal Dora' areas, which were previously excluded from official surveys in many states. This reform enables rural property owners to use their properties as financial assets to obtain loans from banks, fostering economic development.

Telangana launched Project Swasthya Nagaram in Hyderabad, targeting TB-free municipalities such as Peerzadiguda, Boduppal, and Pocharam. The project aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality by one-third over three years through comprehensive surveillance, prevention, and quality TB care, with support from multi-stakeholders including WHO India and USAID.

Madhya Pradesh has mandated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must obtain written consent from the state government before initiating any inquiry against state officials. This move aligns with a broader trend where several states, including Meghalaya, Mizoram, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Punjab, have withdrawn general consent for CBI investigations. The decision aims to assert more state control over central investigative agencies and reflects the evolving dynamics of federal governance in India.