Current Affairs - State

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a broader trend where several states, including Meghalaya, Mizoram, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Punjab, have withdrawn general consent for CBI investigations.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.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy introduced the "Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastam" scheme to provide ₹1 lakh financial assistance to Civil Services aspirants who qualify for the Mains. Funded by Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), the scheme targets around 400 candidates annually, focusing on SC, ST, OBC, Women, and EWS categories with family incomes below ₹8 lakhs.

Uttarakhand has distinguished itself by becoming the first state to launch the Gross Environment Product (GEP) index, assigning monetary value to its natural resources such as air, water, forest, and soil. This initiative reflects a 0.9% increase in GEP from 2020 to 2022, demonstrating the state's dedication to environmental valuation. Additionally, Uttarakhand recently achieved the top rank in the country for Sustainable Development Goals, further emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Himachal Pradesh's Cabinet approved the rationalization of the zero electricity bill provision, limiting the subsidy to 'one family one meter' and linking power connections with ration cards. This policy change aims to ensure that subsidies are provided more equitably, particularly by abolishing subsidies for several high-ranking officials and taxpayers. Himachal Pradesh has two capitals: Shimla (Summer) and Dharamshala (Winter). The current Chief Minister is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and the Governor is Shiv Pratap Shukla.

Kerala retained its top rank in the NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, highlighting its strong performance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Uttarakhand also emerged as a top performer, while Bihar, Jharkhand, and Nagaland were identified as the worst performers. Among the union territories, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Delhi were the top five performers, showcasing regional disparities in progress towards SDGs across India.