India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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India’s Ministry of Coal launched the country’s inaugural Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) pilot project at the Kasta coal block in Jharkhand’s Jamtara District. Led by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), the initiative seeks to transform coal into methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and dioxide through in-situ gasification. These gases have broad industrial uses, including synthetic natural gas production, fuel and fertilizer synthesis, and explosives manufacturing, aiming to revolutionize India’s coal industry with sustainable applications.

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A five-member Pakistan delegation and World Bank experts toured the Ratle power project, a run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 2006, Pakistan has raised technical objections, seeking international arbitration, which India rejected. Under the Indus Water Treaty, India has rights over the run-of-the-river waters in Jammu and Kashmir and full rights over Punjab’s rivers. India asserts its compliance with the treaty.

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The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved the ‘National e-Vidhan Application’ (NEVA) for a paperless Legislative Assembly under the Digital India initiative. The scheme, funded 60% by the Government of India and 40% by state governments, aims to unify all Legislative Assemblies on a single platform. Additionally, student scholarships in hostels and welfare centers will increase: boys from Rs 1230 to Rs 1550 and girls from Rs 1270 to Rs 1590 monthly. Tenders for seven Narmada Valley Development projects worth Rs 9,271.96 crore were also approved.

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Uttar Pradesh has introduced a policy that offers a 100% waiver on the registration fee for strong hybrid vehicles. This initiative encourages the adoption of hybrid technology while alleviating the financial burden on buyers. Manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars stand to benefit from this policy. Customers could save up to ₹3.5 lakh on their vehicle purchases, further promoting eco-friendly transportation options.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Mumbai to launch and lay the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 29,400 crore. Key projects include the Thane-Borivali Tunnel and the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road. The Thane-Borivali Tunnel, costing Rs 16,600 crore, will connect the Western Express Highway at Borivali to Thane Ghodbunder Road, reducing the journey by 12 km and saving about 1 hour of travel time.

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The Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) inaugurated its first Asian “Pre-clinical Network Facility” in Faridabad, Haryana, on July 16, 2024, by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. This Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) lab is Asia’s first and the world’s ninth CEPI-accredited lab.

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The Telangana government initiated the first phase of its farm loan waiver scheme, crediting Rs 6,098 crore to over 11 lakh farmers’ accounts. Farm loan waivers relieve farmers of debt repayment obligations, with the government assuming their outstanding loans by funding banks and financial institutions. This measure addresses challenges like disputed land ownership, depleting groundwater, poor soil quality, rising input costs, and low crop productivity.

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The India Maritime Centre (IMC), a key initiative under Maritime India Vision 2030, is nearing realization. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, IMC aims to unify the Indian maritime industry, offering policy and industry recommendations. It seeks to enhance India’s role in the International Maritime Organisation, strengthen the domestic maritime sector, and promote India’s maritime interests globally through flagship events.

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The Haryana government launched a registry initiative to address issues related to Lal Dora properties in urban areas under the Chief Minister Urban Body Ownership Scheme. Established in 1908, Lal Dora lands were exempt from building bylaws, complicating ownership proof and transactions. The state aims to free villages from these restrictions, allowing property rights. The Svamitva Scheme will streamline ownership, with the Chief Minister distributing certificates and registries in Gurugram.

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The Karnataka Chief Minister is ready to discussing the Mekedatu project with Tamil Nadu. This multi-purpose project aims to build a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Karnataka, close to Tamil Nadu. The project involves constructing a dam at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, with a capacity of 66,000 TMC, supplying over 4 TMC of drinking water to Bengaluru. The estimated cost is around Rs 14,000 crores.