Pachhunga University College (PUC) in Aizawl, Mizoram, has adopted Sailam village as part of its Village Adoption and Outreach Programme. This initiative, which began in 2012, aims to provide academic support and community development opportunities to the chosen village. PUC faculty members contribute funding for the program, allowing various departments to conduct village studies and offer assistance. The college has a history of successful interventions in previously adopted villages, including educational opportunities for promising students and educational center visits for residents. Sailam, known for its scenic beauty and historical significance, is home to a bird sanctuary and is linked to the story of Mizo chief Bengkhuaia and the Lushai expedition of 1871-72. This latest adoption marks PUC’s fifth village outreach program, demonstrating their commitment to community engagement and academic research.
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Meghalaya Approves Building Bylaw Amendments for Industrial Zones
The Meghalaya cabinet has approved amendments to the state’s building byelaws, specifically targeting the regulation of construction in industrial zones. These amendments aim to categorize industrial zones more effectively and ensure the planned and scientific development of new industrial areas, particularly in the expanding Shillong city. The amendments are seen as crucial for managing the growth of industrial zones and ensuring sustainable development. This move follows similar amendments in other states, such as Uttar Pradesh, where the cabinet approved changes to retirement benefits rules, and Kerala, where the government is considering revisions to its Medisep health insurance scheme. These amendments highlight a broader trend of governments across India seeking to refine regulations and address concerns in various sectors.
Madhya Pradesh Raises Women’s Reservation Quota to 35%
In a significant move towards women’s empowerment, the Madhya Pradesh government has increased the reservation quota for women in all state government services to 35%, fulfilling a key poll promise made by the BJP during the 2023 Assembly elections. This decision, made during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, raises the previous quota of 33% by 2%. The increase will be implemented immediately and will be particularly impactful for upcoming major recruitments in various departments, including public health, where 35% of the seats will be reserved for women. This move follows the BJP government’s introduction of the ‘Ladli Bhena Yojana’ last year, demonstrating a continued commitment to empowering women in the state.
INDIA Bloc Unveils “Ek Vote-Seven Guarantees” Manifesto in Jharkhand
The INDIA bloc, comprising the JMM, Congress, RJD, and CPI-ML-L, launched its manifesto for the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections, promising a slew of benefits to voters, including 10 lakh jobs, a Rs 15 lakh health insurance cover for families, and subsidized ration and gas cylinders. The manifesto, titled “Ek Vote-Seven Guarantees,” aims to counter the BJP’s promises and highlight the alliance’s commitment to social welfare and economic development. The alliance also pledged to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for farmers, hike reservation for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes, and establish medical and engineering colleges and industrial parks across the state. The manifesto further promises to implement the 1932 Khatiyan-based residents’ policy, link recruitments to it, and secure religious status for the Sarna code of the tribals. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren criticized the BJP for spreading divisive rhetoric and failing to deliver on its promises, while emphasizing the INDIA bloc’s commitment to fulfilling its pledges.
Congress Dissolves Himachal Pradesh Unit Amidst Factionalism
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has dissolved the entire Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) unit in Himachal Pradesh, along with the district and block units, effective immediately. This decision, aimed at restructuring the party’s Himachal Pradesh unit, comes amidst persistent factionalism within the state Congress. The move follows the recent Rajya Sabha elections where Congress nominee Abhishek Singhvi lost to BJP’s Harsh Mahajan due to cross-voting by several Congress MLAs, highlighting internal discord. The outgoing president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress, Pratibha Singh, who was appointed in 2022, has already joined the Congress Working Committee (CWC). This is the first major change in the PCC since the Congress assumed power in the hill state.
Madhya Pradesh Forms Task Force to Implement Forest Rights and PESA Acts
The Madhya Pradesh government has re-constituted a task force under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to ensure the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) in the state. The apex committee of the task force includes key ministers from the tribal affairs, panchayat and rural development, and forest and environment departments. An executive committee has also been formed, with the Chief Secretary and other senior officials serving as ex-officio members. The task force also includes legal and subject experts, former MLAs, and representatives from the Tribal Advisory Council, ensuring a comprehensive approach to implementing these crucial acts. The principal secretary of the tribal affairs department will act as the ex-officio Member Secretary of the Committee.
Haryana Government to Distribute 100-Yard Plots to Landless Residents
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that the state government will soon distribute 100-yard plots to 2 lakh eligible landless applicants under the CM Rural Housing Scheme. This is the first phase of the scheme, with plans to distribute plots to all eligible beneficiaries in subsequent phases. The CM also announced the release of Rs 2,100 to women, fulfilling an election promise. Saini emphasized the government’s commitment to development, highlighting the renovation and repair of roads across the state and the implementation of a new system to expedite development projects. He also criticized the opposition, accusing them of making false promises about government jobs and highlighting the Punjab government’s failure to procure farmers’ crops. Saini’s visit to his Ladwa constituency included attending thanksgiving events, announcing grants for villages, and launching new bus services.
Senior BJP Leader Appointed as Chairman of Gujarat’s Fourth State Finance Commission
Yamal Vyas, a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat, has been appointed as the chairman of the state’s fourth State Finance Commission (SFC). Vyas, a chartered accountant and company secretary, previously served as a member of the third SFC and as an independent director for several state-owned companies. His appointment comes with the responsibility of recommending the distribution of state taxes between the state government and local bodies, including gram panchayats, taluka panchayats, district panchayats, municipalities, and municipal corporations. The SFC will also analyze the income generation models of these local bodies and propose measures to enhance their financial standing. Following his appointment to this constitutional post, Vyas has stepped down from his position as chief spokesperson for the Gujarat BJP.
Gujarat Unveils Rs 3,000 Crore Plan to Combat Air Pollution in Major Cities
Gujarat is facing a significant air pollution challenge in its major cities, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot. To address this, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and the state government have proposed a comprehensive “Clean Air Action Plan” with over Rs 3,000 crore in funding. The plan identifies industrial activities and vehicle use as key contributors to pollution and aims to mitigate these through various measures. These include research and implementation of a net zero transport plan, pilot projects in mid-sized cities, and a focus on sustainable urban mobility. The state government has already received significant funding from the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and has utilized additional funds from state and central schemes to implement air quality improvement initiatives. This multi-pronged approach aims to reduce air pollution, improve public health, and promote sustainable development in Gujarat’s major urban centers.
Gujarat’s 2025 Asiatic Lion Census: A Blend of Tradition and Technology
The upcoming Poornima Avaloka, Gujarat’s official Asiatic lion census, scheduled for the second week of May 2025, will utilize a combination of traditional and modern methods. While the forest department will rely on the tried-and-tested beat count method for the final population estimate, they plan to incorporate technology for data collection and analysis. This census will cover an expanded area of 35,000 square kilometers, encompassing 13 administrative forest divisions across Saurashtra. The department will deploy 1,500-2,000 field personnel to collect detailed data, including individual identification marks, GPS locations, and digital imagery, which will be integrated into the e-gujforest system. The census methodology has evolved over time, with the current beat count method being praised for its cost-effectiveness and adaptability to new technologies. The 2025 census aims to build upon the success of the 2020 count, which revealed a significant increase in the lion population.