• 16 Mar 2026

State Capital Region (SCR) Plan in Chhattisgarh

Why in News? 

The government of Chhattisgarh is advancing plans to develop a State Capital Region (SCR) by integrating Raipur, Durg and Nava Raipur Atal Nagar into a unified metropolitan region to promote coordinated urban development and infrastructure growth. 

Key Points: 

• Objective: The initiative seeks to strengthen coordinated urban planning, infrastructure development, housing, and service delivery while managing rapid urbanisation in the capital region. 
  • The state government plans to establish a dedicated State Capital Region Development Authority to oversee regional planning, land use regulation, and infrastructure development. 
• Model: The concept is inspired by the National Capital Region (NCR) around Delhi, which integrates multiple cities for balanced regional development. 
• Infrastructure: The plan emphasizes integrated transport systems, improved road networks, public transit systems, and better urban infrastructure to support the growing population. 
  • Projects such as the Raipur–Durg Metro corridor and enhanced regional connectivity are being explored to improve mobility across the capital region. 
  • The integrated capital region is expected to attract investments, boost industrial and service sectors, and create employment opportunities, making it a major economic hub of the state. 
• Urban Expansion: Development of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar as a modern planned city will support decongestion of the existing capital and facilitate administrative and commercial growth. 
• Balanced Regional Development: The SCR framework aims to reduce pressure on core cities and promote balanced growth in surrounding urban and peri-urban areas through coordinated planning. 

Read More:  National Capital Region (NCR), Infrastructure development 

Haryana Launched ‘Bhu-Mitra’ WhatsApp Chatbot

Why in News? 

The Haryana government has launched “Bhu-Mitra”, a WhatsApp-based chatbot to provide 24×7 access to land and revenue-related services, making government services more accessible and transparent for citizens. 

Key Points: 

• Bhu-Mitra Chatbot: The Bhu-Mitra WhatsApp chatbot has been introduced by the state’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department to allow citizens to access land and revenue services through a simple conversational interface on WhatsApp. 
  • The chatbot provides round-the-clock assistance, enabling people to obtain services directly on their smartphones without visiting government offices or navigating complex online portals. 
• Core Revenue Services: Through the chatbot, citizens can access four key services — copy of Jamabandi (land ownership and cultivation records), copy of Mutation (change in ownership), compensation registration, and deed registration support. 
  • The chatbot also allows deed token generation, land demarcation requests, complaint registration related to land and revenue issues, and real-time tracking of complaint status. 
• Language Accessibility: The platform is available in Hindi and English, ensuring wider accessibility for citizens across the state, including rural users. 
• Governance: The initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic delays, minimise physical visits to offices, and enhance transparency and efficiency in land-related governance. 
  • The chatbot forms part of broader digital reforms in the revenue department, which include initiatives like paperless registry systems and online land services to promote transparent and citizen-centric governance. 

Read More: Disaster Management, Citizen-centric governance 

PM Launched Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹18,700 Crore in West Bengal

Why in News? 

Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth about ₹18,700 crore in Kolkata, West Bengal, aimed at strengthening road, railway and port infrastructure and boosting economic growth in Eastern India. 

Key Points: 

• Major Infrastructure Projects: Development projects worth over ₹18,700 crore related to roads, railways and port infrastructure were inaugurated or launched to improve connectivity and economic activity in the region.  
• Boost Connectivity: Projects such as the Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway, Dubrajpur Bypass, and bridges over the Kangsabati and Shilabati rivers will enhance transportation and accelerate economic development in the state. 
• Railway Modernization: The Automatic Block Signalling System on the Kalaikunda–Kanimahuli section was dedicated to the nation to improve safety, capacity and speed of trains.  
  • Six railway stations — Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum, and Siuri — were inaugurated as Amrit Bharat Stations. 
  • A new express train service between Purulia and Anand Vihar Terminal was flagged off, which will benefit passengers from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. 
• Port Development: Ports such as Kolkata Port and Haldia Dock Complex are being strengthened, including mechanization of cargo operations at Haldia Dock Complex to increase efficiency and trade capacity. 
• Logistics Improvement: Projects like the renovation of the Bascule Bridge in the Kolkata Dock System and increased cargo handling capacity at Kidderpore Dock will strengthen the logistics ecosystem in Eastern India. 
• Economic Impact: The initiatives are expected to boost trade, industry, tourism, and employment opportunities while improving the quality of life for citizens across West Bengal and Eastern India. 

Read More: Infrastructure development, Bascule Bridge, Kolkata Port   

Karnataka Constituted Committee for Ethical Use of AI in Governance

Why in News? 

The government of Karnataka has constituted a Committee on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop a policy framework for the ethical, safe and transparent use of AI in governance and public services. 

Key Points: 

• Committee: The state government has formed a high-level committee on Responsible Artificial Intelligence to guide the adoption of AI technologies in government systems and ensure ethical use in public administration. 
  • The committee is chaired by Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, and co-chaired by N Manjula, Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology. 
  • The panel is expected to submit an interim report within 60 days and final recommendations within 90 days outlining a roadmap for responsible AI adoption in governance.  
• Objective: The panel will draft a Responsible AI policy and implementation roadmap to ensure that AI systems used by government departments are safe, fair, transparent and accountable while promoting innovation. 
  • The committee will develop AI governance principles, risk classification of AI systems, and safeguards for high-risk applications used in sectors affecting citizens. 
• Key Sectors: The framework will address AI applications in areas such as welfare delivery, healthcare, education, policing, and recruitment, where technology directly impacts public services. 
• Data Governance: The committee will recommend data governance standards, privacy protections, transparency requirements and independent audit mechanisms to tackle risks such as bias, deepfakes and misuse of generative AI systems. 
• Strategic Vision: The initiative is part of Karnataka’s broader push toward a “Deeptech Decade”, aiming to strengthen the state’s leadership in AI innovation while ensuring responsible deployment in the public interest. 

Read More: Artificial Intelligence, Deeptech Decade 

High-Value Purple Potato Farming Promoted in Punjab

Why in News? 

High-value purple potato farming is gaining attention in Punjab after a young farmer successfully promoted its cultivation, demonstrating its potential to generate significantly higher income compared to traditional crops. 

Key Points: 

• Innovative Farming: A 27-year-old farmer from Matta village in Faridkot district of Punjab has promoted the cultivation of purple potatoes. 
• Origin: Purple potatoes are believed to have originated in the Andean region of South America, particularly Bolivia and Peru, where coloured potato varieties have been grown for centuries. 
  • Purple potato cultivation can generate ₹6 lakh to ₹20 lakh per acre, depending on yield and market demand, making it far more profitable than many traditional crops. 
• Nutritional Benefits: Purple potatoes are rich in anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants) and vitamin C, and are considered healthier than conventional potatoes.  
• Indian Variety: In 2024, India introduced its own purple potato variety “Kufri Jamunia”, developed by the Central Potato Research Institute to promote cultivation of nutritionally enriched potato varieties. 
• Crop Duration: The crop duration is about 90–100 days, typically sown between October and November and harvested from February to March, similar to conventional potato crops.  
• Agricultural Significance: The success of purple potato farming highlights the potential for crop diversification and high-value agriculture, offering farmers an alternative to traditional wheat-paddy cropping patterns in Punjab. 

Read More: Crop diversification 

Uttarakhand Budget 2026–27

Why in News? 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the state budget of about ₹1.11 lakh crore for the financial year 2026-27 in the state assembly, outlining the government’s development priorities. 

Key Points: 

• Budget Size: The total budget outlay for FY 2026-27 is about ₹1,11,703 crore, making it one of the largest budgets of the state and around 10% higher than the previous year’s budget. 
• Fiscal Indicators: The budget estimates revenue expenditure of about ₹64,989 crore and capital expenditure of about ₹46,713 crore, with a fiscal deficit of around ₹12,579 crore, which remains below the 3% limit of GSDP under fiscal rules.  
• Fiscal Provision (In Crore): 
  • Total Receipts: 110143.12 
  • Total Expenditure: 111703.21 
  • Revenue Receipts: 67525.77 
  • Revenue Expenditure: 64989.44 
  • Capital Receipts: 42617.35 
  • Capital Expenditure: 46713.77 
  • Revenue Surplus: 2536.33 
  • Fiscal Deficit: 12579.70  
  • Primary Deficit: 4650.30 
• Sector Wise Provision (in Thousand): 
  • Education, Sports, Youth Welfare and Culture: 126606022  
  • Medical and Family Welfare: 45464669 
  • Water Supply, Housing and Urban Development: 42433468 
  • Welfare Schemes: 29124998 
  • Labour and Employment: 5869333 
  • Agriculture and Research: 14958193 
  • Rural Development: 38602170 
  • Welfare of Scheduled Castes: 24688848 
  • Welfare of Scheduled Tribes: 7467691  
• Development Model (GYAN): The budget is based on the GYAN model, focusing on four pillars—Gareeb (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women)—to promote inclusive development. 
• Infrastructure Development: The budget emphasizes major infrastructure expansion with ₹2,502 crore allocated to the Public Works Department (PWD) for construction and improvement of roads and bridges to strengthen connectivity across the state. 
• Rural Connectivity: About ₹1,050 crore has been allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and ₹1,642 crore for rural development, aimed at improving last-mile connectivity in remote hill villages. 
• Kumbh Mela Preparation: Around ₹1,027 crore has been earmarked for the 2027 Kumbh Mela, focusing on infrastructure, crowd management and facilities for millions of pilgrims expected to visit the state. 
• Tourism Promotion: The government announced initiatives to strengthen spiritual tourism, including development of the Ganga Corridor in Haridwar and Rishikesh and support for major cultural events like the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra. 
• Urban Development: The budget allocates ₹1,401 crore for urban development, focusing on improving urban infrastructure, housing, and municipal services. 
• Agriculture and Allied Sectors: Several schemes aim to enhance farmers’ income, including funding for Mission Apple, Trout Promotion Scheme, dairy incentives, promotion of organic farming, along with support for fisheries and millet cultivation. 
• Education and Skill Development: The budget allocates ₹11,871 crore for education and sports and ₹586 crore for skill development programmes, aiming to improve employment opportunities for youth. 
  • The budget includes funds for youth employment schemes such as the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme, Migration Prevention Scheme, and rural skill development programmes to boost jobs and entrepreneurship. 
• Women and Social Welfare: A gender budget of about ₹19,692 crore has been allocated for women-centric programmes such as Nanda Gaura Yojana, Poshan 2.0, and Saksham Anganwadi to strengthen women and child welfare.  
• Healthcare Sector: Increased funding has been proposed for public hospitals, health infrastructure, and medical services particularly in remote hill districts. 
• Disaster Management: Considering the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters, the budget includes provisions for disaster preparedness, early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure. 
• Renewable Energy and Environment: The government aims to promote hydropower, solar energy and environmental conservation to ensure sustainable development in the Himalayan ecosystem. 
• Civil Aviation and Connectivity: About ₹52.5 crore has been allocated for civil aviation, aimed at improving air connectivity and boosting tourism in the Himalayan state. 
• Economic Vision: The budget emphasizes inclusive development focusing on the poor, youth, farmers and women, while promoting infrastructure, tourism, and self-employment to strengthen the state’s economy.