State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 14 Oct 2025

Road Project to Link Maoist-Affected Abujhmarh

Why in News? 

The Chhattisgarh government has approved the construction of a 21.5 km road stretch connecting the insurgency-affected Narayanpur district's Abujhmarh region to Maharashtra.  

Key Points 

• About: The road, which will be developed in three segments, is expected to cost ₹152 crore. Designed with a two-lane paved shoulder, it will provide year-round accessibility through dense forest terrain. 
• Direct Link: The new road will establish a direct link from the remote Kutul region, located deep within the Maoist-affected Abujhmarh area, to Neelangur, situated on the Maharashtra border.  
  • The 21.5 km stretch forms part of the 195 km NH-130D, a spur of NH-30, which starts from Kondagaon, passes through Narayanpur and Kutul, and extends into Maharashtra.  
  • On the Maharashtra side, the route will continue through Bingunda, Laheri, Dhodraj, Bhamragarh, Hema, and Lakasa, connecting these areas to NH-353D at Alapalli. 
  • Historically, these areas were among the worst affected by Maoist insurgency. However, intensified anti-Naxal operations have significantly reduced insurgent activities, creating room for infrastructure development. 
  • Impact: Once completed, the road will provide Bastar with a direct connection to the national highway grid. This connectivity is expected to boost trade, tourism, and security operations in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected zones. 

Chhattisgarh Cabinet Sets Paddy Procurement Price

Why in News? 

The Chhattisgarh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, approved key measures for paddy procurement during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26.  

Key Points 

• Procurement Centres: The paddy procurement for Kharif 2025-26 will begin on 15th November 2025, at a price of Rs 3,100 per quintal, running until 31st January 2026, benefiting over 25 lakh farmers across the state. 
  • A total of 2,739 procurement centres will be established statewide, along with measures to ensure a sufficient supply of new and old jute gunny bags for efficient transport and lifting operations. 
  • The Department of Food, Government of India, has set a target of 73 lakh metric tonnes of rice for the central pool during KMS 2025-26. 
• Payment Process: Farmers will receive payments within six to seven days after selling their produce to cooperative societies. A purchase limit of 21 quintals per acre has been set for paddy procurement. 
• Digital Crop Survey: A digital crop survey covering 23 lakh hectares has mapped paddy cultivation areas, with the data being publicly verified across 20,000 villages. 
• Technology-Driven Initiatives: 
  • ‘Token Tunhar Haath’ Mobile App: Allows farmers to book slots online for selling paddy, reducing waiting times and queues at procurement centres. 
  • Biometric-Based Procurement System: Ensures that purchases are made only from genuine farmers. 
  • E-KYC Requirement: Mandatory e-KYC registration via the AgriStack portal to strengthen transparency and prevent duplication. 
  • Incentives: Cooperative Societies that achieve zero shrinkage or wastage during the season will receive an incentive of Rs 5 per quintal. 
• Monitoring & Control: An Integrated Command and Control Centre will be established at the Markfed office, with district-level control rooms to monitor procurement activities. 
  • District Collectors are instructed to appoint administrative officers as centre-in-charges and form special checking teams to prevent the diversion and recycling of paddy from neighbouring states. 
• Significance: The Chhattisgarh government's strategic steps aim to strengthen its flagship procurement system, promote transparency, and ensure that farmers receive timely payments and fair value for their harvests.

World Standards Day

Why in News?

Shri Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy lead the World Standards Day programme on 14th October 2025.  

• The event was organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. 

Key Points

• About: The celebration at the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS) featured the release of the National Lighting Code of India 2025, along with the launch of the Learning Management System (LMS) and the Online Standards Development (OSD) Module on the BIS Standards Portal. 
• World Standards Day: 
  • About: The first World Standards Day was first celebrated in 1970 to raise global awareness about the importance of standards in fostering safety, quality, and international trade. 
    • The day was established by International Organization for Standardization(ISO), in collaboration with International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to honor the global community of standard developers and their contributions. 
  • Purpose: World Standards Day celebrates the pivotal role of standards in ensuring quality, safety, and sustainability. It recognizes the collaborative efforts of experts—scientists, engineers, policymakers, and innovators—who work to create these frameworks. 
  • Theme: The 2025 theme, “A Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for Sustainable Development Goals” emphasises the role of international standards in promoting global cooperation towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• BIS is the statutory national standard body of India established under the BIS Act, 2016, for the harmonious development of the activities of standardisation, marking and quality certification of goods. 
  • It was initially set up as the Indian Standards Institution (ISI) that came into being on 6^th January 1947. 
• It is headquartered in New Delhi. 
• It operates various schemes like Product Certification (ISI mark), Hallmarking of Gold and Silver Jewellers, ECO Mark Scheme (for labelling of environment friendly products).