Rajasthan to Use Prefabricated Tech & CSR for 3,284 Dilapidated Anganwadi Centres Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi

AP Pedestrian Safety Policy 2026: SC Recognises Right to Walk, 36,526 Pedestrian Deaths in 2024, Section 198A Fine

The Supreme Court recognized the right to walk on footpaths as a fundamental right. Andhra Pradesh became the first state to notify a pedestrian safety policy, mandating audits, removal of encroachments, and a Rs 1 lakh fine under Section 198A MV Act for infrastructure failure causing death. With 1 in 5 road deaths being pedestrians (36,526 in 2024), this policy is a landmark for urban governance and social justice.

DDA Revamps Land Pooling Policy Under MPD-2047 to Unlock 20 Lakh Homes in Delhi

DDA has overhauled its land pooling policy under the newly approved Master Plan for Delhi 2047, aiming to unlock 20 lakh homes by involving private landowners. The revamped framework removes the earlier requirement of forming a consortium of 70% contiguous land, allowing landowners with just 20 hectares to approach DDA directly. This is a strategic shift from costly land acquisition to private-sector-led development, critical for addressing Delhi's housing crisis.

DDA Mandates Land Pooling via TPS Under Delhi Master Plan-2047; 105 Villages, 12 Lakh Homes Targeted

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is introducing mandatory Town Planning Schemes (TPS) under the Master Plan for Delhi-2047 to enforce land pooling in areas where voluntary consortium formation has failed. This move targets 105 villages across six zones, potentially unlocking land for 12 lakh homes, and shifts DDA's role from developer to facilitator.

CAG Audit of Smart City Mission Flags ₹279 Cr Dropped Projects, Unplanned ₹190 Cr Spend in Chennai

CAG performance audit of Smart City Mission in Tamil Nadu reveals systematic deviations: 8 projects worth ₹279 crore dropped without justification, 20 unplanned projects worth ₹190 crore taken up without citizen consultation, and ₹76 crore spent outside designated Smart City area. Highlights severe governance and accountability gaps in India's flagship urban development scheme, directly relevant to UPSC Mains on urban governance, audit mechanisms, and public finance.

DDA Mandatory Town Planning Schemes Under MPD-2047: Unlocking 20 Lakh Homes

The Master Plan for Delhi-2047 introduces mandatory Town Planning Schemes (TPS) to overcome delays in land pooling, aiming to unlock 20 lakh homes and address Delhi's housing crisis. This marks a shift from voluntary participation to mandatory participation once DDA notifies an area.

J&K House Committee Flags ₹1100 Cr Irregularities in Jal Jeevan Mission, Seeks Probe

The J&K House Committee report exposes gross negligence and widespread irregularities in ₹1100 crore Jal Jeevan Mission projects, including poor civil works, unauthorized pipe substitution, and false claims of tap connections. This raises serious questions about the flagship scheme's implementation and accountability, making it a critical governance issue for exams.

Karnataka Bans HFSS Foods Near Schools Under FSS Act, 50-Metre Radius

Karnataka has banned the sale of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) foods within 50 metres of schools and colleges, effective from July 24, 2026, under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This is a significant public health measure targeting childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits, with implications for state-level governance, food safety regulations, and school health policies.

MahaRERA Strikes Down Builder's Unilateral Cancellation Clause, Orders Interest from Oct 2023 Under RERA Act

MahaRERA has declared illegal a contractual clause that allowed a builder to unilaterally cancel a flat allotment via Power of Attorney, reinforcing statutory safeguards under the RERA Act. The developer was ordered to pay interest for delayed possession from October 1, 2023. This ruling is a key example of regulatory protection for homebuyers and a must-know for exams covering RERA, consumer rights, and state-level governance.