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Big News: Tamil Nadu bans online gambling in the state; Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited sign an agreement to improve the electricity distribution network in the city; Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) revises its renewable purchase obligations (RPO) and compliance regulations; Ministry of Power releases the 2021-22 State Energy Efficiency Index; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Tamil Nadu governor gives assent to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Bill, thereby banning online gambling in the state.

Source: Mint; In detail: Gazette Notification

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure & Governance

Arunachal Pradesh launches the Golden Jubilee Border Village Illumination Program aimed at building 50 mini hydropower projects along the border with China. The program being implemented at an estimated cost of $24.43 million is aimed at the electrification of remote villages that are facing challenges of poor connectivity.

Source: Nagaland Post; In detail: Press release

Odisha and the World Bank sign a $100 million loan agreement. The agreement is aimed at helping Odisha strengthen its early forecasting systems for improved disaster response and enhancing its social protection coverage for poor and vulnerable households through digital platforms.

Source: Telegraph; In detail: Press release

Oil & Gas

Nothing critical to report this week.

Water & Sanitation

Rajasthan releases the policy for providing drinking water connections to multistorey buildings aimed to support over 2.5 million families across the state.

Source: Times of India

Power & Renewable Energy

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) enter into an agreement to enhance Delhi’s power distribution. Under the agreement, the ADB will subscribe to non-convertible debentures for $18.32 million for grid enhancements and provide a $2 million grant to partially finance the purchase and integration of a pilot battery energy storage system (BESS).

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release

Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) revises its renewable purchase obligations (RPO) and compliance regulations, establishing the RPO trajectory for the national capital territory until the financial year (FY) 2025-26.

Source: Mercom; In detail: Gazette Notification

Climate Change

Nothing critical to report this week.

Health

Assam announces the opening of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, the Assam Advanced Health Care Innovation Institute (AAHII), and three other medical colleges in the state.

Source: The Statesman; In detail: Press release

Center – State Relations

Ministry of Power announces that electricity from the central pool will not be allocated to states and Union Territories that impose taxes on clean energy projects, impede the inter-state flow of power, and have not cleared subsidy dues on electricity tariff.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Ministry of Power order

Ministry of Power releases the 2021-22 State Energy Efficiency Index with Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Telangana topping the rankings. The index has various parameters to assess state-level energy efficiency initiatives.

Source: Mint; In detail: State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22

Any Other

Haryana announces the implementation of a “zero dropout policy” to ensure all children in the state attend school. Under the policy initiative, the educational status of nearly 4.8 million children aged between 6-18 years in the state will be tracked.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press release

Himachal Pradesh launches Project Sanjeevani aimed at empowering small dairy farmers and livestock owners by providing them with access to telemedicine and technology enabled solutions for livestock wellness at their doorsteps.

Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press release

Himachal Pradesh announces discounted education loans to students at 1 percent interest rate. The decision is aimed at empowering low-income students and encouraging them to pursue higher education and professional studies.

Source: India Today; In detail: Press release