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Big News: Government simplifies oil and gas exploration and production; Ministry of Home Affairs allows states to open some shops; Uttar Pradesh exempts businesses from paying interest on dues; Rajasthan issues measures to help distribution companies and consumers; Assam and Meghalaya increase diesel and petroleum prices; and more.

Center – State relations

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) simplifies procedures under Production Sharing Contract for oil and gas blocks by providing for self-certification for several compliances. Source: Economic Times In detail: DGH Notification

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched two web portals, e-Gram Swaraj and Swamitva Yojana, for accelerating the pace of development in India’s villages. Source: Economic Times In detail: Portal

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) allows opening of neighborhood and stand-alone shops. Source: The Tribune In detail: MHA Order

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy gives all renewable projects in the pipeline a blanket extension in the deadline for the period of lockdown. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release

Andhra Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

The Delhi government approved the extension of existing subsidy on electricity bills for consumers. Source: Business Standard

Gujarat

The state commercial tax department of Gujarat has extended the deadline for payment of value-added tax on the sale of petroleum products by a month. Source: Economic Times

Haryana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Karnataka

Nothing critical to report this week.

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government terminated the power purchase agreement of the 400 megawatt Maheshwar Hydel Power Project on the Narmada River. Source: Economic Times In Detail: Termination Order

Maharashtra

Nothing critical to report this week.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) issues measures such as payment deferments, rebates, and financial support, to help electricity distribution companies and consumers through the COVID-19 crisis. Source: Mercom In detail: RERC orders

Tamil Nadu

Nothing critical to report this week.

Telangana

The Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved a levelized tariff of ~$0.10 per kilowatt-hour for projects based on refuse-derived fuel. Source: Mercom In detail: Tariff order

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh government provides three month exemption on interest payments owed by commercial and industrial businesses. Source: Economic Times. In detail: Press Release

West Bengal

The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) has reduced the rate of late payment surcharge (LPS) by distribution companies to 1 percent per month. Source: Mercom In detail: WBERC order

Best of the Rest

Assam

Assam government announced an increase in prices of petrol and diesel. The price of petrol was increased from $.094 to $1.02 per liter and of diesel from $0.85 to $0.92 per liter. Source: Economic Times

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) has issued an order reducing the payment of LPS to 0.75 percent per month.

Source: Mercom In detail: CSERC Order

Meghalaya

The Meghalaya government has increased taxes on petrol and diesel from April 22 amid the nationwide lockdown. Source: Economic Times In detail: Notification

Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand government has given conditional clearance for mine and mineral production, and brick kilns which are located outside the limits of municipal corporation and municipalities. Source: Economic Times