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Big News

Center sanctions electric buses under second phase of FAME while Uttar Pradesh announces new EV Policy; Gujarat’s solar capacity crosses 2.6 GW mark; Rajasthan releases Biofuel Policy; Odisha releases draft Agriculture Policy; breakthrough achieved in diffusing conflict with separatists in Tripura and more.

Center – State relations

The central government has approved 5,595 electric buses in 64 cities for intracity and intercity operations under the second phase of the FAME India program in order to push for clean mobility in public transportation. Source: News 18

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government cancelled an agreement for the development of the Machilipatnam port. Source: India Today

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered the state power transmission firm AP Transco to refrain from arbitrarily reducing the power it receives from renewable projects, providing relief to developers who have set up more than 7,500 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind energy capacity. Source: Economic times

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

To evaluate and accelerate the integration of decentralized renewable energy into New Delhi’s power grid, TATA Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Council of Energy, Environment and Water. Source: Sau Energy In detail: Press Release

The New Delhi government announced it will install 11,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the city. Source: First Post

Gujarat

The state government of Gujarat, which has set an ambitious target of having 800,000 solar rooftop power generating units by 2022, announced that it would buy surplus electricity generated through such units at $0.031 per unit, or kilowatt-hour. Source: Indian Express

The state’s total installed solar capacity has crossed the 2.6 gigawatts (GW) mark, according to the latest data released by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). Source: PV Magazine

The state increased the fuel and power purchase price adjustment charges for electricity consumers of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. by $0.002 while the charges for Torrent Power Ltd (TPL) will remain unchanged at $0.029 per unit. Source: DNA

The Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd. has floated a tender for 250 MW of solar power projects ranging between 20 to 60 MW at substations of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd. The bid submission deadline is August 31, 2019. Source: Mercom

Haryana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Karnataka

The central government has released $18 million from the State Disaster Response Fund for the flood relief works in Karnataka. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Sterlite Power won two contracts worth $421.89 million for setting up inter-state transmission projects. Source: Money Control

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government announced that tribals (individuals from indigenous communities) who have taken loans from unofficial lines of credit, such as from traditional money lenders, would not have to repay them. Source: India Today

Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $200 million loan for improving road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra to better connect rural areas with markets and services. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release

Rajasthan

Following an order by the central government, the state of Rajasthan became the first state in the country to introduce a 2019 biofuels policy. Source: NDTV

The Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019, was passed by the Vidhan Sabha, the state’s legislative assembly, by a voice vote. Source: India Today

Tamil Nadu

The state-owned mining and power generating company, Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC India), announced the successful commissioning of a 100 MW solar PV plant in Tamil Nadu. Source: Sau Energy

Telangana

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. has commissioned one more pumping unit of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Telangana. Source: Money Control

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has granted a one-time exemption to Rooftop Solar Consumers to use net metering. Source: Mercom In detail: Order details

The Uttar Pradesh government introduced an electric vehicles policy, which targets attracting nearly $5.62 billion in private investment by the year 2024. Source: Business Standard

ReNew Power and Shapoorji Pallonji announced that they will invest $104.8 million in a 150 MW floating solar power project in Uttar Pradesh. Source: Business Standard

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Chhattisgarh

The prices of petrol and diesel in Chhattisgarh increased after the state government increased the value added tax (VAT) on automobile fuels from 21 to 25 percent. Source: Business Standard

Goa

The Goa state legislative assembly passed the Goa Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2019 earmarking $2.74 billion as grants to the government for the financial year 2019-2020. Source: Times of India

The state legislative assembly passed the Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill 2019, repealing the previous Goa Medical Practitioners’ Act of 2004. Source: Times of India

Kerala

The Kerala government has approved an infrastructure project to build a rail line for semi-high speed trains to operate between the southern-most district to the northern district of the state. Source: Business Standard

The Kerala government has launched a program called “Soura” to add 1,000 MW of solar projects to the existing capacity of Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd. by 2022 to support the state’s renewable energy purchase obligation. Source: Mercom

Odisha

The state government of Odisha released a draft of the state Agriculture Policy 2019 aimed at the continuation of the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation program for the next five years. Source: Times now

The state government of Odisha has decided to revive auctions of eight iron ore blocks and three others for the mining of manganese, graphite and limestone. Source: Business Standard

The state government launched 22 new projects to create employment opportunities for a total investment of $627.4 million. Source: Economic Times

Punjab

The agriculture department of the state government of Punjab announced it will provide more than 28,000 agro-machines/farm equipment to local farmers with a subsidy component of $39 million during the current fiscal year. Source: Outlook

Tripura

The state government of Tripura has approved the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which requires enrollment up to class four. Source: Indian Express

The central government has signed an MOU with the state government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Twipra to lay down its arms. Source: The Wire