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Big News: Chhattisgarh introduces the new Rules for Green Energy Open Access to promote renewable energy adoption in the state; Tripura releases the Tripura Energy Vision 2030 Road Map, aimed at increasing the solar generation capacity to 500 MW by 2030; Ministry of Power announces new rules to improve the financial efficacy of distribution companies; Union Government releases the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, to allow private companies to explore critical minerals in the country.

Health

Sikkim announces the provision for a twelve month maternity leave for female government employees, up from current provision of six months. Under the scheme, male employees will be eligible to take one month paternity leave, up from the existing 15-days as well.

Source: CNBC

Climate Change

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Tamil Nadu Environment Department launch a voluntary industrial green rating mechanism for industries across the state. The objective of the mechanism is to accelerate green growth while helping the state move towards economically viable and socially responsible businesses. It is also aimed at getting incentives for low carbon export products.

Source: Times of India

Chhattisgarh introduces the new Rules for Green Energy Open Access to promote renewable energy adoption in the state. The notification brings several key changes including the reduction of the minimum capacity eligible for Open Access from 500 kW to 100 kW, effective from 1st September 2023. This reduction opens the doors for a broader range of consumers to opt for green energy sources and contribute to sustainable practices.

Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grid Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Sources) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023

Jharkhand approves an investment of $42.5 million in Jamshedpur to set up a hydrogen related industry. The proposed industrial unit is aimed to produce 4000 Hydrogen IC Engine/Fuel Agnostic Engine and 10,000+ battery systems.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release(in Hindi)

Kerala launches the Climate Resilience and Energy Efficiency in Agriculture (CREEA) program aimed to address and tackle the impact of the climate crisis on the state’s agriculture sector.

Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Tripura releases the Tripura Energy Vision 2030 Road Map. The roadmap is a comprehensive plan to generate approximately 500 MW of solar power in the state by 2030.

Source: India Today

Energy

Nothing critical to report this week.

Finance

Maharashtra passes the amended Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, which aims to address the problem of “hawala” or illegal monetary transactions in the state.

Source: The Hindu; In detail: Maharashtra Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amended Act

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) announces the extension of its “COVID-19 Amnesty Scheme” to provide relief to industries adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges. The scheme has been extended for 30 days, until Augusts 22, 2023.

Source: Goekarponn

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week

Infrastructure & Governance

Maharashtra approves an amendment to the Maharashtra Slum Areas (Improvement, Clearance, and Redevelopment) Act of 1971, paving the way for the clearance of pending redevelopment projects.

Source: Times of India

Kerala approves the new Kerala Liquor Policy 2023-2024. The policy focuses on promoting the export of foreign liquor from Kerala, through provisions such as amendments to the existing export fees.

Source: India Today; In detail: Cabinet decisions (in Malayalam); Press release (in Malayalam)

Center – State Relations  

Ministry of Power announces additional measures aimed at improving the financial health of distribution companies (discoms). Measures include streamlining the process of accounting, reporting, billing and payment of subsidy by the state governments to the discoms. The rules also include provisions for reducing aggregate technical and commercial losses for discoms.

Source: Money Control; In detail: Press release

Union Government passes the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which seeks to grant exploration licence to private sector players for critical minerals. The also empowers the central government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite licence for certain critical minerals.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023

Any Other

Haryana notifies the Haryana State Crèche Policy- 2022. The policy makes it mandatory for all institutions in the state with more than 50 employees to open creches. The creches will be responsible for providing nutritious meals, regular health checks and vaccinations, sleeping arrangements and proper education.

Source: India.com; In detail: Haryana State Crèche Policy- 2022

Punjab approves the new Punjab Sports Policy, 2023, which lays emphasis on training, incentives, creating a robust infrastructure, and jobs for athletes.

Source: Money Control; In detail: Punjab Sports Policy 2023