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BJP triumphs in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh; the Ministry of Power sets new guidelines for wind power procurement; Sikkim bans outside produce; Meghalaya launches state-wide social audits; and more.

Center-State relations

The Ministry of Power released guidelines for the competitive bidding process for wind power. The guidelines are applicable to bids for at least 25 megawatts (MW) capacity, with each site having a minimum of 5 MW. They require that power purchase agreements be at least 25 years and provide for stringent payment security measures. Source: Hindu Business Line In Detail: Wind Power Bidding Guidelines

The central cabinet approved a new program of infrastructure development in the northeastern states, the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), which will be completely funded by the central government. NESIDS will focus on infrastructure relating to water supply, power, and connectivity, as well as projects promoting tourism, education, and health. Source: News 18

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh entered into an agreement with Google's 'X' division to test the possibilities for bringing Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) technology to the state. Andhra Pradesh and X hope to use FSOC, which uses light signals in space rather than underground fiber, to bring fast internet access to the entire state. Source: Economic Times

The Japan International Cooperation Agency signed an agreement with the Government of India to provide a loan of $187 million to the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Department. The funds will go to the Andhra Pradesh Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement Project. Source: Hindu Business Line

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week

New Delhi

The Delhi cabinet approved a proposal for the city to bear the cost of treatment at private hospitals for victims of motor accidents, fire, and acid attacks that take place on the city's roads. There will be no upper cap on the cost per patient. The proposal will now be sent to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for his approval. Source: Economic Times

Gujarat

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the government in Gujarat for the sixth time after winning 99 seats in the 182-member assembly (down from 115 in 2012). The Congress took 77 seats (up from 61). Source: Election Commission of India

Haryana

Nothing critical to report this week

Karnataka

The state high level clearance committee, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, approved a $180 million engineering and technology facility for aircraft maker Boeing India at Aerospace Park on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Source: Live Mint

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government approved the $1.17 billion plan to link the Narmada and Parvati rivers, allowing for irrigation of 500,000 acres of agriculture land in the Malwa region. Source: Business Standard

Maharashtra

The BJP won 49 seats out of 123 seats and emerged as the single largest party in municipal council elections, with Congress the second-largest party at 25 seats. Source: Financial Express

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MahaGenco) has begun feasibility studies for building floating solar power projects on reservoirs. Floating solar projects do not require the state to acquire land for the plants, and they also reduce the evaporation of water. Source: DNA

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week

Tamil Nadu

Power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd won a $1.13 billion order from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd to set up a 2x660 MW Supercritical Thermal Power Project at Udangudi. Source: Economic Times

Telangana

Ford and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) agreed to work together to use digital technology to improve the city's public transportation. Ford will work with civic authorities to analyse the capital's existing transportation system and design tech-based mobility solutions, improving efficiency for transport operators and reducing congestion. Source: The Hindu

The Telangana government said it would bear the total cost of its plan to provide 24x7 free or subsidized power to agriculture beginning next month. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao assured power utilities that the state will make a separate allocation for agricultural power in the next budget but will begin shouldering the cost in the current fiscal year. Source: Hindu Business Line

Uttar Pradesh

The state cabinet approved three new state economic development policies: the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Policy, the Information Technology and Start-Up Policy, and the Electronics Manufacturing Policy. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Uttar Pradesh Information Technology & Start-Up Policy 2017-2022, Uttar Pradesh Electronics Manufacturing Policy-2017, MSME Policy 2017 (in Hindi)

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week

Best of the Rest

Himachal Pradesh

The BJP dealt Congress a thumping blow in the legislative assembly elections, winning 44 out of 66 seats and leaving Congress, which had previously governed the state, with only 22 seats. Source: Election Commission of India

Meghalaya

Meghalaya became the first state in India to put into effect a law that makes community audits of government programs a part of official practice. 'The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act, 2017,' passed on April 4, 2017, is applicable to 11 departments and 21 schemes. The state has since carried out pilot social audits for 26 schemes in 18 villages. Source: Indian Express In detail: The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services Social Audit Act, 2017

Sikkim

Sikkim, which has declared itself the first organic state in the country, has decided to ban vegetables and fruits from other states beginning March 31, 2018. The ban, which will be carried out in phases, is part of the government's plans to create a unique brand identity for the state. Source: Telegraph India