Big News: Telangana launches an accelerator for blockchain startups; West Bengal and Kerala top the literacy and numeracy. index; Kerala cabinet approves a policy for restoring the state’s natural forests; Rajasthan adds hydropower to its renewable power purchase obligations; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Telangana launches an accelerator for blockchain startups. The four-month-long accelerator will be open to early-stage startups and blockchain developers. Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Accelerator Website

Gujarat publishes a roadmap for its agriculture sector. The roadmap lists steps to make the state’s agriculture produce market committees profitable and self-sustainable. Source: Indian Express

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothin critical to report this week

Infrastructure & Governance

Nagaland adds three new districts, Tseminyu, Niuland, and Chumoukedima. Source: East Mojo; In detail: State Government’s Tweet

West Bengal and Kerala top the literacy and numeracy index in the large and small state categories, respectively. The index released by the prime minister’s economic advisory council assesses the overall state of foundational learning in children aged below ten years in Indian states and union territories. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Index

Climate Change

Bihar bans using single-use plastic items and thermocol products in the state. The ban’s effective date is postponed from December 15, 2021, to July 1, 2022. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Official Gazette

Telangana issues an order to set up a state green fund to improve the state’s forest cover. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Government Orders (GO-139)

Kerala cabinet approves a policy for restoring the state’s natural forests. The new policy aims to preserve the state’s forest cover. Source: Kerala Kaumudi; In detail: Press Release (Malayalam)

Oil & Gas

Nothing Critical to report this week

Water & Sanitation

Nothing Critical to report this week

Power & Renewable Energy

Rajasthan adds hydropower to its renewable power purchase obligations (RPO). Earlier, RPO excluded the power produced from large hydropower sources. Source: Mercom; In detail: Order (Petition no 1930/2021)

Tamil Nadu issues draft amendments to the Tamil Nadu Electricity (Grid Connectivity and Intrastate Open Access) Regulations, 2014. The amendments determine the order of priority for purchasing power from various sources under open access. Source: Mercom; In detail: Draft Regulation

Health

Tamil Nadu introduces a scheme where the state government will reimburse medical bills for all accident victims. Patients can avail the benefits in 609 hospitals across the state. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Press Release

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Any Other

Nothing Critical to report this week

Center – State Relations

Union cabinet approves a production-linked incentive scheme for semiconductor and display board production in India. The scheme outlays fiscal support of $10 billion. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press Release

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issues a draft on interstate transmission system (ISTS) regulations. The regulations allow open access to consumers, generating companies, and distribution licensees for ISTS use through general network access. Source: Mercom; In detail: CERC Draft