Big News: Haryana passes private universities amendment bill; Karnataka bans the sale of small agricultural lands; Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa top the Good Governance Index; Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana top NITI Aayog’s health index; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Haryana amends the Haryana Private Universities Act, 2006. The act aims to involve the private sector in expanding higher education capacity and standards. Source: Times of India

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Karnataka bans the sale of small agricultural plots to control illegal residential construction. The minimum extent requirements are applicable prospectively and will not affect inherited lands. Source: Deccan Herald

Infrastructure & Governance

Haryana passes the Haryana Management of Civic Amenities and Infrastructure Deficient Areas Outside Municipal Area (Special Provisions) Bill, 2021. The law will provide essential services like water supply, sewerage, roads, and streetlights outside municipal limits. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Haryana Assembly

Assam reserves 50 percent seats for women in the state’s civic bodies on a 10-year rotation basis. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Bill

Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa emerge as the top three states in the central government’s Good Governance Index, 2020-21. Delhi tops in the union territories’ category. Source: News 18; In detail: Good Governance Index, 2020-21, Press Release

Climate Change

Nothing Critical to report this week

Oil & Gas

Nothing Critical to report this week

Water & Sanitation

Haryana passes the Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to enhance underground water planning and track the physical progress of ponds. Source: Indian Express; In detail: List of Business, Haryana Assembly

Power & Renewable Energy

Assam and Meghalaya are frontrunners for the Ministry of Power’s reforms-based and results-linked – Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). RDSS aims to improve the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of state-owned power distribution companies. Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Press Release

Odisha state cabinet approves five, low-voltage mitigation system projects worth $34.5 million to be completed over three years. Source: Kalinga TV; In detail: Chief Minister’s Office

Health

Bihar cabinet approves a proposal to spend $800.2 million over the next five years to strengthen the state’s health infrastructure. Source: Times of India; In detail: Cabinet Decisions (in Hindi)

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have been ranked the top three states in NITI Aayog’s 4th Health Index,2019-20. The index ranks states based on their overall health performance. Source: IndiaTV News; In detail: Health Index

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Any Other

Maharashtra passes the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020. The law increases punishment for certain crimes against women and children. It also provides for the death penalty for rape. Source: The Times of India; In detail: SHAKTI Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2020

Center – State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week