Big News: Tamil Nadu introduces its new industrial policy; West Bengal passes a resolution against the federal farm laws; Rajasthan implements urban local body reforms; Telangana implements citizen-centric reforms; Maharashtra launches its agriculture pump power connection policy; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Tamil Nadu cabinet approves the state’s industrial policy. The new policy focuses on sunrise sectors and includes incentives for industries investing in industrially backward districts. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Press release

West Bengal passes a resolution against the central government’s three farm laws. Source: Hindustan Times

Land Acquisition & Labor Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Infrastructure & Governance

Rajasthan implements urban local body reforms stipulated by the Ministry of Finance. This implementation makes the state eligible for additional borrowing limits. Source: All India Radio; In detail: PIB Release

Telangana completes reforms in three out of the four citizen-centric areas, stipulated by the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, the central government has approved capital projects of $24.47 million in the state. Source: Knn India; In detail: Press Release

Power & Renewable Energy

Maharashtra launches its agriculture pump power connection policy. The policy aims to provide eight hour power supply to farmers in the next three years (2021-23). Source: All India Radio; In detail: Agriculture Pump Policy (In Marathi)

Himachal Pradesh issues a levelized tariff for solar projects with a maximum size of five megawatts. The tariff is applicable for the period 2020-21. Source: Mercom; In detail: Tariff order

Oil & Gas

Rajasthan reduces value-added tax by two percent on petrol and diesel. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Notification

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Health

Nothing critical to report this week

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Any Other News

Nothing critical to report this week

Center – State Relations

Ministry of Finance releases $1.7 billion to 18 States as grants to rural local bodies (RLB). The grants are aimed at creating community assets and improving financial viability of RLBs. Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Press Release

India’s federal budget allocates an outlay of $41.8 billion for a scheme for electricity distribution companies (DISCOM). The scheme will support DISCOMs in building infrastructure, integrating prepaid smart meters, and separating feeders. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Budget details