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New Development Bank signs $100 million loan agreement to revive the Indira Gandhi Canal system; Karnataka and West Bengal opt out of the National Health Protection Scheme; Punjab released its outdoor advertisement policy; Tamil Nadu ranks ninth in the world as renewable energy generator; and more.

Center – State relations

The central government has waived inter-state transmission charges and losses on the transmission of electricity generated by solar and wind power projects allowing open access consumers to purchase power at generation cost. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Andhra Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week

New Delhi

The second phase of the common mobility card project will allow Delhi metro card holders to use their cards on feeder buses and for parking at 13 metro stations in the national capital region. ** Source:** Hindustan Times

The Delhi government reported that in 2017 the capital region reached its highest energy demand ever crossing 6,500 megawatts (MW), while accounting for the least amount of power cuts. Source: Indian Express

Gujarat

The Gujarat state cabinet has proposed a change in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act to allow committees to engage in large-scale contract farming and to start farm product value-addition industrial units. Source: Times of India

Haryana

The Haryana state cabinet approved enhancing the limit of petty grant a minister can approve to persons-in-need and institutions from $9,300 to $38,745 per year. Source: Zee News

The Haryana state cabinet approved the amendment to Innovative Financing of Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) Projects policy to increase ground coverage in case of commercial use cases up to 60 percent. Source: Zee News

The Haryana government announced closing of the Ambala Municipal Corporation to split in to two municipal councils; Ambala city and Ambala Sadar. Source: United News of India

The Haryana government is implementing $67.4 million project to encourage micro-irrigation and recharge of ground water in 36 over-exploited and critical blocks in 13 districts in the state. Source: United News of India

Karnataka

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah released the state's budget for 2018-19. A few highlights included development of Bengaluru, increase in excise duty, focus on healthcare, digital initiatives, education, and rail network. Source: NDTV In Detail: Budget Highlights

Karnataka has declined joining the central government's health insurance initiative on account of already having a universal health scheme for its citizens. Source: Economic Times

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that farmers will be paid a $3 bonus over the minimum support price on every quintal of wheat they sell to the state government. Source: Business Standard

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra state government issued a resolution to implement "zero pendency, daily disposal," a system of classifying and clearing files and grievances within a stipulated time frame in all government and semi-government offices. Source: Hindustan times

The Maharashtra government has decreased the area that can now be declared as an integrated industrial area from 40 hectares to 20 hectares, among other changes. Source: Livemint

The Maharashtra government will now allow cooperatives of spinning mills and power loom societies to be privatized and for them to change the use of land to use it for other industrial purposes. Source: Livemint In Detail: Maharashtra Textile Policy 2018

At Maharashtra's first investor summit in Mumbai, Reliance Industries and its global partners announced setting up of India's first integrated digital area in Maharashtra with an investment of $9.3 billion. The Virgin Group signed an "intent agreement" with Maharashtra to build a hyperloop transportation system between Mumbai and Pune. Source: Money control

The Maharashtra government has announced a compensation package of $30.9 million for farmers who suffered damage to standing crops due to heavy rains. Source: Economic Times

Rajasthan

The New Development Bank (NDB) signed a $100 million loan agreement to finance the rehabilitation of the Indira Gandhi canal system, to be implemented by the Rajasthan water resources department over six years. Source: India Today In Detail: Press Release

Tamil Nadu

U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) reported Tamil Nadu to be in ninth place, globally, among areas that generate wind and solar power. Source: Times of India In Detail: Press Release , Full Report: Power-Industry Transition, Here and Now

Telangana

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) raised $30.9 million through sale of municipal bonds. Source: Livemint

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government presented its annual budget, worth $66.3 billion, with a focus on supporting central government initiatives. Source: Money Control In Detail: Budget 2018-2019 (in Hindi)

West Bengal

Bengal has decided to opt out of the National Health Protection Scheme announced in the Union Budget. Source: Economic Times

The West Bengal government has announced the sale of its securities of 10 year tenure for an aggregate amount $310 million in order to meet its development expenditure. Source: Economic Times

The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) plans to install 5 MW floating solar plants on its raw water ponds at both the Santhaldih and Sagardighi thermal power plants. Source: PV Tech

Best of the Rest

Punjab

The Punjab cabinet has approved the state's new outdoor advertisement policy, expected to generate $30.9 million in revenue. Source: Money Control In Detail: The Punjab Municipal Outdoor Advertising Policy 2018

Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to ensure better forecasts and instant delivery of images post-disaster and to receive forecast alerts 72 hours in advance. Source: Hindustan Times

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir state assembly passed a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act 2010 in order to approve setting up of its State Power Trading Company Ltd. Source: Greater Kashmir