States Update: January 31, 2018

Big News

Andhra Pradesh and Canton of Zurich become sister-states, JICA provides $406 million loan for Bengaluru water supply and sewage project, Shiv Sena splits with BJP, Lulu Group to invest $400 million in food and retail industry in Telangana, Maharashtra allows easier transfer of industrial land for sale, and more.

Center-State relations

The central government has chosen 73 airports and helipads to be connected under the second phase of its regional connectivity scheme, UDAN. Source: The Hindu

Andhra Pradesh

The state cabinet of Andhra Pradesh approved its cloud hub policy 2018-20, as well as various projects like building a greenfield airport at Bhogapuram, construction of Bhavanapadu sea port, and the setting up of Franklin Templeton company in Visakhapatnam. Source: United News of India

The Andhra Pradesh industries department has cleared incentives worth $10.5 million to 72 industrial units, more than half of which will be used to subsidize cost of power. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Japanese-based Hitachi at Davos to develop the Hitachi MGRM Citizen Lifecycle e-Governance platform in the state. Source: The Hindu

The government of Andhra Pradesh and the Canton of Zurich signed a letter of intent to establish sister-state relations. Source: Business Standard

Bihar

State-run Power Finance Corporation has sanctioned financial assistance of $212 million to the Bihar Grid Company to build 16 transmission lines, four associated substations and seven line bay extension works in Bihar. Source: Economic Times

The state cabinet of Bihar has decided to allocate $15.7 million to help generate jobs for minority communities. Source: Times of India

New Delhi

Delhi government is expected to procure 200 electric buses and has identified two depots to accommodate charging facilities for the buses. Source: The Hindu

Gujarat

Nothing critical to report this week

Haryana

Japanese-based New Energy Industrial Technology and Development Organization (NEDO) will work with the Haryana governments to set up its first smart grid pilot project in Panipat. Haryana government will also install one million meters across the state. Source: Money control, The Tribune

Haryana's governor has approved an ordinance to adopt the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act in the state to ensure minimum standards of the facilities and services across the state, including private hospitals. Source: Economic Times

Karnataka

The Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide a $406 million assistance loan for the third phase of the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Project. Source: Economic Times In** Detail:** Press Release

The center has sanctioned the setting up of a second Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Karnataka at Raichur. Source: Money Control

Madhya Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week

Maharashtra

The Shiv Sena political party has decided split from its coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party to independently contest upcoming state as well as 2019 general elections. Source: Times of India

The Maharashtra government has decided to allow buyers of industrial land to only pay 25 percent of the total value for a successful transfer, against the earlier requirement of paying the entire amount. Source: Live Mint

The Maharashtra government has approved a $628 million project aimed at promoting climate-resilient agriculture, which will be partially funded by the World Bank. Source: Economic Times In Detail: Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved a $47 million project proposal, partly funded by the World Bank and the central government, to protect and manage fragile coastlines and marine resources in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri. Source: Hindustan Times In Detail: Integrated Coastal Zone Management- World Bank project documents

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) will issue bonds worth $1.2 billion under the Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). Source: The Hindu

The Tamil Nadu transportation department has reduced the hike in bus fares by up to 20 percent for select operators cutting down revenue from transport corporations by approximately $229 million. Source: Times of India

Telangana

The Telangana government signed an MOU with UAE-based LuLu Group International to invest $400 million to set up a mega shopping mall, food processing plant, and a logistics and export processing unit for fruits and vegetables. Source: The Hindu

The Telangana government also signed an MOU with BRS Ventures for an investment of $157 million over three to five years to set up pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing, and research and development units in Sultanpur. Source: The Hindu

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government announced its excise policy 2018-19, which targets ending the monopoly of groups or traders in organized liquor retailing. Source: Business Standard

Uttar Pradesh has decided to phase out old state-owned thermal power plants with obsolete machinery and low-performance scores. Source: Business Standard

West Bengal

The West Bengal Power Department has decided to implement SEEDN (strengthening and extension of electricity distribution network) to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to all parts of the state. Source: United News India

The Ministry of Railways has decided to shut down eight train services in West Bengal on account of loss incurring routes, unless the state government can bear half the cost. Source: Yahoo News

Best of the Rest

Kerala

Kerala has decided to transition 45,000 classrooms across the state into digital classrooms, equipped with new hardware and high-speed internet linked to a central server that hosts educational content. Source: Economic Times

Uttarakhand

The World Bank signed a $120 million loan agreement to help increase access to improved water supply services in peri-urban areas in Uttarakhand. Source: Business Standard In Detail: Press Release

Punjab

The Punjab state cabinet approved a first-of-its-kind policy on rental housing to support affordable housing for education campuses, corporate centers, business establishments and migrant laborers. Source: Daily Pioneer In Detail: Press Release