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Big News: Tamil Nadu launches the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Climate Fund; West Bengal announces the West Bengal Textile Incentive Scheme (WBTIS), 2022; Union Cabinet launches the National Green Hydrogen Mission, 2022; Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology publishes the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to regulate online gaming; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

West Bengal MSME department launches the West Bengal Textile Incentive Scheme (WBTIS), 2022, aimed at extending financial incentives to the textile industries in the state. Under the scheme, eligible firms are entitled to state capital investment subsidy ranging between $2.4 million - $6 million and a 100 percent electricity duty waiver for (up to $0.12 million per year) for 5 years from the date of commencement of production.

Source: Apparel Views; In detail: West Bengal Textile Incentive Scheme (WBTIS), 2022

Punjab cabinet announces tax rebate to owners of scrapped automobiles on the registration of new vehicles, in line with the Centre’s vehicle scrapping policy. Under the proposal, owners of transport vehicles will be eligible for a motor vehicle tax rebate of up to 15%, and owners of non-transport vehicles will be able to avail a rebate up to 25%.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Government of Punjab notification

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Madhya Pradesh government launches the Madhya Pradesh Residential Land Rights Scheme, 2023 (Mukhyamantri Awasiya Bhu Adhikar Yojana) with the objective of distributing free leases of residential land to selected beneficiaries.

Source: Current Affairs; In detail: Government of Madhya Pradesh directive (in Hindi)

Infrastructure & Governance

Jammu & Kashmir government announces the Aspirational Towns Development Programme (ATDP), to be developed by respective District Development Commissioners in consultation with key department heads. The government further announces the Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Development Index, 2022 for the assessment of implemented urban reforms.

Source: Daily Excelsior; In detail: Government order and Jammu & Kashmir Municipal Development Index 2022

Climate Change

Nothing Critical to report this week.

Oil & Gas

Nothing Critical to report this week.

Water & Sanitation

Nothing Critical to report this week.

Power & Renewable Energy

Tamil Nadu government issues orders for setting up the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Fund with an initial investment of $121.2 million and a greenshoe option for another $121.2 million. The fund will be created for a period of 10 years and will support mega projects in renewable energy, electric/ hybrid, waste management technologies, sustainable agriculture, and emission control technology.

Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Press release

Health

Nothing Critical to report this week.

Center– State Relations

Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signs a $1.22 billion loan agreement focused on improving projects covering key economic areas including the power sector and highways in Tripura and Assam, metro rail connectivity in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and projects in Maharashtra.

Source: Mint; In detail: Press release

Union Cabinet approves continuation of schemes undertaken by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, with an outlay of $1.56 billion for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission.

Source: All India Radio; In detail: Press release

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves $317 million to build a 382 MW hydroelectric project (HEP) in Himachal Pradesh.

Source: Money control; In detail: Press release

Any Other

Union Cabinet approves the National Green Hydrogen Mission to promote green hydrogen production in India by attracting $97 billion investment in the sector by 2030. The mission aims to reduce 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emission per annum, save $12.12 billion in fossil fuel imports, and create 600,000 jobs.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: National Green Hydrogen Mission

Goa government notifies the Goa Drone Policy 2022, aiming to promote drone design, manufacturing, testing and maintenance facilities in the state. The government had released the policy on December 19, 2022.

Source: Digital Goa; In detail: Goa Drone Policy 2022

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) publishes the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and announces the commencement of public consultation. MeitY has also constituted a self-regulatory body (SRO) responsible for certifying what is permitted as an online gaming intermediary in the country. The rules are aimed at regulating the growing online gaming sector.

Source: Money Control; In detail: Draft Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021