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Big News: Andhra Pradesh approves a new information technology policy; Uttarakhand gets a new chief minister; Finance Ministry announces $84.9 billion Covid-19 relief package; cabinet approves a new power sector reform scheme; Wholesale and retail trades are reintroduced in micro, small, and medium enterprises definition; and more

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Andhra Pradesh proposes a new AP Information Technology Policy, 2021-24. The policy aims to support start-ups by providing access to investors, mentors, and a talent pool. Source: Business Standard

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week

Infrastructure & Governance

Nothing critical to report this week

Oil & Gas

West Bengal extends the $0.013 per liter rebate on petrol and diesel prices till September 30, 2021. Source: The Telegraph; In detail: Notification

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Power & Renewable Energy

Haryana launches an energy-efficient air conditioner (AC) scheme to promote energy savings. The scheme offers up to a 59 percent discount on the minimum retail price of the first 105,000 ACs bought within the state. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Order

Health

Nothing critical to report this week

Business Negative Reforms

Madhya Pradesh hikes the retail electricity tariff by 0.63 percent. Electricity distribution companies had demanded a 6.23 percent hike. Source: Daily Pioneer; In detail: Tariff order

Any Other

Pushkar Singh Dhami is sworn in as the 11th chief minister (CM) of Uttarakhand. The state’s youngest CM is supported by his 11-member cabinet. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Press Release

Center – State relations

India’s cabinet approves a new power sector reform scheme with an outlay of $40.2 billion. The scheme provides conditional financial assistance to power distribution companies for improving their supply infrastructure. Source: Daily Pioneer; In detail: Press Release

Union government reverses its four-year-old decision of excluding retail and wholesale trades from the definition of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Wholesale and retail MSMEs can now avail benefits from banks under priority sector lending and the special liquidity scheme. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Finance Ministry has announced an $84.9 billion relief package for sectors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Relief measures include a $14.7 billion credit guarantee scheme for improving health infrastructure and a 50 percent increase in the limit under the emergency credit line guarantee scheme. Source: The Print; In detail: Press Release

Cabinet approves viability gap funding support of up to $2.55 billion for the implementation of BharatNet in 16 Indian states. BharatNet aims to provide rural areas with better access to e-services. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Press Release

Ministry of Power issues an amendment to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers), 2020 Rules concerning net metering for rooftop solar installations. The amendment permits net metering for loads up to 500 kilowatts or up to the sanctioned load, whichever is lower. Source: Mercom; In detail: Notice