Analysis
States Update: July 08,2021
Posted on
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