States Update: July 24, 2019

Big News

Gujarat emerges as top state for funding MSMEs; Andhra Pradesh discoms face disputes on solar power tariffs; Karnataka speaker struggles to hold a vote of no confidence against the incumbent government; Tamil Nadu announces the creation of two new districts; Telangana passes the heavily-debated municipalities bill; Andhra Pradesh assumes control of all liquor stores in the state; Chhattisgarh passes its budget for the FY 2019-2020; and more

Center – State relations

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has notified the new benchmark costs for grid-connected rooftop solar power projects for the financial year (FY) 2019-20. Source: Mercom In detail: Benchmark costs

Andhra Pradesh

The government of India withdrew its request for World Bank funding for the proposed Amaravati Sustainable Infrastructure and Institutional Development Project. The World Bank continues to support Andhra Pradesh with over $1 billion program that covers the health, agriculture, energy and disaster management sectors. Source: India Today In Detail: World Bank Press Release

The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd has served a notice to Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to slash tariffs from $0.06 a unit to $0.035. The notice relates to the creation of 400 MW solar power under the Viability Gap Fund scheme. Source: The Hindu Business Line

The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity blocked the controversial July 12 letter issued by a distribution power utility of Andhra Pradesh asking for drastic reduction of the solar power tariff. Source: Economic Times

Andhra Pradesh decided that the government would assume control of liquor shops in the state. Source: Business Standard

National Thermal Power Corporation Limited and SECI have threatened Andhra Pradesh power distribution utilities with legal action and have denied renegotiation of tariffs from solar plants. Source: Economic Times

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

Nothing critical to report this week.

Gujarat

According to TransUnion CIBIL-SIDBI’s MSME Pulse Report, Gujarat has emerged as the top state, in terms of performance and credit growth potential for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) corporate lending in India. Source: Live Mint In detail: MSME Pulse report

Haryana

The BJP-ruled state government agreed to the demands of employees and worker unions, promising six-month maternity leave for women on contractual employment and a job with “full salary” for a family member of an employee who dies before the age of 52. Source: Times of India

Karnataka

Political turmoil continue to rock the state of Karnataka as the speaker of the legislative assembly was unable to complete the motion of no confidence against the incumbent government in a timely manner as outlined in a decision by the Supreme Court of India. Source: Indian Express

Madhya Pradesh

NHDC Ltd, a joint venture between state-owned NHPC Ltd. and the government of Madhya Pradesh, has issued a tender for the development of 25 megawatt (MW) floating solar power projects at the Omkareshwar reservoir in Madhya Pradesh. Source: Sau Energy

Maharashtra

Nothing critical to report this week.

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced the creation of two new districts carved out from Kanchipuram and Tirunelveli bringing the total number of districts in the state to 35. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Telangana

The Telangana Assembly passed the much-debated Telangana Municipalities Bill, 2019, which proposes the demolition of illegal constructions without notice, self-certification of property tax and penalties for misusing the facility. Source: News18

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network and the Telangana government announced they are set to launch an innovative project, Medicine from the Sky, to deliver emergency medical supplies such as blood and vaccines via drones. Source: Your Story In Detail: World Economic Forum India Brochure

Microsoft has announced a partnership focused on encouraging girls to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with the Women Entrepreneurs Hub, an initiative of the Telangana government aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and engineers in the region. Source: The Hans India In Detail: Press Release

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has issued a tender, seeking bids from eligible bidders for setting up of two solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects worth a combined 69 MW in the state of Telangana. Source: Sau Energy

Uttar Pradesh

The Union Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and the Uttar Pradesh government have decided to set up skill centres of excellence in Greater Noida and Varanasi. Source: The Week In detail: Press Release

The Uttar Pradesh energy regulator has issued a notice to the state power utility over the installation of smart meters. Source: Business Standard

West Bengal

The West Bengal government announced a fresh allotment of 187 new tanneries at the Calcutta Leather Complex in Bantala, Asia’s largest integrated leather complex. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press Release

Best of the Rest

Arunachal Pradesh

State-owned hydropower giant NHPC Ltd will develop a power project with an initial investment of $232 million in Arunachal Pradesh. Source: Business Today In detail: Press Release

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon district has topped the Aspirational District program for May 2019, enhancing living standards and improving upon ease of living for its inhabitants. Source: Financial Express In Detail: Niti Aayog’s Aspirational District program

The Chhattisgarh Assembly passed a supplementary budget of over $630 million for the FY 2019-20. Source: News Nation In detail: Supplementary Budget

Goa

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant presented the budget for FY 2019-20 with a gross expenditure of $2.8 billion. Source: Money Control In detail: Goa Budget 2019-20

Tripura

The Asian Development Bank will provide $223 million for upgrades in power generation, transmission and distribution projects in Tripura. Source: Live Mint