Analysis
States Update: July 24, 2019
Posted on
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