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Andhra Pradesh stops production of wind power; BJP’s Yediyurappa sworn in as the new chief minister of Karnataka; Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand make announcements for rooftop solar projects; Electric vehicles get a boost in Noida; Assam approves a new industrial and investment policy; and more.

Center – State relations

The central government approved construction of approximately 140,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended the standard bidding guidelines for wind projects to overcome delays in land acquisition, to reduce investment risks, and to incentivize early part commissioning of projects. Source: Indian Express

In detail: Amendment to the Guidelines

As per MNRE’s guidelines, the KUSUM program, which aims to provide support to farmers for the installation of solar power projects, has received $4.99 billion from the central government. The program aims to add solar capacity of 25,750 megawatts (MW) by 2022. Source: Mercom In detail: Guidelines for KUSUM program

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh passed the Employment of Local Candidates in Industries/Factories Act 2019, which reserves 75 percent of jobs in private industrial units and factories for locals. Source: Economic Times

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has dropped plans to finance the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati, after the World Bank pulled its support. Source: Economic Times

Andhra Pradesh has asked all wind power developers to stop power production, and has announced that they are curtailing wind power procurement by 100 percent. Source: Business Standard

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited has become the first power utility in the country to deploy microdrones for the maintenance of its network. Source: Economic Times

Gujarat

Two of the nine winners of Gujarat’s latest wind energy auction have agreed to only sign power purchase agreements with companies that cut tariffs to match the lowest bidder. Source: Economic Times

Gujarat announced a proposal for a reduction in the rate of electricity duties levied on industrial projects for self-generation of power. The rate had earlier been increased from $0.007 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), or unit, to $0.01 per kWh, and will now be $0.008 per kWh. Source: Indian Express

Haryana

Haryana plans to spend $246 million on a scheme to provide fifty thousand solar pumps for farmers and ‘gaushalas’ in Haryana. About 238 MW of green energy will be generated in the state with the installation of these solar pumps. Source: Times of India

Karnataka

BS Yediyurappa took oath as chief minister of Karnataka for the fourth time after the BJP was invited to stake a claim. This comes three days after the JD(S)-Congress coalition government lost a trust vote on the floor of the state legislative assembly. Source: Indian Express

Madhya Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra cabinet approved three new metro corridors for the Mumbai metropolitan region with a cumulative length of 31 miles (50 kilometers) and a project cost of $3.48 billion. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will lead implementation of the project. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week.

Tamil Nadu

Nothing critical to report this week.

Telangana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has announced a tender to install 25 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic projects atop government and semi-government buildings in the state. The submission deadline for bids is August 12, 2019. Source: Mercom In detail: Tender details

In a push to boost investment and production and to set up solar power projects in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has made it possible to lease out land for either agriculture or setup of solar plants. The law permits leasing the land for agricultural purposes for up to 15 years and for solar projects for up to 30 years. Source: Economic Times

The Uttar Pradesh state assembly passed the Private Universities Bill, which aims to bring 27 private universities in the state under an umbrella law that enforces transparency regarding fees and admissions. Source: India Today

The Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly passed the Uttar Pradesh Groundwater Management and Regulation Bill 2019, which aims to conserve groundwater and regulate its usage. Source: First Post

The Noida authority signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited to install 100 electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots across the city over the next year. Source: Hindustan Times

West Bengal

West Bengal has withdrawn from the Kharif 2019 central government scheme on crop insurance, instead rolling out its own scheme. Source: Money Control

Best of the Rest

Assam

Assam signed a letter of understanding with UNICEF Assam to work together on issues related to children in the state. Source: Economic Times

The Assam cabinet approved the Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam 2019, which has several incentives and subsidies to attract industries to invest in the state. It also dictated that only industries which continue their production or operation after the expiry of the policy will be eligible for tax reimbursement. Source: The Sentinel Assam

Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has come up with a single-window clearance system for accelerating deployment of grid-connected solar rooftop installations. Source: Economic Times

Chhattisgarh

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) signed an MOU to form a joint venture company that will establish an 800 MW technology demonstration plant. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press Release

Chhattisgarh has decided to close down the Korba East Thermal Power Station due to high production and maintenance costs, as well as environmental hazards. Source: Business Standard

The Chhattisgarh home department has demanded $311.9 million to protect security personnel posted in the left-wing extremism areas of the state. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Press Release

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government has signed MOUs for 228 projects in the past few months with investment of over $3.99 billion. Source: All India Radio

Jammu and Kashmir

The Minister of Home Affairs of India ordered 10,000 paramilitary personnel to be sent into Kashmir for counterinsurgency and for maintenance of law and order. Source: India Today

Kerala

The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, the infrastructure funding arm of the Kerala government, will grant $870.6 million to the National Highways Authority of India to partially finance the conversion of 350 miles (565 kilometers) of two-lane highways into four/six-lanes within the state. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Nagaland

Nothing critical to report this week.

Sikkim

The National Company Law Tribunal approved state-run hydropower company NHPC’s $131.6 million bid for the acquisition of the Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Ltd. Source: Economic Times

Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency has issued a request for proposal to develop 52 MW of solar projects for the procurement of solar power on a long-term basis. The deadline for the submission of bids is August 22, 2019. Source: Mercom In detail: Tender details

Uttarakhand has allocated solar energy projects worth $87 million to local entrepreneurs that will generate 148.85 MW of power. The state also announced that an additional $29 million of solar power projects will be distributed among local entrepreneurs. Source: Economic Times