States Update: June 10, 2020

Big News: Cabinet approves amendment to the Essential Commodities Act; Andhra Pradesh launches online waste exchange platform; Gujarat announces $1.85 billion Covid-19 relief package; Haryana launches unique identification portal for enterprises; Rajasthan launches online labor exchange; Tamil Nadu deregulates agricultural produce markets; and more.

Center – State relations

The government has modified public procurement norms to give maximum preference to companies whose goods and services have 50 percent or more local content. Source: Business Standard In detail: Order

The union cabinet has approved an ordinance to amendment the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 which seeks to deregulate food items. Source: Business Standard In detail: Gazette notification

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government has launched an online waste exchange platform that is expected to handle waste from its generation until disposal. Source: India Today In detail: CMO Andhra Pradesh Tweet

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

The Delhi government lifts the ‘special corona fee’, fixed at 70 percent of maximum retail price of every alcohol brand. The withdrawal comes into effect from June 10. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Delhi Excise Amendment

Gujarat

The Gujarat government has announced a relief package of $1.85 billion to help revive the economy. The measure includes tax rebates to consumers and loan subsidies for business and shop owners. Source: NDTV In detail: Press Release

Haryana

The Haryana government has launched a portal which is expected to provide a unique identification to all enterprises. Source: The Tribune In detail: Press Release

Karnataka

Nothing critical to report this week.

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched Street Vendor Registration Portal and transferred $39.7 million to urban local bodies for development purposes. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Press Release

Maharashtra

Nothing critical to report this week.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government has imposed a surcharge of up to $0.39 per bottle to fund the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Source: Live Mint In detail: Notification

The Rajasthan government has launched an online labor exchange program to help laborers searching for jobs in the state. Source: Times of India In detail: CMO Rajasthan Announcement over Twitter

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government announced the promulgation of an ordinance amending the state Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1987 to permit farmers to freely sell their produce. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press Release (in Tamil)

Telangana

The State Drug Control Administration has released detailed guidelines and regulatory requirements for companies planning to manufacture hand sanitizers in the state. Source: Telangana Today In detail: Notification

Uttar Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Arunachal Pradesh

The government of India approves the Arunachal Pradesh’s government’s $33.8 million plan to provide tap water connection to all rural households by March, 2021. Source: The Tribune In detail: Press Release

Chhattisgarh

Per the state electricity regulator, customers will be entitled to compensation if they are made to face prolonged power cuts in Chhattisgarh. Source: Economic Times In detail: Regulation

Jharkhand

The government of India approves the Jharkhand government’s $75 million plan to provide tap water connection to all rural households by March, 2021. Source: Devdiscourse In detail: Press Release

Odisha

The government of India approves the Odisha government’s $107.6 million plan to provide tap water connection to all rural households by March, 2021 Source: Odisha TV In detail: Press Release

Punjab

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission has announced $0.003-$0.0067 per kilowatt-hour reduction in power tariff. Source: India.com In detail: Tariff order

The Punjab government has imposed a COVID cess on liquor, ranging from $0.02 to $0.66 per bottle. Source: Indian Express In detail: Press Release