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Gujarat launches pilot program to limit air pollution under the Gujarat Pollution Control Board; Andhra Pradesh and Kerala announce new measures to support farmers; Karnataka introduces new policy to regulate the mass increase of telecommunication towers; The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company invites bids for solar and wind energy projects; and more

Center – State relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a new farmer support scheme, YSR Rythu Bharosa, to replace the previous Telugu Desam Party government’s scheme, Annadaata Sukhibhava, beginning on October 15. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Bihar

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has announced an August 15, 2020 deadline for installing prepaid meters in the state to save energy and reduce power related complaints. Source: NDTV In detail: Press release (Hindi)

New Delhi

Continuing its efforts to establish an environment-friendly network, the Delhi Metro has become the first ever project in the country to receive power from a waste-to-energy plant. Source: Live Mint

Gujarat

In a bid to boost electric mobility, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation have entered into a partnership to establish infrastructure for electric vehicles in urban areas over a 10-year period. Source: The Hindu Business Line

To curb air pollution, the Gujarat government launched a pilot of the Emission Trading Scheme for Particulate Matter where a selected industry cluster in the Surat region will be allotted permits by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board for particulate matter emissions. Source: Financial Express In detail: Emissions Trading Scheme

Gujarat Industries Power Company Ltd has successfully bid for the 75 megawatts (MW) solar power project in the e-reverse auction conducted by the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. Source: Business Standard In detail: Regulatory filing

Haryana

The Haryana government has replaced the Economically Backward Persons in General Caste category in jobs and educational institutions with the Economically Weaker Sections reservation. Source: Business Standard

Karnataka

Karnataka has brought into effect the Telecommunication Infrastructure Towers Regulations 2019 policy to regulate the mushrooming of mobile towers in the state. Source: Times of India

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have signed a project funding agreement for a $335-million loan for Phase 2 of the Bangalore Metro rail project. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet passed a resolution to increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Classes from the existing 14 percent to 27 percent in the state. The move will breach the Supreme Court-mandated 50 percent cap to reach 63 percent. Source: NDTV

The Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Limited has issued an expression of interest inviting energy storage companies to set up a 500 MW project in Madhya Pradesh. Source: Mercom In detail: Expression of Interest

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has issued a request for selection, inviting bids from eligible parties for the purchase of 500 MW of wind power on a long-term contract from wind energy projects. Source: Sau Energy In detail: Tender details

The MSEDCL has issued a request for selection calling for the purchase of power on a long-term basis from 1,000 MW of grid-connected solar projects (phase III). Source: Mercom In detail: Tender details

Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., announced a $50 million expansion to its automotive electronics manufacturing plant in Chakan, near Pune, Maharashtra. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press release

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week.

Tamil Nadu

The central government, the state government, and the World Bank signed a loan agreement to provide $287 million for the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Program to improve the quality of health care, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, and fill equity gaps in reproductive and child health services in the state of Tamil Nadu. Source: Business Today In detail: Press Release

Telangana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has ordered its electricity distribution company to respond to its suo moto proceedings about meeting renewable purchase obligation targets as per regulations. Source: Mercom In detail: UPERC Order

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to allow entrepreneurs setting up micro, small, and medium enterprises in the state to implement their projects through a self-certification system for up to two years. Source: Economic Times

Jharkhand

As a part of their Street Light National Programme, EESL has issued a tender inviting bid for 24 watt LED Street Lights contract for all Gram Panchayats in the state of Jharkhand. KFW Development Bank will help fund part of the payment under this contract. Source: Sau Energy In detail: Street Lighting National Programme

Kerala

Two major relief measures for farmers in the state from the Kerala assembly have been announced. First, all banks under the Reserve Bank of India have been asked not to issue property attachment notices. Second, all loans of up to $2,880 taken by farmers from both cooperative and commercial banks will be written off. Source: Manorama

The Kerala State Electricity Board Limited has passed an order for the cancellation of a tender for 200 MW of ground-mounted solar power projects in Kerala. Source: Mercom

Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government sought $11.9 billion from the 15th Finance Commission including a pre-devolution revenue gap of $9 billion to the state. The state government has also sought $2.24 billion as grants-in-aid for intervention in critical sectors. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press release

Punjab

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh promised farmers eight hours of power supply every day for the remainder of the paddy season and 24 hour supply of power to all other categories of consumers. Source: Economic times In detail: Press release

Tripura

According to the new investment promotion policy, the state government will fully waive State Goods and Service Taxes under an industrial promotion subsidy, provide 5 percent subsidy on interest of bank loans and 25 percent subsidy on electricity bills incurred during production in their units. Source: The Sentinel Assam

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand became the first state in the country to start commercial production of electricity from pine needles using 16.4 percent of pine forest cover to generate 675 kilowatts of power. Source: Times of India