Big News

The center issues a third tender to create solar projects in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand to address more efficient use of empty land; Karnataka increases electricity bills following a request from electricity supply companies; Tamil Nadu accepts proposal to permit all shops to remain open for 24 hours a day; Chief ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Odisha sworn into office; and more.

Center – State relations

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), has issued a tender to set up 100 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The bid submission deadline is July 8, 2019. This is EESL’s third tender in response to an advisory from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to address the utilization of empty land near pooling substations. Source: Mercom In detail: Tender details

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has asked Coastal Gujarat Power, the Tata Power arm that runs the troubled 4,150 MW Mundra ultra-mega power plant, to send its proposal for tariff revision. Source: Financial Express

Andhra Pradesh

Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy was sworn in as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. Source: The Hindu Business Line

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited’s guidelines for the state’s Solar Rooftop Policy 2018 to promote the widespread use of solar power targeting a minimum total solar power capacity addition of 5,000 MW in the next five years. Source: Mercom In detail: Solar Rooftop Policy 2018

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

Nothing critical to report this week.

Gujarat

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd has received a Letter of Award from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) to develop a 100 MW solar project in the Raghanesda Solar Park. The energy generated will be supplied to GUVNL under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) valid for 25 years. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Haryana

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Haryana Power Purchase Centre have entered into a power sale agreement for the trade of power from 400 MW of solar projects. Source: Mercom

Karnataka

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved a request from the electricity supply companies to increase electricity bills by 0.5 cents (33 paisa) per unit, or kilowatt-hour. Source: Indian Express In detail: Tariff orders – 2019

Madhya Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has approved the signing of PPAs by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). In exchange for meeting the solar renewable purchase obligations, MERC approved the procurement of 1,000 MW of solar power for 25 years for MSEDCL. Source: Mercom In detail: Order details

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has accepted a proposal by Principal Secretary/Commissioner of Labour to permit all shops and establishments to stay open 24 hours every day of the year, provided they follow certain conditions. Source: The Hindu

For the second time, SECI has extended the bid submission deadline for the tender to set up 500 MW (Phase I) of grid-connected solar PV projects in Tamil Nadu on a Build Own Operate basis by a month. Source: Mercom

Telangana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government approved to float global tender for the Noida International Greenfield Airport project at Jewar, Greater Noida. Source: Business Standard

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Arunachal Pradesh

Senior BJP leader Pema Khandu took the oath as the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh. Source: Financial Express

Assam

The National Health Mission in Assam has launched an Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight campaign, targeting 3.4 million children. Source: Financial Express

Chhattisgarh

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $350 million loan to rehabilitate and upgrade state highways and major district roads in Chhattisgarh, which will improve connectivity, access to basic services and livelihood opportunities. The government will finance $171.69 million out of the total project cost of $521.69 million. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press Release

Goa

The Goa government has issued a notification regarding a hike in the electricity tariff for the next three months due to a levy of fuel and power purchase cost adjustment charges on domestic, industrial, and agriculture consumers. Source: Herald Goa

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh cabinet approved a proposal to provide 10 percent reservation to economically weaker sections of the society in Class I, II, III, and IV government jobs. The decision will benefit those who are not covered under the existing scheme of reservations for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and the Other Backward Classes. Source: Times of India

The state cabinet has approved the Himachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy 2019 which aims at redressal of issues impending industrial growth and ensure simplification of procedures, key physical and social infrastructure, human resource development, and access to credit and markets. Source: KNN

Jammu and Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir government unveiled Healthcare Investment Policy-2019 to promote and encourage private parties and entrepreneurs to set up healthcare infrastructure in the state by providing subsidies and incentives. Source: All India Radio

Kerala

The Kerala government will impose a tax of up to 1 percent on inter-state movement of goods and services from June to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by last year’s flood. Source: Business Standard

Meghalaya

The Fifteenth Finance Commission will visit Meghalaya and hold meetings with state government officials and representatives of urban and rural local bodies. Source: Business Standard

Mizoram

Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi has approved the Mizoram Liquor Prohibition Bill, 2019 after it was passed by the state assembly back in March imposing prohibition for the first time in four years in the state. Source: India Today

Odisha

Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik took oath as the chief minister of Odisha for a fifth consecutive term. Source: Financial Express

Puducherry

The Puducherry government has proposed to hike the existing power tariff by 4.59 percent with effect from June 1 for the financial year 2019-20. However, the additional surcharge levied currently at 4 percent will remain the same. Source: Times of India

Punjab

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission has raised the tariff for the financial year 2018-19 by 2.14 percent and increased fixed charges by $0.143 per kilowatt with effect from June 1. Source: The Tribune In detail: Tariff Order

Sikkim

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha president Prem Singh Tamang, took oath as the chief minister of Sikkim. Source: Economic Times