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Big News: Government removes tariff cap on renewable energy auctions; Karnataka allocates $1.1 billion to decongest Bengaluru; Maharashtra reduces electricity duty on industrial use; Tamil Nadu launches health reform program with $287 million fund support; Model code of conduct in force in Andhra Pradesh; Punjab’s new land lease policy makes 10 percent growth mandatory for panchayat officer; and more

Center – State relations

The central government removes tariff caps for solar, wind power auctions. The move is expected to boost investments in renewable energy projects. In the past, the tariff caps have ranged from $0.04 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $0.05 per kWh. Source: Business Standard

The government has approved a grant of $64 million to waste-to-energy scheme. Under the revised guidelines for its waste to energy program, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has included municipal solid waste-based projects. Source: Mercom In detail: MNRE Guidelines

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh local body elections will be held from March 21 to March 29. With the schedule notification released, the election code of conduct has come into effect. Source: Times of India In detail: Schedule Notification

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

Nothing critical to report this week.

Gujarat

Nothing critical to report this week.

Haryana

The Haryana assembly passed eight bills on the last day of the budget session including, Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which allows renewal of license, granted under the previous act, for 5 years. Source: Outlook In detail: List of Business

Karnataka

Karnataka budget allocates $1.1 billion for improving Bengaluru’s infrastructure. Transit based development and essential regulatory measures will be taken up with an objective of increasing the utilization of public transport. Source: Business Line In detail: Budget 2020-21

Madhya Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s budget includes reduction in electricity duty on industrial use from 9.3 percent to 7.5 percent of the consumption charges, tax increase on petrol and diesel by $0.01 per liter, and $810 million allocation for a special skill development scheme. Source: Mint In detail: Budget 2020-21

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu launched the Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Program with $287 million in funding support from the World Bank. The program aims to improve quality of care, management of non-communicable diseases, and reduce equity gaps in child health. Source: The Hindu In detail: Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Program

A grant-in-aid of $9 million has been sanctioned for eight projects under the “Agro Processing Cluster Scheme” of the Food Processing Ministry’s Kisan SAMPADAYojana. These projects are likely to generate employment for around 8,000 people and benefit 32,000 farmers. Source: The Hindu Business Line In detail: Press Release

Telangana

Telangana budget announces an allocation of $1.89 billion for an investment support scheme for farmers, an allocation of $1.58 billion for social security pensions, and $1.4 billion allocation for a housing scheme for the poor. Source: Indian Express In detail: Budget 2020-21

Uttar Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Arunachal Pradesh

The state presented a $98.24 million deficit budget with a major thrust on agriculture and allied sectors, health, women empowerment, and infrastructure development. Source: The Sentinel In detail: Budget 2020-21

Assam

Assam’s budget proposed a series of cash incentives including, a $1.3 billion sop to 2.7 million poor households, free rice to 5.8 million households, and free electricity to all households with a monthly consumption of less than 30 kWh. Source: East Mojo In detail: Budget 2020-21

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh budget introduces a $688 million scheme for farmers, with a provision of $310 million for free power supply to agricultural pumps. The budget also allocates $60 million for building 1,176 biogas plants. Source: Jagran In detail: Budget 2020-21

Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh government presented a $6.6 billion budget for FY 2020-21, with more focus on road and air connectivity, housing for poor and scheduled castes, and quality education. Source: Economic Times In detail: Budget 2020-21

Jammu and Kashmir

The state launched the Student Health Card to improve the health and overall well-being of over 1.2 million students. The initiative is part of the government’s comprehensive school health education plan to ensure better healthcare for school children. Source: The Tribune In detail: Press Release

Jharkhand

Jharkhand’s budget of $11.6 billion includes free electricity for the first 100 kWh, or units, for low-use households, farm loan wavers, and assistance for medical treatments. Source: Jagran In detail: Budget 2020-21

Punjab

Punjab’s Rural Development and Panchayat department released a new land lease policy that makes a growth of minimum 10 percent mandatory for every block development and panchayat officer. Source: Times of India