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Uttar Pradesh approves privatization of power distribution in five cities; Telugu Desam Party exits the National Democratic Alliance; Haryana launches new policies on parking and interface with banks; Arunachal promises land ownership rights to its indigenous population; Kerala announces new tourism policy; and more.

Center-State relations

The central government is welcoming expressions of interest to execute a pod taxi project at the Delhi-Gurgaon corridor, India's first personal rapid transport project. The project is mandated to follow automated people movers (APM) standards set by the U.S.-based American Society of Civil Engineers. Source: Business Standard In Detail: Automated People Movers Standards

Andhra Pradesh

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is commissioning a 600 megawatt (MW) coal-based thermal power plant at the Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project in Andhra Pradesh. Source: Business Standard In Detail: Press Release

The Telugu Desam Party has formally exited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance. Source: The Hindu Business Line In Detail: Andhra Pradesh Re-Organization Act, 2014 **, ** Resolution on Implementation of Andhra Pradesh Re-Organization Act 2014 (In Telugu)

The Andhra Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Malaysia-based Belfrics Global for the application of blockchain in government operations and to set up an academy with the Gitam University in Vishakhapatnam. Source: Economic Times

The Andhra Pradesh Multidimensional Poverty (MPI) Index Report 2017 places the state at the 51st rank globally, 15 positions ahead of India's average index score. Source: The Hindu

Bihar

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi inaugurated the state's first start-up hub, which will be made available for 31 start-ups. Source: Financial Express

Bihar, along with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), has installed 4,611 smart LED lights in Ara and will save 2.7 million kilowatt-hours of energy every year. Source: Business Standard

New Delhi

Delhi's power distribution companies (discoms) are going to procure 350 MW of wind energy at three cents per unit to meet the city's power demand. Source: Hindustan Times

Gujarat

Suzlon Energy has won two wind power projects in Kutch, Gujarat and will install 238 units of S111 140 meter wind turbine generators of 2.1 MW each. Source: Business Standard In Detail: Press Release

Gujarat has opened its second wind power auction for 500 MW which will be open to overseas investors provided they create a special purpose vehicle under India's Companies Act. Source: Wind Power Monthly

Haryana

Haryana announces the state's new policy on interface with new provisions for transactions with the government for new and existing initiatives. Source: Times of India In Detail: Policy on interface with Banks

Haryana government has framed a Parking Policy to avoid unauthorised parking on roads, and allow using approved vacant plots as temporary parking lots. Source: United News of India

The Haryana state assembly passed an amendment to allow the provision of a death penalty sentence to those found guilty of raping girls of 12 years of age or younger. Source: The Quint

Karnataka

NTPC Ltd commissioned the third 800 MW unit of the Kudgi super thermal power plant at Bijapur in Karnataka. Source: Economic times

The Karnataka government has launched a program to offer free cooking gas connections to the poor under its Mukhyamantri Anila Bhagya Yojana (MMAY) modelled after a similar program at the center. Source: Business Standard

Madhya Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) is working on a $20 million project to expand and strengthen power infrastructure in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Kalyan-Dombivli. Source: Times of India

Suzlon won an order for a 75 megawatt (MW) wind energy project from an independent power producer through an MSEDCL bid. Source: Economic Times In Detail: Press Release

The Maharashtra government has introduced a new bill in the assembly regarding infrastructure projects involving underground pipelines and ducts. This will allow the government to offer damages and losses when the projects interfere with private land, but no provision for a civil court law suit. Source: Hindustan Times

Rajasthan

Nothing critical to report this week

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government signed two MOUs with the Australian government to improve seafood production and to strengthen road safety and management. Source: The Hindu Business Line

Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister and finance minister O. Panneerselvam released the state's budget for the financial year 2018-19. Source: Live Mint In Detail: Tamil Nadu Budget 2018-19

Suzlon Group will install and commission its new S128 product, the largest wind turbine generator in India, at the Sanganeri site in Tamil Nadu. Source: Money Control In Detail: Press Release

Telangana

Telangana presented a surplus budget for 2018-19, proposing an expenditure of $26.7 billion, an increase of 16.57 percent over the previous year. Source: Economic times In Detail: Telangana Budget in Brief

Suzlon has announced it has commissioned 210 MW solar power generation project in Telangana through the competitive bidding process.

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh state cabinet approved a proposal handing electricity distribution in five Pradesh cities- Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur- to private franchisees. Source: Hindustan Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron of France inaugurated Uttar Pradesh's biggest solar power plant of 75 MW (101DC) capacity in Mirzapur. France co-hosted the first International Solar Alliance summit early March in New Delhi. Source: Economic Times

The Uttar Pradesh government approved its wheat purchase policy defining a minimum support price (MSP), and will assure that payment to the farmers is done online and within 72 hours of the purchase. Source: Daily Pioneer

West Bengal

According to a Comptroller and Auditor General report, West Bengal's 70 working state-owned public sector undertakings contributed 2.92 percent to the State gross domestic product with an aggregate turnover of $4.65 billion in fiscal year 2016. Source: Daily News and Analysis

Best of the Rest

Kerala

The Kerala government announced its new tourism policy focusing on sustainability initiative with a target of doubling foreign tourist numbers in five years. Source: Economic Times

Arunachal Pradesh

The Arunachal Pradesh state cabinet has passed a law which will allow the indigenous tribal population to have ownership rights over their land. Source: Hindustan Times

Odisha

The Odisha government is collaborating with Thailand-based Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) to strengthening its early warning services and enhancing preparedness for management of hazards in the state. Source: The Hindu