Posted on

Big News: 548 districts in lockdown amid COVID-19; Union Cabinet approves $5.3 billion worth electronic manufacturing schemes; Petrol and diesel get costlier in Rajasthan after a tax hike; Uttar Pradesh announces relief measures for 3.5 million daily wage workers; Upper House approves a budget of $13.45 billion for Jammu & Kashmir; Kerala announces $2.66 billion revival package to tackle COVID-19 fallout; and more.

Center – State relations

A total of 30 states and Union Territories have imposed complete lockdown, covering a total of 548 districts in the country, to contain the spread of coronavirus. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press Information Bureau Tweet

The government has announced a $1.86 billion package to counter COVID-19. The package would incentivize production of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and medical devices in the country. Source: Money Control In detail: Press Release (API), Press Release (Medical Devices)

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs makes spending of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for COVID-19 eligible under the CSR activity. Source: Economic Times In detail: Circular

The Union Cabinet has approved schemes worth $5.3 billion to boost domestic manufacturing of electronic components. Also, a $431 million scheme has been approved for promotion of electronic manufacturing. Source: Mint In detail: Press Release

Andhra Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Bihar

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission reduced power tariff by $0.0013 per kilowatt-hour across all the categories of consumers. The new tariff rates will be applicable across the state from April 1, 2020. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Tariff Order

New Delhi

Nothing critical to report.

Gujarat

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a draft order to initiate the regulatory process for determining the tariff for procuring power from biomass and bagasse-based co-generation projects. Source: Mercom In detail: Draft tariff order

Haryana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Karnataka

Bescom launched a solar housing scheme that promises to incentivize the generation of 1 kilovolt (kV) to 10 kV of electricity through rooftop solar systems. Source: Deccan Herald

Madhya Pradesh

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, swears in as Madhya Pradesh’s chief minister for the fourth time. Source: India Today

Maharashtra

Nothing critical to report this week.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government hikes the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel prices by 4 percent with effect from March 22. VAT on diesel prices will increase from 22 percent to 26 percent, whereas VAT on petrol will be increased from 30 to 34 percent. Source: Mint In detail: Notification

Tamil Nadu

Nothing critical to report this week.

Telangana

The state government issued guidelines for the Crop Loan Waiver-2018 scheme which will be applicable for all crop loans sanctioned or renewed on or after April 1, 2014 and outstanding as on December 11, 2018. Source: Telangana Today

Uttar Pradesh

The chief minister has announced relief measures for daily wage earners in the state. A monthly sum of $13.30 shall be provided to each of the 3.537 million workers on an immediate basis. Source: Business Line In Detail: State Press Release (Hindi)

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Jammu and Kashmir

The Upper House approved a bill for a budget of $13.45 billion for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21. Source: Economic Times In detail: Budget 2020-21

The Jammu and Kashmir administrative council has approved four sectoral policies to boost industrial growth in the state. The new policies for tourism, captive power, hydropower and renewable energy, and health care, are expected to facilitate ease of doing business in J&K. Source: The Tribune In detail: Press Release (Power, Tourism, Captive Power & Health); Press Release (IT/ITeS Policy)

Jharkhand

In order to reduce industrial emissions, the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board will implement the Star Rating Program with effect from June 5, 2020. The program will gather emission data from various industries in the state and rate the firms according to their compliance. Source: Indian Express In detail: Star Rating Program

Kerala

The Kerala government announced $2.66 billion package to tackle the impact of COVID-19. This includes a $66 million health package and $266 million worth loans and free ration. Source: BloombergQuint

Meghalaya

The Meghalaya chief minister tabled a $204 million deficit budget for 2020-21, projecting a total expenditure of $2.32 billion, including a developmental budget of $1.14 billion. Source: Deccan Herald In detail: Budget Speech

Tripura

Tripura deputy chief minister Jishnu Dev Varma presented a $2.65 billion tax-free budget for 2020-21. The budget proposed several schemes including setting up a NITI Aayog-type state body, new schemes for farmers, children, students, and rural residents. Source: North East Now In detail: Budget Speech