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Big News: Nationwide lockdown is extended until May 17; Haryana approves MSME revival scheme; Madhya Pradesh amends Mandi Act; Delhi charges 70 percent extra tax on liquor; Haryana and Tamil Nadu hike taxes on fuels; and more.

Center – State relations

The center has extended the nationwide lockdown until May 17. The extension will see some relaxations based on the spread of the virus in the districts, identified as red (hotspot), green, and orange zones. Source: Economic Times In detail: Ministry of Home Affairs Order

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed draft regulations for determination of tariff from renewable energy sources. Source: Mercom In detail: CERC order

The center has announced the launch of a project monitoring unit to facilitate early operationalization of coal blocks. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press Information Bureau

Andhra Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

The Delhi government has announced a special corona fee on the sale of liquor, under which 70 percent more will be charged on the purchase of liquor. Source: NDTV In detail: Order

Gujarat

Nothing critical to report this week.

Haryana

The Haryana government increased the bus fare by $0.002 per kilometer, and hiked the value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel prices by $0.013 and $0.014 per liter respectively. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Press Release; Press Release

The Haryana cabinet has approved a scheme to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). The scheme will help MSME units pay wages to employees and retain them. Source: The Tribune In detail: Press Release

Karnataka

The state cabinet approved a new sand policy that allows extraction of sand from tanks, ponds, and lakebeds in rural areas. Source: Deccan Herald

Madhya Pradesh

The state government has amended the Mandi Act to allow farmers to sell their crops to private traders from home. Source: Times of India In detail: Press Release

Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank has approved a $346 million loan to the state of Maharashtra to provide reliable power connection in rural areas of the state. Source: Financial Express. In detail: Press Release

The Election Commission has announced that polling for nine seats of the state legislative council will be held on May 21. The polls were deferred on April 3 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press Release

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government hiked excise duty on liquor by 10 percentage points. The basic licence fee for sale of Country Liquor and Rajasthan Made Liquor (RML) was also raised.

Source: Mint In detail: Rajasthan Ministry of Finance

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has increased VAT on fuel. With the revised VAT, petrol and diesel prices have increased by $0.04 per liter and $0.03 per liter respectively.

Source: India Today In detail: Press Information Bureau Daily Bulletin

Telangana

The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission announced relief measures for consumers amidst the lockdown by offering relaxations on bill payment. Source: Business Line In detail: Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission

Uttar Pradesh

Nothing critical to report this week.

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Meghalaya

The Meghalaya government has decided to allow mining activities to resume from May 4 for domestic purpose and has barred the export outside the country. Source: Daijiworld

Nagaland

Nagaland has imposed a Covid-19 cess of $0.066 per liter on diesel and $0.079 per liter on petrol and other motor spirits. Source: Economic Times In detail: Government of Nagaland Finance Department