Big News: Tamil Nadu exempts electric vehicles from motor tax; Haryana allows 50 percent reservation for women in local polls; Karnataka announces a hike in electricity tariff; Maharashtra grants industry status to the hospitality sector; Chhattisgarh introduces a new industrial policy; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Tamil Nadu announces a range of incentives for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). The incentives include exempting the stamp duty and reducing the registration fee on loans availed by MSME. Source: Times of India

Haryana exempts industries from electricity duty for 20 years in its Haryana Enterprises and Employment Policy, 2020. Source: Mint In detail: Press Release; Policy Draft

Chhattisgarh introduces a new industrial policy to incentivize investments in sponge iron and steel sectors. Source: Business World In detail: Chief Minister’s Tweet

Maharashtra grants industry status to the hospitality sector. The new status makes the sector eligible for incentives including rebates on electricity charges, water tax, and property tax. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet Decision (In Marathi)

Uttar Pradesh reduces mandi tax to one percent. Farmers and related traders will now pay a total of 1.5 percent mandi tax instead of the earlier 2.5 percent. Source: NDTV In detail: Tweet

Land Acquisition & Labor Reforms

Tamil Nadu allows industries to acquire land despite any violations of the land act by the seller. Source: The Hindu

Infrastructure & Governance

Haryana announces a rental housing policy for housing local and migrant workers. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Rental Housing Policy

Tamil Nadu offers 100 percent motor vehicle tax exemption for electric vehicles. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Guidance Tamil Nadu’s Tweet

Haryana allows 50 percent reservation for women in panchayat elections within the state. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Chief Minister’s Bill

Power & Renewable Energy

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission announces a 5.4 percent increase in power tariff. The hike is effective from November 1, 2020. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Tariff Order

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission issues regulations for determining tariffs for renewable energy-based power sources for 2020. Source: Mercom; In detail: Regulations

Oil & Gas

Nothing critical to report this week

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Health

Nothing critical to report this week

Business Negative Reforms

Haryana passes a bill to allow 75 percent reservation in the private sector for locally domiciled candidates. The reservation is applicable to jobs that offer a salary of less than $675 a month. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Chief Minister’s Tweet

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week

Center – State relations

Nothing critical to report this week