By
Posted on

Big News: Assam and Rajasthan both announce new tourism policies; Chhattisgarh increases reservation in government jobs, and educational institutions; Karnataka allows for turbine replacements in wind projects; Goa offers an amnesty program for unpaid electric power bills; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Chhattisgarh cabinet approves proposal to amend the Chhattisgarh District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2015, to scrap the limits on expenditure on infrastructure works funded by the amount received in District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust.

Source: The Print; In detail: Press release

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothing Critical to report this week

Infrastructure & Governance

Rajasthan cabinet approves the Homeless Upliftment and Rehabilitation Policy, 2022, aimed at improving access to drinking water, medical facilities, fire safety measures and shelters for homeless persons.

Source: Business Standard; In detail: Cabinet decisions (in Hindi)

Chhattisgarh cabinet approves the drafts of the Chhattisgarh Public Service (Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes Reservation) Amendment Act and an amendment bill related to admission in educational institutions. The amendments seek to increase the reservation in educational institutions and government jobs.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Climate Change

Nothing Critical to report this week

Oil & Gas

Nothing Critical to report this week

Water & Sanitation

Nothing Critical to report this week

Power & Renewable Energy

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) rules that all existing wind projects in the state can undergo repowering, and replace outdated turbines. The Commission also lays out temporary alternative mechanisms for power procurement during the repowering exercise.

Source: Mercom; In detail: Draft KERC (Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources) (Ninth Amendment) Regulations, 2022

Goa cabinet reintroduces the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Electricity Bills aiming to collect pending power dues amounting to $49.1 million. The scheme was originally launched in 2020.

Source: Devdiscourse; In detail: One Time Settlement Scheme, 2020, Government of Goa

Health

Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar launches the Chirayu Haryana (comprehensive health insurance of Antyodaya units) scheme for 2.9 million beneficiaries with an annual income limit of $2,202 in the state.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Haryana Government Twitter

Center – State Relations

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change amends the Island Coastal Regulation Zone notification and the Coastal Regulations Zone notifications, 2019. The amendments aim to permit constructing beach ‘shacks’ across all coastal states, allowing leeway to traditional communities and delegating power to states for local infrastructure projects along the coast. Additionally, the ministry removes its prior proposal to exempt exploratory drilling for oil and natural gas in coastal areas from coastal zone regulatory approval.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Notification

Any Other

Assam announces new Assam Tourism Policy, 2022 aiming to expand tourism in the state.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Minister of Tourism’s Twitter

Rajasthan cabinet approves the Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme, 2022 aiming to generate employment opportunities by developing rural guest houses, and promoting agricultural tourism units, camping sites, and caravan parks.

Source: Business Standard; In detail: Cabinet decisions (in Hindi)