States Update: October 23, 2019

Big News

State election results for Maharashtra & Haryana come out on Thursday, October 24. Karnataka tops innovation ranking; Andhra Pradesh approves tariffs for three solar parks; air quality worsens in Delhi; Gujarat revises port policy; Madhya Pradesh reduces documents required for real estate transactions, launches a Startup Policy, and approves a new Electric Vehicle Policy; Rajasthan to be sanctioned for not honoring renewable purchase obligation; Uttar Pradesh proposes new standards of performance for discoms; Jammu and Kashmir government issues formal orders for abolition of legislative council; and more

Center – State relations

Karnataka tops the first-ever innovation ranking of states, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, according to NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index 2019. This index measures the innovation ecosystem of Indian states and union territories in order to help policymakers design policies that drive innovation across regions. Source: Business Standard In detail: India Innovation Index

Eight road-owning agencies under state governments signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the National Highways Authority of India, which will allow for use of FASTags (smart cards) to pay toll charges even on state roads. Source: Times of India In detail: Press Release

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government launched a scheme called YSR Navodayam to bail out micro, small, and medium enterprises in the state and provide financial relief by restructuring bank loans before March 31, 2020. Source: The Hindu Business Line

In a respite for renewable developers in the state, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Authority has approved tariffs for three solar park projects. Source: Mercom

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

The air quality in Delhi has worsened from an air quality index of 161 to 258, now reaching the “poor” air quality distinction. Source: NDTV

Gujarat

In a bid to boost infrastructure and attract investment in the port and logistics sector, the Gujarat government has revised its 1995 port policy and removed restrictions on 33 private jetties, allowing them to handle third-party cargo. Source: The Hindu

Haryana

The Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority said Haryana’s two coal-based power plants in the national capital region will be shut down if they fail to comply with emission norms by next year. Source: Economic Times

Karnataka

The Dutch government and government of Karnataka have formed a bilateral partnership in order to co-create innovative solutions in the fields of life sciences and healthcare, horticulture and agriculture visited the city. Source: The Hindu

Madhya Pradesh

In a bid to cut down on red-tape, the Madhya Pradesh government on October 15 reduced the required number of the documents for submission from 27 to five under the Real Estate Policy 2019. Source: Money Control

The state cabinet approved new pro-innovation policies including: Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy; Madhya Pradesh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Policy, 2019; and important amendments in the Madhya Pradesh Industry Promotion Policy 2014. Source: Times of India, DB Post

The state cabinet approved Electric Vehicle Policy 2019, making plans to introduce 2,200 electric buses into the public transport system in the next four years. Source: Economic Times In detail: Draft Madhya Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy 2019

The state cabinet led by Chief Minister Kamal Nath approved amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Minor Minerals Rules 1996, making it possible for large investors to directly obtain excavation leases. Source: Times of India In detail: Madhya Pradesh Minor Minerals Rule

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s procurement of 50 megawatts of bagasse-based co-generation power. Source: Mercom In detail: MERC Orders index

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued amended regulations for the Forecasting, Scheduling and Deviation Settlement of Solar and Wind Generation Sources Regulations, 2017. Source: Mercom In detail: Amendments

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission will issue nine companies notices for the non-compliance with the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) order. Source: Mercom

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government has raised the dearness allowance for its employees by 5 percent with effect from July. Source: Times of India In detail: Dearness Allowance to State Government Pensioners

Telangana

The Finance and Planning departments of Telangana government signed a tripartite MOU with the Center for Effective Governance of Indian States for “improving socio-economic outcomes and quality of public expenditure” in the state. Source: Business Standard

The Bitfury Group, the largest full-service blockchain technology company in the world, will establish a blockchain research and innovation center in Hyderabad in partnership with Telengana’s Blockchain District and the Indian School of Business. Source: CNBCTV18

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation staff called a state-wide shutdown. Early reports say that over 48,000 employees who joined the protests have now been fired by the government. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Electricity Regulatory Commission recently approved the power sale agreements between the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and Solar Energy Corporation of India at a tariff rate of $0.036 per kilowatt-hour, or unit, for 25 years. Source: Mercom In detail: UPERC order

The UP Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed new standards of performance for distribution companies, making them liable to pay fines for poor or disrupted service. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Draft UPERC standards of performance regulations

West Bengal

Nothing critical to report this week.

Best of the Rest

Goa

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant announced the signing of 17 MOUs promoting and facilitating various business ventures in Goa at the Vibrant Goa Global Expo 2019. Source: NDTV

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir government issued formal orders for abolition of the legislative council and the opening of a new administrative secretariat in Ladakh under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which was passed in August. Source: Economic Times

The Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Schedule Tribes and Other Backward Classes Development Corporation has signed an MOU with the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation, New Delhi in an effort to raise the socio-economic profile of the minorities of the state. Source: Daily Excelsior

Manipur

Tensions are rising between the Tangkhul Nagas and the Kuki tribes inhabiting the hill areas of Manipur, leading the Manipur government to ask all police stations and paramilitary forces stationed across the state to be ready for any emergency. Source: The Wire

Odisha

The state government has issued notification for online auction of nine more mining blocks in Odisha. This is the third auction notice in the last 15 days. Source: Times of India

Tripura

In the wake of widespread protests, Tripura finance minister Jishnu Devvarman defended his government’s move to impose a 6 percent Electricity Duty, claiming the duty will not affect the poor because 52 percent of the population will be exempt. Source: Indian Express

Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission has allowed the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited to carry forward the surplus non-solar RPOs of the financial year 2019-20 to meet the deficit of non-solar and solar RPO. Source: Mercom

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