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Big News: Maharashtra announces revival policy for loss-making sugar factories; Karnataka’s information technology policy aims to boost growth in tier two and tier three cities; Andhra Pradesh tops states’ ease of doing business rankings; Tamil Nadu makes violation of Covid-19 norms a compoundable offence; Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand lead in broadband readiness index; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Maharashtra government releases a comprehensive policy for reviving ailing sugar factories. Per the policy, cooperative factories can purchase stressed sugar enterprises on build own operate transfer (BOOT) model. BOOT is a type of public-private partnership model.

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Government Resolution (In Marathi)

Karnataka unveils its new information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services policy (ITeS), giving small technology firms a slew of incentives to set up shop in tier two and tier three cities of the state. Incentives include capital investment subsidy of 25 percent on land.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Tweet on IT Policy

Tamil Nadu government announces a new electronics and hardware manufacturing policy that aims to increase the state’s electronics industry output to $100 billion by 2025. The policy also aims to undertake skills training for more than 1,00,000 people by 2024.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Electronics Hardware Manufacturing Policy 2020

Jammu and Kashmir administration withdraws the additional excise duty of 50 percent levied on liquor.

Source: India.com

In detail: Excise Notification

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week

Infrastructure

Andhra Pradesh tops the country in the latest states’ ease of doing business rankings (EODB). EODB is a joint initiative by the World Bank and India’s Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Press Release; DIPP - Ranking

Jammu and Kashmir administration notifies ITeS Policy. The policy is in force with immediate effect and will remain applicable for a period of ten years.

Source: Daily Excelsior

In detail: JK IT and ITES Policy

Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand lead in Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) prepared by the Department of Telecommunications. The BRI analyzes the state’s readiness to adopt the fixed line network.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: BRI March 2020 Report

Power & RE

Nothing critical to report this week

Oil & Gas

Nothing critical to report this week

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Health

Tamil Nadu government promulgates a public health ordinance which makes violation of Covid-19 norms a compoundable offence. This will allow the authorities to levy a spot fine or file a charge sheet against the violators.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Ordinance

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Centre – State relations

The Reserve Bank of India revises guidelines for priority sector lending (PSL). Loans to farmers for installation of solar power plants for solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps; loans to farmers for setting up compressed bio-gas plants; and loans to start-ups have been included as fresh categories eligible for finance under PSL.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: RBI Notifications

The Ministry of Power launches green term ahead market (GTAM) for electricity trade. GTAM is an energy market product which facilitates bilateral transactions of renewable energy while ensuring competitive pricing, and transparent and flexible renewable energy procurement.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Press Release