Big News: Rajasthan launches its Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme; Punjab releases its draft Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022; Maharashtra becomes the first state to enable e-registrations of properties; Chhattisgarh approves its Chhattisgarh State Hydro-Electric Project (based on pump storage) Establishment Policy 2022; Gujarat releases its Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-27; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Andhra Pradesh gives approval to investment proposals of Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) worth $15.89 billion.

Source: Deccan Chronicle ; In detail: Cabinet decisions (In Telugu), Information Minister’s Press meet (Video on cabinet decisions)

Rajasthan launches its ‘Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme’ to provide 100 days of employment to urban families. Those in the 18 to 60 age group are eligible for the scheme under which at least 50 people in each ward of urban local bodies will be given employment. The government has allocated $100 million for the plan.

Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Uttar Pradesh approves its draft Uttar Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill 2022 to give relief to small tax payers (using settlement scheme) who fail to file tax returns. The amendment provides for extending the period of cancellation of registration up to three months after the end of respective financial year.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: UP Govt Press meet (Cabinet decisions)

Arunachal Pradesh passes The Arunachal Pradesh Goods & Services Tax (1st Amendment) Bill 2022. The legislation aims to enable administration of taxation under GST in a better and efficient manner.

Source: Arunachal 24; In detail: The Arunchal Pradesh Goods and services Tax (1st Amendment) Bill, 2022

Punjab releases its draft Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022, which aims to attract $62.7 billion investment for Punjab in five years and increase the share of secondary sector in GSDP to 30 per cent and tertiary sector to 62 per cent.

Source: Indian Express; In detail: Draft Punjab Industrial and Business Development Policy 2022

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Karnataka introduces the ‘Ease of Land Allotment’ system, according to which allotment of industrial land up to 10 acres need not come before the mandatory Land Audit Committee. Such investment proposals can now be directly presented before the State Level Clearance Committee.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Minister of Large and Medium scale Industries - Twitter

Maharashtra becomes the first state to enable e-registrations of properties to be sold by realty developers in a bid to digitize the process. Initially the facility will be enabled for e-registration of first sale agreements and resale transactions will not be part of it.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: e-registration portal, Department of Registration & Stamp News

Infrastructure & Governance

Chhattisgarh forms five new districts – Sakti, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan- Gandai districts.

Source: The Print; In detail: CMO Twitter; CMO Twitter; CMO Twitter

Meghalaya launched the online portal of its Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) 2016. The implementation of the digitized system will ensure the safety and security of the residents and also act as a strong intelligence-gathering system for authorities to monitor and act.

Source: East Mojo; In detail: Portal

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

Chhattisgarh approves its Chhattisgarh State Hydro-Electric Project (based on pump storage) Establishment Policy 2022. The policy aims to encourage investment for setting up pump storage based hydro power projects in the state.

Source: News Riveting; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Jammu and Kashmir approves an amnesty scheme for domestic power consumers in the union territory. The decision aims to benefit more than 550,000 domestic consumers by waiving off an amount of $117.5 million, accumulated as surcharge or interest, on account of non-payment of timely dues.

Source: Daily Excelsior; In detail: Press release

Nagaland launches its unified Roof-Top Solar (RTS) web portal for maximum use of solar energy and reduction in electricity bills for users in the residential sector.

Source: North East Now; In detail: Press release; RTS Portal

Health

Nothing Critical to report this week

Any Other

Gujarat releases its Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-27. The policy aims to present the state as a potential destination for film and documentary makers from Bollywood, Hollywood, and regional industries.

Source: Indian Express; In detail: Cinematic Tourism Policy 2022-27

Assam introduces its Assam Repealing Bill 2022 which will repeal 48 obsolete Acts including some framed as early as 1793.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: CMO Twitter

Center – State Relations

Ministry of Defense publishes a draft concept paper prescribing the technical parameters which may serve as a reference standard to estimate the image quality of drone survey output. The ministry requests feedback from the stakeholders in this regard for laying down uniform standards to evaluate quality of output of drone images for purpose of land survey.

Source: Economic Times; In detail: Draft Standards, Press release

Union Cabinet approves the ‘Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India’ (PM-SHRI) scheme for the upgradation of 14,500 schools across the country. The Centre will contribute $2.27 billion to the scheme, which is expected to benefit 1.8 million students.

Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press release

Ministry of Cooperation announces constitution of national level committee for drafting the national cooperation policy document. The new policy aims to strengthen the cooperative movement in the country, deepen its reach, and promote cooperative-based economic development model.

Source: Mint; In detail: Press release


Update Section

August 31, 2022

Arunachal Pradesh approves its Arunachal Pradesh Tenancy Bill 2022 which aims to create a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive rental housing market in the State.

Source: Arunachal24; In detail: Bill Details

Punjab approves its Punjab Food Grains Labour Policy 2022 and its revised Punjab Food Grains Transportation Policy 2022. The policies aim to ensure wider competitive participation, increased transparency, and reduction in frivolous litigation.

Source: Indian Express; In detail: Punjab Food Grains Labour Policy, Punjab Food Grains Transportation Policy