Big News: Center approves Odisha’s economic corridor; Telangana approves bills to simplify land deals; Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands top states’ startup ecosystem rankings; Andhra Pradesh raises tax on natural gas; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Central government approves the inclusion of Odisha Economic Corridor (OEC) in the national industrial corridor development program. OEC will be part of the first coastal economic corridor in the country and is expected to have $54 billion worth of manufacturing output.

Source: Times of India

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations

Madhya Pradesh government reduces the cess on stamp duty charged for registration of property to one percent from the current three percent in urban areas. This has been done to boost growth of the real estate sector in the state.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: CM’s Video Statement

Telangana government approves four bills that are expected to pave the way for digitization of land records and transactions. The bills are expected to empower citizens to transfer agricultural and non-agricultural properties at the click of a button.

Source: Telangana Today

In detail: Telangana Rights in Land and Pattadar Passbooks Bill 2020; Telangana Abolition of the Posts of Village Revenue Officers Bill 2020; Telangana Municipal Laws Amendment Bill 2020; Telangana Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill 2020

Infrastructure

Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands top the country in the latest state and union territories’ ranking of the startup ecosystem. The ranking exercise is an initiative by India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Startup Ranking

Maharashtra government increases the ready reckoner rates of properties by an average of 1.74 percent. The new rates will come into effect from September 1.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Order (In Marathi)

Himachal Pradesh government passes the bill that reduces the population criteria for upgrading a municipal council to a corporation from the present 50,000 to 40,000.

This paves the way for the creation of municipal corporations in Mandi, Solan, and Palampur.

Source: The Tribune

In detail: Assembly Decision (In Hindi)

Manipur government launches an electronic office file management system to do away with traditional paper work and ensure timely release of official files.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: CMO’s Tweet

Power & Renewable Energy

Tamil Nadu electricity regulatory commission has eased several procedures for agriculture power connections, including allowing farmers to shift an existing agricultural service connection from one place to another within the state.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press Release

Oil & Gas

Andhra Pradesh government enhances the tax rate on natural gas by 10 percent. The hike will come into force with immediate effect.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Government Order (#28)

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Health

Nothing critical to report this week

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week

Center – State relations

Central government proposes to notify rules to ensure minimum service standards to electricity consumers. The draft electricity rules seek to specify time limits for giving new electricity connections and addressing grievances.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Notification

Center issues a detailed advisory to state governments regarding the welfare of migrant workers returning to destination states in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: Wire

In detail: Advisory