Big News: Karnataka passes bill to increase borrowing limit; Odisha raises electricity tariffs; Uttarakhand passes labor and industrial reform bills; Jharkhand waives fixed charges on electricity bills; Election Commission releases Bihar assembly election schedule; And more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Gujarat assembly passes a bill amending the Gujarat Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1963. The amendments will allow farmers to sell their yields anywhere in the state.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Gujarat APMC ordinance, 2020

Land Acquisition & Labor Reforms

Karnataka legislative assembly passes Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2020 to remove restrictions on purchase of agricultural land.

Source: Business Standard

In detail: Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2020

Karnataka government unveils Tourism Policy 2020-2025. The policy seeks to create a tourism land bank and allow private players to lease land.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: CM’s Tweet

Uttarakhand assembly passes amendments ushering labor and industrial reforms. The amendments include, among others, payment of a minimum bonus to employees and exemptions from labor safety norms.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Agenda (In Hindi)

Infrastructure

Karnataka legislative assembly amends the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2002, which will enable the state government to increase its fiscal deficit limit from three percent to five percent.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Assembly Proceedings (in Kannada)

Power & Renewable Energy

Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission announces generic tariffs for rooftop and small solar projects under the PM-KUSUM scheme with a subsidy rate of 80 percent.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Tariff order

Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission approves a raise in power tariff by $0.002 per unit of electricity consumed. The revision will be applicable from October 1, 2020 onwards.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Tariff order

Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission waives monthly fixed charges for all industrial and commercial consumers for the months of April, May, and June in 2020.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: JSERC order

Oil & Gas

Nothing critical to report this week.

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Health

Nothing critical to report this week.

Business Negative Reforms

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Bihar assembly elections will be conducted in three phases on October 28, November 3, and November 7, with results being announced on November 10.

Source: Times Now

In detail: Election Schedule

Center-State Relations

Parliament passes three labor reform bills. The bills are expected to provide: greater flexibility to employers in hiring and firing employees; social security to informal workers; and greater occupational safety.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: The Occupational Safety, Health And Working Conditions Code, 2020,

The Code on Social Security, 2020, The Industrial Relations Code, 2020

Central government releases draft bidding guidelines for the privatisation of state-run power distribution companies.

Source: Financial Express

In detail: Draft guidelines