States Weekly: April 25, 2023

Big News: Ministry of Home Affairs facilitates the resolution of a border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh; Uttar Pradesh announces 100% stamp duty exemption on land purchase for solar plants, and IT and logistics parks; Delhi raises the minimum wage for workers in the unorganized sector; Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) releases the Wheeling and Banking Agreement Format for Renewable Energy Projects Under the KERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2022; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Nothing critical to report this week.  

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Uttar Pradesh government issues a notification for 100 per cent stamp duty exemption on the purchase or lease of land for new solar plants and IT and logistic parks under the Uttar Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Policy, 2022. The stamp duty exemption will last for at least 10 years and will be applicable throughout the state. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Pressrelease

Delhi raises the minimum wages of workers in the unorganised sector, to provide respite from inflation. The new rates of minimum wages will be effective from April 1. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Delhi Labour Minister’s Twitter

Tamil Nadu passes the Factories (Amendment) Act 2023 providing flexible working hours for employees in factories across the state. Source: NDTV; In detail: Gazette Notification

Goa Governor gives assent to the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill, 2023. The bill prohibits the sale of agricultural land for non-agriculture purposes without the Collector’s nod. The Act will come into force from April 18. Source: Herald Goa; In detail: Gazette notification

Infrastructure & Governance  

Kerala launches the Safe Kerala project that will use artificial intelligence (AI) cameras to identify traffic violations and impose fines in the state. The state Motor Vehicle Department has installed 726 AI-enabled cameras to track down the traffic rules violations. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release (in Malayalam)

Oil & Gas  

 Nothing critical to report this week. 

Water & Sanitation  

Kerala adopts a Water Budget with an aim to resolve the water scarcity in the state. The first phase of the project will cover 94 grama panchayats in 15 block panchayats. Source: Onmanorama; In detail: Press release (In Malayalam)

Power & Renewable Energy  

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) releases the Wheeling and Banking Agreement Format for Renewable Energy Projects Under the KERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2022. The regulations allow monthly energy banking for renewable energy generators with the aim of ensuring better grid stability and improved energy demand management. The new format also includes wheeling agreements for renewable energy projects under its green energy open access regulations. Source: Mercom; In detail: Regulations

Maharashtra government announces rent of $1523 per year to farmers willing to lease out land to the government for the installation of solar feeders for 30 years. The rent is designed to increase 3% annually. The farmers will retain the titles to their land. The decision is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply for farmers during daytime and promoting solar power-driven agriculture in the state. Source: Indian Express

Climate Change

Nothing critical to report this week.  

Health   

Nagaland receives permission from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to set up the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. The institute with 100 seats will be the first medical college to be set up in Nagaland. Source: Mangalorean; In detail: Press release

Center – State Relations  

Ministry of Civil Aviation launches UDAN 5.0, the fifth round of the regional air connectivity scheme to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas. The scheme increases the cap for viability gap funding from 500 kilometres to 600 kilometres stage length for both priority and non-priority areas. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press release

Ministry of Power proposes draft provisions in the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2023, thereby creating a subsidy accounting and payment framework. The draft provisions are aimed at ensuring the financial sustainability of distribution companies by standardizing the accounting and auditing procedures of distribution companies through standard operating procedures issued by the central government. Source: Mercom; In detail: Notification

Ministry of Communications launches 254 network towers to provide 4G mobile connectivity in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh. The towers will provide 4G coverage to 336 uncovered villages of the state and benefit 70 thousand subscribers are expected to be benefitted from the service. Source: News on Air; In detail: Press release

Ministry of Home Affairs facilitates a boundary agreement between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, thereby resolving 51-year-old border disputes between the states. Source: Times Now; In detail: Press release