States Weekly: April 5, 2023

Big News: Goa announces a plan to do 100% renewables with the draft Goa State Energy Vision 2050; Kerala approves the Kerala Industrial & Commercial Policy 2023; Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand announce updated power tariffs for FY24; Odisha announces the OdishaExcise Policy 2023-24; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Kerala government approves the Kerala Industrial & Commercial Policy 2023. The new policy is focused on attracting Environmental Social Governance (ESG) investments, setting up new academic institutions, and developing cooperative and private industrial parks. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Kerala Industrial & Commercial Policy (Draft) 2022

Odisha Excise Department approves the new Odisha Excise Policy 2023-24. As per the policy, the liquor prices in Odisha are posited to increase by 5-10%. Additionally, the excise duty for Indian Made Foreign Liquor has also been marginally increased. Source: Business World; In detail: Excise Policy 2023-24

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Chhattisgarh announces a new unemployment allowance for the youth in the state. Under the scheme, the educated unemployed youth in the state will receive INR 2500 (~$30.44) per month. Source: The Week; In detail: Press release

Infrastructure & Governance  

Goa announces the Budget 2023-24, with an outlay of $3.3 billion. The budget is focused on reforming the education sector and revamping the mining sector in the state. Source: The Print; In detail: Goa Budget 2023-24

Oil & Gas  

Nothing Critical to report this week  

Water & Sanitation  

Nothing Critical to report this week  

Power & Renewable Energy  

Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission announces new power tariffs for 2023-24. According to the tariff, the state has hiked residential power tariffs by 5-10%. Additionally, the order has also rationalised the tariff for electric vehicle charging at $0.088 per unit for power utilities. Source: Times of India ; In detail: Press release

Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission announces new power tariffs for 2023-24. According to the announcement, there will be a 9.64% overall increase in power tariffs, and 11% rise in industrial tariffs. Source: Money Control; In detail: Tariff order

Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission announces new power tariffs for 2023-24. According to the tariff, the state has hiked energy charges by $0.0026 per unit for all categories of consumers, except electrical vehicle-charging stations. Source: Tribune; In detail: Tariff order

Uttar Pradesh approves the construction of power sub-stations under the green energy corridor (Phase-2) to evacuate electricity from non-conventional energy resources. The project aims to bring down carbon emissions by tapping non-conventional sources like solar and biogas. Source: Economic Times ; In detail: Press note (Invest UP)

Goa releases the draft Goa State Energy Vision 2050 with an aim to make Goa the first 100% renewable energy state in the country. The government aims to ensure that 50% of all ferries by 2025 are electric and 30% of all the new vehicles are electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. The policy also aims to create 10,000 additional jobs. Source: Herald

Goa launches an online portal for consumers to submit applications to install solar rooftop panels. The portal has been developed by the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) in association with the departments of new and renewable energy and electricity. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Health   

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center – State Relations  

Election Commission of India announces the dates for Karnataka assembly elections. The elections will be held in a single phase on May 10 and the counting will take place on May 13. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press release

Any Other   

Punjab cabinet increases the compensation allowance for farmers whose crops have been harmed due to natural calamities. Accordingly, the concerned farmers will receive a 25% hike in compensation per acre. Source: Tribune; In detail: Press release