States Weekly: April 8, 2026

Big News: Tamil Nadu releases draft Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026; Karnataka passes the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas 2.0 (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026; The Union government introduces and passes the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2026; and more.

Health 

Karnataka issues fresh guidelines for private healthcare institutions to reinforce mandatory reporting of juvenile sexual abuse cases. The directive highlights provisions of Section 19 (1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POSCO) Act, 2012, which mandates that any person with knowledge or suspicion of an offense must report it to the local police.

Source: Times of India

Karnataka announces the establishment of ‘Samagra Samalochana Kendra’ (Comprehensive Review Centers). These integrated counseling centers will streamline services across all government health facilities, from district hospitals to community health centers.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Samagra Samalochana Kendra (1)& (2)

Tamil Nadu releases draft Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026. The regulations aim at ensuring minimum quality standards for mental health services and defining the qualifications required for personnel working in mental health establishments.

Source: The South First

In detail: Draft State Mental Healthcare Regulations, 2026

Climate Change and Energy

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill proposes a tax on all electric cars and buses, withdrawing an exemption introduced to promote cleaner mobility. Under the revised tax structure, the tax on EVs will range from 5 to 8 percent, based on the vehicle cost.

Source: The Indian Express

In detail: Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2026

Maharashtra renews MERC (Terms and Conditions for Determination of Renewable Energy Tariff) Regulations, 2019. The regulations, issued by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) approve a generic tariff of ~$0.030 (INR 2.82)/kWh for surplus rooftop solar power, along with variable charges of ~$0.073 (INR 6.85)/kWh for biomass projects and ~$0.056 (INR 5.29)/kWh for non-fossil fuel-based co-generation projects for financial year (FY) 2026–27.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Tariff Order

Rajasthan notifies RERC (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2026. The regulations issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) outline a mechanism for demand forecasting, generation planning, procurement, and compliance to ensure reliable power supply while integrating renewable energy.

Source: Saur Energy

In detail: Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2026

Himachal Pradesh reduces HPERC Tariffs across all consumer categories for the FY 2026-27. The tariffs, ordered by the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) will come into force by April 1, 2026 reduce energy charges for domestic-category power consumers with electricity consumption between 0 and 60 units to ~$0.050 (INR 4.71)/kWh from ~$0.050 (INR 4.72)/kWh.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Press note

Jharkhand revises (JSERC) Power Tariffs for areas served by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for FY 2026-27. The tariffs ordered by the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) have increased by 40 percent.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Tariff order

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Maharashtra announces a “Self-Certification System.” 20 of the state’s 33 industrial permits have now been shifted to a self-certification system.

Source: Swarajya

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Gujarat amends Section 135-D of the Gujarat Land Revenue Act, 1879. Under the revised rules, if a land record is up to one year old, the wait time to process land transactions has been reduced from 30 days to 7 days.

Source: Gujarat Samachar

In detail: Press Release

Karnataka issues draft amendments to theBengaluru City Corporation Building Bye-Laws, 2003. The revised rules propose an increase in the deviation of building plans from the existing 5 percent to 15 percent, which will be applicable across five corporations in Bengaluru.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Draft Bengaluru City Corporation Building (Amendment) Byelaws 2026 (1)& (2)

Infrastructure and Governance

Madhya Pradesh approves an increase in dearness allowances. The state approves a 3 percent increase for government employees.

Source: The News Mill

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Madhya Pradesh introduces the Shaurya Sankalp Training Scheme for Other Backwards Classes (OBC). The training aims to equip young people for a career in law enforcement and the armed forces. Eligible male candidates will receive a stipend of $10.76 (INR 1,000) per month, while female candidates will receive $11.83 (INR 1,100) monthly during the training.

Source: The News Mill

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Private Universities Bill, 2026. The bill allows for the establishment, incorporation, and regulation of private universities in the Union Territory. 

Source: Kashmir Observer

In detail: Press Release

Jammu and Kashmir passes the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas 2.0 (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. The bill decriminalizes and rationalizes a number of offenses and promotes ease of living and ease of doing business.

Source: Kashmir Observer

In detail: Press Release

Odisha increases reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in medical and technical education. The quota for Scheduled Tribes had been raised to 22.5 percent from 12 percent while that for Scheduled Castes has increased to 16.25 percent from 8 percent.

Source: Scroll.in

Water and Sanitation

Himachal Pradesh abolishes slab-based and category-wise water tariff structures and introduces a uniform pricing system for all water consumers. Consumers in Himachal Pradesh will now be billed strictly based on the total volume of water used, without any slab-based concessions.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Notification

Maharashtra establishes the Maharashtra State River Rejuvenation Authority. Headed by the Chief Minister, the body will oversee conservation projects, sewage treatment, and pollution control in rivers and water bodies.

Source: The Statesman

Center – State Relations

The Union government introduces and passes the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. With the passage of the bill, Amaravati will now be the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Source: News on AIR

In detail: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Any Other

Himachal Pradesh passes the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2026. The bill introduces a provision to deny pension benefits to legislators disqualified under the anti-defection law.

Source: India Today

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Allowances and Pension of Members) Amendment Bill, 2026