States Weekly: August 19, 2026

Big News: Odisha amends their Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP), 2022; Haryana publishes a Haryana Progressive MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Export Promotion Policy 2026; Odisha amends the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy; West Bengal passes the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026; Arunachal Pradesh scraps their 80:20 reservation policy; and more.

Health 

Haryana amends its nursing home policy. The amendment facilitates the expansion of health services in residential areas and enables licensed doctors to set up nursing homes on residential plots in planned neighborhoods.

Source: Daily Excelsior

In detail: Press Release

Karnataka approves the 'Sandhya Kiran' (Evening Ray) Healthcare Scheme. The scheme is designed for pensioners below the age of 70 and their eligible dependents, and will provide cashless treatment of up to $5, 230 (INR 5 lakhs) a year.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Sandhya Kiran Healthcare Scheme

West Bengal formally implements ‘Ayushman Bharat’ (Healthy India) along with the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme. Under the two schemes, beneficiaries will be able to secure cashless treatment for around 1,950 diseases, including knee and hip replacements.

Source: The Statesman

In detail: Notification

Himachal Pradesh approves a 78 percent increase in the monthly salaries of contract and trainee medical officers (specialists). The increase aims to encourage specialist doctors to serve in government healthcare institutions and help ensure the availability of quality healthcare services in remote areas.

Source: Mint

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar introduces the (BERC) Draft Bihar Electricity Grid Code, 2026. The Code, issued by the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) includes changes in statutory requirements and updated regulations and guidelines in line with those issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Draft Bihar Electricity Grid Code, 2026

Delhi allows utility companies (DISCOMs) to recover higher Fuel and Power Purchase Adjustment Surcharge (FPPAS) for June 2026. The order, issued by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), cites a sharp increase in actual power purchase costs.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) Order

Rajasthan implements the Rajasthan Land Revenue (Allotment of Land for setting up of Power Plant based on Renewable Energy Sources) Rules, 2007. The rules establish a framework for allocating land to large-scale renewable energy projects, renewable energy parks, and green hydrogen projects with a capacity of 1,000 MW or more.

Source: Economic Times

Telangana announces an ‘Autorickshaw’ (Tuk-Tuk) Electric Conversion Scheme. The scheme offers owners a subsidy of up to $1569 (INR 1.5 lakh) per vehicle to convert their tuk-tuk's into electric vehicles or replace them with new e-vehicles. The scheme will cover the approximately 18,766 petrol and diesel-operated tuk-tuk's operating within Hyderabad’s Core Urban Region (CURE).

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Goa notifies their Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Promotion Scheme. The scheme provides financial assistance for installation of a grid-connected solar rooftop system with net metering from 1kWp up to 10kWp for residential consumers, 90kWp for Resident Welfare Association (RWA)’s and from 1kWp to 90kWp for all other types of consumers.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Press Release

Himachal Pradesh imposes a “Widow and Orphan Cess (Tax)” of 60 cents per 0.26 gallons (1 liter) on petrol and high-speed diesel. The revenue generated will support welfare schemes for widows and orphaned children.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Himachal Pradesh Widow and Orphan Cess

Meghalaya publishes their (MSERC) Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC) introduce a new regulatory framework for electricity tariff determination.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Multi Year Tariff) Regulations, 2026

Odisha amends their Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP), 2022. The amendments aim to accelerate renewable energy development by bringing Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), wind energy, and Pumped Storage Project (PSP) projects under its ambit.

Source: Saur Energy

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Andhra Pradesh updates their State’s Compliance Reduction and Deregulation Phase-II Initiative. New rules allow entrepreneurs to obtain key statutory approvals immediately after receiving the “Final Allotment Order” from the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), without waiting for land consolidation to be completed.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Compliance Reduction and Deregulation Phase-II Notification

Haryana publishes a Haryana Progressive MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Export Promotion Policy 2026. The policy aims to attract over $5.75 billion (INR 55,000 crore) in manufacturing investment, create over 500,000 new jobs, and double the state's exports by 2031.

Source: The Tribune

In detail: Haryana Progressive MSME & Export Promotion Policy 2026

Odisha amends the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy. The amendment introduces expanded provisions to support emerging sectors, including semiconductor equipment manufacturing, research and development, semiconductor-grade chemicals, specialty gases, advanced materials, and supply chain components.

Source: Tathya

Meghalaya extends the registration period under the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (MIIPP), 2024. The extension of one year aims to give investors more time to register for incentives.

Source: Hub Network

Meghalaya approves the Meghalaya Commerce and Industries Service (Amendment) Rules, 2026. The new rules formally raise the upper recruitment age limit for Scheduled Tribe candidates from 27 to 32.

Source: Hub Network

Karnataka announces the ‘Udyoga Nidhi’ (Industry Fund) Scheme. The scheme will pay entrepreneurs a monthly incentive of $26.1 (INR 2,500) for every new job created in 10 specific underdeveloped regions.

Source: NDTV

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Punjab passes the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026. The bill will bring approximately 26,000-28,000 employees employed by a private contractor providing services to the Government of Punjab under direct contractual engagement with the government.

Source: India Today

In detail: Punjab State Outsourced Personnel (Transition to Contractual Engagement) Bill, 2026

Maharashtra amends Section 72 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The amendment revises the interest rate payable in cases of delayed disbursal of land acquisition compensation.

Source: The Print

Maharashtra approves a 25 percent concession in land transfer fees for land purchased for renewable energy projects.

Source: The Print

Infrastructure and Governance

Delhi passes the Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026. The bill sets mandatory deadlines for the delivery of specific government services, such as issuing certificates, licenses, permits, and approvals.

Source: Daily Pioneer

In detail: Delhi (Right of Citizen to Time Bound and Ease of Delivery of Services) Bill, 2026

Haryana approves the Haryana Private Coaching Institutes (Registration and Regulation) Rules, 2026, The rules operationalize the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Private Coaching Institutes Act, 2024 which requires coaching centers to register and pay a $104.6 (INR 10,000) fee to obtain a certificate valid for three years.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press Release

West Bengal passes the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bills provide for delimitation in Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations by increasing the number of wards. The number of wards in Kolkata Municipal Corporation increases from 144 to 209; and in Howrah, it increases from 50 to 68 wards.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Howrah Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Act, 2026; Kolkata Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026

Arunachal Pradesh scraps their 80:20 reservation policy. The 80:20 arrangement, introduced in Arunachal Pradesh in 1991, reserved 80 percent of government posts for Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) candidates, while the remaining 20 percent were kept open to other eligible candidates.

Source: NDTV

Meghalaya amends The Right to Public Services Act, 2020. The amendment introduces an automatic appeal mechanism: if a notified online service misses its deadline, an appeal is triggered automatically, without citizens needing to file one themselves.

Source: Hub Network

Nagaland notifies the Nagaland Agriculture Policy 2025. The policy aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous agricultural economy.

Source: Morung Express

In detail: Nagaland Agriculture Policy 2025

Punjab passes the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2026. The bill updates governance frameworks for shared public infrastructure in Punjab, strengthening accountability and maintenance obligations across facilities serving multiple users.

Source: Babushahi

Punjab passes the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill aims to streamline the functioning of the Rural Development Department and merge the cadres of Panchayat Secretaries and ‘Gram Sewaks’ (Village-level government functionaries) to create a new cadre called “Panchayat Development Secretary.”

Source: Zee News - MSN

In detail: Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Punjab passes the Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026. The bill provides a legal framework for the preservation of trees in Punjab, regulating felling, transplantation, and damage to trees.

Source: Babushahi

In detail: Punjab Protection of Trees Bill, 2026

Tripura withdraws the Permanent Resident of Tripura Certificate (PRTC) as a mandatory requirement for direct recruitment to government posts. The government has introduced a new condition in the recruitment rules to ensure that candidates seeking government jobs have a substantial educational connection with Tripura.

Source: North East Today

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center – State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Delhi repeals their Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Policy.

Source: The Print