States Weekly: August 7, 2024

Big News: Gujarat releases the “Gujarat@2047 Dynamic Document-Roadmap” and establishes a state-level think tank modelled after the NITI Aayog; Karnataka launches the Karnataka Cyber Security Policy 2024; Meghalaya amends the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020 (MIRSSMWA); Goa passes the Goa Ground Water Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Climate Change & Energy

Haryana introduces the Surcharge Waiver Scheme-2024 to help settle outstanding electricity bills for domestic consumers. This scheme waives off the surcharge levied on pending electricity bills due till December 31, 2023, and is available to both urban and rural domestic consumers. Source: The Tribune; In detail: Haryana - Surcharge Waiver Scheme 2024 Press release

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Jharkhand passes the Jharkhand Mineral-Bearing Land Cess Bill 2024 to impose cess on mined minerals to boost the state’s revenue. This move follows the Supreme Court's July 25 ruling, which affirmed that the legislative power to tax mineral rights rests with the states. Source: PTI; In detail: Jharkhand Mineral-Bearing Land Cess Bill 2024

Karnataka launches the Karnataka Cyber Security Policy 2024 to combat rising levels of cybercrimes and promote awareness, skill building, public-private partnerships and technology integration to protect the state's digital infrastructure. The policy focuses on several key areas such as awareness and education, skill building, promotion of industry and start-ups, partnerships and collaborations for capacity building.

Source: Hindustan Times

Uttar Pradesh initiates the establishment of 33 Integrated Manufacturing and Logistics Clusters (IMLCs) along expressways in 30 districts of Uttar Pradesh. The IMLCs will be developed along five major expressways: Ganga, Bundelkhand, Agra-Lucknow, Gorakhpur Link, and Purvanchal. Additionally, land will be allotted for the defense corridor in Agra and Aligarh along the Agra-Lucknow expressway, with industrial corridors also set up as IMLCs in Firozabad, Etawah, and Kannauj. Source: Logistics insider

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Tamil Nadu launches the Tamil Nadu Self Certification Scheme. Under the scheme, plots on approved layouts, layouts covered under the 2017 regularisation scheme, and plots registered by a deed before October 20, 2016, are eligible for self-certification of residential buildings in urban areas. The plots eligible for self-certification will be exempted from paying certification fees and will not require clearances from the state government. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Tamil Nadu Self Certification Scheme notification

Meghalaya amends the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020 (MIRSSMWA) to make it easier to verify the antecedents of the migrant labourers coming to state for work. At the same time, it has decided to substantially hike the penalty for defaulting offenders. Source: KaShlem; In detail: Cabinet decisions (video)

Infrastructure & Governance

Puducherry presents the annual Budget 2024-2025, allocating $1.51 billion for the union territory. Key highlights of the budget include monthly financial assistance for college students, a scholarship for minority students and a push for infrastructure development in villages. Additionally, a monthly financial assistance of $12 will be provided for three years for undergraduate students, who had studied in government schools from class 6 to 12. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Puducherry Budget Speech 2024-25

Gujarat releases the “Gujarat@2047 Dynamic Document-Roadmap”, which focuses on improving people’s quality of life and fostering economic growth. To achieve these objectives, the state has also launched the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT), a think tank modelled after the NITI Aayog. Source: Times of India; In detail: Gujarat@2047 Dynamic Document-Roadmap

Madhya Pradesh announces that it will provide subsidized gas cylinder at $5.36 to “Ladli Behna” scheme beneficiaries throughout the year. The Ladli Behna scheme was launched by the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Source: Business Today; In detail: Press release

Maharashtra announces the “Chief Minister's Annapurna Scheme”, which offers three free gas cylinder refills annually to impoverished families in the state. Source: Free Press Journal

Water & Sanitation

Goa passes the Goa Ground Water Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amending its ground water regulation law, and introducing a provision for imposing a fine of up to $11,930 on illegal construction of wells and transportation of ground water in the state. Source: Republic World; In detail: Goa Ground Water Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024

Center – State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.