States Weekly: July 12, 2023
Big News: Assam approves new rules to simplify MSME approvals; Bihar announces a new Bihar Biofuel Production Promotion Policy; Haryana allows bars and restaurants in the state to stay open 24/7; Maharashtra releases the green Hydrogen Policy; Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) increases the tariff for industrial and commercial consumers; and more.
Industrial Policy & Business Regulations
Assam approves the Assam Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Facilitation of Establishment & Operation) Rules, 2023. The rules aim to exempt MSMEs from certain approvals and inspections, required for the establishment and operation in the state for 3 years. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Twitter (Assam Chief Minister)
Haryana approves the amendment in the Freight Assistance Scheme notified under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy (HEEP) - 2020. The amendment reviews block wise capping to facilitate exports. Source: KNN
Haryana announces that all restaurants and bars across the state can remain open 24/7. The facilities that wish to remain open 24 hours will have to register with the Labour Department and follow other terms and conditions listed in the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958. Source: Jagran
Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations
Jharkhand approves a proposal for granting 180 days of maternity leave to women workers appointed on a contract basis. Source: Lagatar24; In detail: CM Twitter
Infrastructure & Governance
Karnataka presents the annual State Budget 2023-24 with a total expenditure of $30.35 billion, a capital expenditure of $6.57 billion and loan repayment of $2.71 billion. Source: Mint; In detail: Budget 2023-24
Tripura presents the annual State Budget 2023-24 with an outlay of $3.34 billion, and $648.2 million allocated for capital expenditure. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Budget 2023-24
Oil & Gas
Maharashtra approves the Green Hydrogen Policy, with a budget of $1 billion for policy implementation. Source: Punekar news; In detail: CM Twitter (Cabinet decisions)
Bihar approves the Bihar Biofuel Production Promotion Policy 2023. The policy offers a capital subsidy of 15% or the maximum of $604,875 to investors, among a slew of other incentives. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet decisions (In Hindi)
Water & Sanitation
Nothing critical to report this week.
Power & Renewable Energy
Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issues the Draft Grid Interactive Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems Under Net/Gross Metering Regulations, 2023, under which the net metering upper cap for rooftop solar projects has been reduced from 1 MW to 500 kW, and the gross metering upper cap has been increased from 1 MW to 5 MW. Source: Mercom; In detail: Draft regulations
Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) issues a new tariff order, increasing the retail tariffs for the financial year (FY) 2023-24. The Commission has increased the retail electricity tariff for high tension (HT) industrial consumers by 2.2% to ~$0.084/kWh from the earlier ~$0.082/kWh. Similarly, the retail tariff for commercial consumers has been increased by 2.4% to ~$0.11/kWh from ~$0.10/kWh. Source: Mercom; In detail: Tariff order
Climate Change
Chandigarh hikes the road tax for conventional fuel-run vehicles by 4-6%, making vehicle registration in the city more expensive. Electric vehicles are exempted from this tax. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Notification
Health
Jammu and Kashmir launches a chatbot called Tele-MANAS to ensure round the clock services of health counsellors, clinical psychologists, and consultants in the state. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press release
Center – State Relations
Union Ministry of Home Affairs launches the Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States with a total outlay of $604.8 million. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press release
Union Ministry of Education releases the Performing Grading Index (PGI) report 2021-22. Chandigarh and Punjab emerge as top performers in the school education category, which includes indicators like learning outcomes and access. Source: Tribune; In detail: Performing Grading Index report 2021-22
Any Other
Nothing critical to report this week.