States Weekly: July 19, 2023

Big News: Andhra Pradesh amends the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977 granting rights of government land to private citizens who’ve held it for more than 20 years; Chhattisgarh amends its Chhattisgarh Industrial Policy 2019-24 to expand tax exemptions; Bihar passes the Bihar Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amendment Bill 2023; Andhra Pradesh approves a 1500 MW pumped hydro storage project in the state; and more.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Tamil Nadu Department of Industries issues new guidelines for sanctioning standard incentives. As per the guidelines, incentives such as back-ended capital subsidy and electricity tax exemption to investors of projects that are greater than $ 6 million and less than $36 million will be sanctioned in three stages. State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) will be the disbursal agency. Source: New Indian Express

Chhattisgarh approves amendments to the ChhattisgarhIndustrial Policy 2019-24 aimed to foster industrial development. Amendments include provisions including exemptions from electricity duty, stamp duty, transport fees, and special incentives for sick industries. Source: The Quint; In detail: Cabinet Decision

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Delhi raises the transfer duty on property purchases exceeding $30,465.8, by 1% causing a surge in property prices in the city. As per the proposal females and transgender people will now pay a 3% transfer duty, and men will pay 4% duty. Source: Republic World

Andhra Pradesh amends the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, thereby conferring full rights to the people in possession of government assigned lands for more than 20 years. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet Decision (in Telugu)

Haryana declares that employment under the Data Centres as established and covered under the Haryana State Data Centre Policy, 2022 will be considered as essential services to ensure public safety, maintain public order and services to the community. Source: United News of India

Infrastructure & Governance  

Assam approves the proposal to increase the reservation quota for Other Backward Class (OBC) communities in state Universities and Colleges. The reservation quota for OBCs will be raised from the existing 15% to 27%. Source: India Today; In detail: CM’s Twitter (Cabinet decisions)

Bihar passes the Bihar Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amendment Bill 2023 which includes 22 amendments in the Bihar Goods Service Tax Act. The amendments are aimed at the creation of a GST Council composed of 4 members. Source: India Posts English; In detail: Bihar Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill 2023 (In Hindi)

Gujarat implements Rationalization of Regions to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the roads and buildings department's operations. These changes aim to reorient the work for senior engineers by optimizing work distribution and supervision. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press Release

Haryana launches the “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” portal, aiming to achieve 100% online registration of farmers’ land. The farmers who register 100% of their land on the portal by July 31 will be given $1.2. Source: Krishak Jagat

Madhya Pradesh approves the Madhya Pradesh Capacity Building Policy 2023 for training civil servants in the state. The policy has been formulated by incorporating the concept and characteristics of Mission Karmayogi implemented by the Government of India. Source: The Hitavada; In detail: Press Release

Chhattisgarh approves the Draft Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill-2023, which pertains to the presentation of the first supplementary estimate for 2023-24. Source: The Hitavada; In detail: Cabinet Decision

Jammu and Kashmir sanctions the creation of a public grievances department in the Union Territory. The department will deal with the redressal of Public Grievances, as well as with the Jammu and Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and Monitoring System. Source: Daily Excelsior; In detail: Government Order

Kerala amends the Kerala Building Tax Act, 1973 to address flaws in the assessment of building tax and improve the tax collection efficiency. The new provisions bring reforms to the assessment process, measurement verification, and penalty structure. Source: Kaumudi Online

Odisha approves the Odisha Rural-Urban Transition Policy, aimed at removing the rural-urban divide by providing essential urban infrastructure, amenities and services to all citizens residing in the fast-growing rural areas adjoining cities. Source: Telegraph India; In detail: Housing & Urban Development Department, Odisha Tweet

Oil & Gas  

Nothing critical to report this week.  

Water & Sanitation  

Nothing critical to report this week.  

Power & Renewable Energy  

Uttar Pradesh cabinet approves the construction of two thermal power projects in Sonbhadra. These projects, with a capacity of 800 MW each, aim to address the rising power demand and provide cheaper electricity to the people of the state. Source: Current Affairs

Andhra Pradesh approves JSW Neo Energy's proposal to set up a 1,500 megawatt (MW) hydro storage power project in the state. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) issues a detailed procedure to verify captive generating projects and user compliance as per the Electricity Rules, 2005. The procedure will be applicable for the financial year 2023-24. The Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company (MPPTCL) will be the designated authority to determine the captive status of the captive generating projects and captive users. Source: Mercom; In detail: Order

Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (CSERC) issues the CSERC (Intra-State Open Access in Chhattisgarh) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2023. As per the regulations, the cross-subsidy surcharge for open access power consumers in the state should not exceed 20% of the average cost of supply of power. Source: Mercom

Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (TERC) issues the Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission (Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering for Renewable Energy) (First Amendment) Guidelines, 2023. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: TERC (Net Metering For Grid Interactive Rooftop Solar Systems-2016) (1st Amendment) Guidelines, 2023

Climate Change

Nagaland bans single use plastic (SUP) in the state to eradicate the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastic. Source: Deccan Herald; In detail: Press release

Health   

Gujarat launches the revamped Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Mukhyamantri Amrutam (PMJAY-MA) scheme. Under the scheme, people can avail free medical treatment up to $12,186, up from the previous limit of $6,093. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Gujarat Health Minister’s Tweet

Goa launches the integrated AYUSH Health Services Scheme. The integrated AYUSH Health Services in the state encompass various research councils including facilities dedicated to mineral and marine medicinal resources, Unani research, Siddha clinical research, and Ayurveda. Source: Herald Goa; In detail: Press Release

Center – State Relations  

Meghalaya signs Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the government owned NTPC Limited aiming to enhance the power scenario in the northeastern state. The agreements encompass the Power Portfolio Management Services (PMS) for Meghalaya, setting up of Pump Storage Power Plants (PSPs) and the implementation of floating solar projects in the state. Source: The Sentinel; In detail: Press Release

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.