States Weekly: July 30, 2025

Big News: Andhra Pradesh approves a new Maternal Health Programme, Delhi issues a draft Industrial Policy 2025-2035, Goa approves The Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill - 2025, Maharashtra issues Housing Policy - 2025, Rajasthan approves the Township Policy – 2024, Punjab’s approves The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Home Ministry announces the National Cooperation Policy - 2025; and more.

Health 

Andhra Pradesh approves a new Maternal Health Programme. The program aims to increase the rate of natural deliveries by deploying 1264 specially trained midwives across 86 government-run hospitals to reduce C-section deliveries. The program is funded by the National Health Mission (NHM) and includes an intensive 18-month training course for each midwife to equip them with the necessary skills in aiding natural births.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Maternal Health Programme

Delhi issues directions for the installation of CCTV cameras at pharmacies. The new measure seeks to curb the sale of over-the-counter dual-use drugs without a valid prescription. Dual-use medications are drugs that have both medical and non-medical applications. They can be used for medical purposes in humans or animals, but they also have other uses in various industries, such as textiles, chemicals, or food production.

Source: Hindustan Times

Himachal Pradesh installs new healthcare equipment under the ‘Vyavastha Parivartaninitiative.’ The initiative has proposed a comprehensive investment of $70 million, with over one-third of the amount, $23.9 million, earmarked specifically for strengthening diagnostic services across the state through the upgradation of medical equipment, with funds also set aside for training medical staff in operating the new equipment.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Vyavastha Parivartan initiative

Climate Change and Energy

Andhra Pradesh releases a Green Hydrogen Valley Declaration - 2025. The declaration outlines a roadmap for building India’s largest ecosystem for green hydrogen production, research, and application. The roadmap aims to help Andhra Pradesh reach its ambitious target of establishing electrolyser manufacturing capacity at 5GW by 2029.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Green Hydrogen Valley Declaration - 2025

Karnataka announces new KERC (Intra-State Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025. The regulations issued by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) seeks to improve grid stability and reliability across the state. These rules are intended to reduce the gap between scheduled and actual power generation and consumption, ensuring better balance in Karnataka’s electricity grid.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: KERC (Intra-State Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025

Himachal Pradesh finalizes the second amendment to the HPERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025. The primary aim of the revised amendment issued by Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) is to bring the state’s mechanism in line with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) Regulations, 2024.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: HPERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2025

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations 

Delhi releases a draft Industrial Policy 2025-2035. The policy identifies technology services, hospitality, and research and development as the sectors with the potential to drive the city’s economic growth over the next 10 years. The draft, published by the Department of Industries, aims to strengthen the creation of a non-polluting industrial ecosystem for Delhi by promoting innovation-driven sectors.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Delhi Industrial Policy 2025-2035 (draft)

Punjab adds six committees to help formulate a customized industrial policy. The new list of industry-specific committees includes a sports and leather goods committee, machine and hand tools committee, food processing and dairy panel, tourism and hospitality committee, heavy machinery committee, and furniture and ply industry panel. These committees will recommend sector-specific policy measures to help improve the ease of doing business in the state, which will help Punjab write a new industrial policy.

Source: News Arena

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations 

Goa passes The Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill, which amends the Factories Act, raises the daily work hour limit in factories from nine to ten hours. The bill allows for raising the maximum overtime permitted in a quarter from 125 to 144 hours.

Source: Hindu Business Line

In detail: The Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill, 2025

Meghalaya raises the minimum wages of unskilled labourers. The new wage structure, according to a notification issued by the Department of Labour, Employment and Skill Development, includes a Variable Dearness Allowance. Semi-skilled workers will now be entitled to $6.73 per day, skilled workers $7.21, and highly skilled workers $7.68.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Meghalaya Government Notification

Punjab approves amendments to its Land Pooling Policy-2025. The policy increases annual compensation for landowners from $346.7 to $578 per acre to be payable upon issuance of a letter of intent from the state to take possession of the land. The letter, offering a 1,000sq yard residential plot and a 200sq yard commercial plot per acre of land, will be issued within 21 days. This compensation will be raised to $1,155 per acre annually after the government takes possession of the land.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Land Pooling Policy 2025

Madhya Pradesh's announces an expansion of ‘Ladli Behna/Bhaiyo Yojana’ (Young Women/Men Scheme). Unemployed youth will soon get a monthly stipend ranging from $69.35 for women and $57.79 for men. Madhya Pradesh also announced the creation of six new industrial units worth $48 million in the Acharpura Industrial Area near Bhopal. The youth who will join internships in industries registered under this new initiative will receive this monthly stipend.

Source: ETV

In detail: Press release

Infrastructure and Governance

Bihar approves several key policy proposals. In a series of policy decisions aimed at adding better protections and pay for laborers, Bihar passes several bills including the Bihar Shop Establishment Bill, 2025, the Bihar Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill, 2025 and Factory Bill, 2025. The Shop Establishment Bill mandates paid leave and allows for seven days of paid sick leave annually. Under the Gig Workers Bill, the state will register all part-time platform-based gig workers and extend social security benefits, including insurance coverage. The Factory Bill mandates that workers employed in factories will be entitled to double wages for any work exceeding 48 hours in a week in the state.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Bihar Platform-Based Gig Workers Bill, 2025 (in Hindi), Bihar Shop Establishment Bill, 2025 (in Hindi), Factories Bihar Amendment Act 2025 (in Hindi)

Gujarat approves the Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme. Under this initiative, the state government has decided to waive the $2.3 fee for property ownership certificates in rural areas, easing the financial burden on rural property owners. SVAMITVA is a scheme launched by the Centre in 2021 for issuing property cards to rural landholders across the country.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: SVAMITVA Scheme

Madhya Pradesh clears the Data Consolidation Scheme. The scheme will facilitate policy making and ensure transparency and accountability. The Planning, Economic and Statistics Department will provide data to government officials and to the public to ensure that decisions are taken based on statistical evidence.

Source: News Arena

In detail: Press release

Maharashtra introduces Housing Policy, 2025. The policy presents a comprehensive plan to mobilize investments worth $8 billion. It focuses on slum rehabilitation, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development, with special emphasis on economically weaker sections (EWS), lower-income groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG). The Policy aims to construct 3,500,000 houses over the next five years, with a long-term vision of delivering 5,000,000 homes within a decade. To facilitate this, the MahaAwas Fund will be significantly expanded to $2.3 billion. The MahaAwas fund is Maharashtra’s state-level housing fund.

Source: The News Mill

In detail: State Housing Policy 2025

Rajasthan approves the new Township Policy-2024. While the policy was proposed in 2024, approval was recently granted by the state government. This policy mandates that 7% of the land in all schemes will be reserved for parks and playgrounds, and 8% for amenity areas (such as schools, hospitals, community centers, etc.) Additionally, the policy defines minimum buffer zones around rivers, lakes, drains, and other water bodies to ensure the conservation of natural resources.

Source: Patrika

In detail: Township Policy 2024

Uttar Pradesh approves multiple policy proposals.

According to new rules, only 1% stamp duty will be levied on registrations of property owned by women, thereby easing the financial burden on women buyers.

The state also issues directions that women associated with the Centre’s Bima Sakhi scheme can now earn up to $80.9 per month. Under this scheme, women working as Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) agents will receive a monthly stipend plus commission for the first three years of service. This financial support encourages women to become self-reliant while also promoting insurance awareness in rural areas.

Source: India TV News

In detail: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet decisions

Odisha announces state-sponsored life insurance policy for sanitation workers. Sanitation workers will not only be covered under a life insurance scheme with coverage of $11,558 but will also be provided with housing facilities. Senior sanitation workers will also be given smartphones so that they can access timely information and emergency alerts.

Source: Odisha Bytes

Punjab approves The Seeds (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill ensures the sale of spurious seeds as a non-bailable offence. It aims to ensure a steady supply of high-quality seeds to the farmers of the state. If a first offense, the bill mandates a prison sentence of one to two years, along with a fine.

Source: Indian Express

Chandigarh rolls out its first Education Policy for Children with Special Needs – 2025. The policy aims to ensure barrier-free, dignified, and quality education for children with benchmark disabilities. It mandates free and compulsory education for children with disabilities until the age of 18.

Source: Indian Express

Goa creates a New District. The state grants approval for the creation of a third district consisting of four talukas (administrative subdivisions of a district) –– Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona. The headquarters of the district is proposed to be set up in Curchorem in Quepem taluka. 28% of the new district comprises tribal communities, and the creation of a new taluka will offer more specialized attention, resources, and services to these communities.
Source: Times of India

Water and Sanitation

Karnataka decides to impose charges for groundwater access. The charges, ranging from $0.011 to 0.40 per cubic meter, applies to individuals, housing societies, commercial establishments, industries, and mining operators drawing groundwater across the state. The charges will apply to all types of apartment complexes, group housing societies, and government agencies supplying water in urban areas. Commercial and mining users will also fall under the ambit of the new regulations.

Source: Times of India

Madhya Pradesh imposes new rules for the ‘Jal Jeevan (Water and Life) Mission.’

Madhya Pradesh has asked district and block panchayats (village councils) to recover a portion of the cost of water supply schemes, mandating that rural households will now contribute 5-10% of the total project cost as community participation. The amount will vary based on the village's social structure—villages with over 50% Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) populations will pay 5%, while others will pay 10%.

Source: The Mook Nayak

In detail: Jal Jeevan (Water and Life) Mission

West Bengal expands the West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $101 million loan to complement the ongoing $240 million project approved in 2018. The project focuses particularly on regions affected by arsenic, fluoride, and salinity contamination, such as Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas districts.

Source: APAC News network

In detail: ADB Press release

Center – State Relations 

The Union government announces the National Cooperation Policy-2025. The policy, introduced by the Home Ministry, aims to give more autonomy to cooperatives, ensure availability of affordable credit for them and help them become financially independent. The policy encourages states to suitably amend their respective Cooperative Societies Acts and rules, to comply with the new policy. A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons, united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically member-controlled enterprise.
Source: The Print
In detail: National Cooperation Policy - 2025

Any Other

Manipur remains under The President’s Rule. The Home Ministry has extended oversight for a period of six months, effective from August 13, 2025.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Manipur President Rule Notification

Karnataka approves the Karnataka Fire Force (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill requires that new high-rise buildings in Karnataka pay an additional 1 percent of the property tax as fire cess. Structures with a height of over 21 metres are considered high-rise buildings.

Source: Deccan Herald

Maharashtra announces new guidelines for fish feed procurement.

The new directives are designed to enhance efficiency across fisheries projects while providing a boost to local feed producers. Under the revised guidelines, all subsidised fisheries projects in Maharashtra will now be required to procure feed exclusively from state-based suppliers who are recognised under central or state schemes or are otherwise duly registered and subsidised by the government.

Source: Indian Express

Goa announces process to regularize old houses on Alvara or Bhatkar land.

“Alvara” refers to a type of land grant or provisional allotment issued by the Portuguese colonial government in Goa and a "bhatkar" is a person who owns land on which a "mundkar" (a type of tenant residing on the land with a dwelling house) has built their dwelling The process, which begins on August 1, will involve the issuance of three official certificates, and the government assured the public that once the required documents are verified, certificates will be issued within seven days.

Source: The Goan

Assam approves the Assam School Education and Adolescent Wellbeing Project.

The $317.8 million project is funded by the World Bank to revamp school infrastructure across the state. The project will construct 400 new schools and 1,733 Anganwadi (rural childcare) centers, equipped with trained teachers, modern classrooms, and a focus on science and technology education. The funding arrangement includes 90% of the loan to be repaid by the Centre and the remaining 10% by the state government.

Source: Hub network