States Weekly: May 14, 2025

Big News: Andhra Pradesh announces the Operating Guidelines of Andhra Pradesh Electronics Manufacturing Policy (4.0), 2024-29 to facilitate the production of electronics goods; Uttar Pradesh approves the Global Capability Centres (GCCs) Policy, 2024 to promote GCCs in smaller cities; Haryana approves the Excise Policy, 2025-27; Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) issues the Net Metering for Renewable Energy (First Amendment) Guidelines, 2025; and more

Health 

Andhra Pradesh announces the revival of the Baby Kit scheme. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu approved the Health Department’s proposal to provide essential items to newborns. The scheme which had previously received partial support from the National Health Mission (NHM) will now be fully funded by the state. Source: The South First

Meghalaya launches the Meghalaya Health Advancement Policy to strengthen the state healthcare infrastructure. As part of this initiative, non-profit hospitals in the state will receive financial support of $234,116 each. Source: The Rahnuma; In detail: Governor’s Notification

Odisha approves the continuation of the “Nirmal: Strengthening Ancillary Services at Public Health Facilities” scheme for a period of five years, with an estimated budget of $605.7 million. The scheme aims to provide better ambience and quality care to patients at public health facilities across the state. The Nirmal scheme will cover all public health facilities, including sub-centres, primary health centres, community health centres, district headquarters hospitals, medical colleges, and AYUSH colleges. Source: Ommcom; In detail: Nirmal: Strengthening Ancillary Services at Public Health Facilities

Sikkim releases the draft Integrated Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Strategy in collaboration with the World Bank supported Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies Sikkim (INSPIRES). Source: India Today; In detail: Integrated Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2025-2030

Climate Change and Energy

Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issues an Order approving the amended power purchase agreements entered into by the Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited with four special purpose vehicles of Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited. These agreements aim to procure 100 MW of power each from their respective wind-solar hybrid pilot projects, totalling 400 MW. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: APERC order

Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) issues the Net Metering for Renewable Energy (First Amendment) Guidelines, 2025. The new amendment introduces important changes aimed at supporting domestic consumers who wish to install rooftop solar systems. As per the revised guidelines, domestic users installing rooftop solar connections up to 10 kilowatts under the “Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana” will now be exempted from paying the application fee required for the feasibility analysis.

Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Guidelines

Haryana announces the Surcharge Waiver Scheme, 2025 which grants domestic users in urban and rural areas, and agricultural consumers, relief from pending or outstanding electricity bills for six months from the date of implementation. As per the scheme. state power distribution companies will waive surcharge and offer other relief schemes for the next six months to increase revenue and streamline default connections. Source: Times of India In detail: Haryana Surcharge Waiver Scheme 2025

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations  

Andhra Pradesh announces the Operating Guidelines of Andhra Pradesh Electronics Manufacturing Policy (4.0), 2024-29, aiming to facilitate the production of electronic goods worth $49.16 billion, attract investments amounting to $10 billion, and generate employment for 500,000 people. As per the guidelines, Sub-large projects are eligible for a capital investment subsidy of 20 percent over 5 years, large projects receive 25 percent over 7 years; and mega projects can claim 30 percent over 10 years. Additionally, the state is offering recruitment assistance of $48 and $72 for male and female employees respectively. Source: AP 7 AM; In detail: Operating Guidelines of Andhra Pradesh Electronics Manufacturing Policy (4.0), 2024-29

Madhya Pradesh launches the Film Tourism Policy, 2025. As per the policy, the state will provide grants up to $600,000 for feature films, $240,000 for web series, $180,000 for TV serials, $60,000 for documentaries, $1.44 million for international films, and $24,000 for short films—provided 75 percent of production occurs in the state. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy, 2025

Madhya Pradesh launches the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy, 2-25. The policy targets an investment of approximately $240 million and the creation of over 20,000 jobs by 2029. The policy also offers a 25 percent capital expenditure subsidy to attract studios and startups, fostering a robust digital creative economy in the state. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Madhya Pradesh AVGC-XR Policy, 2025

Uttar Pradesh approves the Global Capability Centres Policy, 2024 aimed at encouraging multinational companies to set up Global Capability Centres (GCCs) aiming to attract over 1,000 new GCCs and create more than 500,000 jobs by leveraging the state’s vast talent pool, strategic location, and expanding infrastructure. The policy provides up to $6 million in capital subsidies, 30–50 percent land subsidies, and 100 percent stamp duty waivers based on location. Source: Your Story In detail: Global Capability Centres Policy, 2024

Assam approves the Assam Electronics Components Manufacturing Top-Up Scheme, 2025. Source: Guwahati Plus

Tamil Nadu issues a Government Order allowing shops and commercial establishments to remain open 24x7, citing public convenience and welfare. Source: New Indian Express

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations  

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure and Governance

Haryana approves the Excise Policy, 2025-27. As per the policy, the state will not permit sub-vends in villages with a population of 500 or less. Additionally, the state has imposed a blanket ban on all forms of liquor advertising—including within licensed premises—as part of its revised excise framework. The new policy prescribes significantly higher penalties for violations: $1,200 for the first offence, $2,400 for the second, and $3,600 for the third. Source: India TV News In detail: Haryana Excise Policy 2025-27 (PDF attached)

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2025. The amendment introduces provisions for a one-time lifetime tax system, replacing the earlier model of recurring annual taxes, and significantly alters how private and commercial vehicles—including electric vehicles —are taxed across the state. EVs priced above $30,000—previously exempt from road tax—will now be taxed at a 10 percent lifetime rate. Source: Ackodrive; In detail: Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Act, 2025

Maharashtra issues a Government Resolution which accords agriculture status to the fisheries sector. Fish farmers and related stakeholders will now be eligible for various agricultural subsidies and schemes such as electricity concessions, Kisan Credit Cards, and bank loans at agricultural rates. Additionally, they will benefit from low-cost insurance and solar energy initiatives. Source: KNN India; In detail: Maharashtra GR – Fisheries

Maharashtra launches the “One State, One Registration” scheme allowing citizens to register property documents in any sub-registrar office in the state, regardless of where the property is situated. The move is aimed at making the property registration process citizen friendly. It will not affect property prices or tax rates but could make the buying and selling of properties smoother and more secure. Source: Indian Express In detail: One State, One Registration

Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation (Construction, Maintenance and Operation of Parking Spaces) Rules – 2025 to develop modern parking facilities featuring EV charging stations and enhanced infrastructure in urban areas through public-private partnerships. Source: Editorji

Water and Sanitation

Karnataka launches the “Sanchari Cauvery” Scheme to drinking water to the public at a reasonable price. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative to deliver Cauvery water directly to citizens’ doorsteps in Bengaluru. Source: Hindustan Times

Center – State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.