Big News: Telangana to hold state assembly elections on November 30; Kerala releases the Draft Information Technology Policy 2023; Uttar Pradesh releases the Uttar Pradesh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Fortune Global & India-500 Investment Promotion Policy-2023; Himachal Pradesh increases electricity rates for industrial consumers; Karnataka approves an additional surcharge on open access consumers; and more.
Karnataka announces the “Anaemia Mukt Poushtika Karnataka Action Plan” with an allocation of $22.2 million to eradicate anaemia in women and children in the state by 2025. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Program launch video
Maharashtra releases the Draft Maharashtra State Policy and Action Plan for Children, 2023, which identifies specific policy provisions and plan of action for five vulnerable categories of children and recommends free primary health care services. The categories include children from backward and minority communities, urban poor, affected by migration and disabilities, and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) children. Source: Indian Express
Maharashtra receives a $500 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to enhance the quality and affordability of tertiary health care and medical education in the state. Source: Mint; In detail: Press release
Delhi approves the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023 providing for the regulation and licensing of delivery service providers and aggregators offering passenger transport services in the state. The scheme also paves the way for bike taxis and mandates that the transport aggregators should onboard electric two-wheelers for passenger services. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) approves an additional surcharge of ~$0.017 for consumers availing power through open access for the financial year 2023-24. The additional surcharge does not apply to captive consumption. Source: Mercom; In detail: KERC order
West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) issues order stating that the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets for 2022-23 will continue in 2023-24. The decision comes in the absence of a specified RPO target for distribution licensees by the commission for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: WBERC order
Himachal Pradesh launches e-taxi scheme under the first phase of $81.6 million “Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Yojana 2023”. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press release, Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Yojana - 2023
Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) introduces Green Energy Open Access Regulations 2023. These regulations aim to facilitate the connectivity and open access to green energy for intra-state transmission systems, distribution systems, and promote renewable energy in the state. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2023
Karnataka waives arrears of $46.66 million of “Kuteera Bhagya”, “Bhagya Jyoti” and “Amruta Jyoti” scheme beneficiaries who were either getting power free of cost or at a highly subsidised rate. The three schemes have been merged as the “Gruha Jyoti” scheme under which beneficiaries are receiving free electricity up to 200 units for residential consumption. Source: Economic Times
Himachal Pradesh increases the electricity rates for industrial units by $0.0103 per unit from $0.05 per unit to $0.06 per unit. The electricity duty for industrial units has increased from 11% to 19%. Source: News Himachal
Nothing critical to report this week.
Uttar Pradesh releases a policy for processing foreign investment proposals under which proposals would have to be processed for land allotment within a total of 22 days. The policy also provides subsidies for the registration and stamp charges for foreign direct investments (FDIs). Source: Outlook; In detail: Uttar Pradesh Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Fortune Global & India-500 Investment Promotion Policy-2023
Kerala releases the Draft Information Technology Policy 2023 aiming to provide incentives to private land developers and investors who prioritise hiring candidates from the state. According to the draft policy, investors offering 50 percent of jobs to state residents will receive special incentives, based on investments ranging from $12 million to over $120 million, with minimum direct employment generation from 1,000 to 5,000. Source: Money control; In detail: Draft Information Technology Policy 2023
Nothing critical to report this week.
Bihar allocates $30 billion over next five years to help 9.4 million poor families counted in the Bihar caste survey. The cabinet also passed a proposal to send a request to the Centre to demand special category status. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Cabinet decisions
Haryana announces free education for girls from families with an annual income of $2,160 in both government and private colleges in the state. The state government would also cover half of college fees for girls from families with income ranging from $2,160 to $3,600. The fees for private colleges, where applicable, will be borne by the Haryana government. Source: NDTV; In detail: Press release
Telangana to conduct state assembly elections for its 119-member legislative assembly on November 30. Source: Zee Business
Rajasthan concludes elections for 199 state assembly seats with a recorded 70 percent voter turnout. Source: Money Control; In detail: Election Commission of India Press release
Meghalaya notifies the Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023, aiming to protect street vendors and introducing health and safety regulations. Source: Syllad; In detail: The Meghalaya Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023
Nothing critical to report this week.
Maharashtra approves guidelines for the formation of cluster universities by educational institutes in the state. Source: India TV; In detail: Cabinet decisions
Delhi increases the minimum wages of workers in the city, aiming to provide people relief from inflation. The monthly wage for skilled workers has been increased by $3.74 to $255, that for semi-skilled workers has been increased by $3.43 to $231.7, and that for unskilled labourers has been increased by $3.13 to $210.26. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Government Order
Tamil Nadu approves the State Port Development Policy 2023 designed to woo more private investment and promote industrial growth in the state. Source: DTnext; In detail: State Port Development Policy 2023
