States Weekly: October 25, 2023

Big News: Maharashtra releases the Maharashtra Green Hydrogen Policy 2023; Delhi proposes the Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023–33; Chandigarh amends the Electric Vehicle Policy 2020 to relax earlier EV targets; Delhi increases the monthly minimum wages for workers; and more.

Health 

Haryana unveils a comprehensive plan to provide timely ambulance assistance to patients in the state. Under the plan, the government aims to create a unified pool of government and private ambulances across the state, ensuring that patients receive swift assistance from the nearest available ambulance. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Climate Change & Energy

Delhi extends the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2020 till December 31, 2023. Source: Economic Times

Maharashtra releases the Maharashtra Green Hydrogen Policy 2023. The policy will be valid until March 2030 and proposes a slew of incentives such as up to 30% capital cost subsidy for specified projects, and 50% concession in transmission charges for specified projects. Source: HW news; In detail: Maharashtra Green Hydrogen Policy 2023

Arunachal Pradesh approves the Arunachal Pradesh Solid Waste (Management & Handling) Byelaws 2023 aimed at improving the management of solid waste in the state. Source: The Print

Chandigarh approves the 2nd Amendments to the ChandigarhElectric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2022, increasing the registration quota of internal combustion engine (ICE) for two-wheelers and four-wheelers (personal cars). The amendment reduces the registration target to 15% from the previous 25% for electric two-wheelers, and 12% from the earlier 25% for personal electric cars, to be achieved in the financial year 2023-24. Source: The Tribune; In detail: 2nd Amendments to the Chandigarh Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, 2022

Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) notifies its decision stating that discoms will be required to construct substations, instead of housing developers. The developers will pay for the sanctioned load of a condominium or township and will have to provide free land to the discom for the substation. Source: Times of India; In detail: HERC Notification

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Delhi approves the Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023, aiming to improve urban mobility, and enhance green energy transition in the state. The scheme mandates commercial vehicle fleets to plan a phased shift to electric vehicles and provide strict standards for the quality of service. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme 2023

Delhi proposes the Industrial and Economic Development Policy 2023–33. The policy aims to create Delhi into a knowledge-based economy through high-tech industrial development and services sector and make it a “24-hour city”. Source: MoneyControl; In detail: Policy White paper

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

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

Infrastructure & Governance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center – State Relations 

Gujarat signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to set up a space manufacturing cluster at Sanand in Ahmedabad district. Source: Deccan Herald; In detail: Press release

Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves the project on Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for a 13 GW renewable energy project in Ladakh. The project is targeted to be set up by FY30 with a total estimated cost of $2.5 billion and Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of $998.7 million (40% of total project cost). Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Press release

Any Other

Haryana announces special incentives to farmers for promoting crop diversification. The decision is aimed at increasing farmer income, while also supporting the state’s sustainability goals. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Press release