States Weekly: October 4, 2023

Big News: Ministry of Home Affairs extends the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh; Rajasthan grants a five-year extension for expired Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) related to wind projects; Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Karnataka amend their respective state Goods and Services Tax Bills; Bihar announces the results of its 2022 caste-based survey; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Climate Change

Rajasthan grants a five-year extension for expired Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) related to wind projects, with the aim to provide stability and support to wind energy developers in the region. Source: Construction world; In detail: RERC Notice

Energy

Assam approves a $624.4 million project to modernize the state’s power distribution system. under the revamped distribution sector program (RDSS). The project aims to further augment the distribution system by 2026 and benefit around 6.7 million electricity consumers in the state. Source: Mercom

Finance

Andhra Pradesh passes the Andhra Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amendment Bill. The amendment brings electronic and commercial operators (ECOs) under the ambit of GST and provides for the extension of deadline for tax payment. Source: The Hans India; In detail: Andhra Pradesh GST (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023

Karnataka promulgates an ordinance to amend the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act to impose a 28 percent GST on online gaming, casinos, and racecourses. Source: Money Control; In detail: Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2023

Goa passes the Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, allowing casino operators and online gaming companies to pay tax in instalments. Source: Nav Hind Times; In detail: Goa Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Bihar announces the launch of the “Mukhyamantri Alpsankhyak Udyami Yojna” to promote industrial development and generate employment among unemployed youths from the minority community. Under the scheme, beneficiaries will be allowed to avail up to INR 10 lakh (~$12,020) – in the form of a 50 percent loan, and 50 percent grant—to establish a new industry. Source: Business Standard; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Andhra Pradesh passes the Andhra Pradesh Guaranteed Pension System Bill-2023. Under the system, government employees will be eligible to avail 50 percent of the last drawn basic salary as their pension. Source: The Hindu; In detail AP Guaranteed Pension Scheme

Odisha passes the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Odisha amendment) Bill–2023. The bill provides exemptions from the mandatory social impact assessment (SIA) that developers must undertake and special provisions for safeguarding food security during land acquisition for various industrial and infrastructure projects. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Odisha amendment) Bill–2023

Infrastructure & Governance

West Bengal releases a government order extending the 2 percent exemption on stamp duty and a 10 percent reduction in circle rates of property in the state until June 30, 2024. Source: Money Control; In detail: Order

Chhattisgarh launches the "Chhattisgarh Gramin Awas NYAY Yojana" that aims to provide housing to over 600,000 homeless families. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Center – State Relations 

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extends the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months, beginning October 1. Source: Outlook

Ministry for Development of Northeast Region (DoNER) launches 5G training labs and 5G applications for the health sector in all the eight northeastern states. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press release

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) releases the timelines for bidding for the allocation of seabed to develop offshore wind sites off the coast of Tamil Nadu. The ministry has identified a total of 1,443 sq km of seabed for a cumulative capacity of 7,215 megawatts (MW). Source: The Hindu Business Line; In detail: Notice

Any Other

Bihar announces the results of its caste-based survey. As per the survey, the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) comprise 63 per cent of the state's population. Source: India Today; In detail: Bihar Caste Based Survey 2022