States Weekly: September 24, 2025

Big News: Haryana restricts Tobacco Sales; Haryana launches the State Environment Plan (SEP) 2025–26; Maharashtra approves Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Industry Policy; Himachal Pradesh approves Chief Minister Tourism Startup Scheme in Hospitality Industry; Karnataka empowers Corporation Commissioners; Maharashtra introduces Outdoor Advertising Policy; and more.
 

Health 

Andhra Pradesh increases Health Services. The state has added 155 healthcare services and procedures offered in government hospitals under the Dr. NTR Medical Trust Scheme. With the addition of these new services, the total number of treatments offered under the scheme in government hospitals across the state now stands at 324.

Source: The Hindu

Haryana restricts Tobacco Sales. The state bans the sale of tobacco and other intoxicating substances within 100 yards of all schools.

Source: Deshsewak

In detail: Haryana Order
 

Climate Change and Energy

Andhra Pradesh introduces (APERC) Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) provide a framework for the deployment and integration of energy storage technologies. This move supports the state’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024, which set a target of adding 25 GWH of BESS capacity by 2029.

Source: Mercom

In detail: APERC [Planning Procurement Deployment and Utilisation of Battery Energy Storage Systems BESS] Regulations 2025

Haryana launches the State Environment Plan (SEP) 2025–26. The SEP focuses in on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provides a comprehensive analysis of the state’s environmental landscape, covering critical sectors including agriculture, waste management, transport, industry, air and noise pollution, and biodiversity.

Source: The Print

In detail: Press Release

Odisha introduces Odisha Pumped Storage Project (PSP) Policy. The policy aims to attract investment from both public and private developers, aligning with the PSP Policy 2025 and the Renewable Energy Policy 2022. Odisha has already identified several potential sites to develop off-the-river closed-loop PSPs in the state, and this new policy aims to help speed up development.

Source: Saur Energy

In detail: Operational Guidelines to Odisha PSP Policy

Uttarakhand releases draft UERC (Tariff and Other Terms for Supply of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources and non-fossil fuel based Co-generating Stations) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The draft regulations, issued by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) seeks to update existing UERC regulations from 2023, with a particular focus on integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into the state’s power grid. The proposed regulations will apply to all renewable energy generating stations commissioned after the new rules take effect.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Draft regulation
 

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations

Maharashtra approves Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Industry Policy. The policy proposes a $370.9 million (INR 3,268 crore) investment plan till 2050 to boost the AVGC-XR ecosystem. The policy will provide relief in stamp duty and power tariffs and will not impose restrictions on carrying out 24x7 operations.

Source: Hindustan Times

Himachal Pradesh approves Chief Minister Tourism Startup Scheme in Hospitality Industry. Under this scheme, the state will provide financial relief to locals on loans taken for establishing new tourism units, such as homestays, as well as for the expansion and upgradation of existing units. The state will extend an interest subsidy of 3 percent in urban areas, 4 percent in rural areas, and 5 percent in tribal areas on loans up to $227,006 (INR 2 crores) for a maximum period of three years from the date of loan disbursement.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Press Release
 

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Karnataka notifies the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025. The new law mandates that aggregator platforms across sectors contribute a welfare fee of 1 to 5 percent of pay-outs per transaction to fund social security for gig workers.

Source: Hindu Business Line

In detail: Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025

Manipur issues new Land Transfer Regulations. The new rules prohibit the registration of land transfer deeds from indigenous individuals to non-indigenous individuals. However, transfers to permanent residents of the state are still permitted under specific conditions.

Source: Devdiscourse

In detail: Manipur Land Transfer Notification Part 1, 2, and 3
 

Infrastructure and Governance

Bihar announces Stipend for Unemployed Graduates. The state announces that it will provide $11.35 (INR 1,000) per month to unemployed youths who have graduate degrees for a period of two years, under the 'Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayta Bhatta Yojana' (Chief Minister’s Self-Help Allowance Scheme).

Source: India TV

Bihar announces new rules under the Student Credit Card Scheme. The state announces that interest-free loans will be provided to students who pass Class 12 Board Examinations under the Student Credit Card Scheme, to help them pursue higher education. Earlier, education loans of up to $4,540 (INR 4 lakh) were provided at an interest rate of 4 percent to general male applicants, and 1 percent to female, differently abled, and transgender applicants.

Source: CNBC

Delhi announces a new Scheme for Working Women. The new scheme offers working women collateral-free loans of up to $1.13 million (INR 10 crore) in favor of starting their own Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Source: India Today

Karnataka empowers Corporation Commissioners. The state has allowed Bengaluru city corporation commissioners of the five newly created corporations to approve projects up to $340,509 (INR 3 crore), tripling the earlier $113,503 (INR 1 crore) limit set for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (now the Greater Bengaluru Authority). This will allow corporations to take up minor works independently and without delay.

Source: Deccan Herald

Maharashtra introduces Outdoor Advertising Policy. The new policy empowers District Collectors across the state to auction government land for advertisement hoardings through digital e-auctions. Earlier, only Mumbai city had a standalone policy for outdoor advertising.

Source: Medianews4u

In detail: Policy for Outdoor Advertising Hoardings (in Marathi)

Telangana launches two Minority Welfare Schemes. The schemes focus on financial assistance and encouraging self-employment. The 'Indiramma Minority Mahila Yojana' (Indiramma Minority Women Scheme), pledges $567.5 (INR 50,000) for widows, divorcees, orphans, and unmarried women to support their entrepreneurial aspirations. The 'Revanth Anna Ka Sahara-Miskeen La Kosam' (Revanth’s Support to the Poor Scheme) initiative offers $1,135 (INR 100,000) to the economically disadvantaged 'Fakeer' and 'Dudekula' communities.

Source: Devdiscourse

In detail: Indiramma Minority MahilaYojana

Kerala approves the draft Malayalam Language Bill. The bill aims to strengthen Malayalam as the official language of the state. It proposes the creation of a separate department, a minister, and a language directorate dedicated to Malayalam. Once enacted, the law will require all boards, including those of state institutions, to display announcements in Malayalam first.

Source: Mathrubhumi

In detail: Cabinet Decisions

Puducherry passes Key Legislation. The Puducherry Ease of Doing Business Bill sets clear timelines for each stage of approval in starting a new business, introduces provisions for deemed approvals, and prescribes penalties for delays. Amendments to the Municipalities and Commune Panchayat Acts provide that trade licenses issued by local bodies will now be valid for five years, while doing away with the requirement for physical inspections. The amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act simplifies the procedure for change in land use applications.

Source: New Indian Express

Maharashtra issues Occupancy Certificates. The state is setting up a policy effective October 2, 2025, to issue Occupancy Certificates to more than 25,000 buildings that have been constructed as per the control regulations of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and other bodies in Mumbai.

Source: The Hindu
 

Water and Sanitation

Rajasthan regulates Tubewells. To regulate the use of groundwater, the state has made meters mandatory on tubewells for industrial and commercial use, with an exemption for agricultural use. The provision has been made in the recently passed Rajasthan Groundwater (Conservation and Management) Authority Bill. As per the bill, permission of the government has been made mandatory before digging a tubewell or borewell, with a fee for extracting water and meters in tubewells.

Source: Free Press Journal

In detail: Rajasthan Ground Water (Conservation and Management) Authority Act, 2024
 

Center – State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.
 

Any Other

Himachal Pradesh launces the ‘Pashu Mitra Policy, 2025' (Animal Friend Policy, 2025). Under the policy, 1,000 local youth will be trained and appointed as ‘Pashu Mitras’ across rural areas to help facilitate treatment of domestic animals, especially cattle and other livestock, with designated veterinarians. ‘Pashu Mitras’ will be paid $58.41 (INR 5000) per month for four hours of daily work.

Source: The Statesman

In detail: Press release