States Weekly: August 21, 2024

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published August 21, 2024

Big News: Jharkhand announces free electricity up to 200 units for domestic consumers; Election Commission of India announces assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana between September 18 - October 1; Maharashtra and Jharkhand announce monthly financial support for women in the state; Odisha introduces a one-day menstrual leave policy for women workers; and more.

Health 

Tamil Nadu announces the "Mudhalvarin Marundhagam" scheme under which the state will sell generic medicines at subsidised cost. The government plans to begin operations in 1000 pharmacies across the state by next year in the first phase. Source: Times of India; In detail: Press Release (Tamil)

Climate Change & Energy

Tamil Nadu approves the Repowering & Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects - 2024. The policy was initially introduced in January and aims to boost the green energy sector with a target of setting up renewable energy power capacity of 20 GW by 2030. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Tamil Nadu Repowering & Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects - 2024

Jharkhand announces free electricity up to 200 units for domestic consumers. This scheme will be implemented retrospectively from August 14. Source: Town Post

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Punjab announces in-principle approval to remove the requirement of no objection certificates (NOC) for the registration of land and property. The decision aims to support the general public and prevent the sale of unauthorized pieces of land. Source: Hindustan Times

Infrastructure & Governance

Maharashtra announces the decision to extend the term for municipal council chairpersons from 2.5 to 5 years. Source: Free Press Journal; In detail: Cabinet Decision (Hindi)

Odisha introduces a one-day menstrual leave policy for women workers in both the state government and the private sector. The one-day menstrual leave policy will be effective immediately. Source: Business Today

Haryana launches an online portal for the "Har Ghar-Har Grihni" scheme for providing domestic gas cylinders at $6 to underprivileged families in the state. The scheme is expected to benefit 5 million families, and cost the state exchequer $178 million annually. Source: The Pioneer; In detail: Press Release

Uttar Pradesh announces the "Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan" scheme which aims to provide significant financial support to young individuals interested in entrepreneurship. The scheme aims to establish 1 million MSME units, and generate employment for 5 million young individuals across the state. Source: The Statesman

Himachal Pradesh launches the "Swamitva" scheme under which the government will provide property ownership cards to villagers residing in demarcated inhabited areas without proper ownership documentation. Source: The Print; In detail: Press Release

Andhra Pradesh relaunches the "Anna Canteen" aiming to establish 203 canteens across the state. The aim of the Anna Canteens which provides subsidised meals at the cost of $0.059 per meal is to ensure that the poor in the state are fed. Source: Business Standard

Maharashtra launches the "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" under which eligible women will be provided $17 per month. Source: Deccan Chronicle

Himachal Pradesh launches the "Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana" to provide nutritious food to children in government-run schools. Under the scheme, school children will be provided boiled eggs or fruits once a week. Source: India Today; In detail: Press release

Jharkhand launches the "Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman" scheme. Under the scheme, women in the state aged from 21 to 50 years will receive financial assistance of $11.90 each per month. Source: News on Air

Uttarakhand approves the Uttarakhand Reservation in Govt Service for the Identified Andolankari of Uttarakhand Movement and their Dependents Bill, 2023 providing 10 percent reservation in government jobs for statehood agitators and their dependents that sought the creation of a separate Uttarakhand state. The bill is expected to benefit over 10,000 individuals. Source: The Week

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Election Commission of India announces assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and Haryana from September 18 to October 1. This will be the first elections to be held in J&K after 2014. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press Release

Any Other

Punjab approves the Punjab Fire Safety and Emergency Services Bill, 2024 to modernize and upgrade the fire safety, firefighting and improve ease of doing business requirements in the state. Source: Babushahi; In detail: Punjab Fire and Emergency Service Act, 2022

Programs & Projects