States Weekly: October 30, 2024

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published October 30, 2024

Big News: West Bengal and Assam receive loans from the Asian Development Bank to improve the states' electricity networks; Rajasthan introduces the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024; Gujarat announces a $168.8 million relief package to support farmers affected by rains; and more.

Health 

Karnataka launches the "Griha Arogya: Healthcare at Your Doorstep" initiative, aimed at providing free health check-ups and treatment to citizens at their homes. The initiative aims to reach underprivileged sections and ensure the timely detection of diseases. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Karnataka Health Department X/Twitter

West Bengal extends its ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution of pan masala and gutkha products containing tobacco or nicotine till November 2025, beginning on November 7. Source: India Today; In detail: Notification

Manipur places a ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of tobacco products throughout the state for a period of one year with immediate effect. Source: IFP

Tripura launches the "Mukhyamantri Sushtha Shaishab, Sushtha Koishore Abhiyan 7.0" with the target of improving both physical and mental health of children and adolescents of the state. The campaign, aims to provide essential medicines and administer vaccinations to children within the age-group of zero to 19 years old. Source: Indian Express

Climate Change & Energy

Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) releases the draft Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024. The regulations aim to streamline the deviation settlement process, enhance grid reliability, and effectively integrate renewable energy sources in the state's power system. Source: Mercom; In detail:Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024

Bihar bans the sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur to curb air pollution during Diwali. Source: Economic Times

West Bengal receives a $241.3 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the electricity distribution in the state and ensure reliable and sustainable power supply. Source: Economic Times

Assam receives a $434.25 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to increase the renewable energy capacity and improve energy security in the state. The loan will be used to construct a 500 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic facility. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release

Rajasthan signs a Memorandum of Understanding with United Arab Emirates to facilitate an investment of $35.67 billion in the renewable energy sector This investment will be used for setting up 60 GW capacity solar, wind and hybrid projects in the western districts of the state. Source: Economic Times

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Rajasthan introduces the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2024 to offer increased financial incentives to a wider range of sectors and incentivize private sector investment in the state. RIPS has recognized various new sun-rise sectors such as aero & space, defence, drones, semiconductors, agri-tech and waste recycling. Source: The Week; In detail: Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2024

Odisha announces that women employees will get an additional 12 days of casual leave annually apart from the 15 days they get currently. The order is in line with the government's previous announcement that women employees will be entitled to a day's paid menstrual leave per month. Source: India Today

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Assam announces Mission "Basundhara" aimed to simplify land ownership and curb illegal construction. Under the mission, the state aims to convert one-year land leases into full leases and charge a 1 percent premium. This policy aims to simplify land ownership, eliminating the need for brokers in land dealings. Source: Guwahati Plus; In detail: Mission Basundhara

Punjab consents to the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024 doing away with the requirement of a no objection certificate (NOC) for registration of land deeds. Source: Times of India; In detail: Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024

Infrastructure & Governance

Delhi announces a monthly financial assistance of $59.4 to people with special needs. Citizens with over 60 percent disability will be eligible for financial assistance. Source: Times of India; In detail: Cabinet decision (Video)

Gujarat announces a $168.8 million relief package to support 700,000 farmers affected by heavy rains across the state. The financial assistance aims to help those whose crops were damaged by more than 33 percent and provide support in the face of significant agricultural losses in 20 districts of the state. Source: Hindustan Times

Himachal Pradesh launches the "Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar" program. The initiative aims to bring government services closer to people living in distant and underserved areas. Source: The News mill

Odisha releases the Odisha Civil Aviation Policy 2024 aimed to enhance the air connectivity across the state. The policy offers substantial financial incentives to airlines for launching new domestic and international air routes. Source: New Indian Express

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Gujarat approves the "Gujarat Inland Vessels Registration, Survey, and Operation Rules 2024", aimed to improve the safety in boating and water sports activities. Source: Daijiworld; In detail: Gujarat Inland Vessel (Registration, Survey and Operation of Category 'C' Inland Vessels), Rules, 2024

Punjab approves the Punjab Fire and Emergency Service Bill, 2024. The bill aims to streamline fire safety compliance and ease doing business in the state. The bill also seeks to create a regulatory framework to accredit third parties, monitor their activities, and impose penalties for poor performance. Source: Babushahi; In detail: Punjab Fire and Emergency Service Bill 2024

Programs & Projects