States Weekly: July 17, 2024

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published July 17, 2024

Big News: Ministry of Home Affairs releases the Transaction of Business of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir govt (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, increasing the powers of the lieutenant governor; Uttar Pradesh waives road tax for hybrid vehicles; Uttarakhand and Kerala top NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2023-24; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Climate Change & Energy

Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) releases the Terms and Conditions of Open Access Regulation, 2024. As per the regulations, consumers with a contracted or sanctioned power load of 100 kW or more, including those who aggregate multiple connections to achieve a total of 100 kW within the same electricity division of a power distribution company (discom), are eligible for green energy open access. Source: Energetica; In detail: TSERC (Terms and Conditions of Open Access) Regulation, 2024

Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) introduces the draft Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources, 2024. The regulations are designed to regulate the tariffs for renewable energy and promote its use in the state. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Draft AERC (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources), Regulations 2024

Himachal Pradesh approves the changes to their previous zero electricity bill for domestic consumers. The subsidy will now be limited to one meter per family and linked to ration cards. Source: Good Returns; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Rajasthan introduces a comprehensive 10-year energy plan in its revised fiscal Budget 2024-25, aimed at addressing the growing electricity demand and ensuring sustainable energy production. The plan places a strong emphasis on solar power, and developing three major solar parks in Pugal, Chhatargarh-Bikaner, and Bodana-Jaisalmer. Source: KNN; In detail: Budget 2024-25 (Hindi)

Uttar Pradesh announces a 100 percent waiver of road tax on hybrid cars to boost green transportation and adoption of eco-friendly vehicles. Source: Economic Times

Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) publishes the draft MERC Forecasting, Scheduling, and Deviation Settlement for Solar and Wind Generation First Amendment Regulations, 2024. The provisions are aimed to ensure that payments and receipts on account of energy accounting and deviations are settled based on actual generation. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: MERC (Forecasting, Scheduling and Deviation Settlement for Solar and Wind Generation) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2024

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure & Governance

Rajasthan presents the State Budget 2024-25, aiming to fill 400,000 vacancies within the next five years. The budget's key priorities included water supply, economic growth, infrastructure development, and youth empowerment, proposing $3.2 billion for the health sector and $1.8 billion to provide tap water to 2.5 million rural houses. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Budget 2024-25 (Hindi)

Chhattisgarh forms a separate "Good Governance and Convergence Department" for the effective implementation of state government welfare policies and addressing public issues. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet Decision

Madhya Pradesh approves the implementation of the centrally sponsored "National e-Vidhan Application" (NEVA) scheme. The scheme aims to streamline information exchange among different state government departments and make legislative information more transparent. Source: Free Press Journal; In detail: Cabinet Decision

Bihar approves the Bihar Lift and Escalator Bill to regulate the use of lifts and escalators in multi-storey buildings, commercial complexes, hospitals, offices and hotels. As per the bill, the use of lifts and escalators will require proper registration and mandatory inspection at least once every three years. Source: Times of India; In detail: Cabinet Decision (Hindi)

Assam approves child adoption leave of 180 days for female state government employees to ensure that adopted children below the age of one year get proper care and nourishment. Source: Assam Tribune

Haryana launches the "IT Saksham Yuva" Scheme 2024, with the aim to upskill and provide employment for 5,000 young individuals in the information technology (IT) space in the first phase of the scheme. The scheme is in line with the government's "Mission 60,000" announced in the State Budget 2024-25 that aims to provide employment to at least 60,000 young individuals from poor families. Source: Hindustan Times

Haryana approves the "Mukhya Mantri Shehri Awas Yojana", aimed at providing affordable housing to economically weaker sections (EWS) in urban areas. This scheme focuses on families lacking their own house or currently residing in makeshift houses. Source: English Jagran; In detail: Press release

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Uttarakhand and Kerala emerge as the top performing states in NITI Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals India Index 2023-24, which evaluates the progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters. Source: CNBC TV18; In detail: SDG India Index 2023-24

The Ministry of Home Affairs releases the Transaction of Business of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir govt (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, increasing the powers of the lieutenant governor. The President of India has approved these changes under section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. The rules come in light of upcoming assembly elections and include increased discretionary power on matters related to law and order, police, prisons, and prosecution. Source: Times of India

Any Other

Tamil Nadu approves the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Amendment Act, 2024 stipulating enhanced punishment term and quantum of fine for offences like manufacture, possession and sale of illicit liquor that endangers lives. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Tamil Nadu Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2024

Programs & Projects