States Weekly: September 4, 2024

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published September 4, 2024

Big News: Odisha announces regulations for renewable energy procurement in the state; Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy, 2024 announcing penalties for posting objectionable content on social media; Gujarat launches a revamped State Policy for Gender Equity- 2024; Maharashtra approves the central government's Unified Pension Scheme (UPS); Union Ministry of Home Affairs announces the creation of five new districts in the union territory of Ladakh; and more.

Health 

Kerala announces its decision to sell 247 cancer drugs through select government pharmacies at zero profit prices. The cancer drugs manufactured by the Kerala Medical Services Corporation will be sold through special counters. Source: OnManorama; In detail: Press release

Climate Change & Energy

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) announces the Smart Modules for Existing Digital/Static Meters Guidelines, 2024. The guidelines aim to retrofit existing meters with smart modules in the state, thereby saving the exchequer money spent on replacing the meters with new smart meters altogether. Source: Saur Energy; In detail: KERC (Smart Modules For Existing Digital/Static Meters) Guidelines, 2024

Maharashtra sanctions an allotment of over $1.19 billion for the CM's Solar Agriculture Feeder Scheme 2.0. The scheme aims to provide reliable and uninterrupted daytime electricity supply to agricultural pumps of farmers across the state. Source: Times of India; In detail: Cabinet decisions (Marathi)

Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission introduces the Demand Flexibility and Demand Side Management - Implementation Framework, Cost-effectiveness Assessment; and Evaluation, Measurement and Verification Regulations, 2024 to improve grid stability and efficiency in the state. This move is part of a broader push to enhance environmentally friendly generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: MERC (Demand Flexibility and Demand Side Management - Implementation Framework, Cost-effectiveness Assessment; and Evaluation, Measurement and Verification) Regulations, 2024

Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission introduces draft Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources and its Compliance Regulations, 2024. The proposed regulations are designed to promote the use of renewable energy by various entities and ensure compliance with set targets. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources and its Compliance) Regulations, 2024

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Telangana launches the Telangana Entrepreneur Journey for Accelerating Success (TEJAS) program that aims to equip 50,000 young individuals with skills aimed at securing employment opportunities globally and fostering entrepreneurship. The program is specifically aimed to bolster the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) ecosystem in the state. Source: KNN; In detail: Press release

Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy, 2024 designed to regulate content on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. The policy outlines procedures for managing objectionable social media content and ulegal measures including penalties that could extend from three years to a life sentence. Source: Business Standard

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Assam passes the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill aims to provide iconic structures in the state that are more than 250 years old with a heritage status. Source: ANI; In detail: Assam Land and Revenue Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2024

Meghalaya approves the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The new law introduces a rigorous regulatory framework designed to tighten oversight and ensure compliance among migrant workers in the state. Key features include a revamped permit issuance system, and the appointment of designated officials tasked with monitoring and verifying the status of migrant workers. Source: India Today

Infrastructure & Governance

Gujarat launches a revamped State Policy for Gender Equity- 2024. The objective of the reformed policy is to foster an enabling environment for women and girls that promotes just and equal opportunities, eliminates gender discriminations, and accomplishes inclusive development and empowerment. Source: Deccan Herald

Maharashtra approves the central government's Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). Maharashtra is the first state in India to approve the scheme. UPS replaces the old pension scheme (OPS) and guarantees a pension of 50 percent of the basic salary for government employees who joined the service after January 1, 2004. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Cabinet decisions (Marathi)

Himachal Pradesh passes the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, increasing the minimum age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. The bill aims to support gender equality and higher education for women in the state. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Union Ministry of Education and Odisha launch the "Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan" (PM-USHA) in the state. The initiative aims to enhance the state's higher education sector by providing upskilling to over 10 million students and improving curriculum design and teacher training in the state. The central government has earmarked ~$60 million to aid the initiative. Source: India Today; In detail: PM-USHA Guidelines

Union Ministry of Home Affairs announces the creation of five new districts in the union territory of Ladakh. The districts include Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. Ladakh currently consists of just two districts, Leh and Kargil, each governed by its own autonomous district council. With the formation of the new districts, Ladakh's total number of districts will increase to seven. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects