Center sanctions electric buses under second phase of FAME while Uttar Pradesh announces new EV Policy; Gujarat’s solar capacity crosses 2.6 GW mark; Rajasthan releases Biofuel Policy; Odisha releases draft Agriculture Policy; breakthrough achieved in diffusing conflict with separatists in Tripura and more.
Center – State relations
The central government has approved 5,595 electric buses in 64 cities for intracity and intercity operations under the second phase of the FAME India program in order to push for clean mobility in public transportation. Source: News 18
The Andhra Pradesh government canceled an agreement for the development of the Machilipatnam port. Source: India Today
The Andhra Pradesh High Court ordered the state power transmission firm AP Transco to refrain from arbitrarily reducing the power it receives from renewable projects, providing relief to developers who have set up more than 7,500 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind energy capacity. Source: Economic times
Nothing critical to report this week.
To evaluate and accelerate the integration of decentralized renewable energy into New Delhi’s power grid, TATA Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Council of Energy, Environment and Water. Source: Sau Energy In detail: Press Release
The New Delhi government announced it will install 11,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the city. Source: First Post
The state government of Gujarat, which has set an ambitious target of having 800,000 solar rooftop power generating units by 2022, announced that it would buy surplus electricity generated through such units at $0.031 per unit, or kilowatt-hour. Source: Indian Express
The state’s total installed solar capacity has crossed the 2.6 gigawatts (GW) mark, according to the latest data released by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA). Source: PV Magazine
The state increased the fuel and power purchase price adjustment charges for electricity consumers of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. by $0.002 while the charges for Torrent Power Ltd (TPL) will remain unchanged at $0.029 per unit. Source: DNA
The Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd. has floated a tender for 250 MW of solar power projects ranging between 20 to 60 MW at substations of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd. The bid submission deadline is August 31, 2019. Source: Mercom
Nothing critical to report this week.
The central government has released $18 million from the State Disaster Response Fund for the flood relief works in Karnataka. Source: The Hindu Business Line
Sterlite Power won two contracts worth $421.89 million for setting up inter-state transmission projects. Source: Money Control
The Madhya Pradesh government announced that tribals (individuals from indigenous communities) who have taken loans from unofficial lines of credit, such as from traditional money lenders, would not have to repay them. Source: India Today
The Asian Development Bank has approved a $200 million loan for improving road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra to better connect rural areas with markets and services. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release
Following an order by the central government, the state of Rajasthan became the first state in the country to introduce a 2019 biofuels policy. Source: NDTV
The Rajasthan Protection from Lynching Bill, 2019, was passed by the Vidhan Sabha, the state’s legislative assembly, by a voice vote. Source: India Today
The state-owned mining and power generating company, Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC India), announced the successful commissioning of a 100 MW solar PV plant in Tamil Nadu. Source: Sau Energy
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. has commissioned one more pumping unit of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Telangana. Source: Money Control
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has granted a one-time exemption to Rooftop Solar Consumers to use net metering. Source: Mercom In detail: Order details
The Uttar Pradesh government introduced an electric vehicles policy, which targets attracting nearly $5.62 billion in private investment by the year 2024. Source: Business Standard
ReNew Power and Shapoorji Pallonji announced that they will invest $104.8 million in a 150 MW floating solar power project in Uttar Pradesh. Source: Business Standard
Nothing critical to report this week.
Best of the Rest
Chhattisgarh
The prices of petrol and diesel in Chhattisgarh increased after the state government increased the value added tax (VAT) on automobile fuels from 21 to 25 percent. Source: Business Standard
Goa
The Goa state legislative assembly passed the Goa Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2019 earmarking $2.74 billion as grants to the government for the financial year 2019-2020. Source: Times of India
The state legislative assembly passed the Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill 2019, repealing the previous Goa Medical Practitioners’ Act of 2004. Source: Times of India
Kerala
The Kerala government has approved an infrastructure project to build a rail line for semi-high speed trains to operate between the southern-most district to the northern district of the state. Source: Business Standard
The Kerala government has launched a program called “Soura” to add 1,000 MW of solar projects to the existing capacity of Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd. by 2022 to support the state’s renewable energy purchase obligation. Source: Mercom
Odisha
The state government of Odisha released a draft of the state Agriculture Policy 2019 aimed at the continuation of the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation program for the next five years. Source: Times now
The state government of Odisha has decided to revive auctions of eight iron ore blocks and three others for the mining of manganese, graphite and limestone. Source: Business Standard
The state government launched 22 new projects to create employment opportunities for a total investment of $627.4 million. Source: Economic Times
Punjab
The agriculture department of the state government of Punjab announced it will provide more than 28,000 agro-machines/farm equipment to local farmers with a subsidy component of $39 million during the current fiscal year. Source: Outlook
Tripura
The state government of Tripura has approved the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which requires enrollment up to class four. Source: Indian Express
The central government has signed an MOU with the state government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Twipra to lay down its arms. Source: The Wire
