The Asian Development Bank approves loans to EESL, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal; The center and Andhra Pradesh reach understanding regarding renewable energy contracts; Haryana issues new rooftop solar policy; Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister; Telangana transport employees allowed to re-join duties; Jharkhand first phase of polling sees high turnout; Manipur winter session to begin December 18; Odisha moves to privatize four discoms; and more.

Center – State Relations

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $250 million as part of an assistance package to Energy Efficiency Services Limited, to expand energy efficiency investments in India. Source: Business Standard In Detail: ADB Press Release

The latest School Education Quality Index released by the Niti Aayog found that 18 out of 20 large states improved their overall scores between 2015-16 and 2016-17. Haryana, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat showed high rates of improvement. Source: Times of India In Detail: School Education Quality Index Report

The center and Andhra Pradesh have reached a compromise to end the impasse over the government’s controversial decision to reopen renewable energy contracts inked by the previous state government. This compromise includes non-revision of some power purchase agreements, concessional loans to the state government, and wavier of interstate transmission charges for clean energy. Source: Live Mint

The state assembly passed the Bihar Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and Bihar Taxation Disputes Resolution Bill, 2019. Both are aimed at bringing quicker settlements of tax disputes. Source: Times of India

Two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed in an effort to set up new public electric vehicle battery swapping and charging stations in an effort to hasten the adoption of e-mobility in Delhi. Source: The Hindu Business Line Source: Economic Times In Detail: BSES & Ola Electric Press Release

Nothing critical to report.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s latest revenue sector report on Haryana for the 2017-18 fiscal highlights an increase in tax and non-tax revenues up to 21 percent. Source: Hindustan Times In Detail: State Finances Audit Report

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued an updated version of its regulations for rooftop solar grid-interactive systems in response to a petition filed by the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency. The changes include provisions for net metering facilities. Source: Mercom In Detail: Rooftop Solar Grid Interactive Systems Based on Net Metering

Nothing critical to report this week.

Nothing critical to report this week.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray was sworn in as Maharashtra chief minister along with two ministers each from the Sena, NCP, and Congress. The Uddhav Thackeray-led government proved its majority in a floor test in the Maharashtra Assembly. Source: Economic Times

Nothing critical to report this week.

The ADB and the government of India signed a $451 million loan to strengthen power connectivity between the southern and northern parts of the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor, which is part of the East Coast Economic Corridor, in Tamil Nadu. Source: Business Standard In Detail: ADB Press Release

The Tamil Nadu government signed nine new MOUs at the Investment and Skill Development Conclave organized by the Tamil Nadu government and presided over by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. Source: The Hindu Business Line In Detail: Investment & Skill Development Conclave MoU Press Release

In a major relief to employees of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao said that the entire 48,000-odd workforce can re-join their duties. Source: Live Mint

Uttar Pradesh is set to become the first state in India to launch blockchain-enabled solar power trading through a partnership between Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation and Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency. Source: Economic Times

The ADB has approved the release of a $150 million loan for West Bengal to boost capital investment and infrastructure in the state. Source: Devdiscourse In Detail: ADB Press Release

Best of the Rest

Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh government will launch a new scheme to pay $34.80 per quintal, or 100 kilograms, to farmers for procuring paddy, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told the legislative assembly. Source: Financial Express

Goa

The state government agreed to extend its five-year power purchasing agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam for another three years amidst electricity shortages and lack of interest in the state’s recent solar tenders. Source: PV Magazine

Jharkhand

The first phase of polling for 13 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand saw a turnout of 65 percent. According to the Election Commission, this is record turnout in these constituencies. Source: Live Mint

Jammu and Kashmir

The center will sponsor a new $45.3 million government medical college in Kupwara district, which will be attached with the district and referral hospital Handwara in north Kashmir. Source: Financial Express

Manipur

The Manipur cabinet has decided to convene the winter session of the assembly from December 18 to deliberate on several key issues including the Naga peace talks and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Source: Times of India

The Union Ministry of Shipping on November 27 approved the long pending demand of Manipur government for the development of Loktak Inland Waterways project in the state. Source: Business Standard In Detail: Press Release

Odisha

The Odisha government is set to privatize four state-owned electricity distribution companies, said sources. The drive is headed by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission and is the first such move in nearly two decades in India’s power sector. Source: Live Mint

The state government announced to delay the implementation of the strict amended Motor Vehicle Act for another three months until the end of February 2020. This act will strengthen enforcement of road safety provisions, and has led to a surge of nearly 100,000 new driver licenses being issued in the past three months. Source: Times of India In Detail: OERC Notice for Bids(West), (South)

Punjab

The World Economic Forum is extending full support to the Punjab government in its efforts to build and strengthen a more sustainable agriculture sector through the upcoming Progressive Punjab Investors Summit 2019. Source: Economic Times In Detail: Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019