Gujarat scores highest in integrated rating of state discoms; Andhra Pradesh launches new e-procurement portal; Rajasthan takes highway loan from the Asian Development Bank; Modi approves inclusion of displaced families in Jammu & Kashmir; Odisha faces coal shortage; Punjab launches draft renewable energy policy; and more.
Center – State relations
The central government is holding a two day conference for Energy Ministers and top officials of state energy departments to celebrate achieving near universal household electrification under the Saubhagya scheme and focus on the importance of renewable energy. Source: Hindustan Times In detail: Press Release
Gujarat comes out on top of the Seventh Annual Integrated Rating of State Distribution Utilities (discoms). Seven of the 41 utilities analyzed in the study received an A+ rating including all four of Gujarat’s discoms, two from Karnataka and one from Uttarakhand. Source: The Hindu Business Line In detail: State Distribution Utilities Seventh Annual Integrated Rating
Andhra Pradesh is launching a new e-procurement portal in January 2020. Under the new system, all tenders related to purchase and services will be on e-procurement portal, and all government departments are expected to implement it. Source: The Hindu Business Line
The state government is launching a Water Grid project with the goal of providing suitable drinking water to every household in the state by 2022. The project, designed to meet the water requirement for the next 30 years, will cost an estimated $6.6 billion. Source: New Indian Express
Nothing critical to report this week.
In an effort to offer efficient last-mile connectivity to commuters, the Delhi Metro rail Corporation has allowed e-scooter renting services at four of its stations. Source: Live Mint
In a further expansion of its digitizing program, Delhi power distribution company BSES announced that it has operationalized the facility of digital recharge of customers’ pre-paid meters. Source: Economic Times
Nothing critical to report this week.
Nothing critical to report this week.
Nothing critical to report this week.
Nothing critical to report this week.
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the Maharashtra State Load Dispatch Center to amend its forecasting and scheduling procedure in line with the rules and principles of the commission within two weeks and submit the amended procedure after considering the stakeholders’ comments for approval within 45 days. Source: Mercom
The government of India has signed a $190 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank to upgrade 468 miles of state highways in Rajasthan which will benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts. Source: All India Radio In detail: Press Release
Nothing critical to report this week.
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that single-use plastic would be banned in Telangana. Source: Times of India
In an effort to curb corruption, the Power Department in Uttar Pradesh has ordered a special audit of e-tenders in Bahraich, Balrampur, Shravasti, and Gonda. Source: Economic Times
Nothing critical to report this week.
Best of the Rest
Arunachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced that the Arunachal Pradesh government will constitute a consultative committee to safeguard the rights of indigenous people of the state in view of the National Democratic Alliance government’s decision to amend the citizenship law through the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill. Source: Hindustan Times
Assam
In an attempt to ensure that India’s efforts to revive work on the long-pending 2,000 megawatts (MW) Lower Subansiri project in Arunachal Pradesh avoid derailment, Assam has constituted a high-power state level task force to facilitate work on the strategic project. The state has also launched a committee comprising of deputy commissioners and superintendent of police of the trouble prone districts of Tezpur, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Dhemaji, and Lakhimpur. Source: Live Mint
Himachal Pradesh
Even with 90 percent of Himachal Pradesh’s population residing in rural areas, the state has ranked among the top three states in India’s Child Well-Being Index, and in the top 10 for improved health index scores in NITI Aayog’s Health Index Report of 2019. Source: Swach India
Jammu and Kashmir
A high-level delegation of the Ministry of Personnel visited Srinagar and discussed initiatives for creating a roadmap for the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Source: Outlook In detail: Press Release
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved inclusion of 5,300 displaced person families of Jammu & Kashmir who initially opted to move outside the state in 1947, but later returned and settled in Jammu & Kashmir. Source: Oridsa Diary In detail: Press Release
Kerala
The Kerala Startup Mission has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bahrain Economic Development Board to support technology start-ups. The goal of the MOU is to help promote innovation in financial technology, information and communication technology, and related emerging technologies. Source: Business Standard
Manipur
The Manipur state cabinet approved the Stand Up Manipur scheme which will provide subsidy and soft loans to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBC, women. and minorities of the state for setting up business. The cabinet also unanimously approved the Manipur Regulation of Sale Deed Registration Rules 2019 to regulate and curtail inappropriate transfer of property. Source: Morung Express
Odisha
The state-run Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) requires 24,000 metric tons of coal daily to run its four units, but due to local agitations at mines in Odisha, the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd is providing only 14,000 metric tons of coal to OPGC. Because of this coal shortage, authorities of OPGC decided to shut one of its units. Source: Odisha Sun Times
Punjab
Energy Efficiency Services Limited has entered into a 10-year agreement with BSNL to build electric vehicle infrastructure in the Punjab Telecom Circle area and explore synergy for further promoting electric vehicles. They will start by building 100 electric cars public charging stations in Punjab. Source: Economic Times
The Punjab government has launched a draft version of its renewable energy policy, which aims to meet 21 percent of its power requirement through renewable energy by the year 2030. The policy has set a target of deploying 3,000 MW of solar projects by 2030, which will include utility-scale, canal-top, rooftop, floating, and hybrid solar projects. Source: Mercom
The center sanctioned a Cash Credit Limit amount of $3.77 billion for procurement of paddy in the Kharif marketing season 2019-20 for the month of October. Source: Economic Times
The Punjab government on October 12 announced a three percent hike in the dearness allowance for government employees and pensioners, a move which will put a burden of $67.7 million on the state exchequer. Source: Money Control
