Punjab approves the construction of a 4,000 MW capacity super critical thermal plant; Meghalaya adopts the state’s first ever Education Policy; Tamil Nadu Energy outlines a plan to roll out 100,000 grid-connected solar powered agriculture pumps; Jammu and Kashmir announces the state’s first Start-Up Policy 2018; Odisha’s State Level Single Window Clearance Authority approved seven investment proposals worth $1.02 billion; Prime Minister Modi inaugurates Sikkim’s first airport; and more.
Center – State relations
Andhra Pradesh is the top-ranked state in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ “Ease of Living Index,” based on its performance in the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. It was followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Source: Press Information Bureau In detail: Ease of Living Index 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the ambitious Ayushman Bharat health scheme aimed at providing $6,920 in medical coverage to 500 million Indians. However, five states and union territories ruled by opposition parties — Telangana, Delhi, Odisha, Kerala, and Punjab — refused to implement the program. Source: News 18
The Union Cabinet approved the revised cost estimate of $480 million, up from the original estimate of $290 million, for the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project, aimed at improving the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and mitigate risks to ensure the safety of the downstream population and property. The World Bank will fund a majority of the project, providing $363.7 million. Source: Business Standard In detail: Press Release
Representatives of Andhra Pradesh information technology and electronics department and TCL Corporation, China’s leading consumer electronics manufacturing company, signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for TCL to set up operations at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. This investment marks TCL’s first and, so far, only investment in India. Source: Deccan Chronicle
Nothing critical to report this week.
Union minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for the Healthy Reuse project, which uses first-of-its-kind technology to treat sewage from Delhi’s Barapullah drain and generate three tons of biofuel per 1 million liters of sewage. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release
Power distribution company, BSES Delhi, announced that it had, so far, provided 1,077 solar connections totalling more than 40 megawatts (MW), and may cross more than 2,000 solar connections by the end of the year. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release
Gujarat has equaled the record lowest tariff of 3 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), or unit, for solar power in India in a reverse e-auction carried out by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited for 500 MW solar power capacity saw two power developers quoting a tariff of 3 cents per unit. Source: Times of India In detail: Request for Selection for 500 MW Solar Power by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited
To increase revenue collected in the state, the Haryana government has increased stamp paper charges used in various types of agreements such as power of attorney, divorce papers, and deed documents. These increased charges will be applicable in the entire state at the beginning of October. Source: Times of India
The Haryana government has approved the construction of Kishau dam on Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna. With the construction of this dam, Haryana would get additional 709 cubic feet per second of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Source: Outlook India
The Karnataka government cut petrol and diesel prices by 2 cents. Source: Live Mint
In an effort to boost Karnataka’s industrial and innovation capability, the state government of Karnataka has identified nine districts to foster innovation and product diversification. Source: The Hindu Business Line
Karnataka government which launched Airavatha scheme, with a budget of $31.2 million to boost employment opportunities for SC/ST youth. The government also signed an MOU with taxi hailing company Uber to create “industry owned private enterprise” for youth in Tier 2 and 3 cities, as well as in rural areas. Source: The Hindu Business Line
The New Development Bank of the BRICS countries has approved a $525 million loan to Madhya Pradesh for infrastructure projects. Source: Live Mint In detail: Project Details
India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a new 128 mile rail line connecting Budni to Indore in Madhya Pradesh in support of development of backward areas, as well as reduce travel time across various routes in the state. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press Release
Despite receiving poor response for a 1,000 MW distributed generation power tender, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has floated another tender for purchase of 1,400MW. In its earlier 1,000 MW tender, it had received bids for only 287 MW of the total amount, with the highest tariff quoted at 4 cents/kWh. Source: Times of India In detail: Notice for invitation of Tenders
In an official memorandum submitted to the 15th Finance Commission, Maharashtra has demanded a higher share for states from the divisible pool of central tax collections, calling for an increase to 50 percent from the current 42 percent. The central government under Prime Minister Modi had earlier increased the share from 32 percent to 42 percent, based on the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. Source: Indian Express
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited will set up 500 e-vehicle charging stations across the state to encourage use of electric vehicles. Source: Times of India
The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the launch of a $13.8 million project, which will provide internet services at 10 megabits per second (mbps) based on point-to-point technology to users in the state for e-governance in city areas. Source: The Hindu Business Line
Independent power producer ACME Solar announced it has commissioned its 200 MW solar power plant at Bhadla in Rajasthan, stating that “With the commissioning of the Bhadla solar park, ACME’s total operating capacity in solar power now stands at 2.4 gigawatt peak (GWp) and the company’s total portfolio of solar projects stands at over 5.5 GWp, making it the largest solar power portfolio in the country.” Source: Economic Times
The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency , the nodal agency for renewable energy in the state, has outlined a plan to roll out 100,000 grid-connected solar powered agriculture pumps at a project cost of $1.87 billion. The project aims to incentivise farmers generating solar power and help them earn additional income by selling excess power to the grid, while reducing the subsidy burden for the state government. Source: The Hindu
Independent power producer Mytrah Energy entered into a power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to establish a 300 MW wind power plant in Coimbatore. Mytrah’s winning bid of 3 cents/kWh was part of the fourth tranche of SECI’s wind reverse auctions, in which 11 companies participated. Source: The Hindu Business Line
The Hyderabad Metro Rail began its services on the 10 mile stretch between Ameerpet to LB Nagar, thereby fully operationalizing the entire 18 miles of Corridor-I from Miyapur to LB Nagar. Source: NDTV
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the paddy procurement policy for 2018-19, setting a target of procuring 5 million metric tons of paddy at a price of $24.2 per 100 kilograms, or quintal, for the common variety and $24.5 per quintal for grade A variety. Source: Financial Express
The latest solar tender of India’s Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency has exceeded the targeted capacity of 500MW by attracting 750 MW of proposals. The tender, which was capped at $0.04/kWh, was launched in July following the cancellation of an earlier 1-GW auction due to the high level of quoted tariffs. Source: Renewables Now
Nothing critical to report this week.
Best of the Rest
Chhattisgarh
A joint venture between Micromax and Reliance Jio won a $207 million order from the Chhattisgarh government to distribute 5 million smartphones to women and students in the state. Under the project, the JV will distribute 4.5 million smartphones to women and 500,000 smartphones to college students in the state. Source: Live Mint
Goa
The Goa government has approved the Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Act, 2018, which empowers district collectors in the state to clear any reclamation of low-lying areas, khazan land (defined as low-lying land close to a mangrove-fringed estuary reclaimed by salinity control structures), or land under coastal regulation zone without notice. The bill has earlier been approved in the Goa Legislative Assembly recently. Source: Times of India In detail: Goa Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Act, 2018
Himachal Pradesh
Nothing critical to report this week.
Jharkhand
The Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Limited will provide concession of up to $3.50 of 1 percent (whichever is lower) to users who pay their electricity bills online. Source: Times of India
Jammu and Kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir government announced the state’s first ‘Start-Up Policy 2018’, which will be in force for next 10 years, and aims to inspire and nurture entrepreneurs in the state. Source: Financial Express In detail: Start up JK Portal
The Union Cabinet approved the extension of the timeline for implementation of the Special Package under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, which is focused on promoting self-employment and poverty reduction in rural areas, for Jammu & Kashmir for a period of one year. Source: Urban update In detail: Press Release
Meghalaya
The Meghalaya state cabinet approved the state’s first ever Draft Education Policy after 46 years of statehood. Source: Business Standard In detail: Draft Education Policy for Meghalaya
Meghalaya aims to cover more than 1.3 million children to achieve 100 percent coverage under the Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign, which will be launched in the state on October 1. Source: North East Now In detail: Press Release
Odisha
Prime MinisterModi said the $1.8 billion project to revive the Talcher fertilizer plant will, for the first time, convert coal into gas for use as feedstock and for producing neem-coated urea. He also stated that the project, which will start production in 36 months, will help cut import of natural gas and fertilizer and make India self-reliant. Source: Money Control In detail: Press Release
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated a new airport in Jharsuguda. The airport is the second airport of Odisha after Bhubaneswar to become operational, and the first one to provide necessary connectivity between the cities of Bhubaneswar and neighboring capitals Raipur and Ranchi. Source: Orissa Diary In detail: Press Release
The Odisha State Level Single Window Clearance Authority approved seven investment proposals worth $1.02 billion across sectors such as steel, downstream industries in metals and minerals, and plastics. These projects promise employment opportunities for 4454 people in the state. Source: Business Standard In detail: Single Window Clearance System Policy
The state government of Odisha approved a proposal by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd to establish a 40 MW solar plant in Odisha with an investment of about $27 million. Source: Business Standard
Puducherry
The Puducherry government unveiled a new sand import policy to facilitate construction activity in the wake of shortage of the key raw material in the union territory. Under the policy, the Puducherry Import of Sand, Transportation and Storage Rules, 2018, individuals or companies can import river sand and sell it to the public. Source: Business Standard In detail: The Puducherry import of sand, transportation and storage rules, 2018
Punjab
The Punjab government has approved the construction a super critical thermal plant of 4,000 MW capacity for Rupnagar, State’s Power Minister G.S. Kangar said. Source: The Hindu In detail: Press Release
The Punjab Cabinet approved the rules for the implementation of the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, announcing that “The move will help the State achieve specific fiscal targets within a stipulated time period to avail of the benefits of the Centre’s Debt Consolidation and Relief Facility for States.” Source: The Hindu In detail: Press Release
Sikkim
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Sikkim’s Pakyong airport, which was built approximately 1 mile above the Pakyong village in Sikkim. This airport is the state’s first airport, and will begin its first commercial flight operations from October 4. Source: Financial Express In detail: Press Release
Tripura
Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurated ISRO’s first Space Technology Incubation Centre at the National Institute of Technology Agartala via remote from Bengaluru. Source: Indian Express
Uttarakhand
The government of India signed a financing loan agreement with the World Bank for $74 million for the Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project, which aims to improve the quality and relevance of training at priority Industrial Training Institutes, as well as increase the number of labor-market-relevant workers through short term training in the state. Source: Money Control In detail: Press Release
