States Weekly: February 14, 2024

Big News: Uttarakhand passes the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill; Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh release State Budgets 2024-25; Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) releases the Tamil Nadu Forecasting, Scheduling, and Deviation Settlement and related matters for Wind and Solar Generation Regulations, 2024; and more.

Health 

Karnataka imposes a blanket ban on the sale, distribution, and consumption of hookah products in the state to shut down illegal hookah bars in the state. Source: The Quint

Climate Change & Energy

Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) releases the Tamil Nadu Forecasting, Scheduling, and Deviation Settlement and related matters for Wind and Solar Generation Regulations, 2024. The regulations are designed to support the integration of wind and solar energy into the Tamil Nadu grid, ensuring stability and security in accordance with the state grid code and relevant legislation. Source: Mercom; In detail: Tamil Nadu Forecasting, Scheduling, and Deviation Settlement and related matters for Wind and Solar Generation Regulations, 2024

Kerala approves a hike of up to 10 percent in electricity connection fees. Additionally, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) increase rates for 12 services. Source: Janam Online; In detail: Tariff order

Jharkhand formulates the Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering Regulations, 2024. The rules are expected to help achieve the goals outlined in the Jharkhand State Solar Policy 2022. Source: Mercom; In detail: Group Net Metering and Virtual Net Metering Regulations, 2024

Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) increases the cap on net metering from 500 kW to 1 MW for rooftop solar installations. In a suomotu order, the commission said the net metering ceiling increase is to encourage the penetration of rooftop solar installations. Source: Mercom; In detail: Order

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Maharashtra approves a proposal allowing an exemption in the property tax for residential units having a size of less than 500 square feet. Source: CNBC TV; In detail: Cabinet Decision

Rajasthan releases the Rajasthan Stamp (Amendment) Rules, 2024. As per the rules, the state government will charge a stamp duty of 0.5% on the consideration amount for lease/sale deeds executed under the chief minister’s Jan Awas Yojana 2015 or for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Source: Times of India; In detail: Notification

Telangana releases the Telangana New Sand Policy 2024 aimed at preventing corruption and illegal transportation of sand. Source: India Today; In detail: Press Release; Telangana New Sand policy 2024

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Punjab removes the clause of no-objection certificate (NOC) for the registration of any land and property in the state. The state government had made NOC mandatory for property registration in 2012. Source: Hindustan Times

Infrastructure & Governance

Uttarakhand passes the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill, becoming the first state in the country to give nod to the legislation. Source: Times of India; In detail: Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill

Uttar Pradesh presents the State Budget2024-25, with an outlay of $88 billion. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Uttar Pradesh Budget Speech (Hindi)

Rajasthan presents the State Budget 2024-25. The budget includes a provision of $120 million to establish and upgrade schools, colleges, hospitals, and administrative buildings, and recruitment to fill 70,000 vacant government posts. Source: The Telegraph; In detail: Rajasthan Budget 2024-25 (Hindi)

Andhra Pradesh presents the State Budget 2024-25. The government has tailored a social safety net to address the needs of the economically and socially vulnerable sections. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Andhra Pradesh Budget 2024-25

Chhattisgarh presents the State Budget 2024-25 with an outlay of $17 billion. There are no additional taxes being imposed in the state. Source: Financial Express; In detail: Key Chhattisgarh Budget 2024-25 Key Highlights

Goa presents the State Budget 2024-25 with an outlay of $3.2 billion. There are no additional taxes being imposed in the state. Source: Times of India; In detail: Goa Budget 2024-25

West Bengal presents the State Budget 2024-25 with a special focus on women. The budget introduced an array of social welfare schemes for SC/STs, women, artisans, new MGNREGA-like state scheme ‘Karmasree’, artisan welfare schemes. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Budget 2024-25

Arunachal Pradesh presents the interim State Budget 2024-25. A full budget for 2024-25 will be presented after the assembly elections in the state. Source: The Week

Arunachal Pradesh approves the creation of two new districts for ease of administration. As per the government, the Keyi Panyor district will be formed from the from Lower Subansiri and Bichom from East and West Kameng districts. The number of districts in the state will now rise to 28. Source: Deccan Herald

Punjab launches the “Ghar Ghar Muft Ration” scheme, aiming to provide free, home-delivered groceries to 2.5 million families in the first phase. Source: Daily 24x7 News; In detail: Press release

Uttar Pradesh passes the Indian Stamp (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, which allows the transfer of a property between blood relatives by paying a stamp duty of $ 60.234. Source: Indian Express; In detail: Indian Stamp (Uttar Pradesh Amendment) Ordinance, 2023

Center – State Relations 

Union Ministry of Power releases a detailed letter to all states and union territories for adherence to “Resource Adequacy Guidelines”, in order to ensure adequate growth in the nation’s power capacity in line with the rapidly growing electricity demand. As per the Resource Adequacy (RA) Guidelines, to meet their own peak and energy requirement, the Distribution licensees are mandated to prepare RA Plan for a 10-year horizon (on a rolling basis). Source: Nagaland Tribune; In detail: Press Release

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.