States Weekly: January 24, 2024

Big News: Haryana releases the State Action Plan  to tackle air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region; Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Semiconductor Policy 2024; Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases the State Startup Ranking 2022; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Climate Change & Energy

Haryana releases the State Action Plan  to tackle air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. The plan focuses on transitioning the state’s bus fleet to cleaner alternatives, including electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel buses. Source: Daily Guardian; In detail: Press Release

Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission proposes changes to the draft Kerala Electricity Supply (Fifth Amendment) Code, 2024, and recommends including norms for installing e-vehicle charging infrastructure and power supply terms for nano household enterprises. Source: Hindu; In detail: Kerala Electricity Supply (Fifth Amendment) Code, 2024 Draft

Finance

Jammu and Kashmir notifies the “Kar Samadhan-2024” scheme for the settlement of tax arrears pertaining to pre-GST regime. This scheme will remain open for receipt of applications from the date of its issuance till June 30, 2024. Source: Greater Kashmir; In detail: Kar Samadhan-2024

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Uttar Pradesh approves the Uttar Pradesh Semiconductor Policy 2024 aiming to attract investments in the sector. As per the policy, the state will set up a fund with a corpus of ₹ 80,000 crore to provide subsidies for investing companies. The policy includes several incentives such as a 75% subsidy on land up to 200 acres, and rebates on patenting costs, among others. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Cabinet Decision (in Hindi)

Jammu and Kashmir amends the Jammu and Kashmir Private Industrial Estate Development Policy, 2021 to provide benefits to private enterprises setting up new industrial clusters. As per the revised policy, private developers and upcoming industrial clusters will get benefits such as up to 100% reimbursement of stamp duty on land purchases, change of land use charges, and registration charges. Source: Telegraph; In detail: Press Release

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure & Governance

Bihar approves a proposal to provide financial assistance of $2,405.28 each to over 9.4 million families who were assessed as poor in the recently held caste and economic survey in the state to create self-employment opportunities. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Cabinet Decision (in Hindi)

Goa notifies the Goa Credit Guarantee Scheme (GCGS) in convergence with the existing credit guarantee scheme CGTMSE by the centre for guarantee to loans up to $ 601,540 provided by lenders to micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Source: Financial Express; In detail: Circular

Karnataka modifies the rules governing the “Gruha Jyothi” scheme, which provides free electricity for consumption up to 200 units. Under the modifications, the government has decided to eliminate the 10% additional subsidy on average usage and instead introduce an allocation of 10 extra free units, irrespective of usage, up to the 200-unit limit. Source: VarthaBharati; In detail: GruhaJyoti Scheme GO

Chhattisgarh launches the “Mahtari Vandana Yojana 2024” aiming to provide economic assistance of $12.02 to women every month, amounting to a total annual financial aid of $144. Source: Current Affairs

Center – State Relations 

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu lead the State Startup Ranking 2022 released by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Press Release States Startup Ranking 2022

Any Other

Kerala releases the draft Kerala AVGC-XR Policy 2024-29 offering several subsidies and other financial assistance in order to attract new investors to the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comic) Sector. Source: Mathrubhumi; In detail: Kerala AVGC-XR Policy 2024-29 (Draft)