States Weekly: January 31, 2024

Big News: Bihar forms a new government with the incumbent chief minister (CM) Nitish Kunar taking oath as the CM again; Union Government announces the launch of the “Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana” with the aim to install rooftop solar systems in 10 million households across the nation; Odisha approves the Odisha Procurement Preference Policy for Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises 2024; Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka lead in the Ministry of Education’s All India Survey for Higher Education 2021-22; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week

Climate Change & Energy

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission(KERC) introduces regulations governing peer-to-peer (P2P) solar energy transactions through a blockchain-based platform. This move is aimed at developing decentralized energy trading, enhancing efficiency, and promoting the use of innovative technology. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Draft KERC (Implementation of Peer to Peer Solar Energy Transaction through block-chain based platform) Regulations, 2024

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations  

Odisha approves the Odisha Biotechnology Policy 2024. The policy is aimed at promoting higher education, research and infrastructural development in the sector to promote innovation and attract investments. Source: Orissa diary

Odisha approves the Odisha Procurement Preference Policy for Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises 2024 to promote small and micro manufacturing enterprises in the state. As per the policy, goods manufactured by MSMEs and start-ups with a turnover under $6 million will get preference in procurement by government agencies. Source: Times of India; In detail: Odisha Procurement Preference Policy for Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises 2024

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations  

Odisha reduces the fee for conversion of leasehold land of Odisha State Housing Board or any development authority to freehold from the existing 10 percent to 3 percent. Source: New Indian Express

Infrastructure & Governance 

Bihar forms a new government with the incumbent chief minister (CM) Nitish Kumar taking oath as the CM again. The chief minister’s Janata Dal United (JDU) exited their existing alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and entered into a new alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Source: Mint; In detail: Swearing in ceremony

Karnataka issues a notification to bring 11,300 government employees to a defined pension scheme (old pension scheme) from the existing new pension scheme. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Notification (in Kannada)

Madhya Pradesh approves the merger of the Medical Education Department and the Public Health Department. The merged department will be called the Public Health and Medical Education department. Source: News 18; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Tamil Nadu approves the Tamil Nadu State New Policy for Women2021. The policy is aimed at the holistic development of women, by empowering them through education, economic independence and power sharing. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Tamil Nadu State New Policy for Women 2021 Draft

Chhattisgarh approves the Chhattisgarh Excise Policy2024-25. As per the new policy, the government has prohibited opening any new liquor shops in the state. Source: Hitavada; In detail: Cabinet decisions

Center – State Relations 

Union Government announces the launch of the “Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana” with the aim to install rooftop solar systems in 10 million households across the nation. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press release

Ministry of Education releases the All India Survey for Higher Education 2021-22. As per the survey, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of colleges in the country, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. The top 10 states in terms of number of colleges in India include Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and West Bengal, each having at least 30 or more colleges per 100,000 population. Source: The Print; In detail: All India Survey on Higher Education 2021-22

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week