Andhra Pradesh may force banks to use electronic land records for loans; President’s rule declared in Uttarakhand; Haryana backs down from mandating solar water heaters in all buildings; France will build a six-reactor nuclear power plant in Maharashtra; Maharashtra may charge users of private electricity suppliers; Haryana’s cabinet clears the Jat reservation bill.
Center–State relations
President’s rule has been declared in Uttarakhand on the recommendation of the union cabinet. The state government, under chief minister Harish Rawat of the Congress Party, has been dismissed by president Pranab Mukherjee. Source: The Hindu
The Andhra Pradesh government introduced a bill in the state assembly that requires banks to grant loans based on electronic land ownership records rather than demanding physical records. Source: Deccan Chronicle
A jury selected Japanese architecture firm Maki Associates’ submission for the as the winning entry in the Amaravati Concept Design Competition. Source: Hans India
Video: Maki & Associates- Concept design for Amaravati Government Complex
Andhra Pradesh won an important victory in the ongoing battle over the assets of undivided Andhra Pradesh. India’s Supreme Court declared that Telangana cannot lay claim to assets and institutions of the former unified state simply because they are located in the former capital, Hyderabad, which now belongs to Telangana. Source: Economic Times
Bihar commissioned two new power plant units for a total of more than 500 megawatts (MW) of power. Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station added 261 MW, while Nabinagar Thermal Power Station added 250 MW. Source: Times of India
Delhi government’s budget for 2016-17 has increased allocation for municipal corporations by $150 million and allocated $1.5 billion for the education sector and $240 million for electricity subsidies. The Delhi government also promised to open 100 local clinics. Source: Hindustan Times
In Detail: Delhi Budget 2016-17
The Delhi cabinet approved the establishment of the Fifth Delhi Finance Commission. The four-member Commission is tasked with the politically sensitive task of determining a new division of funds between the center, the Delhi government, and the Delhi Municipal Corporations. The recommendations of the Fourth Commission have not yet been put into effect. Source: Hindu Business Line
Gujarat’s social welfare system came in for criticism as the government admitted that the state is short 13,000 teachers, with the severest scarcity in rural and tribal areas. The state’s admission came as UNICEF released a study showing that Gujarat has some of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the country, with more than 40 percent of children showing stunted growth and 10 percent severely underweight. Source: The Statesman, Times of India
The Haryana cabinet has cleared a bill that provides reserved places in public universities and government hiring for five additional communities. The groups have set a deadline of March 31st for passing the bill or they will resume violent protest. Source: Hindustan Times
The Haryana government has reversed course on a plan to make solar water-heating systems mandatory in all buildings. The government has decided to take a “demand driven” approach to the expansion of solar power. Source:Business Standard
The Haryana government intends to use digital mapping technology to improve urban planning. A pilot project in Gurgaon will eventually be expanded to the entire state. Source: Economic Times
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that Karnataka received only $11 million in returns on its $9.3 billion in investments in state-owned corporations. Source: Hindu Business Line
Nothing critical to report.
India and France signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct six civil nuclear reactors in Jaitapur, Maharashtra. When completed, the plant will have a total capacity of nearly 10,000 MW. Source: Economic Times
The Maharashtra government is considering charging a fee on purchases of power from the open market. Although Maharashtra’s Electricity Act, 2003 allows industrial consumers to purchase power from sources other than the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, the state is seeking to recover some of the lost revenue. Source: Business Standard
In Detail: The Electricity Act, 2003
Nothing critical to report.
Opposition leader Vijayakant will be running as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the People’s Welfare Front (an alliance of the MDMK, VCK and two communist parties). The PWF will contest 124 of the 234 seats in state elections on May 16. Source: Economic Times
The Telangana state assembly voted to raise legislators’ salaries by 163 percent, to $3,800 a month, making them the highest-paid state legislators in India. The move attracted criticism given that Telangana’s debt is currently at $20 billion. Source: Times of India, Hindustan Times
Nothing critical to report
Nothing critical to report
Upcoming State Elections
Results for all 5 state elections will be available May 19.
Poll Dates:
Assam – April 4 and April 11
Kerala – May 16
Tamil Nadu – May 16
Puducherry – May 16
West Bengal – April 4, 11, 17, 21, 25, 30, and May 5
