Rajasthan inviting private firms to manage the power grids in two cities, Gujarat announces new agency focusing on small businesses, Haryana introduces scheme to reimburse 50 percent costs for registering patents, Uttar Pradesh to waive taxes on land purchases for five years for greenfield office ventures, Karnataka creates highest percentage of total jobs in India.
Center-State relations
Following a central mandate, beginning April 1 all short-term power contracts are now negotiated using a reverse auction procedure via a government-sponsored electronic platform. The shift is expected to save state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) just under a cent per unit of electricity. Source: Financial Express
Renewable energy company Mytrah Energy announced that the Asian Development Bank has approved a $175 million loan to help fund the development of a portfolio of wind and solar projects. The projects include wind power projects in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka and solar power projects in Telangana and Punjab. Source: Hindu Business Line
The central government took steps to allow states to impose stock-holding limits for sugar and pulses in order to curb hoarding and keep prices low. Source: Economic Times, Business Standard
In Detail: Press release
Per-capita energy consumption in Andhra Pradesh has gone up 3.3 percent in 2015-16 as a result of the availability of round-the-clock power. Source: Hindu Business Line
A delegation from Harvard Square Technology Partners (HSTP), a California-based technology development company specialising in clean energy, met with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to discuss business opportunities in the state. Source: The Hindu
The Bihar government increased the dearness (cost of living) allowance for employees and pensioners by 6 percent, backdated to January 1. The increase will put an additional burden of $127 million on the state’s expenses. Source: Business Standard
Nothing critical to report this week.
In response to state-wide agitation by members of the Patel caste, the Gujarat government promulgated an ordinance reserving a 10 percent quota in government jobs and public education for upper caste applicants from economically weak backgrounds. Source: Indian Express
The Gujarat government announced the establishment of a new agency focusing on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The agency will offer incentives for investment in the Forest and Environment, Energy, Food and Health, Revenue & Urban Development, Transport, and Finance and Industry sectors. Source: Business Standard
The Gujarat Energy Development Agency announced subsidies for homeowners looking to set up rooftop solar power systems. Homeowners will receive a $150 to $300 subsidy per kilowatt(KW) installed. Source: Clean Technica
Congress and the BJP each won exactly half of the 32 seats in the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation (city council) following elections on April 24. The BJP had previously controlled the corporation. Source: Economic Times
Gujarat has fallen short on its renewable power purchase obligation for the fifth year in a row and has now reduced its commitment by 22 percent. Source: Business Standard
The Haryana government will allow all property owners to install grid-connected rooftop solar power plants with capacity from 1 kilowatt peak (KWp) to 1 megawatt peak (MWp) under net-metering regulations in the state. Haryana will also allow property-owners to sell power from such plants either to the government or a third party. The government is also providing a 30 percent subsidy, up to a maximum of $300 per KWp, for installation of solar power plants on three categories of buildings—residential, institutional, and non-profit organizations. Source: Times of India
In Detail: Haryana Solar Power Policy 2016
Haryana has launched a ‘Patent Registration Scheme’ which will reimburse micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) 50 percent (up to $37,000) of the costs of registering a patent for products and processes. Source: Moneycontrol
Haryana is creating a web platform to assist MSMEs to engage in B2B e-commerce and to build their brands. Source: The Hindu
The Karnataka government’s single window clearance committee has cleared 42 projects with a total outlay of $455 million. Source: Hindu Business Line
Karnataka was responsible for over 24 percent of total jobs generated in India in the first quarter of 2016, Maharashtra was second with 23 percent. Source: Times of India
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) approved draft plans for a new east-west Metro corridor from Andheri to Mankhurd, expected to cater to more than one million commuters by 2031. Source: Indian Express
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Electricite De France covering the development of six Evolutionary Pressurised Water Reactors at Jaitapur, Maharashtra together with associated fuel, fuel services and other services. Source: Business Standard
In Detail: Press release
Tata Power has commissioned a 44 megawatt (MW) wind farm project located in Shajapur district of Madhya Pradesh. Source: Hindu Business Line
Rajasthan has invited private sector companies to help turn around the electricity distribution sector, previously a state monopoly. The state has invited bids from private companies to manage power distribution for 20 years in the two districts of Kota and Bharatpur. Source: Livemint
The Union Cabinet approved a plan to build a 200 MW solar power plant on 1000 acres of un-cultivable farm land in Rajasthan. Source: Moneycontrol
In Detail: Press release
Nothing critical to report this week.
Nothing critical to report this week.
The Uttar Pradesh government will waive taxes on land purchased for office use and on built-up offices, as well as electricity dues for five years, to encourage start-up growth. Units benefitting from the exemptions must begin operations within the next three years. Source: Economic Times
In Detail: Uttar Pradesh Information Technology & Start-Up Policy 2016
West Bengal’s outstanding debt increased 64 percent in the past six years, from $28 billion in 2010-11 to $46 billion in 2015-16. Source: Business Standard
Voter turnout was 78 percent in the fifth and penultimate stage of the Assembly polls in West Bengal. Polling for 53 seats in three districts was largely peaceful. Source: Hindu Business Line
In Detail: Press release
