States Weekly: March 25, 2026

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published March 25, 2026

Big News: Maharashtra passes the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Haryana passes the Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Maharashtra passes the Maharashtra Repealing Bill, 2026; Karnataka passes the Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and more.

Health

Haryana announces Phase II of the Nirogi Haryana Program. The program aims to ensure one comprehensive health screening for eligible citizens every two years. Under Phase II, the annual family income eligibility limit has increased from $1,918 to $3,197 (INR 1.8 lakh to 3 lakh), which is expected to increase the size of the program.

Source: Times of India

Mizoram launches the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme 2.0 (MUHCS 2.0). The revamped scheme will come into effect from April 1, 2026, introducing stricter emergency protocols and enhanced financial provisions to ensure long-term sustainability.

Source: India Today

In detail: Press release

Climate Change and Energy

Gujarat reduces the additional surcharge for Open Access Consumers. The order, issued by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), reduced the surcharge by ~$0.002 (INR 0.24)/kWh to ~$0.008 (INR 0.76)/kWh, from April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

Source: Mercom

In detail: GERC order

Maharashtra passes the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill aims to curb air pollution by increasing the environmental tax on old and polluting vehicles.

Source: NDTV

In detail: Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026

Maharashtra announces a Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy for 2025-26 to 2035-36. The policy aims to significantly scale up clean energy adoption while ensuring grid stability through energy storage systems, reflecting both rising electricity demand and climate commitments.

Source: Business World

In detail: Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy for 2025-26 to 2035-36

Rajasthan releases draft RERC (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) propose to extend the validity of the current Renewal Energy Tariff Regulations until March 31, 2028, while introducing changes affecting biomass power projects, energy storage systems, payment discipline, and open access provisions.

Source: Mercom

In detail: RERC (Terms and Conditions for Tariff determination from Renewable Energy Sources) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Rajasthan issues RERC (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Regulations, 2026. The regulations, published by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) focus on promoting the use of Battery Energy Storage Systems across the entire power value chain, including generation, transmission, and distribution.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: RERC (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Regulations, 2026

Himachal Pradesh fixes the rate of sale of Free Power of the Government of Himachal Pradesh to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) for FY 2026-27. The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has set the rate at ~$0.0292 (INR 2.73)/kWh for the financial year, marking an increase from ~$0.0289 (2.70)/kWh in the previous year.

Source: Mercom

In detail: HPERC order

Punjab amends PSERC (Electricity Supply Code, Standard of Performance and Related Matters) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The amendments, issued by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), allow for the release of electricity connections in "abandoned colonies" where builders have failed to complete infrastructure.

Source: Tribune

In detail: PSERC (Electricity Supply Code, Standard of Performance and related matters) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Punjab releases draft PSERC (Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access) (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The regulations issued by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) have a key focus on the treatment of banked energy for green energy consumers and renewable energy-based captive power users. Under the proposed amendment, banked energy can now be carried forward on a month-to-month basis until the end of the settlement period, which runs from June 1 to May 31 of the following year.

Source: Energetica

In detail: PSERC (Terms and Conditions for intra-State Open Access) (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Delhi extends its 2025-26Excise Policy for one year. The renewal and issuances of new retail liquor licenses for 2026-27 will be made on the same terms and conditions as the existing policy.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Government notification

Haryana announces that registered vehicle scrapping and recycling units in the state will be granted industry status. Under the capital subsidy scheme, both new industrial units and units undertaking expansion will get subsidy on capital investment at prescribed rates.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Press Release

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure and Governance

Andhra Pradesh launches the 'Divyang Shakti' (Power to the Disabled) Scheme. The scheme provides free bus travel to people with disabilities.

Source: Telangana today

Haryana passes the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill amends Section 7-A of the Act of 1975, bringing exchange deeds within a regulatory ambit. Section 7-A required a No Objection Certificate (NoC) to register transactions involving small urban land parcels to prevent unauthorized development, but parties circumvented this by using exchange deeds to disguise sales.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas amendment Bill, 2026

Haryana passes the Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill caps incremental guarantees on term loan to be given during a year at 5 percent of revenue receipts of the previous year or 0.5 percent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the previous year, whichever is lower.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Fiscal Responsibility Bill

Maharashtra passes The Maharashtra Self-Financed Schools (Establishment and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill permits institutions operating at the national level to establish self-financed schools in Maharashtra, whereas earlier only state-registered bodies were permitted.

Source: Edex

In detail: Maharashtra Self-financed Schools (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2026

Maharashtra passes the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026. The bill prohibits religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage.

Source: News on AIR

In detail: Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026

Maharashtra passes the Maharashtra Repealing Bill, 2026. The bill repeals around 80 outdated and obsolete laws in the state.

Source: NDTV

In detail: Maharashtra Repealing Act, 2026

Karnataka passes the Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill aims at regulating outdoor advertisements and enabling municipal councils and corporations to levy an advertisement fee on any person who erects, exhibits, fixes or displays an advertisement on land, buildings, walls, hoardings or other structures within municipal limits.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

In detail: Karnataka Municipalities and Certain Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Goa releases a Wellness, Ayurveda and Yoga Policy. The policy introduces a structured framework for regulation and accreditation of wellness centers across the state.

Source: Digital Goa

In detail: Goa Wellness, Ayurveda and Yoga Policy, 2026

Sikkim releases a Sikkim State Cooperative Policy 2026. The policy focuses on governance reforms, financial sustainability, professionalism, and technology adoption among cooperatives.

Source: Indian Cooperative

In detail: Press Release

Programs & Projects