States Weekly: April 16, 2025

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published April 16, 2025

Big News: Odisha launches the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana to provide universal health coverage for all citizens aged 70 and above; Andhra Pradesh rolls out operational guidelines Industrial Development Policy 4.0 and Electric Mobility Policy 4.0 to boost manufacturing and EV adoption; Kerala releases its draft Power Policy 2025; Karnataka passes a welfare bill for gig workers; and more.

Health 

Odisha launches the "Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana" and begins the distribution of central government's "Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana" (AB-PMJAY) and the state's "Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana" unified health insurance cards. The scheme aims to cover 35 million people in the state. The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana will provide universal health coverage to all citizens aged 70+, regardless of socioeconomic status. Source: Free Press Journal; In detail: Press Release

Climate Change and Energy

Andhra Pradesh approves the operational guidelines for the Andhra Pradesh Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy - 4.0 (2024-29). The policy aims to position the state as a global hub for high-value electric vehicle manufacturing through strategic demand- and supply-side initiatives. It sets a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality in the transport sector by 2047. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Operational Guidelines Andhra Pradesh Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy 2024-29

Kerala unveils the draft Power Policy 2025, targeting significant expansion of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The state plans to add 1 GW through utility-scale solar projects and solar parks, 2.5 GW via decentralized solar initiatives, and 1.5 GW from non-solar sources such as wind and bioenergy. Source: Solar Quarter

Puducherry reduces the value added tax (VAT) on piped natural gas (PNG). VAT on domestic PNG has been slashed from 14.5 percent to 5 percent, and from 14.5 percent to 7.5 percent for commercial and industrial usage. The revised rates have been applied from April 1, 2025 and the distribution is expected to begin within the next 3-6 months. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Gazette Notification

Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) issues an order on the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited's(UPCL) petition seeking an additional surcharge from April to September 2025 to recover stranded fixed costs from consumers who opt for open access. The petition cites unutilized power purchase agreements under the Electricity Act, 2003. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: UERC Order

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations 

Andhra Pradesh releases the operational guidelines for the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Policy (4.0) 2024-29, aimed at positioning the state as a competitive manufacturing hub. Key incentives include a capital subsidy of up to 15 percent of fixed capital investment (FCI), top-up subsidies for production linked incentives-approved projects (up to 5 percent of FCI), employment-linked subsidies of up to 10 percent of FCI, and 100 percent net state goods and services tax reimbursement for five years. Source: Telangana Today; In detail: Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Policy 4.0 Operational Guidelines

Andhra Pradesh issues the operational guidelines for the implementation of the Andhra PradeshTextile, Apparel and Garments Policy (4.0) 2024-29, aimed at attracting investments in textile production and apparel manufacturing with special emphasis on value addition, employment generation and environment protection. Source: The Hindu; In detail: Andhra Pradesh Textile, Apparel and Garments Policy 4.0 Operational Guidelines

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Infrastructure and Governance

Karnataka approves the Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024. The bill imposes a 1-2 percent welfare fee on gig platform transactions for the creation of a dedicated gig workers' welfare fund. A separate welfare board will oversee disbursement of social security benefits. The ordinance route will be used for implementation. Source: Money Control; In detail: Karnataka Platform Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024

Maharashtra approves amendments to the Maharashtra Slum Area Reform and Rehabilitation Act, 1971 to fast-track slum redevelopment and move towards a slum-free state. Source: Times of India

Chhattisgarh implements the Naxalite Surrender and Victim Relief Rehabilitation Policy-2025 for affected regions. The policy provides support for surrendered Naxalites and affected civilians. Source: India TV news

Kerala approves the State Liquor Policy, 2025-26 relaxing dry day liquor restrictions to promote tourism in the state. The policy permits three-star and higher category hotels to serve liquor during special events, including weddings and conferences. Source: The News minute

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Maharashtra introduces the Sand Mining Policy, 2025 to curb illegal mining and improve access to sand for public use. Under the policy, 10 percent of sand from each mining block will be allocated free of cost for government housing schemes, villagers, and farmers. Beneficiaries building homes under government schemes, as well as rural residents and farmers, will receive 5 brass of sand at no charge to support village development and farm well construction. Source: Nagpur trends; In detail: Maharashtra Sand Mining Policy 2025

Maharashtra signs a memorandum of understanding with Russia's state-owned ROSATOM to develop a thorium-based small modular nuclear reactor. This marks the first known state-level initiative in the nuclear energy domain. Source: Deccan Herald

Programs & Projects