States Weekly: January 22, 2025

Newsletter by Akshat Singh

Published January 22, 2025

Big News: Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission releases draft resource adequacy regulations for Goa, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry; Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) approves the E-Waste Policy 2024; Madhya Pradesh approves the "Gareeb Kalyan" Mission with the aim to eliminate poverty in the state by 2028; and more.

Health 

Nothing critical to report this week.

Climate Change & Energy

Uttar Pradesh approves three solar power projects with a capacity of 2 GW, worth $1.15 billion to achieve the state's renewable energy capacity of 22 GW. Source: Business Standard

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issues an order addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders regarding the imposition of grid support charges on captive power plants, including solar rooftop photovoltaic (SRTPV) plants. KERC has clarified that no grid support charges will be imposed on captive power plants, including SRTPV plants, if they comply with the provisions of Section 9 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and the Electricity Rules, 2005. Source: Solar Quarter; In detail: Notification

Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) announces the establishment of over 10,000 solar-powered pump sets in order to ensure assured irrigation in the rural farmland under the PM Kusum scheme. TREDA has already set up 3,616 solar power pumps bringing 7,232 acres of farmland under assured irrigation benefiting 3,616 marginal farmers. Source: India Today

Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission releases draft resource adequacy regulations for the state of Goa and the union territories of Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. The regulations aim to enable the implementation of the resource adequacy framework by outlining a mechanism for planning generation and transmission resources to reliably meet the projected demand in compliance with specified reliability standards. Source: Mercom

Odisha signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and IIT-Bhubaneswar for collaborating on cutting-edge research and innovation in renewable energy technologies. Source: New Indian Express; In detail: Memorandum of Understanding

Odisha signs two non-binding Memorandums of Understanding with the Singapore-based energy and urban solutions provider Sembcorp Industries to explore the development of a 720,000 metric tonnes per annum green hydrogen production facility and an industrial park in the state. Source: Energetica; In detail: Memorandum of Understanding

Chhattisgarh signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority, GAIL India Limited, Bharat Petroleum and six municipal corporations of the state to produce compressed biogas from urban solid waste. Source: Industrial Punch; In detail: Press Release

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy & Business Regulations 

Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) approves the E-Waste Policy 2024. The board also decided to launch a Massive Online Open Courseware (MOOC) to provide training to the stakeholders on waste management. Source: The Goan Network

Land Acquisition & Labor Regulations 

Himachal Pradesh introduces the "Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh" Development Authority (BBNDA) Land Pooling Policy-2025 to promote organised and sustainable development in the BBN area of the Solan district. The policy focuses on transforming unorganised land arrangements into systematically planned layouts with active participation from landowners, ensuring better urban planning and infrastructure development without compulsory land acquisition. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press Release

Infrastructure & Governance

Madhya Pradesh approves the "Gareeb Kalyan" Mission with the aim to eliminate poverty in the state by 2028. The mission is focused on three components: improvement in multi-dimensional poverty index, livelihood strengthening and empowerment of existing organisations. Source: Hindustan Times; In detail: Press Release

Meghalaya announces its decision to implement the Town and Country Planning Scheme, which seeks to bring all stakeholders under one roof for better coordination when it comes to implementation of town and countryside planning in the state. Source: Syllad; In detail: Cabinet Decisions (Video)

Water & Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations 

Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issues operational guidelines for implementing various components under the "PM Surya Ghar- Muft Bijli Yojana". The scheme aims to facilitate the adoption of rooftop solar systems across the residential sector through innovative financing and implementation models. Source: Economic Times; In detail: Press Release

Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways approves three major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and easing traffic flow in Jharkhand and Bihar. In Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, approval has been granted for the construction of two six-lane elevated flyovers. In Bihar's Kishanganj district, approval has been granted for the construction of a 24.849 km four-lane spur connecting National Highway-27 and National Highway-327E on the Kishanganj-Bahadurganj section. Source: Swarajya

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects