States Weekly: October 22, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published October 22, 2025

Big News: Kerala releases Kerala's Health Sector Vision, 2031; Maharashtra allows Captive Power Generation and Distribution by Data Centers; Haryana issues new policy for Legalizing Industrial Colonies; Karnataka releases draft Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025; Haryana approves the Haryana Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025; Rajasthan amends Sewerage and Wastewater Policy, 2016; and more.

Health

Kerala releases Kerala's Health Sector Vision, 2031. The state aims to guarantee universal health coverage by 2031 and establish a comprehensive Epidemic Intelligence System to enable early detection and rapid response to potential outbreaks.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Press Release

Climate Change and Energy

Gujarat amends GERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, amended by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) retain banking charges of ~$0.016 (INR 1.5)/kWh for open access consumers. The banking charges will apply from September 2025 to March 2026.

Source: Mercom

In detail: GERC (Terms & Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Gujarat proposes an amendment to GERC (Net Metering Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) proposes a draft Fifth Amendment to its 2016 regulations for rooftop solar projects, aiming to simplify procedures and encourage faster adoption, particularly for residential consumers.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: GERC (Net Metering Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive Systems) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Maharashtra allows Captive Power Generation and Distribution by Data Centers. The state allows data centers coming up in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and surrounding areas to generate and distribute their own green energy. The new policy is limited to renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, or wind and aims to ensure that data centers operate without power interruptions.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Maharashtra Government Notification

Rajasthan releases draft RERC (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Regulations, 2025. The draft regulations, issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) concern the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). It defines the minimum project size for large projects, roles and liabilities of power generators, discoms, and the State Load Dispatch Centers (SLDCs).

Source: Saur Energy

In detail: Draft RERC (Battery Energy Storage Systems) Regulations, 2025

Rajasthan notifies RERC (Grid Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Generating Systems) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The new amendment, issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) opens up virtual and group net metering across consumer categories, codifies charge waivers, and adds battery storage incentives.

Source: Mercom

In detail: RERC (Grid Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Generating Systems) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Tamil Nadu revises Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation (RPO). The revision, conducted by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) updates compliance requirements for captive users. The new regulations supersede earlier notifications and set targets for renewable consumption.

Source: Saur Energy

In detail: TNERC (Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2023

Goa prohibits Power without a License. The Goa Electricity Department orders that no new electricity connections be provided to unauthorized or illegal structures, even if they have an EHN (Electricity House Number). All new connections will require a valid construction license and technical clearance.

Source: Prudent media

Punjab issues draft PSERC Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Punjab Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) establish a commercial mechanism to ensure grid users' adherence to scheduled electricity withdrawal and maintain grid security and stability.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Draft regulation

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Haryana issues a new policy for Legalizing Industrial Colonies. The policy stems from the Haryana Management of Civic Amenities and Infrastructure Deficient Areas Outside Municipal Area (Special Provisions) Amendment Act, 2025. The amendment allows the government to provide basic infrastructure and civic amenities to unauthorized industrial areas.

Source: Haryana story

In detail: The Haryana Management of Civic Amenities and Infrastructure Deficient Areas outside Municipal Area (Special Provisions) Amendment Act, 2025

Maharashtra approves Maharashtra Bamboo Industrial Policy, 2025. The policy aims to attract investments worth $5.68 billion (INR 50,000 crore) and to promote bamboo cultivation and usage for sustainable industrial growth and rural employment generation.

Source: Deccan Herald

Himachal Pradesh announces a new Start Up Fund. The fund, under the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) Startup and Student Innovation Policy, allocates a $28,404 (INR 25 lakh) startup fund for one year, with individual startups eligible for up to $5,680 (INR 5 lakh) in financial assistance.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press release

Kerala launches an Export Promotion, Logistics, and ESG Policy. The policy comes with a set of incentives and supports such as tax concessions, subsidies, and easy credit support for investors. The policy aims to help Kerala achieve carbon neutral status by 2050 and transition into renewable energy by 2040.

Source: News Experts

In detail: Kerala Export Promotion Policy, Kerala Logistics Policy, Kerala ESG Policy

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Karnataka releases draft Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025. The bill prohibits the employment of domestic workers without agreement and mandates paying minimum wages to them.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: The Karnataka Domestic Workers (Social Security and welfare) Act, 2025

Kerala approves Land Titles for Forest Land. The state has decided to grant title deeds for forest land regardless of the size or extent of buildings constructed on the land under the Kerala Land Assignment (Regularization of Occupants of Forest Lands Prior to 1-1-1977) Special Rules of 1993. Under the rules, those who have been in possession of forest land prior to 1977 are eligible to receive land titles with the approval of the Union government.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Infrastructure and Governance

Gujarat releases Gujarat @75 - Agenda for 2035 Report. The report outlines the state's 10-year development agenda. The report focuses on health, education, skill development, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, with an aim to ensure balanced and inclusive growth.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press release

Haryana increases Old Age Pensions. The new pension rises from the existing $34.12 (INR 3000) to $36.4 (INR 3200) per month.

Source: ETV

Haryana approves the Haryana Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025. The ordinance aims to reduce compliance burdens, decriminalize minor offenses, and replace criminal penalties with civil and administrative actions, aligning with the Union government's Jan Vishwas initiative.

Source: The Tribune

In detail: Press release

Karnataka exempts certain Occupancy Certificates. Buildings built on properties measuring 1200 square feet and going up to three floors are now exempt from the mandate of occupancy certificates if the building plan has an approval in areas under state municipalities and municipal corporation laws.

Source: Indian Express

Maharashtra releases its first Vision, Mission, Objectives, and Strategic Focus Areas Document for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities. The document outlines strategic focus areas including promoting accessibility, ensuring equal opportunities and non-discrimination, enhancing education and skill development, strengthening health and rehabilitation systems, raising awareness, and promoting inclusion in sports and recreation.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Vision, Mission, Objectives, and Strategic Focus Areas Document for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

Tamil Nadu passes the Tamil Nadu Private Universities (Amendment) Bill. The bill allows for the conversion of existing private or government-aided colleges to new entities called 'Brownfield Universities' by altering the minimum requirement for contiguous land to establish such a facility.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Tamil Nadu Private Universities (Amendment) Bill

Assam approves the Assam Satra Preservation and Development Commission Bill, 2025. The bill aims to safeguard sacred heritage monasteries, promote their cultural and economic potential, and ensure their legacy for future generations.

Source: Economic Times

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Water and Sanitation

Delhi announces Waiver for Late Payment Charges on Water Bills. The waiver will be in effect until January 31, 2026, and domestic consumers will get a 70 percent waiver on late payment surcharge after January 31 and until March 31, 2026.

Source: NDTV

In detail: Scheme for waiver off late payment surcharge

Rajasthan amends Sewerage and Wastewater Policy, 2016. The amendments aim to mitigate environmental and public health hazards caused by untreated wastewater. The revised policy aims to construct systematic and structured sewerage systems across Rajasthan, aligning with the Union government's Swachh Bharat Mission.

Source: Indian infrastructure

In detail: Rajasthan State Sewerage and Wastewater Policy, 2025

Center - State Relations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Any Other

Nothing critical to report this week.

Programs & Projects