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02/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/25/2026 14:27
States Weekly: February 25, 2026
States Weekly: February 25, 2026
Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario
Published February 25, 2026
Big News: Maharashtra issues the Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy (CFAMS); Kerala approves an Information Technology (IT) Policy 2026; Gujarat passes the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill, 2026; Karnataka notifies the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025; and more.
Health
Gujarat expands the 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)- Mukhya Mantri Amrutam (MAA-Yojana)' (Prime Minister's People's Health Scheme - Chief Minister's Nectar Scheme). Around 27.2 million people in Gujarat will now receive cashless treatment of up to $11,021 per year.
Source: Gujarat Samachar
Climate Change and Energy
Andhra Pradesh issues the (APERC) Draft Second Amendment to the Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources Regulation, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) intend to remove the condition that renewable hybrid energy projects and renewable energy with storage projects be connected at a single interconnection point.
Source: Mercom
Haryana mandates that power supply cannot be disconnected citing non-payment of non-electricity charges in places where it is clubbed with Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees. The order, issued by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) is aimed at residents of housing societies who face disconnection for not paying other dues.
Source: Economic Times
In detail: HERC Order
Karnataka approves the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company's (BESCOM) request to allow it to impose an additional surcharge of ~$0.004 (INR 0.4)/kWh on open access consumers. The additional surcharge, approved by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will apply from March 2026 until the Commission issues the surcharge for the next financial year 2027.
Source: Mercom
Madhya Pradesh notifies (MPERC) (Terms and Conditions for Intra-State Open Access in Madhya Pradesh Regulations, (Revision-I) 2021 (Sixth Amendment). The regulations, issued by the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC), revise provisions related to demand declaration, energy adjustment, and billing for open access consumers in the state.
Source: Energetica
Maharashtra issues the Climate Finance Access and Mobilization Strategy (CFAMS). The new climate finance strategy aims at mobilizing large-scale investments to support the state's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Source: The Week
Finance
Nothing critical to report this week.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Madhya Pradesh approves an Excise Policy for the Financial Year 2026-27. The policy retains key restrictions on liquor sales while introducing measures aimed at enhancing revenue protection and support for traditional liquor production. Under the new policy, no new liquor shops will be opened across the state, and existing shop premises will not be expanded or relocated.
Source: Social News XYZ
In detail: MP Excise Policy 2026-2027
Kerala approves an Information Technology (IT) Policy 2026. The policy aims to secure 10 percent of all IT exports from the country for the state. A major objective is to triple the availability of IT space in the state through private participation.
Source: The Hindu
In detail: Cabinet decisions
Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations
Gujarat passes the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The bill extends daily working hours and allows women to work during night shifts in shops and commercial establishments.
Source: Economic Times
In detail: Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2026
Gujarat passes the Saurashtra Gharkhed, Tenancy Settlement and Agricultural Lands (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2026. The bill aims to curb illegal conversion of agricultural land.
Source: Times of India
In detail: SaurashtraGharkhed, Tenancy Settlement and Agricultural Lands (Gujarat Amendment) Act, 2026
Infrastructure and Governance
Maharashtra officially revokes 5 percent reservation to backward classes among Muslims in the state. The ordinance granting the reservation lapsed eleven years ago in 2014, although the process of issuing caste verification certificates and validation certificates was being continued.
Source: The Hindu
In detail: Government resolution (in Marathi)
Assam approves a proposal to extend 3 percent reservation for the Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities in Grade I and Grade II state government jobs. Earlier, the reservation was applicable only to Grade III and Grade IV jobs.
Source: Awaz the voice
In detail: Cabinet decisions
Uttar Pradesh increases the monthly honorarium for 'Shiksha Mitras' and Instructors (Contractual Teachers). The decision, effective from April 1, 2026, will benefit nearly 178,000 contractual teachers across the state.
Source: Organiser
Water and Sanitation
Delhi extends the Water Amnesty Scheme until August 2026. The scheme aims to provide relief to domestic, non-residential, and commercial consumers. Under this scheme, penalties, interest, and surcharges are waived. Commercial consumers can now also avail 100 percent surcharge waiver on late payments.
Source: Indian masterminds
In detail: Instructional Order of LPSC rebate and Regularization Scheme
Karnataka notifies the Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025. The act sets the buffer zone of water bodies based on their size, instead of one standard buffer zone of 30 meters for all water bodies.
Source: Deccan Herald
In detail: Karnataka Tank Conservation and Development Authority (Amendment) Act, 2025
Center - State Relations
Nothing critical to report this week.
Any Other
Nothing critical to report this week.
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