States Weekly: October 8, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published October 8, 2025

Big News: Maharashtra approves a Cancer Care Policy; Bihar issues a draft Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2025; Maharashtra adopts a Electronic-Bond (E-Bond) System; Telangana issues new Tourism Policy; Bihar announces modifications to the Chief Minister's Self-Help Allowance Scheme; Goa legalizes illegal houses through the 'Mhaje Ghar Yojana' (My Home Scheme); The Union government introduces Operational Guidelines For Deployment of EV Public Charging Stations (EV PCS) under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme; and more.

Health 

Maharashtra approves a Cancer Care Policy. The policy establishes the Maharashtra Cancer Care, Research and Education (MAHACARE) Foundation to manage and coordinate cancer treatment at 18 hospitals across the state. Hospitals will be categorized into Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 centers.

Source: The Week

Punjab extends Maternity Leave Benefits to ASHA Workers. The policy, drafted under the Maternity Benefits Act of 1961, mandates that ASHA workers receive a fixed monthly honorarium during maternity leave.

Source: Hindustan Times

Climate Change and Energy

Bihar issues a draft Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy 2025. The policy aims to achieve a production capacity of 0.25 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen and green ammonia by 2030. The policy supports the development of production, consumption, and market components across the full value chain of green hydrogen and ammonia units.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Draft Green Hydrogen Policy 2025

Gujarat issues GERC Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms & Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) allow renewable energy producers, such as solar and wind power generators, to sell electricity directly to customers across the grid. The focus of the amendment is the "Banking Charge," which is a fee applied when surplus electricity is stored in the grid for future use. Under the updated regulations, the banking charge is fixed at USD 0.017 (INR 1.50) per unit.

Source: Solar Quarter

In detail: Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms & Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Maharashtra approves new Electricity Sale Tax. The state approves an additional electricity sales tax on power consumption for industrial and commercial consumers. The policy aims to make funds available for electricity supply to solar agricultural pumps under the 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Sevam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Scheme' (Prime Minister's Farmer Energy Security and Upliftment Scheme).

Source: Economic Times

Rajasthan approves the RERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025. The regulations, issued by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) propose an amendment that mandates energy storage systems (ESS) for all new renewable energy projects, except for hydroelectric power projects, with an installed capacity of more than 5 MW. These projects must install at least ESS for 5 percent of the renewable energy capacity. The state transmission utility (STU) will serve as the nodal agency to process bilateral long-term and medium-term green energy open access applications at the intrastate level.

Source: Mercom

In detail: RERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025

Uttar Pradesh mandates Smart Meters. The state announces that all new electricity connections in Uttar Pradesh will now be released only with prepaid smart meters. According to the policy and in line with the guidelines of the Union government, wherever smart meters are to be installed, they must be prepaid smart meters.

Source: Hindustan Times

Goa issues new JERC True-up for FY 2023-24, Annual Performance Review for FY 2024- 25, Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Determination of Retail Tariff for MYT Control Period FY 2025-26 to FY 2029-30. The tariff order, issued by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approves an average annual power tariff hike of 4 percent for 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, 2028-29, and 2029- 30. The new tariff will come into force from October 1, 2025.

Source: Times of India

In detail: JERC tariff order

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Maharashtra adopts Electronic-Bond (E-Bond) System. The E-Bond system will simplify trade procedures and systems for import and export transactions, replacing traditional stamp paper bonds. The move is aimed at accelerating business operations and digitizing the state's economy.

Source: Times of India

Telangana issues new Tourism Policy. The policy aims to target investments worth USD 5.63 billion (INR 50,000 crore) and the creation of 50,000 jobs. The Tourism Department issued a series of initiatives, including "Film in Telangana," to encourage film tourism, a designated medical tourism zone, and the promotion of destination weddings at Anantagiri, Nagarjunasagar, and Somasila.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Tourism Policy 2025-2030

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has released a draft Beach Tourism Policy-2025 and Beach Tourism Guidelines-2025. The policies aim to promote sustainable and regulated tourism while safeguarding the archipelago's fragile ecosystems.

Source: Nicobar Times

In detail: Draft Beach Tourism Guidelines 2025, Draft Beach Tourism Policy 2025

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Maharashtra legalizes 24x7 Shops. The state's new policy allows shops and establishments across the state, barring those involved in the sale and supply of liquor, to remain open round the clock.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Government Resolution

Odisha extends Daily Work Hours. The new policy raises the maximum daily work hours for all categories of commercial establishments from nine to ten hours, while allowing women employees to work night shifts and increasing overtime wages for workers. It aims to maximize productivity and promote an environment that supports the ease of doing business.

Source: New Indian Express

In detail: Notification

Infrastructure & Governance

Bihar announces modifications to the Chief Minister's Self-Help Allowance Scheme. The scheme, which started in 2016, will now also cover unemployed graduates. Under this scheme, eligible young men and women will get $11.26 per month for up to two years while they look for employment or try to start their business.

Source: Patna Press

In detail: Scheme details

Karnataka releases draft Ward Delimitation Reports for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The reports aim to redefine administrative boundaries across the five newly formed municipal corporations in the city, that form the GBA. A total of 368 wards has been proposed under the new structure, which follows the enactment of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Draft ward delimitation report (Greater Bengaluru region); Draft ward delimitation report (Bangalore South Municipal Corporation); Draft ward delimitation report (Bengaluru East Municipal Corporation); Draft ward delimitation report (Bengaluru West Municipal Corporation); Draft ward delimitation report (Bangalore North Municipal Corporation)

Maharashtra introduces Online Stamp Duty System. The new system, introduced under the Maharashtra Stamp Bill, 2025, allows people to pay stamp duty online and obtain e-stamp certificates, thus eliminating the need to visit licensed vendors or government offices.

Source: Times of India

Maharashtra approves the Maharashtra Global Capability Centre Policy 2025. The policy focuses on developing infrastructure that supports inclusive growth across urban and rural areas. It seeks to establish 400 new global capability centers by 2030, attract investments worth USD 5.7 billion (INR 50,600 crore), generate 400,000 skilled jobs, and build a world-class financial hub.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Maharashtra Global Capability Centre Policy 2025

Chhattisgarh launches rural Bus Service. The newly launched Chief Minister's Rural Bus Service Scheme will provide public transport services in remote areas of Chhattisgarh, covering 250 villages in the first phase.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Press release

Goa legalizes illegal houses through the 'Mhaje Ghar Yojana' (My Home Scheme). The state is set to "regularize" houses under 11 different schemes, for houses built on government land, on land owned by individuals, and on 'comunidades' (land associations). The new scheme will be applicable to 50 percent of Goa's population.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Press release

Kerala approves its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Policy. The state is the first Indian state to formally embed ESG principles into its investment framework and compatible with the state's ecological and social landscape. EST-compliant industries and sectors that are low in emissions/pollution are identified as most suitable for investment in Kerala, aligning with both Kerala's climate priorities and its economic ambitions.

Source: ESG News

In detail: Cabinet decisions

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week

Center - State Relations 

The Union government introduces Operational Guidelines for Deployment of EV Public Charging Stations (EV PCS) under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The up to 100 percent subsidy for developing charging stations will be prioritized in cities with a population exceeding one million as per the 2011 census, smart cities, and satellite towns connected to major metro cities. Under the guidelines, states shall aggregate the demand for EV PCS across different cities and highways through nodal agencies and submit proposals to the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). The demand aggregation shall be done through designated nodal agencies in coordination with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Municipal Corporations, state highway authorities, metro rail companies/corporations and other public departments.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Operational Guidelines For Deployment of EV Public Charging Stations (EV PCS) under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Any Other

Maharashtra establishes Aircraft Parking Hubs. The state plans to interlink underutilized airports and develop them into aircraft parking hubs at cheaper costs compared to large airports like in Mumbai or Delhi. The move aims to optimize airport usage, lower airline costs, and boost local economies in smaller cities across the state.

Source: ETV

Programs & Projects