States Weekly: October 15, 2025

Newsletter by Aryan D'Rozario

Published October 15, 2025

Big News: Haryana approves rules for the Haryana Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017; Rajasthan approves (RERC)Retail Electricity Tariffs; Maharashtra approves WastewaterReuse Policy; Assam approves Unified Pension Scheme (UPS); Karnataka approves Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025; and more.

Health

Haryana approves rules for the Haryana Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. Under these rules, the state designates commissioners of its six administrative divisions to act as ombudsmen and handle complaints and grievances of people living with HIV.

Source:The Statesman

In detail: Press Release

Kerala declares Venomous Snakebites a Matter ofPublic Health Importance. Snakebites will now require mandatory hospital reporting of cases, the strengthening of anti-venom supply chains, and the standardization of treatment protocols. Kerala is second to West Bengal in terms of diversity of venomous snakes in India.

Source: Times of India

In detail: Notification

Climate Change and Energy

Rajasthan releases (RERC)Retail Electricity Tariffs. The tariffs, framed by the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) apply for the financial year 2026. For the commercial category with a monthly contract demand of over 50 kVA, the energy charge is reduced by 3.9 percent from $0.099 (INR 8.8)/kVA to $0.095 (INR 8.5)/kVA. The monthly fixed charge has been increased to $3.38 (INR 300)/kVA from $3.60 (INR 320)/kVA.

Source: Mercom

In detail: RERC Tariff Order

Telangana approves (TGERC) Surcharges for Open Access Power Consumers. The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) has determined that no additional surcharges will be levied on open access power consumers for the second half of the financial year 2026. Previously, the Commission determined an additional tariff of $0.016 (INR 1.45)/kWh in the first half of the financial year 2026. The new nil surcharge approved by the Commission will be applicable from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

Source: Mercom

In detail: Order

Finance

Nothing critical to report this week.

Industrial Policy and Business Regulations

Nothing critical to report this week.

Land Acquisition and Labor Regulations

Maharashtra enforces Land-dispute Timelines. To expedite the resolution of land disputes, the state will appoint licensed private surveyors to resolve measurement cases within a 30-day timeline. The state also announces a streamlined approach to expedite critical land-related processes, including land partitioning and boundary demarcations.

Source: Indian Express

In detail: Notification

Infrastructure and Governance

Maharashtra approves a WastewaterReuse Policy. The policy covers 424 urban local bodies and mandates wastewater treatment and reuse for all consumers. Under the policy, treated wastewater is to be used for thermal power plants, industry, non-potable urban uses, and agricultural irrigation.

Source: Indian Infastructure

Maharashtra announces draftMotor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2025. The policy applies to app-based cab services and includes fare rules under which companies such as Uber and Ola cannot surgecharge more than 1.5 times the original fare, and that cab drivers must not be forced to work more than 12 hours a day.

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Press Release

Assam approves the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). The scheme for state government employees aligns with the Union government's initiative to merge various pension systems into a single, streamlined structure. Under the UPS, employees with 25 years of service will be eligible for pension benefits comparable to the Old Pension Scheme, while those completing 10 years of service will receive a pension along with a Dearness Allowance and other benefits.

Source: Assam Tribune

In detail: Cabinet Decision

Assam launches the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan' (Chief Minister's Entrepreneurship for Women Scheme). The scheme benefits women entrepreneurs and business-owners through financial assistance of $112.80 (INR 10,000).

Source: Times of India

In detail: Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan Scheme

Karnataka approves Menstrual Leave Policy, 2025. Under the policy, women will be entitled to one day paid leave per month during menstruation, for a total of 12 days in a year. The policy applies to women working in government offices, garment industries, multinational companies, IT firms, and private sector organizations across the state.

Source: India Today

Kerala passes the Kerala Right to Public Service Bill, 2025. The legislation intends to ensure timely delivery of public services for eligible persons across the state and establishes mechanisms to lodge complaints and grievances against officials.

Source: Hindustan Times

In detail: Kerala Right to Public Service Bill, 2025

Kerala passes the Kerala Single Dwelling Place Protection Bill 2025. The legislation intends to protect families from losing their mortgaged single dwelling home on account of non-repayment of loans by transferring liability to the government. The new policy is applicable to those who took out home loans of less than $5639 (INR 5 lakh).

Source: The Hindu

In detail: Kerala Single Dwelling Place Protection Bill 2025

Odisha approves Key Ordinances. The Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025 seeks to decriminalize minor offences and promote trust-based governance, while the Shops and Commercial Establishment (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and the Factories (Odisha Amendment) Ordinance 2025, aim to simplify labor law compliance for small businesses and permit women to work night shifts across industry.

Source: Times of India

Uttarakhand launches an Environmental Economic Policy. The nine-point policy aims at promoting eco-conscious governance while ensuring economic progress through climate-resilient infrastructure and expanding environmentally conscious education in classrooms.

Source: Indian Masterminds

West Bengal regulates e-Rickshaws. The states Transport Department has made vehicle registration mandatory for all e-Rickshaws to help identify unsafe vehicles and to ensure proper documentation.

Source: Business Standard

Water and Sanitation

Nothing critical to report this week.

Center - State Relations

The Union government issues draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The draft bill seeks to make it mandatory for electricity regulatory commissions to determine cost-reflective tariffs.

Source: Deccan Herald

In detail: Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025

Programs & Projects