Why didn’t Punjab Govt give us solar systems when they were much cheaper, ask MSMEs

Ludhiana, May 18 (KNN) A day after Punjab Government is being applauded for inaugurating a solar power plant in the state, the local units recall that they have been pressing for solar systems for the MSME sector ever since it was available at 70 per cent subsidized rate.

Talking to KNN, the General Secretary of United Cycles and Parts Manufacturers Association, Rajeev Jain, pointed that the Punjab Government denied providing solar systems to the MSMEs when it was available at the 70 per cent subsidized rate.

“Solar systems are now available the less than 16 per cent subsidized rates,” he added.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday dedicated the ‘Single Rooftop Solar Power Plant’ with capacity of 11.5 MW to the State here at Dera Baba Jaimal Singh of Radha Soami Sect.

Badal along with New and Renewable Energy Resources Minister Bikram Singh Majithia inaugurated Rs 139 crore project, spread over 82 acres of rooftop in a single campus on multiple roofs.

Jain said that the small entrepreneurs’ demand for solar plants was put down by the government citing that Punjab is a power surplus state.

The government that time said that there won’t be any buyers for that, hence it is not being promoted, Jain said.

Jain cried, “We have to bear a cost of Rs 7.5 per unit depending on connection to connection. But the thing is that if Government is ready to give power to new units at Rs 4.99 per unit then why can’t they give it to us?”

Talking about the power woes in comparison to other state, the General Secretary said that now a days due to peak summers they cut the power.

“But it is sustainable now and we can tolerate such power cuts. Electricity is not cheap but it is expensive. Himachal has lesser rates than Punjab,” he added.

Meanwhile, Badal yesterday said that his government is committed to make Punjab a front runner state in solar generation in near future. (KNN Bureau)