Maharashtra energy minister has said the state govt will use the cooperative network as well for generating solar power. The govt. will give subsidy to cooperative housing societies for doing it, reports Asian Age.
Cooperative societies will be eligible for a subsidy of Rs 20 per watt or 20 per cent of the project cost, whichever is lesser, the minister said.
The minister said MLAs and members of parliament will be requested to use their fund to promote solar power generation.
The new policy being brought in by the energy department to promote renewable energy is called “Off Grid Energy Policy”. State energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, said that the state government is considering promoting power generation through solar panels on rooftops of educational campuses and government buildings as well as cooperative societies and private buildings.
THIS IS THE MOST WELCOME MOVE. The State Cooperative Minister / Department and the Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies should GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY to strengthen Cooperative Movement by concrete action plan. Please take initiative to facilitate CHSs in harnessing solar energy. Establish Solar Energy Harnessing Department at State Level and Support Centres at District/Taluka/Ward Levels.Assign responsibility to Dy. Registrars in all wards to monitor the movement. BUT NO CORRUPTION PLEASE. Sooner this is done better it is as a boost to Cooperative Movement besides scare resource generation. .