L-G holding back solar policy, sent ‘bogus’ queries: AAP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 28

The AAP has alleged that Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena has held back the Delhi Solar Policy for weeks and sent ‘bogus’ queries on the policy. Cabinet Minister and senior AAP leader Atishi said, “The L-G is trying to secure votes for the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and is trying to put people-centric policies of the Kejriwal government on hold.”

“The L-G is doing so to stop the solar policy from being implemented before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. He must not forget the dignity of his constitutional position and should work in the interest of the people of Delhi. He must not play politics on the Delhi Solar Policy to safeguard the BJP’s interest,” she added.

The Delhi Solar Policy was passed by the Cabinet on January 29. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the electricity bill would be zero for any residents who install solar panels on their rooftops. The policy was notified and was sent to the L-G for his approval.

Atishi said the policy had a provision of providing zero electricity bill to even those consumers who use more than 400 units. Currently, the Delhi Government provides free electricity for up to 200 units and a 50 per cent subsidy if consumption is between 201-400 units.

She said that another important provision of the policy was that if someone installed a solar panel on their rooftop, the government would pay them for generating each unit of electricity.

After the implementation of the new policy, for three KW, an incentive of Rs 3 per unit will be provided by the government, and Rs 2 per unit will be given for 3-10 KW. So, this means that not only will consumers generate solar power for their consumption and get a zero rupee bill, but they can also earn by generating extra units of solar power, she asserted.

The government has set a target of generating 20 per cent of electricity through solar power plants by 2027.

Atishi claimed that the Power Department followed up with the L-G office multiple times as the government needed to notify the policy, however, the L-G delayed it and raised irrelevant queries and objections and sent the file to us.

Meanwhile, sources in the L-G House said the Kejriwal government was misleading people by lying habitually.

Govt misleading public

The Kejriwal government is misleading people by lying habitually. The L-G has not stopped the solar policy and there is no such provision in the policy that will reduce people’s electricity bills to zero. On the contrary, the policy has a provision that will benefit only private power companies and the L-G has sought details on this provision — L-G House sources

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