Solar power plants; Resumption notices not linked to Surya Ghar scheme: Society

Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has clarified that the resumption notices issued by the Estate Office for not installing rooftop solar power plants are in no way connected with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yajana of the Centre.

In a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), RTI activist RK Garg stated that the UT Administration had recently issued notices in respect of resuming the properties of the general public, who will not opt and install solar panels atop their property within next 60 days. “Coercive measures are being adopted to harass people for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna,” he said.

As per the UT notification dated May 18, 2016, the installation of a solar power plant is mandatory for all residential houses of 500 sq yard or above in the city. “The UT Estate Office has served notices to those house owners who have not followed the guidelines mentioned in the notification and hence violated the Rule 4.1 of Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017. These notices in no way have any connection with the PM Surya Ghar scheme,” states the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CREST.

He said the Central scheme was launched on February 13 to increase the share of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity.

To connect these notices, which are issued for violation of the Chandigarh Building Rules 2017, with the government scheme of public good is no way correct or justified, he said. “These notices sent by the Estate Office are for violation of the building rules and not for PM Surya Ghar Yajna scheme,” he reiterated.