Rajasthan MLA stalling projects worth Rs 8,500 crore: National Solar Energy Federation writes to CM

The letter, also marked to the Prime Minister’s Office, states: “As a result of these unjustified interventions, projects up to the quantum of 2000 Megawatts have been stalled for prolonged periods ranging from 3 to 6 months without any resolution. Such behaviour is unprecedented in Rajasthan, which has previously been celebrated for its business-friendly policies and smooth project execution. The total investments that are adversely affected due to this untowardly intervention is to the tune of 8500 crores INR.”

Talking to The Indian Express, Bhati, a first time MLA, said, “Till today, there was no one to raise the issues of farmers, hence the allegations. We are not against development, but we are not ready to accept vinash (destruction) in the name of vikas (development). Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is running ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ while companies here are cutting 100s of trees, it is not acceptable at all.”

He said that it is not in his nature to opt for a ‘settlement’, but instead to strengthen the voice of the people. “If a politician and a company speak the same language, it would seem that the politician is not practicing his Rajdharma,” he said.

“In Baiya village, many MNCs were occupying 100s of bigha of oran land (sacred groves) and we resisted it for a week and eventually, they had to back off. Second, in Hadwa village, they never used to give CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds but we said when you are developing, then do something (for the locals) too, upon which they gave Rs 3-4 crore.”

“Third, there was the issue of the transmission line. The company said they will give double of DLC rates, which would be Rs 20,000 – 30,000 (post doubling). So, we merely asked for fair compensation,” he said, adding that “This is the first time that companies are complaining. Usually, it is the farmers who complain.”

NSEFI identifies as “a non-profit organisation with the objective of renewable power development. It is an umbrella organisation representing RE companies active along the whole photovoltaic value chain: project developers, manufacturers, engineering companies, financing institutions and other stakeholders.” The organisation was founded in 2013 with the vision “to promote renewable energy” and its members have executed renewable energy projects across the country, both under the state and central schemes.

It pointed out that of the total Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 235 lakh crore signed during the last year’s Investment Summit, over 60% (220.82 lakh crore) were in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy. However, the “unwarranted and unreasonable obstacles” by the local MLA pose a “significant threat” to the seamless implementation of Renewable Energy projects in Barmer, it said.

It said that if left unaddressed, this situation may compel the companies to redirect their investments to other states, and that developments in Barmer “have the potential to derail India’s overall ambitious Renewable Energy Targets of 2030 and consequently Net Zero Goals of 2070.”