CABINET APPROVES: ‘New and renewable sources of energy (NRSE) policy- 2012’

Chandigarh, November 22, 2012: The Punjab Cabinet today approved the enactment of ‘New and Renewable Sources of energy (NRSE) Policy- 2012’, to develop and promote new and renewable sources of energy.

            A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet in its meeting held at CMO under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, this morning.

            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the policy was aimed at maximizing and improving the share of new and renewable sources of energy to 10% of the total installed power capacity of the state by the year 2020 besides promoting renewable energy initiatives for meeting energy/lighting needs. The policy would also focus on creating conducive conditions to woo private sector investments in NRSE projects along with broader participation by public by giving a slew of incentives in terms of 100% electricity duty, exemption from VAT and Entry Tax on the equipment, machinery for the setting up of NRSE Power plants, exemption of Stamp Duty and Registration Fee, exemption of Change of Land Use (CLU) fee, External Development Charges (EDC) or other charges etc. The entrepreneurs keen in setting up NRSE projects would be provided with the facility of single window through the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)- the nodal agency for implementation of such projects, to ensure requisite clearances expeditiously.

Under the policy the interested entrepreneurs and investors would be eligible for all benefits/incentives under Mega Projects and Industrial Policy. The policy would focus to generate nearly 400 MW Power through Non Conventional and Renewable sources of energy in the state by year 2017. The new policy would also be instrumental in bridging the gap between the demand and supply of Power besides ensuring quality power to the consumers at affordable rates. The thrust area of NRSE would include setting up of Small and mini/micro hydro plants, Biomass including co-generation, Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, urban municipal and industrial solid/liquid wastes, Solar power generation and innovative technology based wind turbines.

The Cabinet also approved to create a land pool of Government/Panchayat for the purpose of setting up of a ‘Tourism Destination’ in area comprising of villages Haider Nagar, Garcha, Selkiana, Sekhuwal, Garhi, Machian Kalan, Mattewara and other surrounding areas of Ludhiana district besides consolidating this land under the Public Works Department (B&R). The Punjab Infra Structure Development Board (PIDB) would appoint Public Works Department (B&R) as the nodal agency to develop this project on Public Private Partnership (PPP) or any other suitable mode. For this purpose a committee has been constituted for the identification, consolidation and exchange (wherever applicable) of Government/Panchayat land and other suitable land so identified for the project in the area.  

In a major decision the Cabinet approved to transfer the ownership of 33 markets (mandis) of the erstwhile PEPSU state to the respective Municipal Committees.  These markets falling within the jurisdiction and administrative control of the concerned Municipal Committees would be transferred to them on the ‘as and where is basis’. This would increase the financial resources of the Municipal Committees which in turn would be used for creation of better urban infrastructure in the cities.

            The Cabinet also approved the regularization of 19 Law Officers in the Punjab Police from the date of completion of three years services as Law Officer.  These officers were appointed on contract basis in 2009 to impart legal training to the officers/employees within and outside the state at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy Phillaur and Police Recruitment Training Center Jahan Kehlan.             

            In another significant decision, aimed at ensuring the timely conduct of Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) and allied services examination by the Punjab Public Service Commission, the Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to the amendment made in the Punjab State Civil Services appointment and examination rules, 2009 by which the syllabus and procedure could be modified by the PPSC after the approval of the state government.

In a bid to boost the civil aviation industry and tourism in the state besides ensuring affordable and comfortable travel to the passengers, the Cabinet also gave approval to amend the Schedule “B” of the Punjab VAT Act, 2005 thereby slashing the rate of VAT to 5.5% (plus 10% surcharge) on the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) supplied to the scheduled and non-scheduled airlines operating at Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bathinda and Pathankot airports in the state. This would make these airports an attractive destination.   

The Cabinet also gave nod to delete clause 20 of Auction notification regarding the Mines of gravel and sand in the state. This auction process would take place through e-auction and no mine would be sub divided into blocks for the purpose of Mining and auctioning. The Cabinet also approved a draft bill to be presented in the next Punjab Vidhan Sabha session in December 2012, to amend section 5 (5) of the Punjab Village common land (Regulation) Act 1961 by inserting a clause “provided that the condition of retaining fifty percent of the total cultivable land vested or deemed to have been vested in the Panchayat shall not be applicable, when such land is disposed by way of sale, gift or exchange to any of the Department of the state Government or the Board or the Corporation owned or controlled by the state government”.