Delhi cabinet approves rooftop solar power for housing societies

The Delhi cabinet on Tuesday approved the 'Mukhyamantri Solar Power Scheme' to set up solar panels on rooftops of group housing societies in Delhi.

Under the Renewable Energy Service Co (RESCO) model, the domestic consumer will not have to spend any money for the installation of solar panels. It will be done by select service providers, Cabinet Minister Satyendar Jain told the media.

"There will be a tripartite agreement between the concerned group housing society, the service provider (company) and the Delhi government," he said.

The cost of electricity generated through the solar power for the group housing society will be Rs 1 per unit.

"The Delhi government will provide a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit to the society," he said.

The initial estimated cost of solar power was likely to be Rs 3 per unit, he said, adding that it will keep increasing year-wise.

"The cost of solar power will also depend on the space provided by the society for the installation of solar panels. In case the society provide more space for solar panels than its requirement, they will get the benefit in return in terms of further reduction in the price of solar power," Jain said.

The cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also amended the scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment to security personnel of Delhi.

"The cabinet approved the proposal of the Revenue Department for amendment in the Scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment to war widows, war disabled, prisoners of war/missing person in war/operation/Delhi Police personnel/Home Guards and families of those who lose their lives in defined uniformed services during the course of duty," Revenue Minister Kailash Gahlot told the media.

In July, the Cabinet had decided to give Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of martyrs killed on duty.

Announcing the amendment, Gahlot said: "Families of the security personnel who are living in Delhi for the last five years will also be covered in the scheme, irrespective of the state of joining of the personnel.

"The final decision will be taken by the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by the Deputy Chief Minister," he said.

The amendment, he said, was necessitated following the murder of Head Constable Narender Kumar of the Border Security Force (BSF) on the India-Pakistan border.

The family of Narender Kumar had been residing in Delhi for many years though his permanent address was of Haryana, Gahlot said.

The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal of the Social Welfare Department to provide assistance to NGOs for celebrating birth and death anniversaries of eminent personalities.

--IANS

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