Domestically made solar panels cost doubles, raises project cost
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Prices of solar panels made in the country currently command Rs 28 a watt compared to about Rs 14 for the assembled panels, which are made of imported solar cells. With the rising cost, the impact of the 60% subsidy provided by the Union and the state govt (30% each) reduces the benefits by up to 50%.
As a result, farmers said that a 5-kW plant, which required about Rs 2.7 lakh investment, will now need Rs 4 lakh. These projects are mandated to use Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) panels to be eligible for the subsidies.
Disappointed with the higher panel rates, a farmer in a social media post even accused the govt of corruption as the benefits promised under the subsidy scheme are not available to him.
The shortage of DCR panels has been jacking up prices in India for a long time, forcing vendors to delay project implementation. They accuse the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of rolling out schemes with mandatory use of DCR panels without having an adequate supply.
"It is benefitting a few manufacturers who are into the production of DCR modules. If the country does not have enough capacity, then the stipulation should be removed for the smooth implementation of the projects," said a vendor preferring anonymity. In DCR modules, solar cells need to be manufactured in India. But the country currently does not have enough cell production capacity. The majority of panel manufacturing volume is made of imported solar cells.
The govt has made the DCR mandatory for certain projects, including Kusum and PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Delay in availability risks pushing deadlines further for achieving targets set by MNRE.
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Business Standard
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Ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for J&K flood victims' family, ₹1 lakh for injured
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the severely injured people in the flash flood triggered by a cloud burst in Kishtwar. The Jammu and Kashmir Government will also provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to the people who suffered minor injuries. The government will provide Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures from the CM's Relief Fund. The announcement came after CM Omar Abdullah visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met affected families. In a post on X, JK CMO said, "Chief Minister visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met affected families. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage and said the Government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief. As a mark of solidarity and immediate succor, Chief Minister announced ex-gratia relief from the CM's Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased. Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures. Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures. Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures. Instructions were also issued for immediate restoration of the affected infrastructure in the area." Earlier in the day, J-K CM met with the families affected by the flash flood due to a cloud burst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district. CM Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed the deaths and said that the number of missing people was still being verified. "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground," Omar Abdullah told reporters. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hindustan Times
a few seconds ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal CM urges Centre to relax land, forest Act for disaster victims
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India.com
31 minutes ago
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Kishtwar Cloudburst: CM Omar Abdullah Visits Affected Families, Announces Compensation
J&K Cloudburst: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives, and Rs 1 lakh for individuals who sustained serious injuries in the flash floods caused by a cloudburst in Kishtwar. The Jammu and Kashmir Government will also extend financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to those with minor injuries. Additionally, compensation will be provided for damaged property, with Rs 1 lakh allocated for fully damaged structures, Rs 50,000 for severely damaged ones, and Rs 25,000 for partially damaged buildings. These funds will be disbursed from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The announcement followed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's visit to the affected areas in Kishtwar, where he met with families impacted by the disaster. In a post on X, JK CMO said, "Chief Minister visited the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today and met affected families. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and damage and said the Government stands firmly with the people in this hour of grief. As a mark of solidarity and immediate succor, Chief Minister announced ex-gratia relief from the CM's Relief Fund: Rs 2 lakh for each deceased. Rs 1 lakh for severely injured, Rs 50,000 for minor injuries. Rs 1 lakh for fully damaged structures. Rs 50,000 for severely damaged structures. Rs 25,000 for partially damaged structures. Instructions were also issued for immediate restoration of the affected infrastructure in the area." Earlier in the day, J-K CM met with the families affected by the flash flood due to a cloud burst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district. CM Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. He used a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to review the destruction and said immediate relief measures would be taken to support affected families. The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction on Thursday, killing at least 60 people. On Friday, Abdullah confirmed the deaths and said that the number of missing people was still being verified. "Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also working on the ground," Omar Abdullah told reporters. (With Inputs from ANI)
