JOIN USThe Rajasthan Cabinet in a marathon meeting approved the amendments to the ‘Wind Energy Policy, 2012’ on Tuesday.
The erstwhile Congress government in Rajasthan had introduced the amendments to pave the way for setting up wind energy plants having 400 MW capacity annually, and bring investment of Rs 2,500 crore to the state.
“Wind energy has a huge potential in Rajasthan. The Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Policy for Promoting Generation of Electricity from Wind, 2012,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajendra Rathore said.
After the amendments, discoms can buy wind power on preferential rates set by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission instead of competitive tender process, abiding by the limits set by the Renewable Purchase Obligation till 2015-16.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal related to allowing wind energy producers for selling power to other states under the rules and regulations provided for open access.
A committee has been formed by state Cabinet to review the provisions of the allotment of government land for setting up wind energy plants.
“The committee will consider options related to transfer of wind power plants from government land to private land. It will work to promote private landholders to set up wind energy plants on private land,” Rathore said.
Carry forward schemes
Putting end to rumors the Cabinet approved a proposal to continue all public welfare schemes introduced or launched by the previous Congress government.
“All schemes initiated by the previous government, specially pension scheme, will continue as it is, and Rs 3,400 crore is being spent over 56 lakh families under the scheme,” Rathore said.
The financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for inter-caste marriage will continue and sanction will be given for scholarships for students who have just completed class 10.
Ongoing schemes for the economically backward classes will remain unaffected. Discussions were held on a new policy being prepared by the Urban Development Department for all cases related to allotment of land at concessional rates.