Renewable energy projs in TS to be hit

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited’s (TREDCL’s), will be the most affected with the central government decision to divert coal cess to compensate States for losses due to Goods and Service Tax (GST). The cash-strapped corporation has been solely dependent on Centre aided schemes for works.  

The corporation is tasked with setting up power projects using renewable energy sources. The corporation is also tasked with the implementation of the central government rooftop solar scheme for which the Centre subsidises 30 per cent of the project cost.

The central scheme aims to generate 40 giga watt (GW) through roof top solar panels by 2022. The scheme has so far managed to generate just 2 GW in the whole country, the remaining 38 GW has to be generated within the next 4 years. The target for Telangana under the scheme this year is 100 Mega watt (MW). To make this possible the corporation has tied up with Syndicate bank to provide loans with 10 per cent interest rate to government officials to set up solar rooftop at their homes.

GST derailing solar roof scheme

In August, the Centre decided to divert coal cess revenue to compensate State’s losses post GST implementation. Diversion of coal cess meant to fund clean energy projects to States would mean lesser subsidy for solar roof top and other center assisted clean energy projects in States. “This will slow us down further. Centre should consider increasing subsidy and encouraging distribution companies,” said A Sudhakar Rao, vice chairman and managing director of TREDCL ,

Funds crunch

The corporation has already been facing irregular fund releases and neglect from the state government. A total Rs 65 crores was allocated for TREDCL in the State budget for 2017-18, but only Rs 6.75 crore has been released so far. “The funds are not enough but this hasn’t affected the operations of the corporation,” said Rao. The corporation at present owes Rs 10 crore to contractors.

Solar power for spiritual structures?

The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) is exploring the possibilities of providing solar power utilisation to all the spiritual structures in the state. To reduce utilisation of conventional energy and creating awareness in among consumers about non-conventional energy and to protect environment and reduce utilisation human and revenue sources, REDCO is pursing possibilities to providing all spiritual institutions and structures across the state. The state government re-constituted REDCO to take up large scale programmes.

‘B’chalam temple developed cracks’

 Khammam: Team comprising of NIT, Warangal prof  M Panduranga Rao, Endowment department additional commissioner E Srinivasa Rao, Stapathi Vallinayakam, endowment department executive engineer Narsimha Rao visited Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam on Sunday and inspected the place where sculputure fell from Rajagopuram on Saturday morning. They said that the sculpture, which was constructed with sand stone by the Lord Rama devotee Bhaktha Ramadas 400 years ago, developed cracks and fell off with rain water entering into them. 

Singareni poll canvassing hots up

Khammam: In view of the Singareni collieries elections, Telangana Boggugani Sangham, INTUC, AITUC and TNTUC unions have started vigorous campaigns in employee colonies. TRS MP from Khammam, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, MLC Palla Rajeswara Reddy and Kothagudem MLA Jalagam Venkata Rao camped in Kothagudem. CPI leaders Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao, Sabeer Pasha, Congress leaders Vanama Venkateswara Rao, and TDP leader K Satyanarayana were seen campaigning.