At a time when solar power developers are in a tizzy over the agitation raised by Sheo MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati over allotment of government land to Adani in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan chief secretary Sudhansh Pant has come forward to assure removal of all obstacles in the way of their projects.
Rajasthan chief secretary Sudhansh Pant assured power companies that the state government is committed to remove roadblocks if any during implementation of projects.
“It's very difficult to draw investment in the state. And investors set up their projects but if they find it difficult to run it due to local issues then it's a big embarrassment for state government,” said Pant without referring any such incident.
He said that the district administration and police of western Rajasthan have been sensitised to tackle local problems immediately.
“We have sensitised collectors and SPs, specially of five districts of western Rajasthan which is the playground for renewable energy projects. They will act immediately to resolve issues being faced by developers,” he said.
He said that local issues should not play spoilsport when the state is attracting investment of more than Rs 20 lakh crore in energy sector, especially in renewable energy.
In Rajasthan solar wind projects are being set up in districts like Jodhpur, Phalodi, Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer.
For past few months, solar power developers are facing problems being raised by local politicians.
What is the issue?
In Barmer and Jaisalmer, independent MLA from Sheo Ravindra Singh Bhati is leading an agitation against solar plant developer (read Adani) in Jaisalmer. He along with villagers are not allowing companies to set up their plants on land allotted by government. They are putting up dharna and even resorting to violence against company officials to stop them from working. Agitators argue that government has wrongly allotted Oran land to the company.
Oran in western Rajasthan is the land parcel which is left unoccupied in the name local deity and is used for grazing purposes. Agitators are up in arms against the allotment and demanding cancellation.
However, district administration and company are firm on their stand that the work is being done as per rules.
“The land in revenue record is government land and no one can stop the administration to allot it for development purposes. Anyone putting up infringement in the government work, will be dealt with law,” said a senior district administration officer in Jaisalmer.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
