Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the Solar summit at Chandigarh would give a new boost to the economy of Punjab as the state has emerged as the most preferred destination for investment in Non conventional energy sector.Interacting with media here at village Kolianwali after laying the foundation stones of various development projects and three irrigation projects in Lambi constituency the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Punjab has received more than Rs. 4000 crore investment for 500 MW solar projects which mainly includes investment by major foreign players from Singapore, USA and France. He said that tomorrow’s Solar summit would further showcase the possibilities in Renewable energy sector in Punjab as the state fully suitable for these projects due to the availability of sun shine for 300 days in a year. He also called the farmers to come forward to be a partner under the incentive oriented Net Metering policy as it was especially designed for keeping in view the farmers interests .
He said that keen interest of state farmers in solar power could be gauged from the fact that PEDA has recently got Expressions of Interest for 1200 MW against the initial estimates of 500 MW. He said that the state farmers were now getting remunerative lease rates besides high rates even for non-fertile lands.Badal said that initiatives of Punjab in this sector has been noticed at National level as Prime Minister has awarded Punjab as best performing state on RE front during REINVEST-2015 held in New Delhi and few days ago Renewable Energy Promotion Association (REPA) has awarded Punjab as the Best Bio-energy State of India with highest installed capacity .Badal has also said the Punjab Government has sanctioned Rs. 10,000 crore for basic amenities projects in 150 small towns and villages, out of which Rs. 4000 crore would be spent on 100 % water supply, concrete streets in villages.
Terming Congress and AAP as spent forces in Punjab Mr. Badal said that Captain Amarinder Singh and Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa were busy in power struggle to capture the presidency of PPCC and they never bothered to raise their voice for issues pertaining to Punjab. On the other hand the real ”anti poor face” of AAP was exposed from the fact that Mr. Arvind Kejriwal has set aside more than Rs. 500 crore for publicity on states exchequer against the meager 10 crore publicity budget of Punjab Government.Questioning the credentials of Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa for supporting the anti Punjab elements in Canada and USA, Mr. Badal has dared Bajwa to clear the air that he was in favour of them or against them? He said that SAD delegation has received historic response abroad and the people opposing them were the anti national elements.On the issue of uniform VAT on Diesel in northern states, Mr. Badal said that it was aimed to eliminate the smuggling of oil from one state to other and this decision was taken unanimously by northern states. He also disclosed that VAT on petrol would brought to the same level in coming days as the dialogue in this regard is going on.Earlier addressing the audience at Village FulluKhera, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government would launch “Health Card” for poor people which would enable them for free treatment up to Rs. 30,000.
The villages where concrete streets would be constructed includes kolianwali , Mahni Khera , Bhai ka Khera , Khami Khera , Fullu Khera , Arani wala , Kangan Khera , Dabwali dhab , Gurusar Jodha , Pakki tibbi , Katianwali , Karampatti , Mohlan , Raniwala , Midda , Alam wala and sarawan badlan with the cost of Rs. 50.39 crore . The Deputy Chief Minister has also announced the district unit of Shiromani Akali Dal Sri Mukatsar sahib.Prominent amongst present on the occasion included Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Punjab Agro, Chairman Tajinder Singh Midukhera, DC Jaskiran Singh, SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal, Avtar Singh Banawala, Chairman Kulwinder Singh Bhai ka Khera, Veerpal Kaur Tarmala, Parminder Singh Koliawali etc.