NDMC greenlights solar policy to boost grid-connected solar plants in New Delhi, aiming to cater to the city's electricity demands while also generating surplus power for export. The move comes as a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions, seeking to harness the potential of solar resources in the region. With a focus on promoting renewable energy adoption, the policy is expected to drive the establishment of solar plants, thus reducing the city's reliance on conventional energy sources and curbing carbon emissions.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has recently introduced a new solar policy for the Lutyens’ Delhi area, which falls under its jurisdiction. The policy aims to promote the use of grid-connected solar plants to fulfil the electricity requirements of New Delhi and even export surplus electricity to the distribution grid. After incorporating public feedback, the NDMC has given its approval to this solar policy.
Additionally, the council has decided to increase the transfer duty on the sale and purchase of properties in New Delhi by 1%. The transfer duty will now be 3% for females and third genders, and 4% for males, starting from August 1, 2023. This move is expected to generate an annual additional revenue of Rs.18-20 crore for the NDMC.
The NDMC Act allows the council to levy a duty on property transfers, with the current limit set at 5%. Transfer duty is a part of the stamp duty and registration fee imposed by the revenue department on the total sale amount during property transactions.
According to an NDMC official, the newly introduced solar policy will enable people to utilize the rooftop space of buildings to generate solar power, thereby working towards achieving the target of 100% renewable power consumption in New Delhi by 2025. One significant feature of this policy is the relaxation in sanctioned power load.
Previously, residential properties could only install solar panels or plants up to their sanctioned load capacity, and any increase in sanctioned power load would lead to higher fixed charges on their bills. However, under the new policy, if there is potential to generate more power, the fixed-use charges will not increase. This step is considered the first of its kind taken by NDMC.
Apart from these policy decisions, the council has also granted administrative approval to transfer a five-acre land parcel at the Okhla compost plant back to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the development of a solid waste management facility. This land was leased to the NDMC by MCD in 1980, and now five acres will be returned.
The decisions were made in a meeting chaired by NDMC Chairperson Amit Yadav after a previous meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was adjourned due to heated arguments between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over flood management in the Capital. During this adjourned meeting, the four BJP members of NDMC tabled a censure motion against the CM for the perceived failure to control floods in New Delhi and address the issue of drinking water shortage in the NDMC area.
In response, the AAP issued a statement alleging that the BJP had mismanaged the MCD during its 15-year tenure and further accused the BJP of engaging in corruption. The AAP stated that the scams carried out during the BJP's rule would be investigated, and many of its leaders would face legal consequences.
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