Mandatory solar panels imposed by Haryana govt still only on paper
Nearly a year has passed since the Haryana government made installation of solar power system mandatory on rooftops of buildings constructed over 500 sq yards. But the local administration seems to have failed in ensuring that the order is being implemented.
The order was issued in September last year. The office of the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) is responsible for implementing the order by asking details of all 500 square yard plots from various departments.
However, a year later, the ADC’s office does not have data on how many 500 sq yard plots exist in the city. Several malls, shopping-cum-commercial complexes, offices, factories, schools, and colleges fall in this category.
The ADC’s office, however, defended itself saying the state government has not yet given it the authority to execute the order. Also, the government has not yet send any guidelines about the implementation and rules to penalise offenders.
“We have no guidelines or the authority to penalise people if they do not install solar power units on rooftops of buildings spread across 500 sq yards,” said ADC Vinay Pratap.
“Soon after the office got the circular in this regard from the government, we informed all departments and group housing societies to submit their plans by December 2104,” he said.
“We have sought cooperation from all government departments to make the mission successful, but in the absence of rules, we are helpless. The department of renewable energy Haryana (Hareda) is directly monitoring the project,” he said.
After the notification, a no objection certificate (NOC) from Hareda (through the ADC’s office) has been made mandatory for passing a building plan.
The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon and the Haryana Urban Development Authority have been asked to make compliance of the order mandatory.
Aseem Takyar, a resident of the city, said, “The aim to save electricity, by making solar power mandatory, has been defeated as the authorities have made the least effort in this regard.”
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