*Doubts over utilization of whopping amount
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 16: Taking major decisions by ignoring Governing Body in order to confer undue benefits upon blue eyed contractors was just the tip of an iceberg as the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) has failed to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) of over Rs 32 crore assistance provided by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy during past five years despite repeated reminders from the latter.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is sanctioning financial assistance to various States under its different components for developing and deploying new and renewable energy for supplementing the energy requirements. The programmes and schemes of this Ministry assume significance in view of growing concern for the country’s energy security.
Several States of the country which have huge potential for new and renewable energy have obtained immense benefit of MNRE schemes whereby huge financial assistance is provided. Jammu and Kashmir is also one such State and is being provided crores of rupees so as to become self sufficient in energy.
Solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and energy parks are areas whereunder huge financial assistance was provided to Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency several years back, sources said while disclosing that under solar thermal, thrust is being laid on technologies for power generation, solar water heating and solar cooking etc while as under solar photovoltaic the emphasis is laid on electricity conservation through solar street lights, solar traffic signals and other systems of community use.
Similarly, energy parks are aimed at providing huge impetus to solar energy generation by encouraging project developers and investors and help the States meet Solar Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) mandate and provide employment opportunities.
Under solar thermal division, an amount of Rs 1.60 crore was provided to Jammu and Kashmir by MNRE in the years 2011 and 2012 vide different sanction letters formally communicated to Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), sources informed, adding the whopping amount was meant for utilization in Government Medical Colleges, Royal Spring Golf Course, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu and other organizations/ institutions of the State.
Similarly, under solar photovoltaic division, an amount of Rs 30.43 crore was granted in the years 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for utilization by Renewable Energy Development Agencies (REDAs), SKUAST- Jammu and SKIMS etc.
However, the dashboard of the MNRE indicates that J&K has failed to submit Utilization Certificates of entire amount sanctioned under solar thermal division and UCs of only Rs 77 lakh out of Rs 2.7 crore sanctioned in 2008 under solar photovoltaic division have been furnished till date.
Likewise, no Utilization Certificate of Rs 50 lakh released for development of energy park in the year 2011 has so far been submitted to the MNRE till date.
“In the absence of Utilization Certificates even doubts are expressed over utilization of whopping Rs 32.53 crore financial assistance provided by the Ministry”, sources said while disclosing that for want of UCs the MNRE has reflected the entire amount as un-utilized. “There was no justification behind delaying furnishing of UCs if the amount was actually utilized for the intended purpose”, sources added.
“Though a number of reminders were sent by the Union Ministry to Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency during all these years yet Utilization Certificates have remained unfurnished”, sources regretted, adding “this indicates that there is no seriousness on the part of J&K Government in meeting the guidelines of the scheme and focus is only on receiving huge financial assistance without being accounted for”.
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), Shafat Sultan said, “MNRE is unnecessarily reflecting such a whopping amount as unspent or unutilized on the part of JAKEDA despite the fact that channel partners were responsible for execution of works and money was transferred to them”.
However, sources said, “Whatsoever may be the reason but the fact remains that MNRE has not been furnished the UCs and JAKEDA cannot shirk its responsibility”.
When asked about why the solar plants remain non-functional, the CEO said, “we have been laying required focus on making defunct plants functional and at present the number of such plants is very less”.
About energy park, which was sanctioned in 2009 and funds were released in 2011, he said, “there were certain reasons because of which the park could not be developed”, adding “we have now got the project revived and hopefully something concrete will come out in near future as JAKEDA is vigorously pursuing this project”.