The State Government has decided to amend its Energy Policy to suit the investors coming to set up independent power plants in Jharkhand. The State Cabinet on Monday approved the proposal of the Energy Department suggesting change in the power purchase agreement (PPA) to be signed between the company and it.
Informing about this Cabinet Secretary SS Meena told that the policy shift would be applicable to all the PPAs to be signed in future. “The Cabinet has amended the existing policy guidelines meant to PPA. Now the power
generation company signing MoU with the Government will supply 12 per cent power of its total installed capacity on variable rates provided the Government makes available coal to it from its own sources,” said the official.
As per the policy approved in 2012 and in force at present compels power producing firms to share 25 per cent of total generation capacity with the State at the rate fixed by the Jharkhand State Energy Regularity Commission.
Now with the policy change, the plant getting coal from the State sources is free to make available 12 per cent out of the total 25 per cent on variable rate to discoms which may vary time to time according to the cost-benefit calculations by the Commission.
Besides, the Cabinet also approved policies related to investment in the field of IT/ITes, electronic system design manufacturing, start-ups, BPO/BPM ( Business Process Management), textile-apparels and footware along with automobile and auto-components.
“Concessions like 100 per cent CST waiver for 10 years, land bank, VAT reclamation up to 75 per cent for new projects, 100 per cent electricity duty exemption, no entry tax on items purchased by investors, reclamation provision on stamp duty paid etc are some of the highlights of the policies which are expected to attract huge investment here,” said SS Meena and added that E&Y had been appointed PR agency at the cost of `15.46 crore for 40 months time for successful organisation of investors summits.
Notably, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has been on road shows to different cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi recently and is again in Mumbai for this purpose only. He is also scheduled to leave for the United States to showcase Jharkhand as noble investment destination.
In another decision the Cabinet relaxed and given time to the MlAs till December 31, 2016 to submit the DC Bills against their MlA fund before that they can claim the money. Earlier there was condition for the legislators to present the Bills for at least 80 per cent utilisation of the fund granted before claiming further.
Terms and condition for appointment of JREDA Director has also been changed and now besides IAS, IFS and few others all the officials of all India service not below the rank of Joint Secretary along with the Group-A officers not below the rank of Director/Deputy Secretary rank with the Center can apply.
In order to bring fallow land back into production cycle the Government has announced several incentives and approved `43 crore for the purpose. Beneficiary farmers would be paid `2,400 per hectare while `200 per hectare to rural youths and `100/hectare to local Krishi Vigyan Kendras would be given for driving out the
farmers.
The Cabinet also set guideline for any complaint related to fraudulent land registry taking place with the help of fake documents. Now in all such cases District Sub-registrars would examine the documents, sent notices to the concerned parties and hear the matter.
A steering committee for the JV Company meant to handle affairs of the upcoming GAIl owned Govindpur-Haldia gas pipeline has been formed. One chairman and seven members would chip in from GAIl and State Government and work on rotation basis for getting NOC for land to be used for the purpose. 350 kms length of the pipeline falls in the State passing from Dhanbad, Koderma and Bokaro districts.
A three member urban water conservation and distribution regulatory authority has been formed to manage water resources available in cities and towns of the State besides handling rain water harvesting, surface water conservation and distribution and manage drinking water in better manner.
Also, State’s first Water Resource Commission having eight experts in the field of water resources, soil conservation, farming, industry, economics, flood and social scientist has been set up.