Assam looking to build 1000 MW Solar plant: CM Himanta

DISPUR, Assam: Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, on June 11, stated that the Government of Assam is looking to establish a solar power plant with the capacity of 1000 MW with an investment of up to Rs 5,000 crores. The announcement comes after the 50^th meeting of the state cabinet of Assam.

According to CM Sarma, Assam will establish a joint venture company in collaboration with Neyveli Lignite Corporation (now NLC India Ltd) – a central public sector undertaking (PSU), under the Ministry of Coals, Government of India. Earlier, a solar power plant with a capacity of 75 MW was inaugurated at Amguri, and a few other solar plants with a cumulative power generation capacity of 100 MW will start working by the next month.

CM Sarma told the reporters that 1037 proposals regarding the settlement of the land, pending before the Revenue Department, Government of Assam, were also approved in the meeting. Some of these proposals were pending before the Revenue Department since 1992.

He also mentioned that the state cabinet approved the utilisation of uncultivated land of tea estates for setting up solar power plants, planting trees and for tea tourism.

Additionally, the cabinet has approved the proposal for establishing the Assam Municipal Corporation Service Cadre. Chief executive members, engineers for civic bodies and accounts officers will be selected and appointed from this cadre. The state government will have the power to transfer these officers anywhere in the state, who will also bear the burden of their salaries.

Several crucial decisions were taken by the cabinet in the meeting, including the passage of a new regime for the assessment of property tax, sanctioning Rs 8727 crores for power sector reforms, sanctioning Rs 383 crores for a bridge between Lakhimpur and Dhakuakhana and Rs 247 crores for a bridge connecting Tamulpur and Barama. Similarly, several other beautification projects were sanctioned in Tezpur, including a flyover costing Rs 474 crores to the government.

Agricultural projects that were being implemented at Gorukhuti, have now been brought under the control of a permanent body, with a civil servant from the Assam cadre. The Chairman of the body will be appointed by the Chief Minister.