Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union MSME, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on May 23, 2020, held meeting via video conferencing with the members of Maha Solar Sangathan to understand the opportunities in the solar energy sector. The Minister highlighted the importance of solar energy and said that the sector has a huge potential and can help reduce the electricity cost significantly.
Gadkari said that sectors such as agriculture, warehousing etc. are energy extensive sectors and proper commercial use of solar energy such as solar water pump for irrigation and solar electricity for cold storage can contribute towards reducing power cost. He emphasised on the need of export enhancement along with import substitution to replace foreign imports with domestic production. He highlighted that India still imports energy efficient solar panels and encouraged the manufactures to make India self-reliant with the help of “Make in India” products.
The Minister mentioned that for providing much-needed impetus to the MSME sector to deal with the current economic instability, the government has announced several measures under Special Economic Package: Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, including collateral free automatic loan, which will allow the MSMEs to enhance working capital by 20% without providing additional collateral.
Gadkari urged the industry representatives to come up with some new, innovative, and economically viable business model which can be implemented in various sector such as agriculture, warehousing etc. to provide low cost sustainable energy. He said that this will not only help reduce the cost of energy in various sector but also give the required thrust for “Make in India” initiative, according to a PIB release. He opined that industry should focus more on innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology, research skill and experiences to convert the knowledge into wealth.
The Minister recalled that Government of Japan has offered special package to its industries for withdrawing Japanese investments from China and move elsewhere. He said that this can be an opportunity for India to attract foreign investment in the country.
Some of the questions asked and the suggestions given included: Addition of Solar PV( Solar Photovaultaics) in the list of technology under Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), revision of turnover limit in the new MSME definition, subsidy on export for MSME to encourage the manufacturing and reduce import etc. Gadkari responded to the questions from representatives and assured all possible help from the government.