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Extension of rooftop solar power scheme to 10,000 households will mark the beginning of a new era of participatory power generation in the State, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj has said.
Adequate supply of power is a sine qua non for the economic development of the State, he said in his customary address to the State Assembly ahead of the seventh session.
HIGH PRIORITY
The Government intends to give high priority to the popularisation of solar and wind energy. Steps are being initiated for installation of grid-connected solar panels in government offices and off-grid roof top solar system in households to generate 100 MW.
Other initiatives include a 2-MW solar power station at Kuzhalmannam, distribution of one lakh subsidised solar lanterns and 10,000 solar street lamps.
An MoU has been signed with NTPC to develop around 200 MW wind energy-based power projects on ‘build, own and operate’ basis.
WIND FARM
A 22-MW wind farm is proposed to come up in the land allotted by Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) at its textile park.
A gas-based power plant of 300-MW capacity will be set up in Kerala State Electricity Board-owned land at Brahmapuram. Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme will be rolled out fully by mid-2014.
Programme to make Kerala a ‘zero landless state’ by 2015 is another major initiative of the Government, the Governor said. As part of this, 2.33 lakh of beneficiaries have been identified and their list published.
‘ZERO LANDLESS’
Land will be distributed to over one lakh persons by August 15, 2013, Bharadwaj said. The government is geared to tackle the drought situation with a slew of measures.
It has already announced a one-year moratorium on revenue recovery and rescheduling of agricultural loans. A definite strategy has been drawn up for enhancing market intervention operations to hold price line of essential items.
Vibrant industrial climate is sought to be evolved by developing infrastructure and facilitating clearances and through continued interaction with various segments of industry.
INDUSTRY INITIATIVES
Proposals for projects associated with a National Industrial Manufacturing Zone and a Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Industrial Region are already under consideration.
Kinfra and the directorate of industries are developing several new industrial parks. Special emphasis is being given for developing clusters of micro, small and medium industries.
The comprehensive IT policy will lay secure foundations for a digital ecosystem to ensure administrative transparency and efficiency.
IT DESTINATION
Technopark, Infopark and Cyberpark will build additional space in order to realise the aim of creating five lakh jobs.
The prime goal is to make Kerala a preferred IT destination.
“My Government will promote integrated high-tech IT townships for which guidelines have been issued,” the Governor said.
The first phase of the prestigious SmartCity project has been initiated and this will be completed in a time-bound manner.
> vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in
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