MSME Solar Parks Feasible When State’s Lower Transmission Charges: Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari said the entry of MSME in the solar parks sector was a good idea, but would only be viable if state governments reduce transmission charges.

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways of India and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Nitin Gadkari has said that he believes that the entry of MSME in the solar parks sector was a good idea, but would only be viable if state governments reduce transmission charges.

Speaking through video conferencing to members of the Pune-based Maratha Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), Gadkari advised the entrepreneurs to approach Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to get transmission charges reduced.

He also said the prime minister’s economic package to tide over the slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak included Rs 3 lakh crore for MSMEs, and said firms in the sector could mail him directly if they faced problems getting money.

Last month, the minister had said that the government is exploring new financial lending institutions to support small-scale units to provide financial support. The Minister assured the industry stakeholders that the government is working towards strengthening the NBFCs which will help small businesses to avail easy credit in the coming time.

Prior to that, in a meeting with members of Maha Solar Sangathan, the Minister had emphasised on the need of export enhancement along with import substitution to replace foreign imports with domestic production. He also encouraged solar manufactures to make India self-reliant with the help of ‘Make in India’ products.

He had urged industry representatives to come up with some new, innovative and economically viable business models which can be implemented in various sectors like agriculture, warehousing, etc. to provide low-cost sustainable energy. This will not only help in reducing the cost of energy in various sectors but also provide the required thrust for Make in India initiative, he had said.