Mumbai: Few cooperative housing societies in the metropolis are aware of a government decision which permits the use of MLAs’ area development fund for the free installation of rooftop solar panels and rain harvesting system. Each MLA is alloted Rs 5 crore each year for the development of his/her constituency.
According to Ramesh Prabhu, chairman of the Maharashtra Housing Societies’ Federation, though the decision was taken by the state government in June 2022 not many societies have availed of its benefits. The government’s decision was prompted by its desire to converse water and electricity by adopting rain water harvesting and tapping solar energy. Prabhu said if societies take advantage of the government decision they can make substantial savings in water and electricity bills.
“Many societies opt for only paver block installation in their building compound or internal road repairs instead of projects which will yield long-term benefits. They should have the vision,” Prabhu observed of installation of solar panel systems. “The government has only issued a GR. It should publicise it,” he suggested.
Every MLA in Maharashtra gets a whooping Rs 5 crore as a local area development fund. Mumbai has around 40,000 registered housing societies, including city and suburbs. As per Prabhu, a high-rise in Mumbai bears electricity charges between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, depending upon the facilities provided. If solar panels are installed, at least 50 per cent of power bills will be reduced.
As per the GR, out of the total charges for solar panel installations in a housing society, 75 per cent of the charges will be covered under MLA funds and the society will bear only 25 per cent. Advocate Nitin Nikam, President of Tilak Nagar Residents Association said, “We are aware of the scheme but the MLA needs to submit the proposal. Also, residents do not show much interest in contributing money to install solar panels due to unawareness of the lifelong benefits of a one-time investment.”
“There are several buildings in Mumbai where solar panels are installed, however, the residents have spent out of their pockets. Despite a government scheme announced 2 years ago, no housing society in the city has used the government scheme to install the panels,” Nikam said.
The scheme implementation falls under the district planning office, which falls under the collector’s office. A district planning officer from MMR said, “In districts beyond Mumbai, the MLA funds are used more towards road buildings and other basic facilities. However, in Mumbai, the municipal corporation looks after roads, water and other necessities. There is a better opportunity for the MLA from a city like Mumbai to use funds towards solar panel installation. But as of now, we have not received any such proposal.”
When FPJ contacted Mumbai BJP President and cabinet minister Ashish Shelar, he said that he would gather more information on the GR issued in 2022 regarding the use of MLA funds for housing societies’ development works and then comment on its implementation. Atul Bhatkalkar, BJP legislator, said he was willing to sanction funds for solar panels and rain water harvesting.
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