The Gujarat government has received Rs 735.37 crore as incentive from the Centre to increase its installed capacity in the renewable energy sector, the Assembly was informed here today.
The announcement was made in the House by Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Patel under Rule-44 of the state Assembly.
According to Patel, the Gujarat state government added 2553.57 megawatt (MW) to the existing installed capacity of the renewable energy sector in four years (2010 to 2014).
Thus, as per the formula devised by 13th Financial Commission, it was proposed to give Rs 735.37 crore as incentive to the Gujarat government, Patel said.
"Based on the recommendations of the 13th Financial Commission, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had decided to give us an incentive of Rs 735.37 crore which was deposited in the Gujarat government's account on March 16," Patel said.
However, Patel's announcement didn't go down well with the opposition which took strong objection to her announcement made under Rule-44. Leader of Opposition Shankersinh Vaghela termed his statement as a "misuse" of that rule.
Vaghela claimed that Rule 44 is reserved only for those matters where public interest is involved, and not for such "minor" issues.
