To boost alternative and solar energy, the state government gave its approval to set up a unit to generate alternative energy in Sitapur and cleared 10 bids of 500 megawatt solar energy. Besides, the government decided to launch a new nutrition scheme to counter malnutrition in 20 districts. The approval was given at the state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Tuesday.
State government spokesperson and state Health Minister Sidharthnath Singh said that Sunlight Fuel Limited of Delhi would set up the alternative energy generation unit in Sitapur. It will produce 1.75 lakh litres of green fuel annually by using 500 metric tonnes of sugarcane, farm and wheat wastes.
The unit will be set up at a cost of Rs 1550.87 crore in which the state government will provide several sops to the selected unit including waiver of stamp duty, 15 per cent subsidy on investment and GST waiver for 10 years.
In another decision, the government cleared the names of 10 companies for generating 500 megawatt of solar power in the state. Altogether 12 companies had made a bid for 750 mw of solar power but the government cleared 10 units. The selected companies will supply power to the government feeder at the price between Rs 3.17 per unit and Rs 3.23 per unit against the government’s maximum rate of Rs 3.25 per unit.
In the third decision, the government announced setting up of Mukhyamantri Suposhan Ghar in 10 districts of the state to address the problem of malnutrition among children in the age group of 0-5 years.
The Niti Ayog had recently expressed concern over malnutrition among the new-born. As per the latest NFHS report, the death due to malnourishment up to 5 years is 6 per cent which is highest in the country.
In the first phase 28 Mukhyamantri Suposhan Ghar will be established. The project to be financed by the Centre was approved by the state Cabinet. The project will be launched from January 2019 and will continue till March 2020.
Singh said besides Mukhyamantri Suposhan Ghar, the anganwari sewika would be given Rs 50 each for referring beneficiaries while the chief sewika would get Rs 200 per child after she gave a follow-up report for 15 days after the discharge of the child and mother. The child welfare officer will have to check these ghars every week while District Magistrates will send report every month. The government will spend around Rs 5.33 crore for the project.
In yet another decision, the government sanctioned Rs 3.21 crore to construct pilgrim facilities at three places in Prayagraj during the coming Kumbh Mela. Rooms, toilets and other facilities will be made available at Beni Madhav Temple at Daraganj, Panch Digamber and Ani Akhara and Brahmchari Ashram.
The government also approved the demolition of the Commerce department building at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gorakhpur University to set up Goraksh Peeth Research Centre. The centre will be set up at a cost of Rs 13.83 crore while Rs 1.81 crore earned through scrap will be deposited in the government exchequer.
The government also approved a rebate on the levy of Rs 6.78 crore for a bank guarantee of Rs 2703 crore to be used by the 23 UP cooperative sugar mills to pay cane farmers their dues during the current cruising season.
In a major sops to the entertainment industry, the government reimbursed the state GST imposed on tickets of multiplexes and cinema houses in the state since July 2017. Singh said that the government would reimburse 9 per cent GST on tickets worth up to Rs 100 and 14 per cent GST on tickets above Rs 100 tickets. The total GST on cinema tickets is 18 per cent up to Rs 100 in which the state GST share is nine per cent while the total GST on tickets over Rs 100 is 28 per cent in which the state share is 14 per cent.
The government also gave its nod to purchase vehicles to be used for VVIP security in the state, particularly in Gorakhpur and Ghaziabad. The government will purchase 114 vehicles at the cost of Rs 25 crore for VVIPs for their travel and security. As per proposal, 16 vehicles, including three bullet-proof and two jammers, will be purchased at the cost of Rs 6.3 crore and will be used in Gorakhpur and Ghaziabad. At least, 79 more vehicles will be purchased for districts.
Besides, the state Estate department will purchase 17 luxury vehicles, including Innova, Scorpio and Honda cars, for VVIPs at the cost of Rs 2.46 crore.
