The Times of India               12.06.2013

Civic bodies get highrise solar panel deadline

KOLKATA: Calcutta high court on Tuesday directed all civic bodies in West Bengal, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), to ensure that all highrises install solar panels on their roofs within the next four months.

The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission also recommended more dependence on renewable sources of energy. The court also directed the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) to ensure that all power utilities in the state generate or purchase at least 10% of their capacity from green sources.

The high court bench of Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a PIL moved by green crusader Subhas Datta in December 2009, in which he had claimed that the state has not made much progress in the use of renewable energy. He pointed out that nearly 97% of power used in West Bengal comes from coal and this is taking a heavy toll on the environment.

"The West Bengal Municipal Act, 1993, mandates that all buildings 14.5 metres in height or higher (about four-storied high), need to install solar panels on their roofs. Similarly, the KMC Act, 1980, also makes it clear that all buildings 15.5 metres (about five-storied high) in height or higher need to have solar panels on the roofs. I pointed out to the court that even the residence of the chief justice of Delhi HC has solar panels on its roof. But here, leave alone private buildings, even government ones don't abide by the rules. After hearing this, the court directed all civic bodies in West Bengal to ensure that the structures install solar panels on their roofs within four months," Datta said.

He also submitted that the WBERC is supposed to ensure that all power utilities generate or purchase at least 10% of their capacity from renewable sources. "Unfortunately, the figure is as less as 0.5% in West Bengal. A certain power utility that operates in West Bengal uses coal for generation in this state, but sets up solar power plants in Rajasthan," Datta submitted.

The court then directed WBERC to take necessary steps within three months. The court also directed the state government to build up awareness against the use of coal as a source of power. The government was also directed not to impose direct or indirect taxes on solar panels or other equipment relating to renewable energy. 

Deccan Herald               11.06.2013

BBMP seals three banks, post office for defaulting on rent

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Monday sealed the branches of three banks and a post office, situated inside the Public Utility Building (PUB) on M G Road, which have not paid rent to the civic body since 2007.

High drama unfolded at the Palike-owned PUB early Monday when officials from the BBMP’s Market division along with the police personnel arrived there to shut down the branches of Apex Bank (shop number 10), State Bank of Mysore (shop number 16), Vijaya Bank (shop number 14/15) and a post office (shop number 17). 

All the establishments were locked, barring Vijaya Bank, as its employees were already at work since 7 am. However, the Vijaya Bank’s ATM centre situated next to the branch was sealed.

The four establishments have to pay Rs 3.24 crore (Vijaya Bank), Rs 33.54 lakh (post office), Rs 63.56 lakh (State Bank of Mysore) and Rs 33.09 lakh (Apex Bank), in all Rs 4.55 crore, as rents.

Four notices sent

In a release, the BBMP stated that as per the Sections 370 and 470 of Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, they had sent four notices between 2010 and 2012 to the four offices, but they had not paid the dues. BBMP’s Deputy Commissioner (Market) had also held a meeting with the officers from the four establishments last year. Yet, they did make the payments and responded only through letters, Palike said.

As a last resort, under the guidance of the then BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah, a final notice was issued on May 15 to all four establishments, asking them to pay the rental dues  within seven days.

They were also told that in the event that they did not pay up, their shops would be closed and legal action taken to collect the dues.

‘Stunned by closure’

Raju Babu, a cashier at Apex Bank expressed shock to disocvering that the bank had been closed down. “The Palike had sent the final notice a few days ago. But, we never expected this kind of action from them,” he said. “This closure will not only affect the employees of the bank but also members of the public as well.”

Palike’s Deputy Commissioner (Market), Nagaraj said,  that in 2007-08, the BBMP had asked all lease holders in the PUB to pay the revised rents.

“The traders had appealed to the Palike to collect the revised rent from 2010 and the civic body agreed. However, the three banks and the post office never made such appeals nor did they pay the rent since 2007,” he said.