Indore: Other’s pride, DAVV’s envy JNLU all set to become country’s first univ self-reliant in power
Jodhpur National Law University (JNLU) is all set to become the country’s first university to be self-reliant as far as electricity is concerned, by next month. Tragically, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) could have achieved the feat some five years ago, but failed as it lost the funds meant for setting up a solar power station on UTD campus, thanks to its miserable reluctance.
In 2010, University Grants Commission (UGC) had granted Rs 2 crore to DAVV for setting up a solar power station. It was just the first instalment and more funds could have been pumped in for the project. But, the university could not spend a single penny from the first instalment and thus, the grant lapsed later.
After news reports about JNLU going self-reliant on power were published in newspapers on Monday, vice chancellor of DAVV, Dr Narendra Dhakad sought to know from School of Energy and Environmental Studies head SP Singh about the solar power project for which UGC had allocated funds about six years ago.
Singh informed the VC that Rs 2 crore were allocated by the UGC for setting up solar power station but the executive council (EC) did not give permission for its utilisation, posing one or other rider. “Due to this approach of the EC the funds could not be utilised and the same lapsed,” the VC was told.
Singh said that the university had plan to setup a 1MW solar power station, which would have supplied power to UTD and RNT Marg campuses along with residential quarters of the DAVV. “The project would have made DAVV the country’s first and only university to become self-reliant as far as power is concerned. But, due to the unnecessary objections posed by the EC, that project never saw day of light. The funds were to be spent in time-bound manner. But, as we failed to do so, the UGC took back the grant,” Singh recalled.
About three months back, the VC had directed Singh to reapply for the grant, but the latter, once bitten twice shy, did not show interest in the project due to unsupportive nature of EC.
“It was me, who had prepared solar power proposal in 2010 on which the UGC had approved grant, but I was not allowed to execute the project by the EC. I am little interested in the project now. But, as the VC wants me to reapply, I will obey him,” Singh said. Dhakad assured Singh of full support from the EC this time. “Members of current EC won’t become a hurdle before any development project, especially of those which as connected with environment. Solar energy project will make our campuses eco-friendly,” the VC said.
Source: freepressjournal
