Nagpur: The Nagpur Zilla Parishad got Rs 7.18 crore from ‘Mineral Fund’. 564 schools were to be equipped with solar energy through MEDA. But due to the high handedness of some office bearers and members, there was a delay in getting the ‘MEDA Fund’. Due to lack of proper response to the tender and increase in rates, the number of schools was reduced. 51 schools have been excluded from this solar power project which will be implemented in 513 schools. The Zilla Parishad administration had aimed that 100 percent solar energy should be provided in the schools of the Zilla Parishad.
Therefore, in the first phase, Rs 4.28 crore was allocated to 287 schools. With this funds, MEDA successfully completed this task in schools as well. After this, an amount of Rs 7.18 crore was approved by ‘Mineral Fund’ for the work of this solar panel. The project was to be implemented in 720 more schools. Of this, about 40 percent or Rs 2.72 crore was transferred to the Zilla Parishad more than two years ago.
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Wednesday12 Feb. 2025
Due to some office bearers and members, there was delay in transfer of more amount. As a result, the price of solar panel materials has gone up. Hence MEDA, Pune office, floated tender four-five times for 564 schools but the tender did not get any response.
In January 2022, in the meeting of the Education Committee, it was decided to withdraw the money from MEDA on the eve of the opening of the tender. In the sixth tender floated by MEDA in April 2022, certain conditions were relaxed. The price increase also reduced the number of schools to 51. It is being said that solar energy work will be started in 513 schools.
An amount of Rs 7.18 crore has been sanctioned from ‘Mineral Fund’. Out of which 2.72 crore amount was received by the District Panchayat from minerals. Now MEDA has demanded another Rs 4.39 crore from the Zilla Panchayat.
