Calling Bapu his ‘inspiration’, Modi urges to save environment
3 Oct 2015 7:18 AM IST
Inaugurating a rooftop solar plant here for Khunti court and district collectorate, which is the first in any court across India, he said: “Gandhiji was a big supporter of environment protection. That is why I decided to come here. In a way, I have snatched this opportunity (to inaugurate). I decided to come here because 2nd October is my inspiration. Mahatma Gandhi is my inspiration.”
Ahead of the crucial climate change summit in Paris later this year, Modi said India is not to be blamed for the “sin” of environment degradation, but even so will contribute towards containing it. “I want to tell the world on behalf of 125 crore Indians that we have no role in this sin, which has precipitated the environment crisis. Our heritage, culture, ancestors never permitted the exploitation of nature and natural resources.”
The Prime Minister added: “But irrespective of whoever committed this sin and made this mistake, India will make its contribution for the welfare of the humanity.”
Referring to the 180KW Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic system, Modi said if Gujarat or Rajasthan think of solar energy, people will say that it is understandable as they have no coal, but when Jharkhand, which is a rich in coal, does so, it is noticed and the world gets a message from it.
Recalling that judges of district courts had once told him that lack of power in court premises hampers the hearing of cases and was a reason behind the pendency and delay in the delivery of justice, Modi said he was shocked to realise that districts courts are deprived of basic amenities like power even after 68 years of independence.
“The judges of Jharkhand found a solution to it and this court will now run with solar energy. Today, it has become the first district court in the country to run with solar energy. This is the best tribute to Gandhiji. Bapu fought his entire life to get justice for the poor. On his birth anniversary, a court is being connected with solar energy. This is a very good initiative,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that like solar energy, the country also needs to focus on energy conservation. “We can’t use up all our resources, we must think about the future,” he said as he exhorted the public to use LED bulbs to reduce their power bills.
Modi said the airport at Kochi in Kerala became the first such facility in the country to run on solar energy, while the last railway station on the Vaishno Devi route, too, runs on this source of renewable energy. He said that if <g data-gr-id="52">environment</g> is protected, it will help provide justice to people.
Modi, who has often been accused by his rivals, particularly Congress, of trying to “appropriate” national icons, also said in jest that media must have got some material today with his visit to a district court to inaugurate a power plant of merely 180KW when his government had launched an ambitious plan to generate 175 <g data-gr-id="50">gigawatt</g> renewable energy capacity in the country by 2022.
The government has set a target of installing 175GW of renewable energy capacity in the country by 2022, comprising 100GW from solar, 60GW from wind energy, 10GW from bio-energy and 5GW from small <g data-gr-id="62">hydro power</g> (SHP). “Till now, the discussion was about <g data-gr-id="63">megawatt</g>, now we are <g data-gr-id="65">discussing about</g> <g data-gr-id="64">gigawatt</g>, which has surprised world leaders,” he said, citing his recent interaction with world leaders at the United Nations.
Stressing on the need to protect the environment, Modi said: “The green environment you see is not given by us. It was left by our forefathers and we, too, should protect this sacred environment and greenery for our next generation. We have to protect the environment through awareness.” He added: “Bapu was also a barrister and was committed to justice. So, I am happy to inaugurate the solar plant in a judicial compound.”
Among those present <g data-gr-id="67">were</g> Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Virendra Singh.
PM kicks off MUDRA Yojana, free LPG connections in J’khand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated distribution of loans under MUDRA Yojana and free LPG connections to families that are below poverty line in Jharkhand beginning with Dumka.
“MUDRA Yojana will lift the living standard of people after several years of negligence and exploitation by usurpers,” Modi said after the inauguration of the twin benefits.
Under the programme loans of <g data-gr-id="146">Rs</g> 26,000 crore would be distributed among 42 lakh people, including 20 lakh women, across the country. Handing over the first installment of Rs 10,000 to five men and women, he said it was a loan and not a grant.
The loan would have to be repaid with nominal <g data-gr-id="150">interest,he</g> said and advised beneficiaries to take them in instalments to minimise interest. MUDRA Yojana (Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency) would benefit over one lakh people in Jharkhand where Rs 212 crore would be distributed.
Inaugurating the distribution of free LPG connections to BPL families in the state, the Prime Minister said 31 lakh people across the country had given up LPG subsidy which had enabled 18 lakh BPL families get free LPG connections.
"This (free LPG connections) will not only help the women but also will help protect the environment," he said.
One lakh BPL families in Jharkhand would also get free LPG connection. Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi on their birth anniversaries, Modi today and urged the people to purchase at least one <g data-gr-id="134">khadi</g> item to help people working in the sector.
Reiterating his commitment of "together with all and development of all", Modi said Jharkhand has already embarked upon the path of development and has jumped from 29th position to 3rd position as per a recent survey on ease of doing business.
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