Tuesday, August 13, 2013: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is making efforts to avoid any criticism at World Trade Organisation (WTO) regarding India’s solar energy projects. US had criticised the first phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) as the government had insisted on high local content for the projects, which US had pointed out, is against WTO norms. Ministry of Commerce is, therefore, taking precautions to avoid any such oppositions for the solar projects under JNNSM phase II. It now wants the projects to follow the norms laid down under the multilateral pact with WTO.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry now wants the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to share the draft policy of phase II to see if it is compatible with WTO norms.
“The first time, the MNRE did not share its first phase draft with us. But now we have insisted that the draft be shown to us before finalisation as we have to face the music at the WTO,” a senior official of Ministry of Commerce has reportedly said.
JNNSM phase I had tried to promote use of solar energy and build local capacities as it made it compulsory for all investors to use solar modules manufactured in India and source 30 per cent of the inputs locally.
MNRE will soon invite bids for 750 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic projects under phase II.
