MSEDCL’s (Tughlaki) 25 MW Tender: Insight by MASMA

This article give an insight to every reader about the plight of Solar system installers & the incompetencies of MSEDCL which is not only depriving the state of Maharashtra from availing Solar Subsidy from Centre but also discouraging the use of solar system entirely.

Back Ground: Since April 2019 there is no subsidy scheme for solar roof top in Maharashtra & the previous scheme of 50Mw took just about 5 months to be successfully completed by MEDA. In March 2019 MSEDCL demanded just 25 MW subsidy for entire Maharashtra from MNRE, whereas the Discom’s of Gujrat which is half the size of Maharashtra had taken up 600MW. Just for calculation sake 25MW subsidy amount is approximately Rs. 31 Crores & for 600 Mw it is Rs. 750 Crore (For a half size state). This was a clear case of

injustice to the highest tax payer state of the country which went uncontended because of MSEDCL’s unenthusiastic attitude towards Solar Industry. The additional Central subsidy MSEDCL could have easily

recieved could have boosted Maharashtra’s economy. On the contrary MSEDCL did not want to distribute even this minuscule of 25MW subsidy from Centre to the people of Maharashtra & shamelessly put the scheme in dustbin. Also meanwhile MSEDCL’s Anti Maharashtra approach continued by means of proposing Net Billing, Grid support charges & they kept the consumers confused & Solar Integrators on their toes to make them completely forget the subsidy process.

When Team MASMA (Maharashtra Solar Manufacturers Association) briefed this entire episode to the newly appointed Energy minister Dr. Nitin Raut, he immediately demanded an explanation from MSEDCL. MSEDCL informed that they do not have the proper portal & training for the subsidy disbursement process, Dr. Nitin Raut immediately instructed them to get the needful done on war footing. MSEDCL hid the fact that MNRE had allowed MSEDCL to involve MEDA, which already had the required portal & experience to distribute the subsidy. MSEDCL again went into sleep mode & did nothing to concrete to start the process. Again MASMA approached Dr. Raut & he decided to arrange a webinar on 27^th May from Vidyut Bhawan calling upon the principle energy secretary, MSEDCL commercial director, DG MEDA, MASMA members from across Maharashtra along with other dignitaries. In this meeting it was informed by MSEDCL that it is shortly going to start the empanelment process & Team MASMA requested to empanel MEDA registered integrators directly to avoid any further delay. Also Team MASMA & DG MEDA requested Dr. Raut & principle energy secretary to involve MEDA for subsidy process for faster disbursement & immediate implementation of already delayed scheme. Dr. Nitin Rautji instructed MSEDCL, MEDA & MASMA to form a joint committee & work hand in hand for faster & efficient implementation of solar policies for the benefit of Maharashtra state. He also instructed MSEDCL & MEDA for restarting the subsidy process immediately.

Current Situation: Despite all the ministers instructions, MSEDCL again delayed the process for more than three months & finally on 28^th August 2020 came up with an EOI to initiate the empanelment process for subsidy disbursement. When this tender was published half heartedly after 17 months, it was such a clear cut copy paste job from a neighbouring state that MSEDCL even forgot to replace the GST number with its own. The copy paste conditions mentioned in the original Tender were for a MW level tender & beyond MNRE guidelines. The MNRE published bench mark price was for eg. Of a Maruti 800 & the terms as well as specifications mentioned were of a Mercedes car. MSEDCL was made aware of its mistakes by Team MASMA by mail & also in its Pre BID meet on 9^th September. MSEDCl hastily corrected a few of these mistakes & published changes on the very last date of tender sale that is on 17^th September. They gave an extension of just 8 days without clarifying all the ambiguities pertaining to the EOI terms asked in Pre Bid meet which is simply in violation of Norms. With so many changes & corrections published on the last day, another pre bid meet should have been called up to ensure transparency of the process. Since Honourable Energy Minister is suffering from Covid 19, MSEDCL intends to carry this unlawful process in his absence & favour a few big companies. Following are the highlights of a few unjust conditions imposed by MSEDCl & some demands of MASMA:-

Several other important queries on disbursement of payment, payment of additional work, performance bank guaranty etc. etc. are left unanswered. MASMA demands an immediate pre bid meet for clarification of all queries & suitable changes following an 8 day extension for inviting bids.

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