Govt in talks with US over solar dispute: Goyal

The Dollar Business Bureau

Government is in discussions with the US over a solar mission dispute at WTO and would take a decision on the filing of suits against the country, depending on the outcome of the talks, said Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines. 

“The Government of India believes in solving issues through dialogue, discussion, consultation and resolution, rather than taking the legal route, which is generally long-drawn,” Goyal told reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday. 

“Therefore, after having acceded to that request, consultations are going on. Should the United States agree to our point of view, which is a very honest and fair point of view, we may not need to file those cases. If they do not agree with our point of view, we can always file those cases,” he said. 

Goyal further said that India was about to file 7 of the 16 cases in the beginning after getting a request from US for bilateral consultations and discussions.

India’s ambitious goal of deploying 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022 through Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was at the center of disagreement when the US filed a case at the global trade body against the support of the government for the programme. 

The WTO had later ruled that the support of the government to the mission contradicts investment measures related to trade, agreed by India. 

Briefing on the ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs), the Minister said the Union Cabinet would decide on the standard bidding document in order to ease the auctioning of coal-based 4-5 UMPPs. 

“The government is looking to ensure that these mega power projects would not hurt with issues such as environmental clearances, which were previously faced by UMPPs,” he said.

Goyal also said that India was having additional power capacity, till date, and there was no pressing hurry and it would rather do it efficiently and smartly.