An probe into purported anomalies in the Mukhyamantri Grahmin Solar Street Light Scheme has been promised by the Bihar government. In the state legislative council, Panchayati Raj Minister Kedar Gupta made this pledge in response to a query from RJD MLC Saurabh Kumar.

Independent and opposition members, however, voiced their displeasure with the minister’s response and added further queries about the cost and caliber of the solar lights that were placed.

Gupta said that BREDA and district-level authorities conduct sporadic checks and inspections in addition to using NISE and NABL lab test data to confirm the quality of the solar street lights prior to delivery. Action is taken against the implementing agency when materials do not fulfill quality requirements.

Referencing a previous statement by the minister, Saurabh Kumar highlighted inconsistencies by pointing out that solar lights valued at Rs 17,000 were purchased for Rs 30,500. Because retail prices are usually limited at a maximum rather than a minimum, he also questioned the government’s adoption of a “minimum retail price” (NRP) of Rs 30,500. Concerns about inconsistencies in the system were voiced by a number of other participants.