State's ambitious cloud seeding project hits a road block

The cloud seeding may be stalled as the state government does not have a permission to use radar, yet The Hoysala Projects Private Limited  has made all preparations to carry out cloud seeding at 18 districts The Centre is demanding a GST of Rs 2.5 crore for the aircraft that are leased out from the US for 2 months

Even as there has been good news with regard to rain in several parts of the State, the proposed cloud seeding in drought-hit areas may be stalled as the State government has not yet been permitted to use the radar by the Central Customs and Excise Department, reports Kannada Prabha.

The proposed cloud seeding launch by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Aug 18 may be postponed if the Central government delays granting permission to use of radars. The Hoysala Projects Private Limited has been handed over Rs 35 crore project for implementation. It has made all preparations to carry out cloud seeding in 18 districts except in the Coastal and Malenadu regions. Special aircraft to carry out the cloud seeding have landed in the City, along with the experts from the US. The only required work pending is the installation of three radars at Gadag, Yadagiri and GKVK campus. The installation of two radars at Gadag and Yadagiri are almost complete. However, installing of a radar is still pending at the GKVK campus. But even if the radar is installed, the state government can't go ahead with its plan to carry out cloud seeding as there has been no permission from the Central government yet. 

The reason for not granting permission is being attributed to the fact that the Centre is demanding a GST of Rs 2.5 crore for the aircraft that have been leased out from the US for two months. The Hoysala Projects Private Ltd is arguing that such a huge GST can be paid only when radars are purchased. Here they are only being taken on lease and hence Rs 2.5 crore is a huge sum of GST. Vijaya Bhaskar Commissioner, Development, is reportedly holding talks with the Central government in this regard. The radar has already landed in Bengaluru and is being installed at the GKVK campus atop Naik Bhavan, which is 100 ft tall. The 40-ft high radar is being installed on top of the building. The officials are confident that the issue will be resolved by Thursday.