Prime Minister Narendra Modi took French President Emmanuel Macron on a boat ride on the Ganga on Monday.
The two leaders and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rode on a decorated boat from Assi Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.
Earlier, Mr. Modi inaugurated a 75-MW solar power plant in neighbouring Mirzapur district. He was accompanied by Mr. Macron. A State government spokesperson said the power plant, spread over 382 acres and built by the French company ENGIE, would provide electricity to 1.5 lakh homes.
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At a public meeting later in Varanasi, Mr. Modi said India was playing a “major role in solar power at the global level”. He said his aim was to see rooftop solar panels being used for “clean cooking” that was cost-effective and environment-friendly. He appealed to the IITs to find innovative technology to cook using solar power efficiently.
Undue credit
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, however, said the foundation for the plant was laid during his tenure and the BJP was once again taking undue credit for a project started by his party. He said the project was set in motion in April 2016 after a ₹650-crore investment by the French company during his term as Chief Minister.
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“But the BJP government does not want to tell the entire truth to the people,” Mr Yadav said in a statement. The former Chief Minister also said that after his government implemented the Solar Power Policy, production had increased by 30% from 2012 to 2017. Out of this, more than 90% was based on investments.
Mr. Modi flagged off a new train from Varanasi to Patna, the Kashi-Patna Janshatabdi Express from Maruadih railway station. Along with Mr. Macron, he interacted with artisans and viewed their handicrafts at the Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul.