Chandigarh, Dec. 11 -- The Centre has clarified that it has not issued any coercive directions to the Chandigarh Administration mandating rooftop solar installation in private properties. In a reply tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) stated that no instructions relating to amendments in building bylaws, cancellation of conveyance deeds, or restrictions on property registration were ever issued to enforce rooftop solar adoption. The clarification follows concerns raised by Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, who questioned the legality of the UT administration's earlier attempts to pressure homeowners into installing rooftop solar systems. Minister of state for new and renewable energy and power Shripad Yesso Naik confirmed that the MNRE had not directed any state or UT, including Chandigarh, to adopt punitive measures. Despite the absence of mandatory directions for private consumers, Chandigarh has made significant progress in solarising its government infrastructure. As of October 31, 2025, a total of 6,606 government buildings have been equipped with rooftop solar systems, adding up to 52.825 MW of installed capacity-one of the highest among UTs. MP Manish Tewari, however, questioned the figures and the UT's past actions. He said it would be important to verify which "6,000-odd government buildings" had been solarised and expressed surprise at the claim that the UT administration even owned so many buildings. He added: "Last year, the Chandigarh Administration was threatening residents that their land registrations would be cancelled. Now, the Government-specifically the MNRE-categorically states that no such instructions were ever issued. Who in the UT administration issued these illegal, arbitrary and capricious directions in a malicious exercise of power? This must be investigated, and the officers responsible should be held accountable by the UT administrator." On the waste management issue, the Centre said the Chandigarh MC continues to process wet and dry waste at the Dadumajra facility, where the output is being converted into refuse-derived fuel (RDF)-a recognised waste-to-energy (WTE) method. Long-standing litigation had stalled plans to construct a full-scale WTE plant, restricting major upgrades. The MC took over the plant in 2020 and currently processes around 200 metric tonnes per day (MTD) of dry waste along with mixed waste. In a move towards a sustainable waste-management solution, the MC has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd to set up a segregated organic municipal solid waste-based compressed biogas plant at Dadumajra. The project aims to process approximately 230 MTD of organic waste and is expected to reduce the city's long-standing waste mound....