(a) the different avenues pursued by the Government to spread information and public awareness regarding new and renewable energy sources in the country;
(b) whether there has been significant reduction in allocation of funds in 2012-13 for the purpose;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)
(a): Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been pursuing steps to spread information and public awareness about the
need, benefits and uses of renewable energy mainly through use of the existing Government channels viz. State Nodal
Agencies (SNAs), National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity
(DAVP), All India Radio (AIR), etc. Variety of media like electronic, print and outdoor publicity through exhibitions, hoardings, kiosks, etc. are also used for popularization of renewable energy technologies, systems and devices.
(b)&(c): The funds are allocated depending upon the requirement as well as priorities of various programmes in Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Accordingly, the budget allocation for information and publicity activities is 14.00 crores for the year 2012-2013 after taking into account the overall requirement for various programmes in the Ministry.
(d): A proposal for higher allocation of funds for information and publicity awareness of new and renewable energy
during the 12th Five Year Plan has been made.