Question : NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY FUND

(a) the aims and objectives envisaged in the establishment of National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) by the Government;

(b) the estimated funds collected under NCEF since its inception and the manner in which the funds are utilized and administered by the Government;

(c) whether only a small amount of the fund has been utilized by the Government, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) whether any study has been conducted by the Government to evaluate the performance of the fund, and

(e) if so, the outcome thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a),(b),(c),(d)&(e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a),(b),(c)(d)&(e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 306 REGARDING “NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY FUND” BY SHRI P. R. NATARAJAN AND SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY FOR ANSWER ON DECEMBER 14, 2012.

(a) The National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) is created for funding research and innovative projects in clean energy technologies. Any project/scheme relating to innovative methods to adopt to clean energy technology and research & development shall be eligible for funding under the NCEF.

(b): The total tax revenue generated through ‘Clean Energy Cess’ for NCEF was Rs1,066.45 crore (Actual) for the financial year 2010-11 and Rs 3,249.40 crore (Revised Estimates) for financial year 2011-12. In respect of the current financial year (2012-13), the budgetary estimates are of Rs. 3,864.20 crore.

Guidelines have been laid down for appraisal and approval of the projects/schemes eligible for financing under the Fund.

(c): No, Madam. Fifteen projects envisaging total support of Rs 1,974.16 crore, out of the NCEF have already been recommended by the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) till date.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): Does not arise.