Question : DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

(a) whether the Government has given financial assistance for setting up of District Advisory Committees for renewal energy, renewal energy clubs and energy parks in the country including Karnataka and Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the details of the financial assistance provided to various State Governments for the purpose during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether financial assistance provided to the State Governments has been utilised properly;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Union Government in this regard?

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

(a)&(b): Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has provided financial assistance for setting up of district advisory committees for renewable energy, renewable energy clubs and energy parks in the country including in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The details of funds released for these activities during the last three years i.e. 2007-08 to 2009-10 and the current year i.e. 2010-11 (upto 20.08.2010) are given in Annexure.

(c),(d)&(e): The financial assistance has been utilised by the State Governments as per terms and conditions laid under the programme. The Ministry has so far supported 30 state level energy parks, 484 district level energy parks, 560 district advisory committees and 589 renewable energy clubs in various States. The Ministry has monitored the proper utilisation of funds and physical progress made by various States/UTs.