(a) whether the Government have formulated any policy for sale of plants producing non-conventional energy in the rural areas;
(b) if so, the time and the manner in which the same is being followed; and
(c) if not, the manner in which the rural people are being benefited?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI M. KANNAPPAN)
(a), (b) & (c): Yes, Sir. Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources propagates various systems / devices for utilizing non-conventional energy i. e. portable solar lanterns, fixed type home lighting systems, street lighting systems, non-grid connected solar photovoltaic power plants, solar cookers, biomass gasifiers, improved chulhas, etc. through State Nodal Agencies in all States/UTs. Annual targets are allocated for these systems/ devices to State Nodal Agencies and the State Governments and the Ministry carries out periodic monitoring for their performance. These devices help in partly meeting the energy requirements of cooking, heating, electricity, water pumping, etc. in the rural areas.