Question : NATIONAL RURAL ENERGY SECURITY PROGRAMME

(a) whether the Government is contemplating to encourage the production of non-conventional energy through local means in villages in order to make them self-reliant in the field of energy as reported in the Dainik Jagran dated December 30,2005;

(b) if so, whether a National Rural Energy Security Programme has been prepared in this regard;

(c) if so, the details of the said programme;

(d) the amount likely to be spent in each village to launch this programme; and

(e) the time span of this programme?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)

(a), (b) & (c) : An Outline Plan was prepared for creating energy security in villagesthrough use of locally available biomass resources with participation of the local community. It has been decided to take up 200 test projects initially. The projects involve energy plantations and installation of improved chulhas, biogas plants, gasifiers and biofuel units for meeting the total energy requirements of a village.

(d) & (e): An amount of about Rs. 20.00 lakh has been estimated for a test project in a typical village of 100 households. A test project is to be implemented over a period of one year.