(a) whether the Government has conducted any study with regard to progress in the implementation of the Integrated Rural Energy Programme in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether expected results are being achieved in the States by implementing this programme;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)
(a), (b), (c), (d) &(e) : The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has been implementing the Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP) since 1994-95. Evaluation studies on the IREP Programme were taken up in the past through the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), New Delhi; Operations Research Group, Vadodara and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The last evaluation study conducted through UNDP during 2001-02 had made an assessment of the programme. Based on its assessment of achievements and shortcomings of the programme, the study had recommended that the programme should be modified for its effective implementation. IREP programme was accordingly modified in 2003-04. The modified IREP is at present being implemented in 21 States / UTs.