(a) the names of villages which are being given electricity by solar energy in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh;
(b) whether this scheme has failed completely in the above district; and
(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to make this scheme successful?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI M. KANNAPPAN)
(a) & (b): At present, no village is being provided electricity through solar energy devices in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, stand alone solar street lighting systems were installed by Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board (MPEB) in 15 villages in this district with support from the Ministry (then Department) of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and the Rural Electrification Corporation. But these systems could not be maintained properly by MPEB or the respective Gram Panchayats , as these systems were installed in remote locations.
(c): Following the experience in Madhya Pradesh and some other states, the Ministry has discontinued the practice of installing solar street lights by Electricity Boards by way of rural electrification. The emphasis in the programme now is on installation of home lighting systems and small power plants in villages, which are better maintained. In November 1999, the Planning Commission constituted a Working Group on `Options for Rural Electrification in Remote and Difficult Areas`. Schemes for electrification of remote villages/hamlets through solar energy devices in future would be based on the recommendations of the Working Group and the guidelines of the Planning Commission.