(a) whether the Government is considering further subsidies to solar energy installation programme in remote villages, river banks and sea shores islands;
(b) if so, whether hundred per cent subsidy for installation to be considered for SC, ST and OBC dominated villages; and
(c) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (SHRI M. KANNAPPAN)
(a): The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is implementing a programme for electrification of remote census villages based on non-conventional energy systems and devices such as solar energy systems, biomass gasifiers and mini and micro hydel plants. The coverage of the programme also includes remote census villages in such areas as river banks, coastal areas, islands, etc. The Ministry has so far been providing Central Financial Assistance (CFA) in the form of capital subsidy upto 50% of the cost of solar energy systems for such projects subject to certain benchmarks. Upto 90% CFA is being provided for projects in North-Eastern Region and Sikkim. During the current year it is proposed to extend 90% CFA for electrification of remote census villages throughout the country.
(b)&(c): There is no proposal to provide hundred percent subsidy for SC, ST and OBC
dominated villages.