November 21, 2001
RAJYA SABHA
'45'
SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT IN LADAKH
The Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources has sanctioned a project in September this year to the Ladakh Affairs Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for the electrification of 39 villages in Leh district and 18 villages and 27 hamlets in Kargil districts through installation of 10,000 solar home lighting systems and distribution of 6,000 solar lanterns. This information was given here today by the Minister of State for Non Conventional Energy Sources (Independent charge) Shri M.Kannappan in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha.
The Minister further informed that the project is to be implemented through the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh in Leh district and the District Development Commissioner (DDC), Kargil in Kargil District. The project also envisages involvement of local non-governmental organizations in implementation. The estimated cost of this village electrification project is Rs.20 crore, out of which the share of the Ministry is Rs.18 crore. The Ministry has already released Rs.4.35 crore to the programme implementing agencies as advance grant. The balance Rs.2 crore is to be met by the State Government. The project is to be completed by 31st March, 2003.
In addition, the Ministry has allocated 500 solar lanterns and 250 solar home lighting systems to LAHDC, and 250 solar lanterns and 250 home lighting systems to the Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDEG), Leh, a local non-governmental organisation under the solar photovoltaic programme for 20001-02. The estimated central financial assistance for these systems is Rs.39 lakhs. These systems are to be installed/ distributed by 31st March, 2002.