Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Set Up An Expert Committee For Promotion Of Solar Energy Projects In Rural ... on 14 May, 2007
Title: Need to set up an Expert Committee for promotion of Solar energy projects in rural areas.
SHRI C.H. VIJAYASHANKAR (MYSORE): India is an agriculture based country. Farmers are backbone of Indian economy and nearly 70% of Indian population lives in villages. Though Indian farmer plays an important role in India being a self sufficient country, even after 50 years of Independence, the rural Indian population is deprived of basic amenities like proper sanitation, water for drinking and agriculture purpose, quality power and health care system. Out of these, water and power are two important ingredients which help farmers. Continuous failure of Monsoon have dried up many water bodies and rivers. Even when we had good Monsoon season, the rivers in South India get dried up and Hydel power projects get to halt in summers, therefore, it becomes inevitable for farmers to utilize underground water resources, for which he needs power. Low productivity of Hydel power has resulted in non-availability of power for rural consumption i.e., electricity for domestic and agricultural applications.
One of the major alternative sources of power could be Solar Energy, which is easily, naturally available in abundant quantity and effective utilization of Solar energy could well prove instrumental in solving power problem.
The Government can take electrification of 2-3 villages by solar energy and after successful completion, the same model can be taken up at block, district levels. Proper planning in this direction will ensure proper implementation, proper utilization of funds and will result in a permanent solution to all power related problems. Solar Projects are permanent sources of power with lowest maintenance cost. I request the government to set up an Expert Committee to study and report about the solar energy, and also help Government to successfully introduce and implement schemes for solar energy projects. I also urge the Government to continue the subsidy to farmers on solar equipments.