Government to distribute solar devices in rural, tribal areas

New Delhi, Aug 14: The government will distribute devices like solar cookers and 'unnat chulhas' in rural and tribal areas as part of its efforts to provide clean cooking and lighting benefits to local people.

It will do so using funds of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

"In order to provide clean cooking and lighting benefits to rural and tribal population living in forest fringes and protected areas, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken up the programme for intensive distribution of Renewable Energy Devices," an official statement read.

Under the programme, devices like unnat chulhas, solar cookers, solar lamps and solar home lighting systems will be provided. This scheme, according to the statement, has been brought under the definition of forest protection and conservation measures and management of notified forest or protected areas.

It further said CAMPA has already issued a circular on the programme guidelines to use funds to states/UTs.

As per the statement, a cumulative of not less than 70 per cent of funds utilised or earmarked under the Net Present Value (NPV) component is to be used for core activities, which could be earmarked for distribution of renewable devices in areas covering national parks, sanctuaries and reserve forests.

In this regard, states and union territories have been asked to indicate their targets to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for the next five years for distribution of these devices, it added.

PTI