Srinagar,May 13 (Scoop News) -Union Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said that Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is exploring all possibilities to energize Jammu and Kashmir villages and institutions of health, education and other sectors with new and renewable energy sources.
Addressing a joint meeting of officers of Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) led by Union Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and high level officers of the State led by J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdulla,Chief Secretary,. S. S. Kapur,Dr. Farooq said that he and his team are presently here to further expand the orbit of cooperation in the field of MNRE with the State Government.
He said besides scores of projects already sanctioned, schemes worth Rs. 500 crores have been sanctioned for harnessing new and renewable energy sources in Kargil and Leh districts. He sought the special cell of the State Government for looking after implementation of these schemes. “The officers and functionaries assigned the job should be dedicated and enthusiastic to implement the schemes successfully”, he said and added that his Ministry wants to see the results of efforts on ground within couple of years.
Speaking in the meeting, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today underlined the energy as prime mover of economic growth adding that long term availability of affordable, accessible and environment friendly energy is need of the hour in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar lauded the deep personal interest of the Union MNRE Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah for according special schemes to Jammu and Kashmir to help the State make dent in this field of modern technology of utilizing new and renewable energy sources. He said Jammu and Kashmir deserves to take best advantage of the schemes and technology provided by Union Ministry to energize un-electrified villages and augment energy grid in the State.
The Chief Minister said that State Science and Technology Department has been entrusted to implement micro and mini-hydro projects up to 2 MW capacities and ‘it is a matter of satisfaction that MNRE has agreed in principal to implement 56 micro hydle projects identified for the purpose. He said he is happy that close working relation between MNRE and State Department of Science and Technology has developed in recent months and we are further fine tuning the State agencies to tune with MNRE and realize the potential available in the sector.
The Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Science and Technology, Aga Syed Rullah, Minister of State for Forests, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Minister for Cooperatives, Dr. Manohar Lal, Chief Executive Officers of Leh and Kargil, Hill Development Councils, Kachoo Ahmad Ali and Chering Dourjee, Chief Secretary, S. S. Kapur, Union Secretary of MNRE , Deepak Kapoor, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary Power, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Governor, R. K. Goel, Commissioner Secretary, Planning, B. B. Vyas and others were present on the occasion.
In a power point presentation, the Commissioner Secretary Science and Technolgy, Atul Duloo said that State Government has identified 1403 villages and hamlets for Solar Home Lights (SHLs) and submitted to MNRE for clearance. He said Union Ministry has so far sanctioned 246 villages under the scheme.
The Commissioner Secretary said that 50 villages of Doda and Kishtwar have been electrified through 8297 SHLs and 27 villages of Gurez have been provided 3756 solar lights and MNRE has also agreed 2055 SHLs for left out households.
Earlier The Chief Minister in presence of Union MNRE Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah inaugurated the Mobile Exhibition Van presented by the Union Minister for MNRE to Jammu and Kashmir.