G.O.Ms.No.5, Hill Area Development Programme Energy Conservation Sector, 2015

What the document does

G.O.Ms.No.5 of the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (TC II) Department, dated 20 January 2015, approves expenditure of Rs.150.00 lakhs for energy conservation schemes in the Nilgiris District during 2014 to 2015. The Planning Commission, Government of India, had approved the same outlay under the Hill Area Development Programme.

The document is a funding and implementation approval for public energy projects. It contains no provision changing private ownership, granting land rights or altering land classification.

Schemes and funding

The sanctioned works are:

• Rs.28.000 lakhs for solar cluster home lighting systems and solar street lights in unelectrified tribal hamlets, to conserve kerosene and provide household lighting.
• Rs.49.000 lakhs for solar street lights in tribal areas where electric street lights could not be provided.
• Rs.34.000 lakhs for solar water heating systems in government tribal residential schools, Adi Dravida welfare institutions, other government schools, college hostels, Anganwadi centres, noon meal centres, government hospitals, primary health centres and health sub centres.
• Rs.39.000 lakhs for solar street lights in other habitations and specified government institutions where electric street lights could not be provided.

Of the total allocation, Rs.110.000 lakhs is identified for priority watershed areas and Rs.40.000 lakhs for other watershed areas.

Implementation and oversight

The Collector of Nilgiris is authorised to draw the sanctioned amount and deposit it in the District Rural Development Agency Savings Bank Account for payment to executing agencies.

The Project Director, Hill Area Development Programme, Udhagamandalam must oversee the works, follow existing procedures and, wherever possible, use specifications approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency rate contract.

Key controls include:

• Detailed estimates and a Project Report must be available before money is disbursed.
• Funds may be transferred after receipt of a work order specifying the commencement date.
• Final payment may be released only after a completion certificate is received.
• Relevant Project Reports should cover baseline surveys, beneficiary identification, land use, watershed features and projected impacts.
• Projects requiring public participation in site selection should include photographic evidence and supporting remote sensing maps.
• Completion reports must include photographs, use and impact information, beneficiary feedback and financial details.

The Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency and the Project Director must submit monthly progress reports to the Government by the 15th of every month.