Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 24:
Following the decision of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to cease payment of grants to State nodal agencies of the North East States including Manipur, the Ministry has formally instructed the State Government to pay salaries of the staff of Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) from its account.
Since the 9th five year plan period the Ministry has been providing grants in different forms to the nodal agencies of North Eastern States.
However, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Gouri has intimated the State Government that no more grants will be provided to these nodal agencies from the 11th five year plan period, conveyed a source.
The official letter also mentioned that with the cessation of providing funds to these agencies, the State Governments should pay salaries of MANIREDA staff and also bear its administrative expenditure.
Nevertheless, there will be special consideration for provision of funds to these nodal agencies regarding small hydel, wind and solar energy, biogas energy and remote village electrification programmes, informed the source.
Interestingly MANIREDA has successfully installed solar lamps in many non-electrified villages besides producing electricity by setting up small hydel power plants, wind-solar hybrid projects and biomass gas plants.