The Hindu Business Line : Maharashtra announces new non-conventional energy policy

Jatropha plant from which bio-diesel is produced would be promoted on a large scale and its cultivation would be encouraged in the State. The country's first bio-fuel park would be also be set up in the State as a means to further promote non-conventional energy sources, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister, said after the weekly Cabinet meeting here today.

Fallow land in tribal regions would be utilised for wind energy projects. However, the land titles and their land rights would remain with the tribals, the Chief Minster said.

Under the policy, land would be made available for non-conventional energy projects at low rates. It is also proposed to constitute a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to review the development of the projects and encourage entrepreneurs in the use of non-conventional energy, Mr Deshmukh said.

The Chief Minister said that the State, which was the first to have an independent ministry for non-conventional energy, has also created 14 additional posts for this purpose.

Budgetary allocation to the tune of 15 per cent would be made for non-conventional energy projects in all municipalities. Under the policy, cooperative banks would extend soft loans for buying equipment for non-conventional energy projects, Mr Deshmukh said.

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