Plan panel funds push for urban reforms

In fact, the package is expected to be ready by the end of this week. 8216;8216;We are in consultation with the Planning Commission to increase the Centre8217;s share in various schemes sponsored by the Union Urban Development Ministry,8217;8217; Azad said during a conference on renewable energy for urban areas. If solar-heating systems only adorn Lutyens8217; bungalows inhabitated by the VVIPs now, it won8217;t be long before residential colonies much lower in the order would get access to cheaper options of alternative energy generation, he said.

Azad, however, admitted that a large number of the Ministry8217;s schemes 8216;8216;have failed to take off and the situation could improve with the Centre increasing its share of funds8217;8217;.

Minister for Non-conventional Energy Sources Vilas Muttemwar said the Urban Development Ministry has to put its weight behind projects that encourage people to use renewable energy. For that, rules and regulation would be put in place by the Urban Development Ministry.

The Ministry is also expected to play a pivotal role in getting the state governments to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas, which will go a long way in reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.