- A new scheme, the ‘Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana’ (DDUGJY), has been launched with the objectives of: (a) separating agriculture and non-agriculture feeders to facilitate distribution companies (discoms) in the judicious rostering of supply to agricultural and non-agricultural consumers; (b) strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas; and (c) metering in rural areas.
- The existing ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY)’ is subsumed under the DDUGJY. Under the new scheme all discoms including private sector discoms are eligible for availing of financial support.
- During April-December 2014-15, domestic production of crude oil was 28.171 MMT which is close to the 28.423 MMT produced during the same period last year.
- Gas production during April-December 2014-15 was 320 BCM against 26.698 BCM during the corresponding period of 2013-14, showing a decline of 5.1%.
- During April –December 2014-15, production of crude oil and natural gas from assets abroad was 4.135 MMT and 2.417 BCM, respectively.
- India is a major player in global refining. Its refining capacity was 215.066 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) as on 1 April 2014.
- Coal Bed Methane (CBM): Out of the total available coal-bearing area of 26,000 sq. km for CBM exploration in the country, exploration has been initiated in about 17,000 sq. km. The estimated CBM resources in the country are about 92 trillion cubic feet (TFC), of which only 9.9 TCF has so far been established. Commercial Production of CBM in India has now become a reality with current production of about 0.60 million metric standard cubic metre per day (MMSCMD).
- Under the first phase of assessment of shale oil and gas, fifty Petroleum Exploration Lease (PEL) / Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) blocks have been awarded to ONGC and five to OIL. ONGC has drilled one well and spudded another in Cambay Basin, Gujarat, for assessment of shale gas/shale oil potential of Cambay Basin.
- To provide a big push to solar energy, two new schemes, viz., ‘Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects’ and ‘Pilot-cum-Demonstration Project for Development of Grid Connected Solar PV Power Plants on Canal Banks and Canal Tops’ were rolled out in December, 2014.
- Supplementary guidelines were issued under the existing ‘Solar Pumping Programme for Irrigation and Drinking Water’ scheme to solarize the targeted one lakh such pumps throughout the country during the current year.
