97. and Green energy is a priority of the Government. However, despite cost 97. and Green energy is a priority of the Government. However, despite cost advantages in labour, land and construction, the consumer pays a high price for renewable energy. One of the reasons is high cost of finance. In order to provide low cost finance, Government will provide low interest bearing funds from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) to IREDA to on-lend to viable renewable energy projects. The scheme will have a life span of five years. The non-conventional wind energy sector deserves incentives. Hence, I propose to 98. reintroduce 'generation - based incentive' for wind energy projects and provide 800 crore to the ` Ministry of Non Renewable Energy for the purpose.

##### VII. OTHER PROPOSALS Backward Regions Grant Fund

99. Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) is a vital source of gap funding. I propose to 99. Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) is a vital source of gap funding. I propose to allocate 11,500 crore in 2013-14 as well as another sum of 1,000 crore for LWE affected ` ` districts. BRGF will include a State component for Bihar, the Bundelkand region, West Bengal, the KBK districts of Odisha and the 82 districts under the Integrated Action Plan. The present criteria for determining backwardness are based on terrain, density of population and length of international borders. It may be more relevant to use a measure like the distance of the State from the national average under criteria such as per capita income, literacy and other human development indicators. I propose to evolve new criteria and reflect them in future planning and devolution of funds.

##### Skill Development

100. Members will recall that in 2008 -09 I had proposed the establishment of the 100. Members will recall that in 2008 -09 I had proposed the establishment of the National Skill Development Corporation. The Corporation has since been set up and has done good work, but there is a long way to go. We have set an ambitious target of skilling 50 million people in the 12 Plan period, including 9 million in 2013-14. We have to pull out all stops to th achieve this objective. Funds will be released by the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the National Urban Livelihood Mission to be spent on skill development activities. 5 percent of the Border Area Development Programme Fund, 10 percent of the Special Central Assistance to the Scheduled Caste sub plan and the Tribal sub plan, and some other funds will also be used for skill development.

Defence I propose to increase the allocation for Defence to 203,672 crore. This will include ` 101. I propose to increase the allocation for Defence to 203,672 crore. This will include ` 101. 86,741 crore for capital expenditure. The Minister of Defence has been most understanding, ` and I assure him and the House that constraints will not come in the way of providing any additional requirement for the security of the nation.

Science &Technology Despite our constraints, we must find resources for science and technology and for Space, 102. Despite our constraints, we must find resources for science and technology and for Space, 102. Atomic Energy etc. I propose to allocate 6,275 crore to the Ministry of Science & Technology; `