Lok Sabha Question No. 7 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-20
Subject: Solar Street Lights under AJAY
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 7

ANSWERED ON 20.07.2023

## SOLAR STREET LIGHTS UNDER AJAY

## *7. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that over 1.35 lakh solar street lights were installed against sanction of around 1.45 lakh lights in Phase-I of the Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY) and over 1.37 lakh such lights were installed against sanction of around 1.50 lakh lights under Phase-II of the scheme;
- (b) if so, the reasons for incomplete installation of targeted solar street lights in both the phases of AJAY therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to launch Phase-III of AJAY;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the likely date of launch and target set thereunder; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 07 to be answered on 20.07.2023 regarding Solar Street Lights under AJAY

(a)  &  (b)  The  Phase-I  of  Atal  Jyoti  Yojana  (AJAY)  was  launched  in  September  2016  for implementation upto 31.03.2018. Till 31.3.2018, sanctions were issued by respective District Magistrates (DMs) for installation of around 1.45 lakh solar street lights (SSLs) by utilising MPLADS Fund under AJAY Phase-I. However, within the timelines allowed for installation of SSLs, a total of around 1.35 lakh SSLs could be installed. Similarly,  the  Phase-II  of  Atal  Jyoti  Yojana  (AJAY)  was  launched  in  December  2018  for implementation within a period of one year, which was later extended till 31.3.2021. However, due to outbreak of COVID-19, the Government had suspended MPLADS Fund for two years i.e. for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22 and accordingly, the AJAY Phase-II, which was partially funded through MPLADS Fund, was discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2020 for new sanctions. Till 31.3.2020, sanctions were issued by respective DMs for installation of around 1.50 lakh solar street lights (SSLs) by utilising MPLAD Fund under AJAY Phase-II. Considering the COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain issues, the installation of sanctioned quantity of SSLs were first extended till 31.12.2021 and thereafter, finally extended till 30.6.2022. Within the extended period, around 1.37 lakh SSLs were reported installed under AJAY Phase-II. The major reasons reported by EESL, the implementing agency for the scheme, for incomplete installations, include delay in confirmation of sites where the SSLs were to be installed, and delay in release of funds from MPLADS Fund, etc.

(c)  to  (e)  Presently,  there  is  no  proposal  to  launch  AJAY  Phase-III  scheme.  However,  a proposal,  including  for  providing  solar  street  lights  on  the  similar  lines  of  AJAY,  is  under consideration of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

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