Schemes

  

(1)        Non- conventional sources of energy.

Renewable sources of energy are of great importance. The Sources of energy are Bio-gas, Bio- fuel, Solar energy, wind energy, Biomass etc. These are eco-friendly and also economically efficient means to meet the energy needs of the villages located in remote and inaccessible areas of the State. Most of the schemes, relating to renewable sources of energy are formulated by the Government of India. The State Government provides supplementary financial support for implementation of the scheme in the State.

 

·  Research and Development :        

 Under this scheme, modifications and innovations are incorporated into existing renewable energy devices and systems.

·  National Biogas & Manure Management Programme (NBMMP)  :                                                                          

             Govt. of India provides subsidy, turnkey fees, training facilities and service charges for installation of Biogas Plants.

· Waste Recycling Resources Recovery System (WRRRS)  :

            This scheme was initiated by Government of India and provides for construction of Community Bio-gas Plants and Institutional Bio-gas Plants.

·  Improved Chulahs:                       

             The objective of the scheme is to provide high efficiency wood burning technology and smoke less improved choolahs (both portable and fixed type) to households for conservation of firewood and consequent reduction in deforestation and also for reduction of indoor pollution.

·  Promotion of Bio- diesel

Bio- diesel is methyl or ethyl ester of fatty acids made from virgin or used vegetable oils (both edible and non- edible) as well as animal fats. Property-wise being similar or even better than fossil diesel, these have the potential to fully or partly substitute fossil diesel in all types of applications. Orissa being home to a number of Oil Seed Bearing Tree species such as Karanj, Mahua, Polanga, Kusum, Neem, Simarauba, Baigaba etc. have tremendous potential for bio- diesel production. Market assurance, high rates of returns and employment generation opportunities associated with plantation of Bio- diesel crops and bio- diesel production is sure to bring about socio- economic upliftment of farmers and entrepreneurs involved in such activities. Production of Bio- diesel on a large scale would substantially save foreign exchange by reducing the import of fossil fuels. This would also lead the country towards “Energy Security” as the country’s fossil fuel reserves are estimated to last for another 21 years only

·Remote Village Electrification through Non-conventional Sources of Energy 

The objective of the Programme is electrification of unelectrified remote census villages and remote unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages, where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective, through non-conventional energy sources such as solar energy, small hydro power, biomass, biogas, bio-fuel, wind energy or through systems using more than one non-conventional energy source in hybrid mode, etc.

Central Financial Assistance up to 90% of the costs of the non-conventional electricity generation systems (including the cost of Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), if any, for 5 years) is provided for approved projects for electrification of remote unelectrified census villages and remote unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages, subject to the approval of  maximum amount by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. In addition, up to 100% of the cost of organizing activities, such as initial survey and studies for firming up of State-wise lists of unelectrified census villages and hamlets, assessing the renewable energy resources and energy requirements, identification of appropriate technology, preparation of Master-plans, Institutional development, monitoring and evaluation, training, orientation and awareness programme, development of remote village specific electricity generation systems etc. relating to the remote village electrification programme through non-conventional sources of energy, is also provided as Central Assistance. The State Govt. provides balance  cost of power generation devices.

· Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Systems

The scheme is being implemented with the objective to promote use of SPV Systems through Street Lighting, Home Lighting and Solar Lanterns as an alternative to the conventional grid for meeting the rural energy requirements. The Government of India provides subsidy and service charges etc. for street lighting system and home lighting system under the scheme. The state Government provides additional subsidy on solar photovoltaic energy devices. 

(2)          INTEGRATED RURAL ENERGY PROGRAMME (IREP)

This is a Centrally sponsored Scheme and covers all districts in the state, excluding urban areas failing within notified Municipal limits. The programme is shared on 50:50 basis between Central and State for implementation at district and state level. The main objectives of the programme are

(i)         To provide for minimum domestic energy needs for cooking, heating  and lighting purpose to rural people in selected village clusters in each district, with focus on renewable energy.

(ii)              To provide the most cost effective mix of various  energy sources and options to meet the requirements of sustainable agriculture and rural development with due environmental considerations and focus on renewable energy.

(iii)       To ensure peoples participation in the planning and     implementation of IREP and projects through the involvement of panchayats, voluntary organisations and institutions at the micro level ; and

(iv)       To develop and strengthen mechanisms and coordination      arrangements for linking micro-level planning and implementation for rural energy with National and State level planning and programmes for energy and economic development so as to ensure regular and planned flow of energy inputs for meeting the requirements of various end users in IREP districts.

(3)          SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

·  State Council on Science and Technology     

In order to promote the development of Science & Technology in the State under the guidance of an expert body, a Council on Science & Technology has been constituted as the highest policy making body in the State pertaining to Science and Technology Sector. Under the scheme, financial support is being provided to carry out application oriented research projects, development/ popularization of Science and Technology, publicity and advertisement of various scientific activities and their development, holding of seminars, workshops, conferences, sanction of travel grant and other related expenditure of the council. 

·  Orissa Space Applications Centre (ORSAC)

Orissa Space Applications Centre, as the State level Apex body for remote sensing application and research studies, is using technology for the survey of natural resources and their management. Remote Sensing data are used in various fields for forecast of agricultural crop acreage and production for the entire State and for watershed management in a major portion of the State, The Centre conducts survey and mapping of natural resources, and helps in wasteland and ground water management, identification of flood prone zones, spotting of forest fires, determination of urban land use patterns and wetland earmarking. The Centre also undertakes schemes such as research in Atmospheric Science and Disaster Mitigation.  These activities will be of immense use to the State in forecasting natural calamities so that the Government can initiate appropriate remedial measures in advance.

During 2000-01. Gramsat Pilot Project –Orissa Scheme has been introduced with the assistance of Department of Space, Government of India with the following broad objectives : (i) Interactive training for field functionaries, (ii) Broadcasting of development information to rural audiences. iii) Providing access to GIS database for development planning (iv) E-Governance, and (V) Disaster warning and providing information for  facilitation of post-disaster reconstruction. This system has the capability of data transfer among the State Headquarters at Bhubaneswar, 30 districts, 314 blocks and 9 important offices of Government of Orissa through V-Sat network. DRS network has also been installed at 30 districts, 314 blocks and 1190 Gramapanchayats of KBK districts.

Developmental programmes of various Government Departments are being telecast in this system in all weekdays except Sunday and  being transmitted through Doordarshana in channel DD1 and DD6, OTV & ETV. The Interactive Training Programmes (ITP) of various Departments of Government are also being viewed through DRS in 1190 Gramapanchayats.

Georeferenced  will be  of immense utility for various developmental planning and beneficially oriented developmental schemes. Under modification of land records  programme, the Revenue  & D.M. dept. is getting cadastral sheets digitized . These digitized maps will be georeferenced with  respect to standard & rectified satellite images. Synchronizing with the digitization of cadastral sheets, the work of georeferencing will be undertaken by ORSAC. It has been decided that 4 districts will be covered and the balance districts will be covered in the remaining plan period phase wise

· Development of Biotechnology 

               Biotechnology, the cutting edge technology with the potential to revolutionize many facets of industrial, agricultural and medicinal practices, is perceived as a major vehicle for socio-economic development through application and use of biological agents and materials in the production of appropriate goods and services.

            The following priority areas have been identified in the Draft Biotechnology Policy, Government of Orissa,  formulated by the State Government.

(1) Agriculture Biotechnology (2)Medical Biotechnology.(3)Industrial Biotechnology.(4) Animal biotechnology. (5) Aquaculture & Marine Biotechnology. (6) Environmental biotechnology. (7) Bio-resources. (8) Alternative sources of energy.

Various activities /programmes are proposed to be taken up for infrastructure development and related activities of the area in and around the Biotechnology Pharma IT park, coming up at mouza Andharua under Bhubaneswar Tahasil .

The following activities/programmes relating to Biotechnology are proposed to be undertaken under the scheme “Development of Bio- Technology “ (Non TSP funds).

Ø  Financial support to short term Research Development Project on Biotechnology.

Ø  Financial support for holding seminars/ Workshops/ symposia/ Conferences/ discussions on Biotechnology.

Ø  Advertisement / Road shows/ brochure for showcasing the development of Biotechnology among other things.

Ø  Development of Marine Biotechnology Park in Ganjam District.

·  MASTPALM

This scheme is meant for financial assistance to MASTPALM with a vision for scientific and sustainable management of plans and human habitats to promote growth, equity, empowerment, harmony and livelihood security of the people in the state of Orissa.

·  Entrepreneurship Development Programme    

Under this scheme, financial support is provided to different Engineering Schools/ Engineering Colleges/ Technical Institutions to organize Entrepreneurship Development Training Programmes for unemployed persons of the state to self employed .

 

·  Popularization of Science & Technology   

Orissa Bigyan Academy undertakes the following activities for popularization of science and technology: (i) Organizing exhibitions, discussions workshops and seminars in all parts of the State for observation of National Science Day every year, (ii) Publishing magazines and periodicals to sensitize the public about the role of science and technology, (iii) Publication of monthly Oriya Science magazine “Bigyan Diganta” and its distribution to Panchayati Raj Institutions free of cost, and (iv) Presenting awards to eminent scientists researchers and writers of scientific literature in Oriya. Bigyan Diganta is to be published in both Oriya and English language & distributed to all High schools of state & Oriya High Schools outside state free of cost. Besides the above programmes, a new programme i.e district level interactive sessions of science teachers and students has been introduced.

It is proposed to establish two Sub-Regional Science Centres; one at Jeypore in Koraput district and another at Nrusinghnath in Bargarh district to develop scientific temper among common mass  in general and students in particular  and to highlight the relevant important topical issues in science and technology.