Jammu Tawi, March 20 -- The central government during the past five years has provided Rs 45.22 crore to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as collective financial assistance for small and mini hydropower projects.

As per the data provided by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, J&K received 20.31 crore, with the highest allocation of 9.50 crore in 2021-22, while Ladakh secured 24.91 crore, receiving 8.80 crore in 2021-22 as its highest annual funding.

The ministry said that these funds were allocated to support the development of hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 25 MW to enhance local energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

"Despite this financial assistance, the central government clarified that n...