India's 2014 budget includes various energy measures. The Ministry of Finance plans to allocate more than Rs 1,200 crore (US$200m) to clean energy projects with the establishment of two new schemes, a 'Ultra-Modern Super Critical Coal Based Thermal Power Technology' to improve energy efficiency in power generation, and a "National Adaptation Fund" for climate change. Rs 400 crore (US$67m) will be invested in the development of solar-base water pumping stations for agriculture. Other new and renewable energy projects announced include the "Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects" in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Laddakh in Jammu & Kashmir (Rs 500 crore, i.e. US$83m).
Moreover, the government plans to develop up to 15,000 km of gas pipelines in public-private partnership to boost the gas network's development. The government also plans to accelerate the exploitation of coal bed methane reserves and to evaluate closed and old wells to maximise production.
The 2014 budget also proposed to de-regulate diesel prices and to reduce the number of subsidized LPG cylinders to reduce subsidies by Rs 140,000 crore (US$23.3m). The Indian government aims to cut the weight of subsidies on food, petroleum and fertilisers from 2.3% in 2013-2014 to 2% in 2014-2015.
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