S/T deptt targets to provide solar lanterns

Agartala, Apr 16 (UNI) The state's Science and Technology(S/T) department is targetting to provide more than 25,000 solar-powered lights for the remote areas, official sources said today.

The estimated cost for the project is expected to be Rs 30 crore.

An official source here said that during 2006-07 the S/T provided 9,000 solar home lights for the remote areas of the state, mainly for inaccessible areas where there is no electricity.

Those living below poverty line(BPL) will reap the benefits of this move, he said.

During the last fiscal, solar light was provided at a subsidised rate of only Rs 500 to places where there was no electricity. The total expense amounted to Rs 17 crore.

The S/Ts target for 2007-08 was to distribute more than 9,000 homelighting system, 15,000 solar lanterns and more than 1,500 solar fixed lights.

This time the subsidy would be less than that of the previous year.

The official estimation for the proposed target is Rs 30 crores.

The joint venture, between the Union Government and the State Government is supposed to sanction funds on 90:10 basis. However, after paying transportation charges, for importing the materials from outside and their installation, the Centre's share stood at 70 to 75 per cent.

The S/T will also provide 500 solar lantern to girl students from BPL families, studying between standard nine to 12 free of cost.

The Block Development Officers(BDO) have been asked to prepare necessary certificates in this regard, which will be submitted by students from the BPL families to the headmaster, as a proof to avail the facility.

UNI