MAKING BEST USE: A woman cooking food using the modified chula installed in her house at K. Dibbadahalli in Bellary district.

BELLARY: Before the end of the current financial year, Gandabommanahalli, Yerragundanahalli and K. Dibbadahalli villages of Gandabommanahalli Gram Panchayat in Kudligi taluk, will boast of using renewable energy.

These three villages, selected as the cluster of villages under the Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP), have been provided with solar streetlights, modified chulas (ovens), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and pressure cookers, at an estimated cost of Rs. 35 lakh. The process of installing solar photovoltaic cell panels to lift drinking water from borewells should be completed before the end of March.

Fully operational

With the scheme becoming fully operational, the electricity charges in these villages would come down considerably, according to an official in-charge of the project.

In the wake of reports of the failure of the schemes implemented earlier for poor maintenance, the Government decided in 2004-05 to implement the scheme in a cluster of villages in a gram panchayat.

According to sources, only seven out of the total 173 solar streetlights, installed in various parts of the district were functioning. Owing to limited grants, the number of villages was limited to three. The work of installing the solar streetlights was entrusted to Selco company with the condition that they should maintain them for five years and to train one local personnel, before handing it over to the panchayat. Forty-three solar streetlights have already been installed.

Villagers convinced

Villagers, after being convinced about the advantage of modified chulas and use of pressure cookers, which were being provided on subsidy, came forward to avail the benefits. The beneficiaries had to pay 25 per cent of the cost of the chulas (Rs. 350 a unit is the original cost) and for CFL while the balance were shouldered by the Government.

C.M. Shirol, CEO zilla panchayat, Annadanaiah, deputy secretary (development) and members of the advisory committee, were present.

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