Chhattisgarh to provide 10,000 solar lamps to J&K

PTI Updated - September 13, 2014 at 02:10 PM.

The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to provide 10,000 solar lamps and other necessary electrical equipment, including transformers, to the people of flood-ravaged Jammu & Kashmir.

The decision was taken during a meeting of Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA), which was chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh, at the Mantralaya last evening, an official release said here today.

Besides solar lanterns, transformers and other equipment will be provided to maintain power supply in the flood-hit region of the northern state, it said.

The Chief Minister has directed the officials of Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company (CSPDCL) and CREDA to take immediate steps in this direction, it said.

The State has already declared to extend an assistance of Rs 10 crore — Rs 5 crore in terms of cash and rice worth Rs 5 crore — for the flood victims.

Meanwhile, Singh also reviewed the works undertaken by CREDA during the current financial year from April-July along with its achievements in the previous fiscal.

In 2013-14, as many as 4,40,582 free solar lamps were distributed in the tribal inhabited remote areas, while 2,44,283 free solar study lamps were given to students, it said.

So far this year, as many as 1,146 families were provided solar lamps and solar study lamps were given to 3,832 students till July, it added.

The worst-ever floods which hit the valley in 109 years has so far claimed around 250 lives, leaving thousands stranded.

Published on September 13, 2014 07:58