PANJIM: Though electricity has reached almost all villages in Goa, a few hamlets still remain in the dark zone. The Goa government now plans to provide lights to around 19 non-electrified hamlets in various rural parts under the rural village electrification scheme (RVE).
In a written reply to Mayem MLA Anant V Shet's starred question, chief minister Digamber Kamat who holds charge of non conventional energy sources said that under RVE, solar home lighting systems are being provided for households without conventional power supply. The scheme is operated by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE).
Though no applications have been received from any section, Goa energy development agency (GEDA) has undertaken a survey voluntarily and submitted a proposal to the MNRE, Kamat said.
GEDA has plans to undertake electrification of 19 non-electrified hamlets, which are not accessible to conventional means of electricity. There are approximately 95 households for which sanction has been received, and the work for the same is expected to commence shortly.
Meanwhile, GEDA received 41 applications from institutions during the last five years to set up solar street lighting systems. It disbursed an amount of ` 49,93,200 in subsidies to these institutions.
Most of the applicants comprise civic bodies, educational and defence establishments, wildlife sanctuaries, and a few housing cooperative societies, who had sought subsidies for providing street lighting in their campuses and gardens.
At last, can we see some "development" in the form of electric supply, solar lighting... ? Hopefully, some inaccessible hamlets will also get motorable roads? We do need a change from "development' in the form of the mega housing projects, wide highways connecting two neighbouring States, and other such projects, to real development in the form of improved rural infrastructure.
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