All 223 GP offices in DK to use green energy

Mangaluru: In a bid to give more thrust to green and renewable energy, the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat has started the process of installing solar power units in all the 223 gram panchayat (GP) office buildings in the district.

The zilla panchayat has already begun the process of providing solar units to GP office buildings. Officials said that out of 223 GPs, the process has started in more than 140 buildings, and nearly 20 have already started using solar energy. The new eco-friendly initiative will also reduce the expenditure of GPs, by reducing electricity bills. GPs are given directions to install solar electricity units up to 10kva capacity in their buildings, utilising sanctions from the 14th Finance Commission, 15th Finance Commission, Chief Minister’s Gram Vikas Yojana, or from its own funding. GPs in Dakshina Kannada have spent about Rs 85,000 to Rs 4.8 lakh, to install solar power units.

Gayathri P, panchayat development officer of Aladangadi gram panchayat in Belthangady taluk, told TOI that the GP office has started using solar power. “We have been using only solar power in our office now. Earlier, we were spending nearly Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 towards electricity bills in one connection. Now that our electricity meter has been disconnected, there is no burden on the GP to pay monthly bills. Meanwhile, we also have another electricity connection in our office. The expenditure will reduce further soon, after the disconnection of the second electricity meter,” she added.

In fact, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Kumar has given more emphasis to renewable energy in GPs. “The process of solar power installation has been progressing in all GPs. We will ensure that all GPs will be self-sufficient through eco-friendly solar energy, and thereby reduce the expenses of the local bodies,” he said.


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