Minister for Rural Development today said that 25852 Solar Lights were distributed in the un-electrified habitations of the state during 2015-16.The Minister was replying, on behalf of Minister for Science and Technology, to a clubbed question of Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Master Noor HassanMr. Haq said that for providing grid connectivity to Machil area for ensuring adequate power supply, the Power Development Department has proposed one 6.3 KVA Receiving station at Machil along with around 332 Kms of 33 KV line from Khumriyal under DDUGJY. He said, in addition, 13 Nos. of 11/0.4 KV transformers, 9 Kms of 11 KV line and 27 KMs of LT Line has been sanctioned under DDUGJY for electrification of un-electrified villages/habitations/hamlets of Machil area.The Minister said that the Solar Home Lights were distributed in Machil area during 2005-06.
He said as per the Remote Village Electrification Scheme of the Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (UMNRE), Solar Lights were sanctioned and distributed, which are to be maintained by the beneficiaries for a period of 15 years from the date of their installation and the period as such would expire in the year 2021.The Minister said that a Project proposal has been submitted to the UMNRE for sanction of 2030 Solar Home Lights at an estimated cost of Rs. 4850 per unit and 30 Solar Street Lights at an estimated cost of Rs.14400 per unit for Machil area. He said that sanction from the Ministry has been received under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and the lights would be provided during the current financial year.He further informed that a proposal of 9500 and 400 Solar Home Lights to the inhabitants of rural areas of district Jammu and Samba stands submitted to the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Similarly, 3638 and 840 street solar lights have been proposed for rural areas of both the districts, the Minister maintained and added that these would be provided as and when the sanction from the UMNRE is received.