Silvester D' Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, April 27: “Non utilization of solar energy even though we have the technology for it, is a crime. 750 mega watts solar energy is being produced in the state at present. There are plans to produce 2,000 mega watts solar energy from next year. The problem of electricity can be solved with it. Solar energy has laid the foundation for the government to take giant steps towards self sufficiency in electricity”, said district in charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj.

He was speaking after the inauguration of the declaration of Amasebail as solar village. The programme was held under the aegis of Amasebail Grama Panchayat, Amasebail Charitable Trust, Karnataka Bank Ltd, Mangaluru, Kshetra Dharmadhikari Gramabhivruddhi Project, Dharmasthala, Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited, deputy commissioner Udupi, Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat Kundapur.

“Installing solar panels in the entire village is the first in the country. A G Kodgi who has laid the foundation for efficient use of renewable energy is the inspiration for youth. It is necessary to achieve self sufficiency in energy. If solar energy is put to use, the amount payable to Mescom can be saved. Such efforts should be a model for others,” Madhwaraj added.

Dharmasthala Gramabhivruddhi Yojane executive director Dr L H Manjunath who presided over the programme, speaking on the occasion said that scarcity of light is one of the reasons for us to lag behind in education. “One out of three houses in the country does not have electricity even after 68 years of Independence. The project had supported for installing of solar panels in a grama of Belthangady taluk twenty years ago. The project extends financial support for solar panels now. More than 5,000 houses in Kundapur have solar panels with the project's support”, he said.

“It is necessary to stress on renewable energy. Cooking stove which can be used with less fuel and production of electricity through small water streams are being encouraged by us”, he added.

Selco India president Dr H Harish Hande in his key note address, said that self sufficiency should be obtained by 2020 by giving importance to renewable energy. “Youth should give up spending time in WhatsApp and Facebook and should think about solar energy. It will not be difficult if work such as this is performed in every village with Amasebail as the model. If sunlight which is available for 12 hours per day is converted as energy, there will definitely be a solution for the problem of electricity. Karnataka is going to be an example in this respect,” he said.

Karnataka Bank general manager Chandrashekar Rao inaugurated the solar lamp donated for temples by Pejawar Swamiji. Former MLA B Appanna Hegde inaugurated the solar street lamp. Vidhana Parishat member Pratapchandra Shetty inaugurated the solar lights for houses. Assistant commissioner Shilpa Nag conducted implementation of solar project.

MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, grama panchayat president Jayalakshmi Shedthi, taluk panchayat member Jyothi Poojary, local high school headmaster Thimmappa, Ullooru- Machattu cooperative society president T Chandrashekar Shetty, Amasebail cooperative society president Navinchandra Shetty and Bharathiya Vikas Trust's K M Udupa were present among others.

Former Karnataka Bank chairman Anantha Krishna was felicitated on the occasion. Grama panchayat PDO read the declaration letter of solar village.

Amasebail Charitable Trust president A G Kodgi welcomed and gave an introduction. Satyanarayana Rao compered the programme. Development officer Bhaskar Shetty proposed vote of thanks.