Chhattisgarh to sent 10,000 solar lamps to flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has decided to provide 10,000 solar lamps and other necessary electrical equipment, including transformers, to 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 on Saturday.

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 CM 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 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 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 under the scheme of the state government, it said.

So far this year, as many as 1,146 families were provided solar lamps and solar study lamps were given to 3832 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.