Imphal, May 11: Processes have been completed to provide solar lamps to 7952 households in 98 hill district villages under the Union Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources' scheme to electrify villages yet to be blessed with electric power.

According to sources in the State's Science and Technology Department beneficiaries of the scheme, to be implemented from July this year, are those whose applications have been approved during the stint of S Natum Singh as the Science and Technology Minister.

The selected beneficiaries had already deposited 10 percent of the total amount to the State Government with the remaining amount of 90 percent to be extended as grant by the Union Ministry.

Informing that the number of solar lamps for the beneficiaries are based on the 1991 census report and the number of applications received by the Department, the source detailed the areas to be covered by the scheme as 2380 households in 22 villages of Tipaimukh, 1788 of 18 Thanlon villages, Singhat numbering 1331 at 31 villages, 1110 in Chingai's six villages, 368 household in five villages within Churachandpur, 471 in five villages of Tamei, 200 of three villages in Kangpokpi, 166 for six villages in Chakpikarong while the number of benefits at Nungba and Tousem stands at 130 and 57 respectively in one village each.

To benefit from the scheme one household has to incur Rs 3000, said the source adding some families would have to bear additional amount of about Rs 500 for transportation of the equipment.

Supply orders have been given to UP based firm Central Electronic Limited (CEL), Tata, Bhel and Union Enterprise of Imphal, said the source.

While CEL will supply the equipment at Tipaimukh, TATA in Thanlon and BHEL to Singhat areas the Imphal based firm will be responsible for Chingai and remaining areas, added the source.

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