Centre's silence cripples Manireda
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16 2014: Despite huge demands, Manipur Renewable Energy Deve-lopment Agency (MANIREDA) is unable to continue distribution of solar water heaters to public at subsidised rates as the Centre remains mute on the scheme since June last year.

According to an official source, distribution of solar water heaters at subsidized rates started in 2011-2012 .

However, the said scheme could not be extended further as the Centre discontinued the scheme last year, the source added.

Saying that supply of solar water heaters was carried out by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy during UPA Government, the source added that the present Government has not communicated anything to the State Government on the discontinuance of the said scheme till date.

Considering the inconveniences given by erratic power supply, introduction of pre-paid electric metres and inadequate LPG supply, people have started realizing the advantages of solar water heaters and there are still huge demands of these heaters, the source added.

Till June 26, 2013, 3340 solar water heaters had been distributed to the beneficiaries of nine districts of the State, the source said and added that the capacity of these heaters is 100 litres per day.

Warm waters fed by these heaters can be used not only in bathing and washing but also in cooking, the source said adding that these heaters can keep water warm even at night.

The source further said that solar heaters were made available to the public at the sub- sidised rate of Rs 7000 with the State Government contributing Rs 81 lakhs while Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and North Eastern Council sharing Rs 2 crore for the scheme ended in June last year.

It added that these heaters can heat water up to 65 to 70 degree Celsius.

Although, the State Government wanted to extend the scheme further, it had to be discontinued after June as the Centre had not informed anything about the scheme to the State Government till date, the source added.

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