Nashik gram panchayats to install solar power systems

Nashik: Select gram panchayats in Nashik have been asked to install the solar power systems at the offices, schools, anganwadis and other installations based on the funds allotted to them.According to senior officials from Nashik ZP, under the 15th Central Finance Commission, funds available at the district level are being utilised to install solar power systems across various village establishments. These include schools, anganwadis, Gram Panchayat offices and public water supply systems in Nashik Zilla Parishad jurisdiction."Besides, the gram panchayats will be allowed to install these projects as part of making these institutions financially capable and also contribute for capacity building," said Varsha Phadol, the deputy CEO of Nashik ZP.To begin with, the Nashik ZP has decided to allow the gram panchayats participating in the Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan, across the 15 talukas, to install the systems."The works are being allocated to the gram panchayats by the district-level work allocation committee for procuring solar power systems based on the availability of funds and their specific requirements. Having been allocated, the gram panchayat will execute the work itself and there will be no contractors from ZP as such," said another senior officer in Nashik.The gram panchayats have also been given the choice to increase the solar systems if they require, but the additional payment beyond what has been allocated to them will have to be collected from the villagers as ‘self-contribution' for the same. "This will cut down their dependency on power. With reduction or elimination of monthly electricity bills for public buildings, gram panchayats can divert those funds towards other local development projects," the officer said.