West Bengal to thrive on solar power soon

EOI, SILIGURI, 8 Jul 2015: The West Bengal government wants to cut power bills and fight illegal power theft by installing solar power plates in subsidised housing across the state, said state power minister Manish Gupta. 

In a meeting held with the Darjeeling district administration on Wednesday at the WBSEDCL Siliguri zonal office, Gupta said, “The plan, to be unveiled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee next month follows dozens of new initiatives to be rolled out by the government in collaboration with the Centre. 

Sixty per cent of the cost would be borne by the state, while 40% will be taken up by the Centre. Over 500 state-run schools will be covered under the new solar initiative. The state government wanted to make rooftop solar panels affordable, he said.Officials would speak with various housing authorities and solar companies in the state to improve financing packages. 

“If the venture is successfully rolled out across the state, then the consumers will find relief from the mounting electricity bill, while illegal theft of electricity will also be curbed to an extent,” said the power minister. 

Solar power could also solve the problem for micro-industries Cooch Behar and surrounding areas of Siliguri, which faced frequent power cuts.