Jharkhand's tribal block to get solar power

After weeding out Naxalism from the area surrounding Jharkhand's Manoharpur block, the government is pushing for development as the block will soon be provided with solar electricity.
Twenty tribal women from 10 villages of the block, which falls under Saranda forests where the Government is pushing its ambitious development programme after clearing it from Naxal menace, have been given training in the solar electrification of the houses.
The women, who were trained in the Barefoot College in Rajasthan, today met Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and officials to demonstrate their technical skill.
After the meeting, reviewing the implementation plan with officials from the Rural Development Ministry, New and Renewable Ministry and Jharkhand government, Ramesh said solar electrification of 1,400 houses in 10 villages in the block under West Singhbhum district will be done before May this year.

"Wherever I have gone in Saranda, people have been agitating for electricity. I don't know how long it will take to provide grid electricity in these areas. So, this is a good starting," he said after the meeting.
The Minister said that the "trained women barefoot solar engineers" are capable enough to handle the technology including the fabrication and repair of the domestic solar electrification system.
"They have the confidence and competence to fabricate charge controllers, install fixed solar units and solar electrify all the 10 villages in the first phase," said Bunker Roy, social activist and founder of the barefoot college.

Around 1,100 houses in the 10 other villages in the block will be provided solar power later this year, officials said.