Govt takes initiative to light up ICDS centres in Nadia using solar power

Kolkata: A unique initiative has been taken up in Nadia district to light up ICDS centres using solar power. Solar panels have been installed at 105 ICDS centres in the district and it has ensured uninterrupted supply of power for two lights and a fan in each of the centres.

It may be mentioned that there are 6,642 ICDS centres in Nadia district. Around 2,000 out of them function from their own buildings, while rest are housed in rented facilities. A target has been set to install solar panels in all the ICDS centres that function from their own buildings. After installing the same in 105 centres in the first phase, steps have been taken to set up solar panels in another 100 centres in the second phase.

The project in the first phase was funded by the Zilla Parishad. There was an investment of around Rs 19,000 to install solar panels in each of the ICDS centres. According to an official, the one-time investment to install the solar panels will help in various ways, including reduction in the monthly recurring cost of running an ICDS centre.

At least Rs 500 needs to be spent for consumption of the conventional form of power in each ICDS centre. So, the calculation shows that every month, around Rs 52,500 is drained out of the state's exchequer to pay for using the conventional form of power.

"But with setting up of the solar panels, there will be no need to pay for consumption of power at the end of every month," the official added.

The work of setting up the solar panels had started in May and it took around three months to complete installation of solar panels in 105 centres. The work was completed in July end. With the completion of the first phase, the work to identify the 100 other centres where they will be set up in the second phase has started.

LED lamps are also being fitted in the ICDS centres to bring down the consumption of power.

Appreciating the move, Sashi Panja, the minister of state for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, said: "It's a good initiative as the move has been made to set up solar panels at ICDS centres. The state government is taking initiatives to construct as many buildings for ICDS centres as possible instead of rented ones and at the same time, major steps have been taken up for development of infrastructure of the centres."