Date:21/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/21/stories/2007062151560100.htm

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Plan to introduce energy audit

Staff Reporter

To reduce expenditure: Dindigul Collector R. Vasuki addressing a special meeting at Gandhigram Rural University on Wednesday. —

DINDIGUL: The district administration is planning to introduce energy audit and install power saving equipment in panchayats to reduce electricity expenditure and boost revenue, the Collector, R. Vasuki, has said.

She was addressing a special meet on energy audit at Gandhigram Rural University near here on Wednesday.

Initially, Devarappanpatti, Silvarpatti, Vembarpatti, Velampatti, Pachamalayankottai, Viruveedu, Kulathur, Nagampatti, Vadugampatti, Puliamarathukottai, C. Kalayamputhur and Kallimandhayam, one panchayat in each union, except Kodaikanal union, have been chosen for the introduction of energy conserving methods designed and developed by Technical Services Centre of National Small Industries Corporation Limited.

A sum of Rs.36,000 would be given to each panchayat for installing power saving equipment, including capacity boosters for mini-power pumps to reduce power consumption, improve efficiency of the pumps and eliminate low voltage. Bulbs at Anganwadi centres and toilets and tube lights on streets would also be replaced with fluorescent tube lights, she said.

. In the second phase, another 14 panchayats would be covered.

Ms. Vasuki said that prizes would be given to the best energy saving panchayat.

“If panchayats install such power-saving equipment, it will reduce 20 per cent of the bill. The savings can be used for other development work,” said N.K. Subramani, Joint Manager, NSIC.