Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Dajiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Feb 17: Mega solar credit camp organised in order to finance solar rooftops was inaugurated by Lead Bank manager Raghav Yejamanya and deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim along with other dignitaries at Town Hall here on Wednesday February 17. The camp has been organized by the Dakshina Kannada district administration in association with NABARD, various banks and Mescom.
Addressing media persons, Raghav Yejamanya said, "It is a great opportunity to all the banks to be part of this project. About 12 banks have participated in this camp, out of which 8 are nationalized banks, 2 are private, one cooperative and one is regional. As many as 15 suppliers are showcasing their products.
"The process will be as follows - first the Mescom department will provide the feasibility certificate for the installation which will take two working days, thereafter the application for loan will be processed by the bank. All together, the whole process of installation will take about 11 days. Loans up to Rs one lac would be approved without any collateral whereas for loans above Rs one lac, the beneficiary has to provide a collateral. In case the beneficiary has mortgaged his property for housing loan then the same will be taken as the collateral. In case the beneficiary's property is not mortgaged, then government bonds, LIC, bank deposits or any other bonds will be taken as collateral," he explained.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "Installing solar rooftop is a very good proposition as the district has very high potential to produce solar power. On the other hand, one can contribute towards the environment by using green energy. It can also be taken as a business investment as the excess energy produced can be sold to Mescom at Rs 9.56 a unit."
MLC Ivan D'souza said, "I have already installed solar rooftop at my residence and 1,381 units of electricity was produced during the last month. My house consumes 740 units of electricity, and Mescom bought the rest of the units for about Rs 7,000. We aim to make Dakshina Kannada a solar energy district, for which I will ask the chief minister to take DK district under pilot programme by providing grants. I urge all the government and private institutions to install the panels at their campuses. From my MLC fund I have given grants to install solar panels to about 40 endosulphan-affected families."