Aug 4 2010
A group of 10 villages in North Karnataka, India, no more suffer from frequent power cuts or load shedding. Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB), a rural bank in the state of Karnataka, has led an awareness campaign way back in 1994 and enabled the villages to switch over to using solar-powered lights.
Solar Panel
To bring out a silent renewal energy revolution in the state, the KVGB looked ahead of its role as a village banker and educated the villagers about the importance of solar energy and how they can save, on installing solar lamps. For those who opted for the facility, the bank provided a solar unit which includes a solar panel and two lamps at the cost of Rs.13,500/- and a smokeless stove was supplied as a complimentary addition. For the houses that need extra lighting, the bank provided Rs.11, 500/- loan at a yearly interest of 12%. The farmers also received money from some of the voluntary organizations to cover the costs.
KVGB also received adequate support from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for organizing awareness camps for the benefit of the villagers. Incidentally out of KVGB’s 425 rural branches, its 44 branches are powered by solar energy to manage its day-to-day work and run its computers.
Vasudev Kalkundri, KVGB’s General Manager, said that the installation of solar lamps now helped the villagers to work round the clock and help increase their productivity. He added that the installation of solar lamps especially helped children to study during the night hours.