The State government is contemplating providing 50 per cent subsidy to the citizens willing to use solar lights. The chief minister has agreed to issue a government order to this effect soon, according to Ananth Hegde Ashisara, the chairperson of the Western Ghats Task Force.
Speaking to media after submitting a list of recommendations to the chief minister, Hegde said the task force had recommended to take up more research on generating power from agriculture waste and garbage. The use of ovens and driers that emit less smoke had also been recommended as this would reduce the use of firewood by 50 per cent.
These ovens and driers should be distributed by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department. Popularising biogas from manure at the community level and exploring possibilities of using biofuel in cities also are some of the recommendations.
Published 05 August 2012, 19:45 IST