Charar-i-Sharief, May 29: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah today inaugurated 18 Kw Solar Power Plant at  Sub-District Hospital Charar-i-Sharief, an official spokesman said.
 He said this is the second such solar power unit inaugurated by them in last two days. The one was inaugurated yesterday at Old Assembly Complex, Srinagar. The unit inaugurated at Charar-i-Sharief involves an expenditure of about Rs 50 lakhs.
 He said The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved 69 solar power plants for the State to be installed in as many health institutions as backup power supply units. This involves an amount of Rs 32.70 crore. The tenders for 32 such units have been finalized and for the remaining the process is going on.
 During the last three years, he said, the MNRE headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah has sanctioned over 50000 solar home systems for the 225 un-electrified villages and hamlets of the State. As many as 50 water mills have been upgraded while financial assistance to upgrade 2000 more such water mills for electricity generation and mechanical activities has also been approved.
 “The Union Ministry has also sanctioned 58 micro hydel projects being installed in remote villages to generate electricity. It has also sanctioned and installed solar water heating systems at 10 locations while solar photovoltaic power plants at 69 locations to generate 1.09 MWs have also been approved,” the spokesman added.
 The Chief Minister and Union Minister for MNRE also paid obeisance at the Dargah of Sheikh-ul-Aalam, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) at Charar-i-Sharief and prayed for peace and development of the State and well being of the people.
 They also inspected construction work of Khanhkah and interacted with the people. They heard their views regarding various development schemes under implementation in the area patiently.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 00:00:00 IST