70 lakhs solar study lamp scheme
It was sanctioned by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to disseminate the solar study lamps in the five states of the Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. IIT Bombay is implementing the scheme in coordination with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), wherein IIT Bombay is responsible for coordinating with all stakeholders for smooth implementation, while the EESL is the chief procurement agency. At the grassroots, the scheme is implemented in collaboration with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) as the Zonal Execution Agency and the cluster level federations (CLFs) as the Block Execution Agency. The self-help group women are involved in all the operations of the solar study lamp, including assembly, distribution and repair & maintenance. As the part of the enterprising activities, these women will also be trained and encouraged to open their own solar shops. It is envisaged that 70 Lakhs students from 22,000 villages in 325 blocks spread across intervention states will be covered. The scheme is expected to generate an employment of 56 lakh man-days for the duration of 18-20 months, with the establishment of 2,333 R&M centers and 700 solar entrepreneurs in rural areas. Around 16 lakh lamps have already been distributed under the scheme.