Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, June 20 (IANS) In an effort to give boost to the state’s power sector, the Congress-led United Democratic Front government has decided to tap wind power and offer incentives to tribals for this.

The government is offering incentives to the tribals who are willing to allow windmill construction on their lands for power generation projects, state Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed Monday said.

“We will take over the land if the tribals are willing to give it to us. If they agree, they would be adequately compensated in the price of the land and also we will enter into a long-term agreement with the tribals,” Mohammed said, while talking to reporters.

Under the long-term accord, “the tribals will be paid a fixed amount of money from every unit of power that is generated from the windmills that come up on their land,” he said.

The government has identified two places in Palakkad district (Attapadi and Kanjikode) where the land is owned by the tribals. The 80 MW windmill power project will be set up jointly by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

“This is going to be operational in the first 100 days of our government. Since this is a project of the state and the centre, there will be no allegations of any sort of corruption,” he added.

Mohammed also announced that in the first 100 days of the Congress-led government coming to power in Kerala, school children would be taught how to save power, under a special Energy Smart Campaign.

“All children from Class 5 to 10 will be trained to this effect,” the minister said.

Cash prizes will be given to schools and students at the district and state levels for saving most power, he added.