| Mankulam Panchayat, Idukki |
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When they converted their apparent weaknesses into opportunities, Mankulam Panchayat in Idukki District became the 1st panchayat in Kerala to produce and distribute its own electricity. And though the panchayat does not have telephone connection in this technology outpost, it is now connected to the Internet through V-Sat. So even if you are not able to talk to the Panchayat President on the telephone, you can chat with him in cyber space.
If the numerous streams and hills in the area posed a challenge for extending the electricity grid to this corner of Kerala, the same handicaps became handy for power production. Although the initial contract given by the Panchayat to SILK, a Government of Kerala undertaking, to install and commission a hydro-electric scheme failed midway, help soon arrived in the shape of Energy Management Centre (EMC).
They provided vital information about UNIDO schemes and soon work started again with aid from the UN body cooperation among officials of EMC and SILK as well as enthusiastic support from the people.
Using a small check dam, water is led to two 55 KW turbines to produce power for 300 families. Of these, 150 have already been brought under the distribution network. While turbines were gifts of UNIDO, panchayat contributed its share and the beneficiaries chipped in with 25% of the Rs.1 crore project.
5 young men from the locality with diploma in electrical engineering control the operations at the power station. As an electricity-enabled service, a computer training institute has started functioning in the panchayat. Here too, the faculty consists of youth of the area.
And when the Panchayat implemented its own hydro-electric project, not one family had to be rehabilitated or any adverse impact thrust upon the environment.
Courtesy:
Manu P.Toms (text),
Arun John (photo), Sree, Malayala Manorama,
April 17, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
