DW BUREAU / Chandigarh The Punjab government has sanctioned Rs 60.50 crore to install solar power energy system for rural piped water supply schemes in the state, saving an electricity expenditure of Rs 8-9 crore per year, a minister said on Sunday. Under this project, the solar power energy plants, based on net metering, would be installed at 970 rural water supply schemes, covering 1,508 villages with a cumulative capacity of 8.698 MW. Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa said the government is working to provide basic facilities to the people at their doorsteps. He said this project aims to ensure the financial sustainability of water supply schemes and successful operation and management of rural water supply schemes by gram panchayat water supply committees by reducing the burden of electricity charges. Additionally, this will also lead to an increase in the usage of clean energy and environment sustainability Jimpa informed that this project has many benefits which the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) will be able to achieve with installation of solar roof top panels.; I.E. reduction in bill, as the bill is issued by PSPCL after adjustment of export and import of power, generation of environment friendly and clean energy and DWSS/GPWSC will become generator for his own electricity requirements. Secretary WSS DK Tiwari further said that the electricity duty/octroi etc. shall be levied only on the billed amount after adjustment of import and export of power. Surplus power is supplied to the grid of PSPCL, thus, helps in eliminating power shortage. WSS HoD Mohammad Ishfaq informed that there will be saving of Rs. 8-9 crores per year after the installation of Solar Power Energy project. (editor@dailyworld.in)