Solar lamps will be distributed free of cost in 95 development blocks largely inhibited by the tribals, Chief Minster Raman Singh told reporters.
Students from Class 4 to Class 12, besides ashram schools and hostels will be provided mobile solar study lamps.
Around 13 lakh downtrodden families living in deep forests rely on kerosene for lighting lanterns raising chances of accidents. Although, electrification of 97 per cent of villages has been implemented so far, there are several villages located in dense forests and mountainous landscape, where electrification is difficult, Singh said.
The scheme will be implemented in 85 tribal dominated development blocks and ten selected development blocks of Rajnandgaon and Kabirdham at the cost of around Rs 219 crore.
Rechargeable solar lamps which can be switched on for 15 to 20 hours at a time, will be provided through the Chhattisgarh State Renewable Development Agency.