The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) will install solar panels in its buildings across the State at a cost of Rs 3 crore during the current financial year, said M.C. Sampath, Environment Minister here on Wednesday. Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for his department, Mr Sampath said that at present the head office and nine offices in the districts were functioning on its own premises with laboratory facilities. Electricity requirements of these buildings are provided by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation. With the government announcing a new solar energy policy, it was decided to switch to the new renewable energy. Using the new technology, no waste was generated and moreover it was ecologically friendly, Mr Sampath said. In order to check the metal contents in the effluents and the fresh water, Atomic Absorption Spectrometer with Graphite Furnace will be purchased for four of the PCBs in Chennai, Vellore, Cuddalore and Tiruchi at a cost of Rs 3 crore. In an attempt to observe the pollution levels in Tamirabarani river in Tirunelveli district, three permanent monitoring centres would be created at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. Monitors would be set up in three different places and they would monitor the pollutions round the clock and the data would be sent to the headquarters and the respective district centre, Mr Sampath said. Mr Sampath also announced that the existing risk allowance of Rs 60 would be enhanced to Rs 500 to its scientists and engineers from the current financial year.