The Myuru Zilla Panchayat plans to install solar lighting systems in rural areas so that students are not inconvenienced when there are long hours of power cuts. According to ZP president Pushpavathi Amaranath, the ZP has already installed solar lighting systems in over 75 houses in Rangaiahnahalli Hadi in Hunsur taluk. She said that the Hadi would soon be declared ‘Soura Grama’. She told The Hindu that frequent load-shedding was affecting the studies of children in rural areas. So, in order to ensure that they are not deprived of the basic facility for the carrying out their academic activities, the ZP has decided to install solar lighting systems, particularly in areas populated by tribal people. Funds sanctioned The State government had sanctioned Rs. 3 crore for developmental works, and a portion of it had been used to install solar lighting systems in Rangaiahnahalli Hadi. Enthused by the success of the project, she said that the ZP had decided to cover a larger rural population under the project. She added that, if need be, she would appeal to philanthropists to fund the project. Government to be urged to sanction special grants for the project