AP Govt finalises action plan to involve about 70L students

Vijayawada: The State government has finalised an action plan to actively involve around 60 lakh to 70 lakh students in a phased manner on a mission mode in energy efficiency activities, Minister for Energy K Kala Venkata Rao said on Wednesday.

It is for the first time in the history of the nation that such a large number of students are involved in activities aimed at achieving energy efficiency. The Minister released a handbook on energy conservation and energy efficiency at the Secretariat at Velagapudi.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) in association with the Education department would establish Energy Clubs in schools and colleges across the State and conduct several awareness programmes with the support of AP State Skill Development Corporation .

The book aims not only to impart knowledge on energy efficiency programmes to students but also for its successful implementation in the households and institutions. The Minister said the Chief Minister was also very keen and passionate towards energy efficiency which is a need for future generations also.  

The Chief Minister is strongly determined to make Andhra Pradesh as one of the best energy efficient States in the world and directed officials to see that all the government departments followed an integrated approach to implement energy efficiency measures.    

Stating that the government has already initiated involvement of 80 lakh women belonging to the self-help groups in energy efficiency activities, the Minister said the AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) has been a trendsetter at national level in conducting massive awareness campaign on energy conservation. 

Principal Secretary for Energy and APCRDA Ajay Jain said that the handbook presents a comprehensive picture on energy, its sources, generation, consumption and need for its conservation to save the mother earth.

Energy conservation and energy efficiency topics, which have been made as a part of syllabus of students at school level, would be reviewed to include latest developments and the syllabus would also be extended for the students perusing higher education.

Ajay Jain said the APSECM would appreciate the best energy clubs and recognise them with awards and teachers who are pro-active in implementing energy efficiency activities would also be given certificate of appreciation.

Advisor for Power Sector K Ranganatham, JMD of APTransco Dinesh Paruchuri, Commissioner of School Education K Sandhya Rani, Director of School Education Madhusudhan Rao and State coordinator of Open Schools R Venkateswara Rao were also present during the release of the handbook.