Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a crucial meeting today to review the progress of various solar power schemes being implemented in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, attended by key officials including Commissioner Secretary of Science & Technology and representatives from relevant departments and agencies, aimed to assess the status of ongoing projects and strategize for effective implementation.
Emphasizing the importance of expeditious implementation, Chief Secretary Dulloo urged all stakeholders, including NHPC, designated as the project implementation agency for solarization, to initiate on-ground execution of the schemes. Particularly, he stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, a beneficiary-oriented scheme aimed at providing free solar power to the poorest sections of society.
Instructing the concerned authorities to raise awareness about the scheme, Chief Secretary Dulloo directed JPDCL and KPDCL to actively assist and encourage people to register for the initiative. He mandated the submission of weekly reports on registrations made in each division to monitor progress effectively.
Highlighting the attractiveness of such schemes for the public due to substantial subsidy components provided under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the Chief Secretary advocated for the empanelment of genuine agencies in each district for the installation of solar rooftops. He emphasized the importance of providing people with multiple options to choose from and urged authorities to streamline the process for beneficiaries to avail themselves of the benefits seamlessly.
Furthermore, Chief Secretary Dulloo advised departments to ensure smooth coordination to expedite the solarization of government buildings across the UT. He instructed NHPC to finalize plans for solarization under the Resco model, focusing on identified government infrastructure.
Providing an overview of progress, Commissioner Secretary of Science & Technology, Saurabh Bhagat, informed Chief Secretary Dulloo that the department had completed a survey identifying 28,686 government-owned buildings feasible for solarization. Of these, 2,703 buildings have already been solarized, with a tentative capacity estimation of around 241 MWs for the remaining structures.
Delving into specifics, officials explained that the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana targets households consuming approximately 150 energy units, offering subsidies ranging from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 78,000 for solar rooftop installations of varying capacities. The scheme aims to empower the economically disadvantaged sections by providing them with access to clean and affordable energy solutions.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to expedite the implementation of solar power schemes, thereby advancing the UT’s sustainable energy goals and fostering socio-economic development.
