5,400 households in J&K receive zero electricity bills under PM Surya Ghar Scheme

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana across the union territory. The meeting deliberated on the district-wise performance, challenges and strategies to accelerate the implementation of this flagship rooftop solar (RTS) initiative aimed at promoting sustainable and affordable household energy solutions.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD), Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary, Finance; Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce; Secretary, Science & Technology (S&T); Director General, Budget; Managing Directors of JPDCL, KPDCL, and JAKEDA, besides other senior officers. All Deputy Commissioners joined the meeting through video conferencing.

At the outset, it was informed that 5,413 consumers out of the total 13,579 rooftop solar installations under the scheme have already received zero electricity bills, reflecting tangible progress on the ground.

The Chief Secretary underscored the importance of the scheme in transforming the energy landscape of J&K, noting that as an energy-deficit region, the Union Territory stands to benefit immensely from the adoption of clean and reliable solar power. He called upon the Divisional and District Administrations to ensure smooth and time-bound implementation of the scheme in every district.

Emphasising on public outreach, Dulloo directed both power distribution companies (Discoms) to intensify awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the multiple benefits of the scheme, assist consumers in vendor selection and facilitate speedy installations. He further stressed on robust monitoring and regular evaluation of district-level progress to achieve the set targets.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary also took a detailed district-wise appraisal from the Deputy Commissioners, seeking insights on implementation challenges and local innovations. He urged the banks to enhance the rate of loan disbursement under the scheme, enabling better and faster uptake by eligible households.

Speaking on the occasion, ACS PDD, Shailendra Kumar, highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between banks, vendors, and district administrations, urging financial institutions to actively publicise the lowest interest rates and subsidies available under the scheme. He stressed on maintaining transparency in vendor selection and prompt signing of consumer agreements.

He also called for stringent monitoring of call centre performance and consumer feedback mechanisms, besides taking corrective action against underperforming vendors. He directed that the ongoing IEC campaign be further intensified across districts to generate awareness about the scheme’s economic and environmental benefits.