7 Chamba villages identified for PM Surya Ghar Scheme

Seven revenue villages in Chamba district have been selected under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme. This information was shared by Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal while chairing a district-level committee meeting on the scheme at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The identified villages—Banikhet Jarei, Sarol, Haripur, Udaipur Khas, Mangla, Kariyan, and Sahu Padar—have been chosen based on their population exceeding 2,000 as per the 2011 census.

The meeting reviewed various components of the scheme. Deputy Commissioner Repaswal explained that under the scheme, domestic consumers would receive financial assistance for installing solar power systems. For a 1 kW system costing Rs 55,000, a 2 kW system costing Rs 1,10,000, and a 3 kW system costing Rs 1,59,500, the Central Government will provide subsidies of 60% for up to 2 kW and 40% for the additional 1 kW.

The scheme does not include subsidy provisions for solar plants installed in government offices. Among the seven villages, one will be designated as a solar model village, based on the highest number of solar installations, and will receive Rs 1 crore in central financial assistance. A six-month timeline has been set for installing the solar systems.

Additionally, panchayat representatives will receive an incentive of Rs 1,000 per solar system installed within their jurisdiction. They were urged to raise awareness among residents about the scheme to maximize its benefits and promote renewable energy.

Key attendees at the meeting included Lalit Thakur, District Chairperson of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee; BJP District President Dheeraj Naryal; Additional Deputy Commissioner Amit Mehra; District Development Officer OP Thakur; panchayat heads and officials from the electricity board and Himurja.

The Deputy Commissioner encouraged residents to take full advantage of the scheme to ensure sustainable energy production in the region.