Odisha to attach PM Surya Ghar Scheme to PMAY, other housing programmes
Bhubaneswar, July 8
Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Energy Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday announced that PM-Surya Ghar Yojana will be attached to different housing schemes of the Odisha Government, including Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, reflecting the state's focus on renewable energy and affordable housing.
The Deputy CM revealed the plan while chairing a high-level review meeting on power sector reforms, safety measures, and implementation of central and state government schemes.
"It will be an option for the beneficiary. Our aim is to ensure that every beneficiary under PMAY and other housing schemes also gets the benefit of solar power. By attaching PM-Surya Ghar with state housing programs, we will provide 24x7 clean and affordable electricity to the people, while reducing their electricity bills," said Singh Deo on the occasion.
An official release stated that under the scheme, a subsidy of Rs 30,000 from the Centre and Rs 25,000 from the state will be provided for 1 KW rooftop solar installation in urban areas. The beneficiary has to pay Rs 1875 for 1 KW solar panel. It further added that the Dy CM directed DISCOMs to prioritise public safety measures across urban and rural areas.
The key decisions taken during the high-level meeting included undertaking a Rs 3,708-crore underground cabling project across all four DISCOMs to replace overhead power lines; preparing a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) on safety for Odisha's DISCOMs; shifting low-hanging wires; replacing bare conductors with insulated conductors; installing fencing at distribution substations; constructing boundary walls around power sub-stations (PSS); providing cradle and guard wires for LT line protection; and developing a utility shifting portal/app along with an LTDB for LT protection.
The Deputy CM also reviewed the implementation of PM-SGMBY and ULA Model for both urban and rural electrification, including poles, wiring and streetlights. Singh Deo emphasised that the State Government is committed to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power to every household in Odisha. He directed officials to ensure time-bound execution of all safety and infrastructure projects.
All the above departments will work in coordination to provide safe and reliable service.
The meeting was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development, Panchayatiraj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, along with other senior officials.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I am from Bhubaneswar and I appreciate this initiative but I'm genuinely concerned about the underground cabling project worth Rs 3708 crore. That's a huge amount of public money. I hope they tender it transparently and there's no corruption involved like it happens in many infrastructure projects in Odisha. Also need to ensure proper maintenance of underground cables - in my area they're digging roads every month for something or the other 😒
This is exactly what India needs - linking renewable energy with affordable housing. Our PMAY houses are mostly occupied by poor and low-income families who struggle with electricity bills. Solar panels will give them free power during daytime, reducing their expenses. But I hope DISCOMs actually cooperate and don't delay installations. In smaller towns, anyone who wants solar panels has to run from pillar to post to get approvals. Make it hassle-free ji!
The idea is brilliant but I think the state government should also focus on grid stability before pushing solar so much. In rural Odisha, many villages still get 4-6 hours of power supply. Adding more solar will create fluctuations if the grid isn't strengthened. Central DISCOMs like CESU don't even replace transformers on time - we had a complaint in our area for 3 months! Until the basic infrastructure improves, these schemes are just on paper.
Very progressive policy from Odisha. I work in renewable energy sector and 1KW solar can save a typical Indian household 120-150 units per year. If 1 lakh PMAY houses get this, that's huge carbon reduction. What I like is the beneficiary pays only Rs 1875 - that's almost nothing for the benefits they'll get. The underground cabling also prevents deaths from falling wires during rain. Monsoon season in Odisha is nightmare with sagging wires everywhere. Safe electricity is our right.
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