In the pursuit of illuminating 2.5 million economically challenged households, Uttar Pradesh has set its sights on the deployment of rooftop solar power under the aegis of the PM Suryodaya Yojna.
Unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, immediately following his return to New Delhi post the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the PM Suryodaya Yojna harbors the ambition to solarize one crore households nationwide. This initiative pledges the bestowal of 300 units of complimentary electricity per month, harnessed from solar rooftops.
Insiders with a discerning eye affirm that Uttar Pradesh is formulating an all-encompassing strategy to encompass the maximum number of qualifying households under this scheme. Beneficiaries stand to receive governmental subsidies of up to 70% for rooftops with a capacity ranging from 1 kW to 2 kW, and 60% for those with capacities ranging from 3 kW to a substantial 10 kW.
“While the Central government is anticipated to delineate state-specific targets post the official nationwide launch, slated for the initial week of March, we have delineated a goal to encompass 2.5 million households falling under the 1 kW to 2 kW load category, with a monthly consumption not exceeding 300 units,” elucidated a senior official from the alternative energy department.
The department’s research discerned approximately 20 million households in the 1 kW to 2 kW load bracket in Uttar Pradesh. “Our estimation suggests that we can conveniently extend the advantages of this innovative scheme to at least 2.5 million of the 20 million economically modest households in the state,” remarked the official.
Granting precedence to the novel initiative, Chief Secretary (CS) Durga Shankar Mishra, in a recent weekly video conference, instructed commissioners and district magistrates to amplify the visibility of the PM’s endeavor through advertising campaigns and outreach camps, with the aim of securing maximum public participation.
The CS also proposed the establishment of targets for all sub-division officers (SDOs) operating under the UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL).
In alignment with the strategy, Uttar Pradesh has opted to emulate the Gujarat model for the implementation of the Suryodaya scheme. “In Gujarat, specific targets have been delineated for each substation, resulting in the registration of 25,000 willing households daily,” disclosed the official. “We intend to establish SDO-specific targets, as discussed in the Chief Secretary’s meeting,” he added. “Registration will be facilitated through a mobile application and website.”
The subsidy allocated under the scheme will be directly credited to the bank accounts of the chosen beneficiaries through a direct debit mechanism.