Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the promise of 200 units of free electricity made by the Chief Minister earlier this year will be implemented only after the commissioning of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
In a written reply to a question raised by MLA Waheed Parra, the government said that the scheme will benefit 2.22 lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, with each house to be equipped with a 2-kilowatt rooftop solar system.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has already granted in-principle approval for implementation through the RESCO/Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model. “The Detailed Project Reports and tendering process for installation are currently under preparation in the respective DISCOMs,” the reply stated.
Once commissioned, the rooftop solar systems will provide up to 200 units of free electricity per month to each beneficiary household. The government said the model ensures financial sustainability and avoids losses to power distribution corporations.
“The delay in implementation is due to procedural requirements like DPR preparation, finalizing tenders, and setting up the ULA model,” the government said.
The reply further stated that 6.52 lakh smart meters have been installed across Jammu and Kashmir so far, including 2.81 lakh in the last two years, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and the Prime Minister’s Development Package.
The government also said that there is no proposal to privatize the installation, maintenance, or management of smart meters. “The work is being executed through Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers under a Design-Build-Finance-Own-Operate-Transfer model,” it said.
It also said that the engagement of service providers is only for project implementation and operation under strict regulatory and contractual oversight, ensuring transparency and accountability in power distribution reforms.(KNS)
