Srinagar: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to initiate a dedicated rooftop solarisation drive across organised industrial estates, proposing that idle factory rooftops be converted into power-generating assets by leveraging Central schemes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In a statement, the industry body described rooftop solarisation as a “transformative infrastructure intervention” that could simultaneously strengthen industrial competitiveness, promote sustainability and improve the Union Territory’s energy self-reliance.
FCIK suggested that the initiative be implemented under the Integrated Infrastructure Development (IID) component of the Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) of the Union Ministry of MSME. It said rooftop solar systems could be treated as a “common facility” within organised industrial estates, making projects eligible for up to 60 per cent financial assistance from the Government of India.
The chamber also pointed to the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, which provides 100 per cent subsidy for alternative power solutions such as generators, stating that combining the two mechanisms would significantly reduce the financial burden on the government.
According to FCIK, solarisation of industrial rooftops is not only an environmental measure but also a fiscal and structural reform. It said localised power generation would reduce the government’s power subsidy liability, curb Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and add to power availability within the Union Territory.
“Producing power at the point of consumption would effectively act as import substitution by reducing dependence on electricity procured from outside and strengthening energy self-reliance,” the federation said.
Explaining the MSE-CDP scheme, the organisation said it aims to improve productivity and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises through cluster-based development and shared infrastructure. Rooftop solar installations, it added, fit within the scheme’s mandate as they benefit multiple industrial units in a cluster.
FCIK also lauded the Kashmir Small Scale Industrial Association (KSSIA), Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan, Srinagar, for engaging the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for a common rooftop solar facility at the estate.
The federation said the Union MSME Ministry has agreed in principle to the proposal and sought confirmation from Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) regarding power offtake and operational arrangements. After KPDCL conveyed its consent, the matter has been taken up by the Industries and Commerce Department’s MSME wing for preparation of the final DPR under MSE-CDP guidelines for submission to the State Level Steering Committee.
FCIK recommended that the Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan Industrial Estate project be adopted as a pilot case and urged the Deputy Chief Minister to direct early action.
It said that once implemented, the model could be replicated across other organised industrial estates in Jammu and Kashmir, unlocking rooftop potential across hundreds of industrial units.
The federation added that the initiative would promote green industrial growth, reduce reliance on diesel generators, improve power reliability for MSMEs and ease fiscal pressure on the government through convergence of Central funding, while also contributing to national renewable energy targets.
