JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has initiated the process for identification of eligible beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana category across all districts for providing 200 units of free electricity, in line with its commitment to extend targeted relief to economically weaker sections.
The progress of the initiative was reviewed in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, which also focused on accelerating reforms in the power sector with emphasis on social welfare, sustainability and efficiency.
The meeting additionally reviewed implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and scaling up of rooftop solar adoption under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Officials informed the meeting that the free electricity initiative is expected to benefit over 2.22 lakh AAY households across the districts of the Union Territory, ensuring near-universal district coverage.
The process of identifying and extending the benefit to eligible households is being carried out in coordination with district administrations, with many of the targeted beneficiaries residing in far-off and remote areas.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar informed that extensive field verification and data validation exercises are underway in close coordination with district administrations to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries are covered.
Kumar said special efforts are being made to address discrepancies between ration card and electricity consumer databases, cases of migration, locked or inaccessible households and reluctance among certain beneficiaries.
He added that particular emphasis is being laid on inclusion of households in remote and mountainous areas, where scattered habitations and long power distribution networks pose significant logistical challenges.
The meeting was informed that alongside the welfare initiative, Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress under the rooftop solar programme.
Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar systems are being promoted through consumer-friendly financing options, including bank loans at attractive interest rates.
Managing Director of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Gurpal Singh, informed the meeting that more than 28,600 applications have been received in Jammu division, of which over 11,000 installations have already been completed, reflecting progress of around 67 per cent.
Similarly, Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, informed that Kashmir division has witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 73,000 applications received and more than 17,700 installations completed. He said several districts in the Valley have already surpassed their assigned targets.
Officials further informed that the rooftop solar scheme is largely being implemented under the RESCO model, under which private developers undertake installation and maintenance without requiring any upfront investment from consumers, thereby making solar energy accessible to a larger section of the population.
The meeting also reviewed progress under RDSS, which is aimed at strengthening the power distribution infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials informed the meeting that works worth ₹5,762 crore are presently being executed across districts through various project implementing agencies. These include ₹1,053 crore worth of works related to smart metering and ₹4,709 crore for measures aimed at reducing transmission and distribution losses.
The key interventions under RDSS include smart metering, infrastructure augmentation, feeder segregation, energy accounting and reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses.
The meeting was informed that more than 7.10 lakh smart meters have been installed across Jammu and Kashmir so far, including nearly three lakh installations completed during the last six months alone.
Officials also reported significant improvement in operational efficiency in the power sector, with the ACS-ARR gap reduced to 0.3 by the financial year 2025-26.
The meeting was further informed that billing efficiency has increased to 77 per cent, collection efficiency has reached 94 per cent and Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses have been brought down to 30 per cent.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that the integrated approach of providing direct financial relief through free electricity while simultaneously undertaking structural reforms such as solarisation and RDSS-backed infrastructure upgrades would significantly improve power reliability, reduce losses and promote clean energy adoption across the Union Territory.
He said these measures would go a long way in ensuring inclusive growth, energy security and sustainable development across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
