Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday directed the concerned departments and power utilities to set monthly targets for the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the Solarisation of Government Buildings Programme to ensure timely completion of projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
The directions were issued during a review meeting attended by senior officials of the Power Development Department, Finance Department, JAKEDA, power distribution companies and other departments, according to an official statement.
Dulloo directed the agencies to complete the installation of rooftop solar systems for nearly 57,000 beneficiaries where vendor agreements have already been executed and to prepare a timeline for achieving the remaining targets well before the scheme’s deadline.
Reviewing the solarisation of government buildings, the Chief Secretary asked the Science and Technology Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) to expedite the programme and complete rooftop solar installations on more than 1,400 government buildings under the CAPEX mode and around 1,300 buildings under the RESCO mode by the end of July. He also stressed the need for simultaneous installation of smart meters in commissioned buildings.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar, outlined measures to improve coordination among departments and accelerate implementation of both programmes.
Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, suggested recognising districts that perform well under the scheme and commended the implementation of the programme in Kupwara and Shopian.
Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Mehmood Ahmad Shah, informed the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir has set a target of installing rooftop solar systems for 83,500 residential consumers by March 31, 2027, including 39,500 under Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and 44,000 under KPDCL.
The meeting was informed that as of July 7, rooftop solar systems had been installed for 37,138 residential consumers with a cumulative capacity of 133.40 MW. Beneficiaries have received Central Financial Assistance of ₹291.38 crore, while the Union Territory has provided an additional subsidy of ₹10.50 crore.
Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA, P.N. Dhar, informed the meeting that 8,131 government buildings had been equipped with rooftop solar systems, accounting for 36.14 per cent of the 22,494 identified government buildings in the Union Territory. He said Jammu and Kashmir currently ranks third among all States and Union Territories in the number of government buildings solarised.
According to the presentation, rooftop solar systems have been installed on 3,338 government buildings under the CAPEX mode, with a cumulative capacity of 46.30 MW, while work orders have been issued for 1,360 buildings under the RESCO model.
The Chief Secretary directed all implementing agencies to maintain close coordination, adhere to project timelines and regularly monitor district-wise progress to ensure timely achievement of the solarisation targets, the statement said.