Bhubaneswar, July 8 (IANS). Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday announced that the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana will be integrated with various housing schemes of the Odisha government (including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – PMAY). The move signals the state’s focus on renewable energy and affordable housing.
The Deputy Chief Minister informed about this plan in a high-level review meeting held on power sector reforms, safety measures and implementation of central and state government schemes.
Singh Dev said, “This will be an option for the beneficiary. Our aim is to ensure that every beneficiary under PMAY and other housing schemes also gets the benefit of solar power. By linking PM-Surya Ghar with the state’s housing schemes, we will provide 24×7 clean and affordable electricity to the people and also reduce their electricity bills.”
Under this scheme, a subsidy of Rs 30,000 will be given from the Center and Rs 25,000 from the state for installing 1 kilowatt rooftop solar in urban areas, a government statement said. The beneficiary will have to pay Rs 1,875 for 1 kilowatt solar panel. It also said that the Deputy Chief Minister directed the discoms to give priority to measures for the safety of people in urban and rural areas.
Key decisions taken at the high-level meeting included: launching a Rs 3,708-crore underground cabling project to replace overhead power lines in all four discoms; Preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on Security for the Discoms of Odisha; Removing low hanging wires; Replacement of uninsulated conductors with insulated conductors; Installation of fencing at distribution sub-stations; Constructing boundary walls around power sub-stations (PSS); Installation of cradle and guard wire for protection of LT line; And to develop utility shifting portal/app along with LTDB for LT security.
The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed the implementation of PM-SGMBY and ULA models for providing electricity (including poles, wiring and streetlights) in urban and rural areas. Singh Deo stressed that the state government is committed to providing safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to every household in Odisha. He directed the officials to complete all security and infrastructure projects within the stipulated time.
All the departments mentioned above will work together to provide a safe and reliable service.
Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krishna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik along with other senior officials also attended the meeting.
–IANS
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