CS Dulloo Calls for Intensified Outreach, Timely Rooftop Solar Installations
JAMMU: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting focused on district-wise progress, existing challenges, and strategies to accelerate the rollout of this flagship rooftop solar (RTS) initiative aimed at promoting clean and affordable household energy solutions.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Power Development Department) Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary (Finance), Commissioner Secretary (Industries & Commerce), Secretary (Science & Technology), Director General (Budget), Managing Directors of JPDCL, KPDCL, and JAKEDA, besides other senior officers. All Deputy Commissioners participated through video conferencing.
At the outset, it was informed that 5,413 households out of 13,579 rooftop solar installations under the scheme have already received zero electricity bills, reflecting substantial on-ground progress.
Highlighting the scheme’s transformative potential, Chief Secretary Dulloo said the Union Territory, being energy-deficit, stands to gain immensely from the adoption of clean and reliable solar energy. He urged Divisional and District Administrations to ensure smooth, time-bound implementation across all districts.
Emphasizing public awareness, he directed both power distribution companies (DISCOMs) to intensify outreach campaigns to educate citizens about the benefits of the scheme, assist in vendor selection, and ensure speedy installation of rooftop systems. He also called for regular monitoring and evaluation of district-level progress to meet set targets.
The Chief Secretary also held a district-wise review with Deputy Commissioners, discussing implementation challenges, local innovations, and bank coordination. He asked banks to expedite loan disbursements to facilitate quicker uptake by eligible households.
Speaking on the occasion, ACS PDD Shailendra Kumar emphasized stronger coordination among banks, vendors, and district administrations. He urged financial institutions to widely publicize interest rates and subsidies, ensure transparency in vendor selection, and expedite consumer agreement processes. He also stressed on strict monitoring of call centre operations and consumer feedback, besides taking corrective action against underperforming vendors.
MD JPDCL Gurpal Singh informed that J&K has set a target to cover 83,500 households under the scheme. So far, 76,000 applications have been received, 37,500 consumers have selected vendors, and 17,151 agreements have been signed. Additionally, 13,615 rooftop solar systems have been installed, and Rs 96.68 crore in Central Financial Assistance has been released for 11,297 beneficiaries.
Reviewing progress under the solarization of government buildings and the Model Solar Village initiative, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to expedite implementation for timely completion across all 20 districts.
Secretary, Science & Technology, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, informed that 6,716 government buildings have been solarized out of the 22,494 proposed, achieving a total installed capacity of 64.67 MW. Under the 70 MW Rooftop Solar Project, work orders for 47.45 MW covering 4,338 buildings have been issued. Materials have been delivered at 2,806 sites (35.88 MW), while 1,987 sites (25.50 MW) have been fully installed. An additional 5 MW capacity is expected to arrive by November 30.
Concluding the meeting, Chief Secretary Dulloo reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to advancing the clean energy transition and ensuring self-reliant power generation across Jammu and Kashmir through the effective implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
