• Advises domestic consumers to adopt solar panel
• 60% subsidy under PM Surya Ghar for plants up to 3 kWp
• 1.07 lakh consumers claim interest waiver
SRINAGAR, OCT 19: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has once again called on domestic consumers to adopt the Grid-connected Roof-Top Solar (RTS) plants under the heavily subsidized PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Scheme, launched by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy earlier this year. The initiative aims to promote renewable energy sources and reduce dependency on conventional power.
In addition, KPDCL has advised consumers with long-standing power dues to take advantage of the Government’s Amnesty Scheme, which offers a waiver on late payment surcharges upon clearing the principal amount in one lump sum or through installments.
A spokesperson for KPDCL shared that 152 solar rooftops with a total installed capacity of 600.59 kW have already been established across the Kashmir Valley, with Srinagar leading the way. “Over 1,000 consumers have chosen empanelled Solar PV Vendors, and we anticipate a significant increase in the installation of RTS plants,” the spokesperson stated.
KPDCL has received 3,116 formal applications through the National Portal, and as the scheme gains traction, this number is expected to grow. Currently, 119 beneficiaries have received the central subsidy, with 46 consumers having their subsidy credited directly to their accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Beneficiaries of solar rooftops up to 3 kWp are eligible for a subsidy of Rs. 94,800, which effectively covers up to 60% of the total project cost of Rs. 1.59 lakh. Eligibility is granted after KPDCL Technical Teams issue inspection and commissioning reports, which are then uploaded on the designated portal.
Under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the UT Government is providing an additional subsidy of Rs. 3,000 for 1 kWp, Rs. 6,000 for 2 kWp, and Rs. 9,000 for 3 kWp plants, raising the maximum ceiling of subsidy from Rs. 85,800 to Rs. 94,800 for a plant up to 3 kWp. The Government has allocated Rs. 27.07 crore for 44,000 beneficiaries in the Kashmir Division as part of the UT’s subsidy share, which will be distributed over the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27, until March 31, 2027.
Highlighting the advantages of the UT Government’s Power Amnesty Scheme, the spokesman reiterated the call for domestic consumers with significant outstanding balances to settle their dues. “The Power Amnesty Scheme will not be available beyond March 31, 2025,” he emphasized. So far, 1.07 lakh beneficiaries have settled their claims by paying a principal amount of Rs. 156.38 crore to KPDCL, with the Government waiving its claim of Rs. 56.00 crore in late payment surcharges. The spokesman urged the remaining 43,000 domestic consumers with substantial electricity arrears to visit their Electric Subdivisions to take advantage of the benefits available under the scheme, which will end after March 31, 2025.
