CS sets monthly targets for PM Surya Ghar Yojana, Solarization Mission in J&K

Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Thursday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress achieved under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the ongoing Solarization of Government Buildings Programme across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Managing Director, JPDCL/KPDCL; CEO, JAKEDA besides representatives of several other concerned departments.
Addressing the review meeting Chief Secretary emphasized the urgency of meeting targets set for Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) regarding the installation of rooftop solar systems for approximately 57,000 beneficiaries. He instructed relevant agencies to ensure timely execution of these installations to enable consumers to benefit from the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. A well-defined timeline was mandated to ensure that Jammu & Kashmir fully capitalizes on this government initiative before its deadline. During the review of the Solarization of Government Buildings, the Chief Secretary urged the Science & Technology Department and JAKEDA to accelerate efforts to cover all identified government buildings with rooftop solar systems. He set ambitious targets for the completion of over 1,400 buildings under the CAPEX mode and around 1,300 under the RESCO mode by July 2026, while also highlighting the need for simultaneous smart metering to enhance energy management. Additional Chief Secretary Ashwani Kumar presented a roadmap to address implementation gaps and improve inter-agency coordination, aiming to streamline processes and expedite the achievement of targets under both solar initiatives. Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Finance, suggested recognizing districts with outstanding performance to foster competition among implementing agencies, commending the notable achievements in Kupwara and Shopian. The meeting revealed that Jammu & Kashmir has set a target of 83,500 residential rooftop solar installations by March 2027, with 37,138 systems already installed, yielding significant financial assistance for beneficiaries. The Union Territory ranks third nationally in solarizing government buildings, with 8,131 buildings equipped with solar systems, indicating substantial progress in both CAPEX and RESCO modes. The Chief Secretary called for enhanced inter-departmental coordination and strict adherence to project timelines, emphasizing the importance of regular performance reviews to ensure the successful realization of Jammu & Kashmir’s solarization goals within the designated timeframe.