How is the PM Surya Ghar Yojana Transforming Lives in Kishanganj?

Kishanganj, June 19 (NationPress) Residents of Kishanganj, Bihar, are experiencing remarkable advantages from the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with many even enjoying zero electricity bills due to rooftop solar panels.

On Thursday, District Magistrate Vishal Raj, along with officials from the Electricity Department, made an unannounced visit to Ward No. 30 in Kishanganj city. Despite the heavy rain, the DM arrived at the residence of Arhul Devi, whose family recently installed rooftop solar panels through the central government initiative. To acknowledge their efforts, her husband, Upendra Chaudhary, was honored with a gift for being an exemplary beneficiary and motivating others.

In an interview with IANS, Upendra Chaudhary expressed, “I learned about the PM Surya Ghar Yojana through television news and was eager to participate. After installing the solar panels, I received a subsidy of Rs 78,000, and our monthly electricity bill—which used to range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000—is now completely zero.”

His son, Santosh Chaudhary, elaborated further, stating, “We installed a 5-kilowatt rooftop solar panel system in February on 150 square feet of our rooftop at a total investment of Rs 3 lakh. Since March, our electricity bill has been zero—we are now saving Rs 5,000 each month.”

District Magistrate Vishal Raj highlighted that the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was launched on February 15, 2024, aims to make clean energy both affordable and accessible for low- and middle-income households.

“We are exerting special efforts to ensure this scheme reaches every corner of Kishanganj. Our objective is to provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month for each household that installs rooftop solar panels,” he stated.

He mentioned that the scheme provides substantial subsidies: Rs 30,000 for a 1-kilowatt system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kilowatts, and Rs 78,000 for systems up to 3 kilowatts. These incentives have significantly boosted adoption rates across the district.

“We honored two beneficiaries today to encourage more families to participate,” Raj said.

“By engaging in this initiative, families can not only lower their electricity expenses but also contribute to India’s broader mission of advocating renewable energy and striving for energy independence.”

The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was introduced by PM Modi on February 15, 2024, to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy at the household level. The program offers subsidies and incentives to motivate citizens to install rooftop solar panels, aiding in reducing electricity costs and supporting India’s sustainable energy objectives.