Bhubaneswar: The PM-Surya Ghar Yojana will be attached to various housing schemes in Odisha, including the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY).

This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo on Wednesday. Singh Deo made this announcement while chairing a high-level meeting on power sector reforms, safety measures, and implementation of central and state schemes.

“The PM-Surya Ghar Yojana will be attached to different housing schemes in Odisha, including Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana. However, the integration of the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana with the housing schemes is optional for the beneficiaries. Our aim is to ensure that every beneficiary under PMAY and other housing schemes also gets the benefit of solar power. By attaching PM-Surya Ghar with state housing programms, we will provide 24x7 clean and affordable electricity to the people, while reducing their electricity bills,” said Singh Deo.

Under the initiative, a subsidy of Rs 30,000 from the Centre and Rs 25,000 from the state government will be provided for 1 KW rooftop solar installation in urban areas. The beneficiary has to pay Rs 1,875 for 1KW solar panel.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed the DISCOMs to prioritize public safety measures across urban and rural areas. As per the decisions taken at the meeting, underground cabling project worth Rs 3,708 crore will be taken up in all four DISCOMs to replace overhead lines.

Besides, a comprehensive Safety DPR for the DISCOMs will be prepared. Similarly, officials have been asked to take the necessary steps for shifting of low-hanging wires and installation of fencing at distribution substations among other safety measures.

The state government is committed to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power to every household in Odisha,” added Singh Deo. He directed officials to ensure time-bound execution of all safety and infrastructure projects in the state.

Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development and Panchayatiraj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik and Energy Department Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev among others were present at the meeting.