At least 91,000 solar home lighting devices distributed so far to households of un-electrified villages of JK

Jammu, January 15: The Jammu and Kashmir government has distributed 91,000 solar home lighting devices to the households of un-electrified villages and hamlets of the state under Remote Village Electrification Programme. This was said by State Social Welfare Minister Sajad Gani Lone on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

 

After being asked in state Legislative Assembly, Minister Sajad Lone in a written reply said that the government has distributed 91,000 solar home lighting devices to the households of un-electrified villages and hamlets of the state under Remote Village Electrification Programme of MNRE, Govt of India.

The Minister also informed the house that Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) would also install 54 MW Solar Rooftop Power Plants in 2018-19. “Under Prime Minister's Development Package, the government installed 3,000 solar street lighting systems while as more 17,013 would be installed after the finalization identification of the areas,” he added.

Minister Sajad Lone further noted that there is a 70 percent subsidy for domestic consumers and 60 percent to government departments for solar rooftop PV systems under MNRE, GoI. “Central Government has approved 100 MW Solar Energy Park for the state and the department is also initiating tariff-based bidding for development of mega-solar projects in the state at feasible locations,” he added.

However, replying to another question, the Welfare Minister noted that the government has set in the process for distributing solar home lighting devices which would be followed by installation of solar rooftop power plants in all the district hospitals across the state. He, in the end, also stated that the government would provide solar home lighting devices to all the genuine beneficiaries including those living in Jagti Migrant Township.