Hans News Service Bhubaneswar

Odisha’sDeputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday announced that PM-Surya Ghar Yojana will be attached to different housing schemes of the Odisha government, including Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), reflecting the State’s focus on renewable energy and affordable housing. The Deputy Chief Minister revealed the plan while chairing a high-level review meeting on power sector reforms, safety measures, and implementation of Central and State government schemes.

“It will be an option for the beneficiary. 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 programmess, we will provide 24x7 clean and affordable electricity to the people, while reducing their electricity bills,” said Singh Deo..

Under the scheme, a subsidy of Rs 30,000 from the Centre and Rs 25,000 from the State will be provided for 1 KW rooftop solar installation in urban areas. The beneficiary has to pay Rs 1,875 for 1 KW solar panel. The Deputy Chief Minister directed DISCOMs to prioritise public safety measures across urban and rural areas.

The key decisions taken during the high-level meeting included undertaking a Rs 3,708-crore underground cabling project across all four DISCOMs to replace overhead power lines; preparing a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) on safety for Odisha’s DISCOMs; shifting low-hanging wires; replacing bare conductors with insulated conductors; installing fencing at distribution substations; constructing boundary walls around power sub-stations (PSS); providing cradle and guard wires for LT line protection; and developing a utility shifting portal/app along with an LTDB for LT protection.

The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed the implementation of PM-SGMBY and ULA Model for both urban and rural electrification, including poles, wiring and streetlights. Singh Deo emphasised that the State government is committed to providing safe, reliable, and sustainable power to every household in Odisha. He directed officials to ensure time-bound execution of all safety and infrastructure projects. All the above departments will work in coordination to provide safe and reliable service.

The meeting was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development, Panchayatiraj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, along with other senior officials.