200 units free power for poor after rooftop solar installation: Govt

Srinagar, Oct 28: The government on Tuesday clarified that its promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to poor households will be implemented only after the installation of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY).

Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly, the Power Ministry said that the scheme would cover all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, who will receive 200 units of free electricity per month once rooftop solar systems are commissioned.

The scheme is to be implemented through the RESCO or Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model, which has already been granted in-principle approval by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Under the programme, rooftop solar systems with a capacity of 2 kW each would be installed for 2,22,564 AAY households across J&K.

The government said the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and tendering process were currently under preparation by the respective power distribution corporations.

Once operational, these solar systems would provide 200 free units of electricity every month to each beneficiary household while ensuring financial sustainability for the power utilities.

The government said the delay in implementation was due to procedural formalities, including preparation of DPRs, finalisation of tenders, and the adoption of the ULA model, which were necessary for proper planning and long-term sustainability.

The National Conference (NC)-led government had announced the provision of 200 units of free electricity for poor households during the Budget Session in March 2025.

In a separate reply, the government said that a total of 6,52,292 smart meters had been installed across J&K under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

Of these, 2,81,124 meters were installed during the last two years.

District-wise, Jammu tops the list with 2,76,212 meters installed under PMDP and 7737 under RDSS, followed by Srinagar with 1,91,021 under PMDP and 22,485 under RDSS.

Baramulla has 38,862 under PMDP and 23,815 meters under RDSS, while Anantnag and Budgam have 35,736 and 24,919, and 8,113 and 17,930 meters, respectively.

The government clarified there was currently no proposal to privatise the installation, maintenance, or management of smart meters in J&K.

The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) have engaged Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers (AMISPs) through a competitive bidding process under the RDSS to execute and operate smart metering systems for a defined period under strict regulatory oversight.