KPDCL urges consumers to adopt solar power, avail power amnesty

Srinagar, Oct 19: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Saturday urged its domestic consumers to adopt the Grid-connected Roof-Top Solar (RTS) plants under the heavily subsidised PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Scheme, launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy earlier this year.

It has also advised consumers with long-standing power dues to immediately

apply under the Government’s Amnesty Scheme to claim a waiver on late payment surcharge, after paying the principal amount in one go or instalments.

Sharing details, a KPDCL spokesperson said that 152 solar rooftops with a total installed capacity of 600.59 kW have already been installed across Kashmir, with Srinagar topping the list.

“Over 1000 consumers have selected empanelled Solar PV Vendors and we are hopeful for the spike in figures of installation of RTS plants,” he said.

KPDCL has received 3116 formal applications on the national portal and with the scheme gaining popularity, the figure is likely to rise.

“Central subsidy of 119 beneficiary consumers has already been redeemed with 46 consumers having received subsidy into their accounts in DBT mode,” the KPDCL spokesman said.

Beneficiaries of solar rooftops up to 3 kWp are eligible for a subsidy of Rs 94,800 thereby making PM Surya Ghar Scheme subsidised up to 60 percent of the project cost of Rs 1.59 lakh.

“They become eligible after KPDCL Technical Teams issue inspection and commissioning reports which are uploaded on the designated portal,” the KPDCL spokesman said.

Under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the J&K government is providing an additional subsidy of Rs 3000 for 1 kWp, Rs 6000 for 2 kWp and Rs 9000 for 3 kWp plant, which takes the maximum ceiling of subsidy from Rs 85,800 earlier to Rs 94,800 for a plant up to 3 kWp under the scheme.

“The government has sanctioned Rs 27.07 crore for 44,000 beneficiaries of Kashmir division as J&K government’s share of subsidy, which shall be spread over financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27, till March 31, 2027,” the KPDCL spokesman said.

Highlighting the benefits under the J&K government’s Power Amnesty Scheme, he urged domestic consumers with huge outstanding to come forward and settle their opening balances.

“Beyond March 31, 2025, the Power Amnesty Scheme will not be available to domestic consumers,” the KPDCL spokesman said.

He said that so far, 1.07 lakh beneficiaries have settled their claims by paying the principal amount to KPDCL to the tune of Rs 156.38 crore.

The KPDCL spokesman said that the government had forfeited its claim over Rs 56 crore on account of late payment surcharge.

He urged the remaining 43,000 domestic consumers with huge electricity arrears to approach their electric subdivisions to avail the benefits under the scheme and that relaxation would cease to be extended after March 31, 2025.