SRINAGAR: A recent directive from the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, mandating the registration of all government employees under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has triggered a fresh controversy.
According to Srinagar based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, a circular issued by the DDC Kishtwar on January 22, 2025, after a review meeting, set strict deadlines for the registration and installation of rooftop solar panels by government employees.
The order mandates that all officers and officials at district, sub-divisional, tehsil, and block levels register within four days, while field staff and frontline workers, including ASHA and Anganwadi workers, must complete the process within 15 days. The deadline for installation is set for March 31, 2025.
“Whereas, in the meeting it came to fore that the process of registration and installation under PM Surya Ghar Scheme is very poor besides the response on behalf of District/Sectoral Officers in getting registered their employees under the said scheme is not satisfactory,” states the directive.
To expedite implementation, the order further directs all officers heading various administrative units to ensure compliance.
However, the move has drawn criticism from the opposition. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Firdous Tak took to social media platform ‘X’ to express his discontent.
“In Kishtwar, we don’t just have double-engine Govt—we have a triple-engine one, with Babus running the third. While rooftop solar remains optional across the country, DC here has made it mandatory for Govt employees. Loan lo, interest bhi do, par solar lagwao (Take a loan, pay interest, but install solar panels),” Tak said.
When contacted for a response, Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan defended the decision, stating that government employees must lead by example in implementing government schemes.
“Yes, it’s the duty of government employees to implement all government schemes, whether it’s a Union Govt or UT govt scheme. They should act as a role model for the others,” Shavan said.
“I have enlisted 85 such schemes, and I’m trying my best to implement all those 85 schemes in the district. I’m appealing to all government employees to behave as role models when it comes to implementing schemes,” he added. (KDC)
