Srinagar, Oct 31, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir government has admitted that no Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) household in the Union Territory is currently receiving 200 units of free electricity, as announced earlier under the PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY).
This was stated in reply to Un-Starred Question No. 436, raised by MLA Langate, Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, who as per Kashmir Dot Com had asked the government to specify the number of consumers presently receiving 200 units of free electricity and the reasons for imposing what he termed as “unjustified flat electricity tariffs” on AAY and BPL category consumers in rural areas.
In its written response, the government said that 200 units of free electricity will be provided to all AAY households through the RESCO/Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model. It added that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has granted in-principle approval for the model, under which Rooftop Solar Systems of 2 kW capacity each are proposed for 2,22,564 AAY households.
The government further stated that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and tendering for installation of these systems are under preparation in the respective DISCOMs and that the scheme will be implemented once these are finalized.
Officials attributed the delay to “procedural timelines” involved in preparing DPRs, finalizing tenders, and ensuring financial sustainability.
On the issue of power tariffs, the government maintained that J&K has one of the lowest electricity rates in the country, with domestic consumers paying ₹2.30 per unit for up to 200 units and BPL families paying ₹1.40 per unit for up to 30 units per month.
However, despite these assurances, the reply makes it clear that the free electricity scheme is yet to be implemented, leaving poor and rural households still paying regular or flat tariffs while waiting for the promised benefit. (KDC)
