SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir government on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly that the Chief Minister’s promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to households will be implemented only after the commissioning of rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
In a written response to a query by MLA Waheed Para, the government stated that 2.22 lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households will benefit from the scheme, with each house set to receive a 2-kilowatt rooftop solar installation.
According to the reply, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has already granted in-principle approval for implementation through the RESCO/Utility-Led Aggregation (ULA) model. Detailed Project Reports and the tendering process are currently being prepared by the respective DISCOMs.
Once operational, these rooftop solar systems will provide up to 200 units of free electricity each month to eligible households. The government emphasised that the ULA model ensures financial viability while preventing revenue losses to power distribution companies.
The delay in the rollout, officials said, stems from procedural formalities such as the preparation of DPRs, tender finalisation, and establishment of the ULA framework.
The reply also revealed that 6.52 lakh smart meters have been installed across Jammu and Kashmir so far, including 2.81 lakh in the last two years, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and the Prime Minister’s Development Package.
Clarifying rumours about privatisation, the government asserted that there is no plan to privatise the installation, maintenance, or management of smart meters. The work, it said, is being executed by Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Providers under a Design-Build-Finance-Own-Operate-Transfer (DBFOOT) model.
The government added that these service providers are engaged solely for project execution and operation under strict regulatory and contractual supervision to maintain transparency and accountability in ongoing power sector reforms.
