PM Surya Ghar-Free Electricity Scheme Boosts Energy Self-Reliance in Sarguja

Raipur: The Prime Minister's Surya Ghar‑Free Electricity Scheme is becoming an effective means to promote clean energy in Sarguja district while providing relief to ordinary families from electricity expenses and making them energy‑self‑reliable. Taking advantage of the scheme, Mrs Nidhi Verma of Mayapur in Ambikapur is now meeting her needs through solar energy after freeing her family from the burden of electricity costs. After the solar plant was installed, her household electricity bill became zero. Relief from a monthly electricity bill of four to five thousand rupees Mrs Verma said that before installing the solar plant her household used to receive a monthly electricity bill of about four to five thousand rupees. The increased electricity expense added an extra financial burden to the family budget. Under the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar‑Free Electricity Scheme, after installing a solar plant on the roof, domestic electricity needs are being met by solar energy and the electricity bill has been virtually eliminated. She said the scheme provided the family with economic relief as well as a sustainable and clean alternative to meet electricity needs. Installation of solar plant made easier by a double subsidy of 1.08 lakh rupees Mrs Verma said that under the scheme she received a subsidy of about 1 lakh 8 thousand rupees, comprising 78,000 rupees from the central government and 30,000 rupees from the state government. This financial assistance reduced a large part of the cost of installing the solar plant and made adopting solar energy easier for her. From electricity consumer to energy provider Sharing the benefits of solar energy, Mrs Verma said that earlier her family was only an electricity consumer, but now they are producing electricity themselves. The electricity generated beyond domestic needs is fed back to the grid and they receive benefits as per regulations. She said, "Earlier we were electricity consumers, but now we have become energy providers." She believes that adopting solar energy not only relieves the family’s electricity bill but also increases ordinary citizens’ participation in the country's energy system. More applications than target in Ambikapur, rooftop solar expanding rapidly According to the Electricity Department, the benefits of the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar‑Free Electricity Scheme are reaching urban and rural areas of Sarguja quickly. In Ambikapur city, 2,021 applications were received against a target of 1,000 rooftop solar installations, with vendors selected for 1,985 beneficiaries and solar plants installed in 1,136 homes. In the rural area of Ambikapur, 1,282 applications were received against a target of 1,000, with vendors selected for 1,200 beneficiaries and rooftop solar plants installed in 305 homes. Families moving towards economic empowerment with clean energy Through the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar‑Free Electricity Scheme, families in Sarguja are receiving relief from electricity expenses and promoting clean and renewable energy. The growing number of rooftop solar installations reflects the district’s increasing participation towards energy self‑reliance. Mrs Verma appealed to more families to avail the scheme, stating that using the subsidy provided by the government to install solar plants is in the interest of both families and the nation. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, saying the scheme is a significant step towards providing economic relief to common citizens and a clean, green future.