Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 20 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said the state's solar power consumers are emerging not only as energy producers but also as contributors to the grid, marking a new phase in the state's clean energy journey.
Addressing the Solar Energy Awareness and Promotion Campaign at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur, CM Sai said the state is moving swiftly to meet its clean energy commitments. He flagged off the 'Surya Rath', designed to raise awareness about solar energy, the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and its subsidy provisions.
The Chief Minister also transferred a total of INR 1.85 crore of state subsidy online into the accounts of 618 consumers, each receiving INR 30,000 under the scheme.
Highlighting the urgency of the global climate crisis, CM Sai said that climate change and rising pollution are matters of grave concern. He added, 'It is our good fortune that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, and Chhattisgarh is playing its part with full dedication and capacity.'
He emphasised that the state is steadily moving from half electricity bill relief towards free electricity, thanks to the promotion of solar power. He called it a matter of pride that people of Chhattisgarh are increasingly recognising the importance of this scheme and adopting clean energy. He appealed to the public to spread awareness and encourage others to join the initiative, thereby strengthening the state's progress towards clean energy goals.
CM Sai explained that both the Central and State Governments are providing subsidies, while banks are offering easy financial support. He assured that in the near future, consumers would enjoy the full benefit of free electricity. He also informed that under the PM KUSUM Yojana, Letters of Award were distributed to beneficiaries, enabling consumers to generate solar power, sell electricity, and access cheaper energy.
Recalling past milestones, the Chief Minister said that in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi resolved to provide electricity to every household under the Saubhagya Yojana. At that time, 18,000 villages in the country were still without electricity, but today, electricity has reached every one of them. 'Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the nation is now marching rapidly towards a clean and green energy future,' he said.
He noted that in the year 2000, Chhattisgarh's power generation capacity was just 1,400 MW. Today, the state generates 30,000 MW and is even supplying electricity to neighbouring states. Under the new Industrial Policy, Memorandums of Understanding worth INR 3.50 lakh crore have been signed in the energy sector, and the state's generation capacity is set to rise further.
Expressing confidence, CM Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Chhattisgarh will emerge as the number one state in power generation in the country. He urged citizens to take full advantage of the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and contribute actively towards clean energy goals.
During the programme, Class 12 student Pratham Soni from Rajnandgaon shared his views on the importance of solar energy and the government's initiatives to promote it. The Chief Minister also released two publications — Impact of Distributed Renewable Energy on Grid Stability and the Agrivoltaics Performer Handbook, offering insights into integrating agriculture with solar energy.
Outstanding vendors who contributed to the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme were felicitated. The event was attended by MLA Motilal Sahu, MLA Purandar Mishra, CREDA Chairman Bhupendra Savanni, Energy Department Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav, CREDA CEO Rajesh Rana, President of the Indian Solar Energy Federation Suman Kumar, Managing Directors of state power companies, and a large number of solar energy consumers.
(ANI)