Bhubaneswar, 2 April (H.S.): Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, has ruled out any plans to provide free electricity to consumers in the state.

Responding to a question from BJD legislator Sarada Prasad Nayak of Rourkela during the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Singh Deo clarified that the state government has no proposal to offer up to 300 units of free electricity to households.

However, the Minister highlighted the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana 2024 as an alternative. This scheme allows households to generate their own electricity by installing rooftop solar systems. Under the initiative, both the central and state governments are providing financial assistance of ₹78,000 and ₹60,000, respectively, for each household to set up a 3kW solar power system. Through this, households can produce up to 300 kWh of electricity per month.

Singh Deo further detailed that the Odisha government has allocated ₹1,800 crore for the PM-Surya Ghar scheme over the next three financial years—2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27. The scheme will continue until the end of the 2026-27 financial year.

As of March 24, 2025, a total of 97,128 electricity consumers in Odisha have applied for the scheme, and solar installations have already been completed for 3,124 households. Singh Deo emphasized that this initiative will promote solar energy adoption in the state while addressing issues related to power shortages and load shedding.

In his unstarred question, Nayak had asked the government about its plans for a 300-unit free electricity scheme and requested details about the status of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, including the action plan and timeline for implementation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda