Odisha Govt Rules Out Free Electricity, Promotes Solar Power Subsidy

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has no plans to provide 300 units of free electricity to consumers, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo clarified in the Assembly on Wednesday. Instead, he urged households to opt for rooftop solar panels under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to reduce their electricity bills.

The Deputy CM’s statement comes amid opposition criticism that the BJP had failed to deliver on its election promise of free electricity. Addressing concerns raised by BJD legislator Sarada Prasad Nayak, Singh Deo emphasized that the government is committed to affordable energy solutions rather than direct subsidies.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, households can install solar power plants up to 3 kW capacity with subsidies amounting to ₹78,000 from the Centre and ₹60,000 from the state. This setup can help generate around 300 units of solar power per month, effectively offsetting power consumption costs.

The Odisha government has allocated ₹1,800 crore for this initiative over three years, starting 2024-25. So far, 97,128 applications have been received, and solar panels have already been installed in 3,124 homes, Singh Deo informed the Assembly.

The Deputy CM also highlighted the long-term benefits of solar energy, stating that widespread adoption of renewable energy would help ease power shortages and reduce load shedding in the state. He urged more consumers to take advantage of the subsidy and shift toward sustainable energy solutions.