Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 March 2025
The Surya Rath, a mobile awareness campaign under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY), was ceremoniously flagged off on 5th March 2025, from the Secretariat in the presence of Hon’ble Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Power) Ms. Smitha R, IAS, and senior officials of the Electricity Department.
The initiative aims to educate the public about the benefits of the Central Government’s solar energy scheme and ensure its reach to eligible beneficiaries across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Launched on February 13, 2024, the PMSG-MBY scheme provides free electricity to households by facilitating the installation of rooftop solar panels. The scheme offers Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of ₹33,000 per kW for capacities up to 2 kW and ₹19,800 per kW for capacities between 2 kW and 3 kW. Additionally, the Union Territory Administration will provide an extra subsidy of ₹45,000 per kW for up to 2 kW capacity and ₹27,000 per kW for capacities between 2 kW and 3 kW. Consumers can apply for the scheme through the PM Surya Ghar portal, with an option for collateral-free loans from nationalised banks.
The Surya Rath will travel across different locations, conducting awareness drives and facilitating on-the-spot registrations for interested consumers. Once rooftop solar panels are installed, the subsidies will be directly credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Consumers who install solar plants will also benefit from a separate solar tariff under regulatory approval, further reducing their electricity expenses.
With a vision of achieving 100% solarisation of households, this initiative is expected to enhance energy security, promote sustainability, and encourage the adoption of solar power across the islands.