Bhubaneswar: The state govt will integrate PM-Surya Ghar Yojana with housing schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), enabling beneficiaries to avail rooftop solar power facilities along with housing assistance, deputy chief minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said on Wednesday.The scheme will remain optional for beneficiaries. “Our aim is to ensure that every beneficiary under PMAY and other housing schemes can also access the benefits of solar power. By linking PM-Surya Ghar with state housing programmes, we aim to provide clean, affordable and round-the-clock electricity while reducing household power bills,” said Singh Deo, who also holds the energy portfolio.Under the scheme, urban beneficiaries installing a 1 KW rooftop solar unit will receive a subsidy of Rs 30,000 from the Centre and Rs 25,000 from the state govt, bringing down their contribution to Rs 1,875.Chairing a high-level review meeting on power sector reforms, safety measures and implementation of central and state schemes, the deputy CM directed distribution companies to prioritise public safety across urban and rural areas.Among key decisions, the govt approved an underground cabling project worth Rs 3,708 crore across all four DISCOM areas to replace overhead power lines. Officials were also asked to prepare a comprehensive safety DPR for electricity distribution infrastructure in the state.Other measures include shifting low-hanging power lines, replacing bare conductors with insulated ones, installing fencing around distribution substations, constructing boundary walls for power infrastructure and providing cradle and guard wires for low-tension line protection.Singh Deo said the state govt is committed to ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable power supply to every household and directed officials to complete all safety and infrastructure projects within stipulated timelines through coordinated efforts of all departments concerned.
