Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday said Bihar would provide additional financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Centre’s PM Surya Ghar scheme, offering Rs10,000 for a 1-kW solar plant and Rs20,000 for 2-kW and 3-kW plants, over and above the central subsidy.Choudhary, who inaugurated several energy department initiatives and launched the Mukhyamantri Solar Protsahan Yojana, said Bihar’s power demand had risen sharply and the state would develop infrastructure capable of handling 20,000 MW over the next five years. He stressed the need to strengthen generation, transmission, distribution, grids and storage facilities.The CM provided additional state assistance to 25,000 beneficiaries during the programme and flagged off nine ‘Solar Raths’ for a statewide awareness campaign. He also interacted through videoconferencing with beneficiaries in Supaul, Nalanda and Munger.An MoU was signed between power distribution companies and Jeevika to promote solar energy with the assistance of Jeevika Didis. Choudhary also announced incentives for local bodies promoting solar energy. A high-performing panchayat will receive Rs1 lakh, while a municipal corporation will get Rs1 lakh, a municipal council Rs75,000 and a nagar panchayat Rs50,000.He urged electricity department officials and staff to visit villages and spread awareness about solar schemes and their benefits.Choudhary said Bihar had around 2.22 crore electricity connections, including 1.94 crore domestic connections. The state govt spends around Rs23,000 crore annually on electricity subsidies, with agricultural subsidies accounting for nearly Rs5,000 crore.He also announced plans to make agricultural feeders fully solar-powered within two years, enabling farmers to receive solar-generated electricity from 6am to 6pm. He directed the energy department to prepare a detailed action plan.
