The funds allocated for the fiscal year 2023-24 amount to ₹20 crore, with ₹255 crore and ₹240 crore earmarked for the subsequent years, totaling a commitment of ₹515 crore over the three-year period.

New Delhi: The Central government has received the President of India’s approval to implement solar energy projects worth ₹24,104 crore to electrify one lakh households in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) across 18 states, as per the latest order from the ministry of new & . This scheme, part of the Prime Minister’s Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), represents a significant leap towards the goal of sustainable energy access for all.

In a statement released by the ministry, it was detailed that the central government’s share of the investment stands at ₹15,336 crore, with the states contributing ₹8,768 crore. The scheme is set to be rolled out over three years, from 2023-24 to 2025-26, aiming to provide off-grid systems to tribal households in remote areas where traditional electricity infrastructure is not viable.

The funds allocated for the fiscal year 2023-24 amount to ₹20 crore, with ₹255 crore and ₹240 crore earmarked for the subsequent years, totaling a commitment of ₹515 crore over the three-year period.

According to the order, the project includes the installation of 0.3 kW solar off-grid systems priced at ₹50,000 per household, and the introduction of solar street lighting and lighting in 1,500 Multi-Purpose Centres (MPCs) in areas beyond the reach of the conventional grid. The financial outlay for these components is ₹500 crore for the solar systems and ₹15 crore for the MPC lighting facilities.

This initiative is expected to pave the way for India’s energy transformation, particularly in enhancing the living standards of tribal communities through the provision of clean and reliable electricity. The move is also aligned with India’s global commitments to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy mix under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

source : economictimes