At a time when elections are nearing, the Narendra Modi government has announced a free electricity scheme. But there is a spin. This scheme is oriented towards sustainability rather than being a regular free power scheme announced in the past by Karnataka Congress, Telangana Congress and Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party. The scheme is limited to free solar power.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Modi wrote, "In order to further sustainable development and people’s well-being, we are launching the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. This project, with an investment of over Rs. 75,000 crores, aims to light up 1 crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month."
The scheme is expected to drive consumption pattern changes in the coming decades. "About 3% of all households in India will soon be powered by rooftop solar. If targeted well this can make redundant the various free power schemes being provided by states," wrote Amar Govindarajan.
The PM urged all residential consumers to strengthen the scheme by applying at https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in.
