FOR effective implementation of rooftop solar scheme, Maharashtra Government has notified formation of District Level Committees (DLC) that would be headed by the District Collector. The committee’s scope includes convergence between different departments, targeting 100 per cent solar power usage at G ov e r n m e n t offices and most importantly, co-ordination with National Program Implementation Agency (NPIA) among others. Rooftop solar plants have gained popularity post announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the establishment of DLC would hopefully help iron out the deficiencies in scheme implementation vis-a-vis beneficiaries. The field units have been asked to take up constitution of DLC with District Collectors at the earliest. It may be recalled that rooftop solar scheme is sponsored by Central Government and is named PM Surya Ghar Yojana, wherein subsidy is available upto maximum 3 kW for households. A household is entitled for subsidy upto Rs 78,000 though there is no maximum limit for capacity of rooftop installation of solar module. But for practical purpose and to ensure that maximum households are covered and benefited under the scheme, the subsidy is limited to just 3 kW.

 

The limit was also fixed after considering the capacity and load of current power network. Further, maximum households on average can meet their power demand through 3 kW installation. According to the circular issued by MAHAVITARAN, an undertaking of Maharashtra Government, for information of its field officers, mentions about the composition of DLC and outline of their scope of work.The committee would be a nine-member body with District Collector acting as Chairperson. The other members would include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zilla Parishad; Lead District Manager; Superintending Engineer(s); DISCOMs in District; District Manager; Renewable Energy Development Agency (if any); 2 elected representatives from Urban Local Bodies/PRIs nominated by District Magistrate (DM); and three non-official members nominated by Mission Directorate, MNRE. District Unit of State Implementation Agency for PM Surya Ghar: Muft BijleeYojana, is tasked with providing secretarial assistant to DLC. The MAHAVITARAN circular is dated June 11, 2024, and it was released recently postmeeting held at Headquarters wherein the issue of PM Surya Ghar Yojana and its implementation was deliberated upon by the top brass. Officers from all the Circles in Maharashtra attended the meet and discussed how to go about implementation of PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Among the scope outlined for DLC is that they would take periodic review of progress achieved under the Scheme under all components from all departments. Central Government had announced the scheme on February 29 and its target is to install rooftop solar plants on one crore households in the country.

 

Administrative approval for the scheme was granted on March 16, 2024. The Government of India has provided an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore for the scheme. Recently, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Rooftop Solar Division, issued an Office Memorandum, dated May 29, 2024, directinf constitution of DLC. The committee is tasked with overall management of PM- Surya Ghar: Mufti BijliYojana at District level. They also have to co-ordinate between different departments for implementation of the scheme. The committee is also tasked with drawing up action plan for ensuring that rooftops at all Government offices are covered with solar and in time-bound manner. They are also tasked with implementation of Model Solar Village component of the scheme. Similarly, the convergence angle between different department is meant for awareness, capacity building and rooftop solar installation in existing beneficiaries of other Government schemes.