Uttarakhand launches Solar Scheme to address Unemployment and Power Crisis

To foster per-capita income and engage employment in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat announces a unique five kilowatt solar energy plant. Benefiting 10 hill districts of the state, the state government announced a state-sponsored scheme ‘Suryouday Swarojgar Yojna’.

Talking on the intiative, Rawat said beneficiaries of the scheme would be given 90% subsidy to each person to purchase the plant worth Rs.3.50 lakh for the purpose. "Under the scheme, while 90% of the total instrument's cost will be borne by state government, 10% is to be paid by the beneficiary. State government will also get the amount equivalant to 10% of the its total cost as loan from the district cooperative bank and other banks," said Rawat.

"This scheme will not help consumers to their power needs, but will also allow them to sell power to Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) that is left after fulfilling their power needs." According to experts, the scheme may help each beneficiary earn an amount of Rs.25,000/- per month initially”, said a senior official.

Women self-help groups will be given priority in using the scheme. "As villagers will be allowed to sell the remaining quota of power generated through the scheme, they will be paid the genuine cost of the power through these women self-help groups," said Bhagwati Devi, member of woman self-help group, Mahila Mangal Dal, at Pokhri block in Chamoli district.