The East Singhbhum administration in Jamshedpur is set to officially launch the ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on Monday, marking a significant step towards promoting renewable energy in the region. The initiative will involve a unique competition among selected villages to achieve the highest solar power installation capacity.
The Great Solar Village Challenge
A district-level committee has meticulously chosen 10 villages, each boasting a population of more than 5,000 residents, from seven different blocks to participate in this green energy drive. These identified blocks will now compete against each other for the prestigious Model Solar Village (MSV) recognition.
The competitive challenge period is scheduled to last for six months, commencing on December 1, 2025, and concluding on May 31, 2026. During this half-year, extensive awareness campaigns focused on the government's various solar energy programs will be conducted in the participating villages. The primary goal is to motivate local residents to adopt renewable energy by installing devices like rooftop solar panels.
Roadmap to a Clean and Green Future
Officials have emphasized that public representatives and administrators must play a pivotal role in fostering an environment of healthy competition among the villagers. Deputy Commissioner Karna Satyarthi, who chaired a crucial meeting with officials on Saturday, laid out a clear directive.
He instructed the development cell in-charge and the Block Development Officers (BDOs) of the concerned blocks to immediately organize gram sabha meetings. The purpose of these gatherings is to widely disseminate information about the PM Surya scheme. "Detailed information about the model solar village scheme, such as the selection process, subsidy, and application process, should be provided to residents of identified villages," Satyarthi stated.
Furthermore, officials have been tasked with informing villagers about other parallel solar programs, including the PM Kusum Yojana. A comprehensive action plan is also to be prepared for installing solar street lights and rooftop solar panels on government buildings. This includes a sub-plan for implementing the solar power irrigation scheme and solar high mast lights under the PM Kusum scheme.
The Grand Prize and Ultimate Goal
At the end of the six-month challenge, the village that achieves the highest installation capacity of solar energy devices will be declared the winner. The reward for this remarkable achievement is a substantial cash prize of Rs 1 crore, awarded in recognition of their commitment to clean energy.
The underlying vision, as articulated by the Deputy Commissioner, is to have a clear-cut and time-bound action plan for the effective installation of solar power projects. This concerted effort is designed to propel the entire district towards the ultimate objective of achieving clean and green villages, reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development for the communities in East Singhbhum.
