Mysuru Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has launched a sharp critique against the Karnataka state government, accusing it of showing a severe lack of commitment in rolling out the central government's flagship solar power initiative. The MP alleged that bureaucratic inertia and political disinterest are preventing citizens from accessing the scheme's benefits.
Substantial Subsidies, Sluggish Implementation
Speaking at an awareness event organized by the Indian Solar Association (ISA) in Mysuru, the MP detailed the ambitious scope of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024, the program aims to empower households to generate their own electricity, potentially providing up to 300 units of free power every month.
He highlighted the significant financial incentives provided by the Union government, which include a subsidy of Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, and up to Rs 78,000 for systems between 3 kW and 10 kW. These subsidies are designed to make the installation affordable, with the goal of reducing electricity bills to virtually zero for enrolled families.
Karnataka Lags Behind Neighbouring Tamil Nadu
Expressing deep concern, Yaduveer Wadiyar pointed to the glaring disparity in implementation progress between states. He revealed that while Karnataka has received a substantial 2.22 lakh applications for the scheme, the number of completed installations stands at a mere 10,000.
In a stark contrast, he noted that the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu has successfully installed approximately 32,000 systems from just 93,000 applications. The MP directly attributed Karnataka's poor performance to non-cooperation from state-level officials and an absence of genuine political will to drive the project forward.
Allegations of Deliberate Delay and Apathy
The criticism extended to the apparent indifference shown by the state administration. Yaduveer highlighted the conspicuous absence of senior officials at the ISA's awareness program. He further alleged that the state government had failed to organize even an official district-level launch event for the scheme in Mysuru, signaling a lack of seriousness.
His views were echoed by former MP and ISA president, C Narasimhan. Narasimhan went a step further, alleging that the state government was intentionally slowing down the implementation process to deny political credit for the scheme's success to the Prime Minister and the central government.
Despite the significant hurdles and alleged state-level obstruction, Narasimhan stated that efforts are ongoing. The aim is to persist and eventually bring rooftop solar systems to between 20,000 and 30,000 homes in the Mysuru region, ensuring residents can finally access the promised benefits of clean, free electricity.
