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In a significant move towards sustainable development, the President has given the green light for the initiation of a groundbreaking solar power scheme aimed at uplifting particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) habitations and villages under the umbrella of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN). This visionary initiative, slated to be implemented from 2023-24 to 2025-26, holds the promise of illuminating 100,000 un-electrified households (HH) in PVTG areas across 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has meticulously identified these PVTG areas in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. The primary focus is on areas where supplying electricity through the conventional grid is not deemed technologically or economically feasible.
Funds for this transformative endeavor will be drawn from the DAPST allocation of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), with an overall approved financial outlay of ?515 crores. A dedicated budget line, PM JANMAN, has been established to ensure the seamless implementation of this crucial initiative.
The financial breakdown for the years 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 stands at ?20 crores, ?255 crores, and ?240 crores, respectively. These allocations underline the government’s commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions to marginalized communities.
The scheme’s implementation will commence upon the issuance of administrative approvals, as detailed in the guidelines, and has been sanctioned with the power delegated to the ministry, with the concurrence of the IFD, on January 4, 2024.
Delving into the technical aspects, the scheme aims to electrify 100,000 PVTG households through off-grid solar power. This will be achieved through the installation of Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHLS) for scattered un-electrified households in PVTG areas. Each SHLS, equipped with LED bulbs and fans, will be installed free of cost, with the MNRE providing central financial assistance (CFA) covering the entire cost of the system, including appliances, transportation, installations, on-site comprehensive maintenance services for five years, and applicable taxes. The SHLS will also feature a remote monitoring system to ensure proper functioning and maintenance.
In cases where a cluster of households is located in a PVTG habitation or hamlet, a solar mini-grid of appropriate capacity may be installed, including a battery bank, distribution lines, metering, and other control equipment. The MNRE will extend CFA support limited to ?50,000 per un-electrified household covered under the mini-grid. The mini-grid may operate through the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) mode, with the developer responsible for the operation and maintenance for a minimum period of five years.
Furthermore, the scheme encompasses the solarization of multi-purpose centers (MPCs) where a connection through the main grid is not feasible. This will be achieved by installing off-grid solar power packs with a battery bank, catering to the specific load conditions. The technical specifications and requirements of these solar power packs for MPCs are outlined in the scheme guidelines. The implementation of this solar power scheme under PM JANMAN marks a crucial step towards providing sustainable energy solutions to particularly vulnerable tribal groups, fostering inclusive development, and addressing the energy needs of marginalized communities. The government’s commitment to ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future for these regions is evident through this forward-looking initiative. |
