Which benefit is NOT included in 'PM – Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana'?
AIncreased use of renewable energy
BFree electricity for households
CReduced electricity costs for the government
DReduced electricity costs for the private sector
Answer:
D. Reduced electricity costs for the private sector
Read Explanation:
PM – Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Overview
Scheme Objectives:
- To provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to eligible households.
- To promote the installation of rooftop solar (RTS) systems across India.
- To reduce electricity bills for consumers and contribute to environmental sustainability.
- To boost the green jobs sector in the renewable energy domain.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Subsidies: The scheme offers substantial subsidies for installing rooftop solar systems. The subsidy amount varies based on the system's capacity (1 kW to 3 kW and above 3 kW).
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA): Provided by the central government to offset the upfront cost of solar installations.
- Interest-Free Loans: For systems with capacities above 3 kW, citizens can avail of interest-free loans to finance their installations.
- National Portal: A dedicated portal simplifies the application process for subsidies and approvals.
- Electricity Generation: Households can generate their own electricity, reducing reliance on grid power.
- Net Metering: Excess electricity generated can be exported to the grid, earning credits or payments.
- Environmental Impact: Contributes to reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Primarily targets residential consumers across India.
- Focus on households that consume up to 300 units of electricity per month.
Exclusions:
- This scheme is specifically designed for the residential sector and does not directly offer benefits or subsidies for commercial or industrial consumers (private sector).
- The primary goal is to provide 'Muft Bijli' (free electricity) up to a certain limit to households, not to subsidize energy costs for businesses.
Financial Outlay:
- The Union Cabinet has approved an expenditure of ₹75,021 crore for the scheme, with ₹30,000 crore allocated for subsidies.
- The scheme is expected to benefit over 1 crore households.
