Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has no plans to provide 300 units of free electricity to consumers, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo informed the Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to a question from BJD legislator Sarada Prasad Nayak, Singh Deo, who holds the Energy portfolio, said households can instead opt for rooftop solar panels under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to reduce their power bills.
The statement comes amid opposition criticism that the BJP had failed to fulfill its election promise of free electricity.
The Deputy CM clarified that consumers can install solar plants up to 3 kW capacity with subsidies—Rs 78,000 from the Centre and Rs 60,000 from the state. This could help households generate around 300 units of solar power monthly, he said.
The state has allocated Rs 1,800 crore for the scheme over three years, starting 2024-25. So far, 97,128 people have applied, with solar panels installed in 3,124 homes, he added.
Singh Deo pointed out that wider use of solar power would help ease power shortages and reduce load shedding in the state.
