THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 8, 2026

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo on Wednesday announced that the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana would be integrated with various State housing schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY), to enable beneficiaries to opt for rooftop solar power and access affordable, clean electricity.

"Our aim is to ensure that every beneficiary under PMAY and other housing schemes also gets the benefit of solar power. By attaching PM-Surya Ghar with State housing programmes, we will provide 24x7 clean and affordable electricity to the people while reducing their electricity bills," Singh Deo said while chairing a high-level review meeting on power sector reforms, safety measures and implementation of Central and State schemes.

The meeting was attended by Housing and Urban Development Minister Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, OPTCL CMD Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, S. N. Girish, besides senior officials of the Energy Department and power distribution companies.

Under the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana, beneficiaries installing a 1 KW rooftop solar system in urban areas will receive a Central subsidy of ₹30,000 and an additional State subsidy of ₹25,000, reducing the beneficiary's contribution to ₹1,875, Singh Deo said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said integrating the rooftop solar scheme with PMAY and other State housing programmes would promote renewable energy adoption while ensuring affordable electricity for households.

Reviewing power infrastructure and public safety, Singh Deo directed all four DISCOMs to prioritise measures aimed at improving consumer safety across urban and rural areas.

Among the key decisions taken was the implementation of a ₹3,708-crore underground cabling project across all four DISCOMs to replace overhead electricity lines. The government also decided to prepare a comprehensive Safety Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Odisha's power distribution network.

Other measures include shifting low-hanging power lines, replacing bare conductors with insulated conductors, installing fencing around distribution substations, constructing boundary walls for power substations, providing cradle and guard wires for low-tension line protection, and developing a utility shifting portal along with strengthening LT distribution infrastructure.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation of PM-SGMBY and the ULA Model covering urban and rural electrification works, including electricity poles, household wiring and street-light infrastructure.

Reiterating the State Government's commitment to providing safe, reliable and sustainable power to every household, Singh Deo directed officials to ensure time-bound execution of all infrastructure and safety projects. He also stressed coordinated action among the Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments and power utilities to improve electricity services across the State.