Muralidhar Mohol Kicks Off Solar Chariot Drive for 25 Years of Free Electricity Under PM Suryaghar Scheme
Pune, 19th January 2025: Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol inaugurated the Solar Chariot on Sunday to officially launch the Prime Minister Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme, which promises to provide free electricity for up to 25 years.
Mohol commended the initiative by Mahavitaran or the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and encouraged electricity consumers to participate, highlighting the scheme’s potential to eliminate household electricity bills.
The inauguration ceremony, held at Pandavnagar, was attended by dignitaries, including MLA Siddharth Shirole, Chief Engineer of Mahavitaran Rajendra Pawar, Superintendent Engineer Sinhajirao Gaikwad, President of the Maharashtra Solar Manufacturers Association (MASMA) Shashikant Wakade, and Treasurer Sameer Gandhi.
The PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme offers households the opportunity to receive 120 to 360 units of free electricity per month. This is made possible through a subsidized solar power generation system with a capacity of 1 to 3 kW installed on rooftops. Consumers benefit from direct subsidies of ₹30,000 for one kilowatt, ₹60,000 for two kilowatts, and up to ₹78,000 for three kilowatts or more. Additionally, housing societies and complexes, along with electric vehicle charging stations, are eligible for a subsidy of ₹18,000 per kilowatt, with a maximum limit of ₹90 lakh for systems up to 500 kilowatts.
To raise awareness, a five-day Solar Chariot campaign has been organized in collaboration with Mahavitaran and MASMA. The Solar Chariot will travel across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad until Thursday, January 23, providing consumers with detailed information about the scheme. Equipped with digital screens and leaflets, the chariot showcases the benefits of the scheme, subsidy details, and step-by-step demonstrations for online applications.
During the event, Minister Mohol handed over subsidy approval certificates to several beneficiaries of the scheme, including Satish Athawale, Anand Deshpande, Shubhangi Balasaheb Deshmukh, Rishikesh Society, Tushar Gaikwad, Hemant Lohkare, and Subhash Lad. The event was coordinated by Executive Engineer Vijay Funde, with support from other officials, including Executive Engineer Shekhar Murkute, Somnath Munde, Atul Devkar, and Senior Manager (Finance) Rahul Pawar.
Speaking at the event, Mohol said, “This scheme empowers households and housing societies to generate clean energy while reducing their electricity bills to zero. I urge all electricity consumers to take full advantage of this initiative.”
The launch witnessed a large turnout of officials, MASMA representatives, and citizens eager to learn more about this groundbreaking scheme, aimed at promoting solar energy and contributing to a sustainable future.
