The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to relax the income criterion under the Mukhyamantri Gram Solar Yojana to expand the scheme’s coverage to more gram panchayats. The move is expected to enable 755 additional gram panchayats to receive the benefits of the scheme for installing solar-powered lights.
The government has set a target of covering 1,500 gram panchayats under the scheme during the current financial year. However, under the existing eligibility criterion, only 745 gram panchayats were meeting the prescribed requirements. The government is now preparing to bring another 755 gram panchayats within the scheme’s ambit.
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to expand the coverage of the Mukhyamantri Gram Solar Yojana to provide solar lighting in village streets and roads. A large number of gram panchayats were unable to benefit from the scheme because of the existing eligibility rules. The decision to relax the prescribed income criterion is expected to enable 755 additional gram panchayats to be included.
During the current financial year, the government has set a target of providing the scheme’s benefits to 1,500 gram panchayats across the state. Selected gram panchayats are to receive government assistance for installing solar-powered lights. The scheme provides for expanding lighting facilities at public places and on roads in rural areas, while also promoting the use of solar energy.
Under the Mukhyamantri Gram Solar Yojana, priority was so far being given to gram panchayats with an annual income of at least Rs 25,000. Based on this criterion, only 745 of the state’s total 57,694 gram panchayats were meeting the prescribed requirements for the scheme this year.
For the current financial year, the government has set a target of including 20 gram panchayats from each district under the scheme. Accordingly, 1,500 gram panchayats across the state are to receive its benefits. However, the income-based eligibility requirement had resulted in the number of eligible panchayats falling short of the target.
In view of this, the department has decided to modify the income criterion. The government has said that the required relaxation in the rules will enable gram panchayats that need essential public facilities in rural areas but do not meet the prescribed income limit to benefit from the scheme.
Under the Mukhyamantri Gram Solar Yojana, eligible gram panchayats are to receive government assistance of Rs 5 lakh for installing solar-powered lights. The funds will be used to provide solar lighting in village streets, roads and other required locations.
The scheme aims to improve lighting facilities in rural areas, reduce dependence on conventional electricity and promote renewable energy. Solar-powered lights can also help control electricity consumption in rural areas.
Departmental Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has directed that the minimum annual income criterion of Rs 25,000 be relaxed to enable the 755 gram panchayats to receive the benefits of the scheme. The move could enable panchayats that remained outside the existing eligibility criteria to be included in the scheme.
The government’s target is to provide the scheme’s benefits to 1,500 gram panchayats during the current financial year. Following the relaxation of the income criterion, the remaining eligible panchayats can also be included in the scheme, expanding solar-powered street lighting across rural areas.
