SRINAGAR, OCT 3: Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Saturday said that any decision on providing 200 free units of electricity to consumers in Jammu and Kashmir falls within the policy domain of the Union Territory administration, while highlighting rapid expansion in rooftop solar and continued progress on major hydropower projects.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Srinagar, Agarwal said the Union Government’s role in the power sector was distinct from the UT administration’s policy decisions regarding free electricity. His remarks come amid ongoing discussion in J&K over the scope and implementation of the proposed 200-unit electricity benefit.
At the same time, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an initial milestone of 100 MW of rooftop solar capacity, with Agarwal expressing confidence that installations would accelerate as the programme gathers momentum. He was speaking during a visit to a Seva Setu Abhiyan camp under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana at Rajbagh.
The current 200-unit solarisation initiative is linked to eligible Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, rather than a universal entitlement for every household. The proposal covers around 2.23 lakh AAY families, with rooftop solar systems intended to generate up to 200 units a month under the programme.
Agarwal also underlined the Centre’s partnership with Jammu and Kashmir in the hydropower sector through the Chenab Valley Power Corporation Limited, a joint venture involved in major projects in the Chenab basin.
He said work on Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar was progressing well with the cooperation of the UT administration. The projects are expected to strengthen J&K’s power-generation capacity while also contributing to wider electricity requirements.
The Union Power Secretary further said that new hydropower projects, including Sawalkote, are under consideration, with discussions underway to take the project forward.
The developments place rooftop solar and Chenab-basin hydropower at the centre of J&K’s evolving energy strategy, combining decentralised renewable generation with large-scale hydroelectric infrastructure. The 100-MW rooftop solar milestone, ongoing hydropower construction and proposed additional projects indicate parallel efforts to expand the Union Territory’s renewable-energy base.
