RWAs raise policy gaps as authorities outline faster subsidy processing, lower costs and improved services

Stakeholders of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSS) met in the city on Monday to review adoption levels, consumer benefits and procedural bottlenecks in rooftop solar deployment. The meeting, held at the Sangam Auditorium, MGSIPA, Sector 26, drew 80 members from residents’ welfare associations, along with representatives from two major federations, Federation of Sector Welfare Associations Chandigarh and Chandigarh Residents Associations Welfare Federation.

The session was chaired by Saurabh Kumar, secretary, science and technology and renewable energy. The panel included director, science and technology and renewable energy, Navneet Kumar Srivastava, and director, Chandigarh Pollution Control and Development Laboratory, Arun Verma.

Officials from Chandigarh Renewable Energy Science and Technology Promotion Society and Chandigarh Pollution Control and Development Laboratory presented features of the scheme and detailed measures introduced to simplify procedures and expedite subsidy disbursal. They reported that 148 of 673 beneficiaries recorded zero electricity bills in the first nine months of the year under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.

Presentations outlined data on financial and consumer gains, including a payback period of less than five years and long-term cost savings. Agencies highlighted time-bound processing through the national portal, subsidy benefits, negative billing and bank-unit settlement, with 20 per cent of consumers already receiving zero bills. Other measures include waiver of meter testing fees, digital signing of power purchase agreements, shorter inspection schedules and expanded consumer services.

Civil society representatives raised structural and administrative hurdles affecting adoption. A key concern relates to the Chandigarh Housing Board roof-right norms, which currently limit rooftop installations across an estimated 60,000 flats. Participants sought policy intervention to allow installations on these properties.

Concerns were also raised over acceptance of power of attorney and other alternate documents for approvals, with residents urging clarity to prevent delays.

Officials said the feedback would be reviewed as part of ongoing efforts to increase uptake and streamline processes under the scheme.