MC Explains: Govt’s new solar scheme worth Rs 515 crore for tribal areas

tribes of India

The government of India, on January 4, unveiled a new solar scheme for particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) programme.

Launched on November 15, 2023, the PM-JANMAN initiative aims to provide essential amenities such as secure housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, improved access to education, health, and nutrition, enhanced road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities to PVTG households and habitats. An allocation of Rs 15,000 crore has been made for the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) to implement this mission. It concentrates on 11 critical interventions overseen by nine ministries.

What is the new solar scheme?

Of the 11 interventions, two pertain to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). One of these pertains to the electrification of one lakh un-electrified households through off-grid solar systems in PVTG areas where electricity supply through the grid is not techno-economically feasible. The second provides for solar lighting in 1,500 multi-purpose centres in PVTG areas where electricity through the grid is not available.

The solar scheme will be implemented in areas identified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) that are located in 18 states and Union Territories (UTs). These are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and the UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The scheme will be effective through the financial years 2023-24 to 2025-26.

How much money is being allocated for the solar scheme?

The total outlay for the solar scheme is set at Rs 515 crore. It will be disbursed over three years: Rs 20 crore in the current fiscal year (2023-24), Rs 255 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 240 crore in 2025-26.

“The funds for the program will be sourced from MNRE's Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes… Besides, a separate budget line, PM-JANMAN, has been opened for this purpose,” reads the document for the new solar scheme, which was released on January 4 after receiving the President’s assent.

Of the Rs 515 crore, the government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for the electrification of households. Here, the financial assistance for each household will be either Rs 50,000 or the actual cost of the system.

For solar lighting in 1,500 multipurpose centres, the government has budgeted Rs 15 crore. Each centre will be given Rs 1 lakh.

Why is the scheme needed?

According to the 2011 census, India has a Scheduled Tribe (ST) population of 10.45 crore, with 75 communities across 18 states and the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands identified as PVTGs. These PVTGs continue to grapple with vulnerabilities in social, economic, and educational domains.

Until now, households in PVTGs have not had proper access to basic infrastructure because of distance, a lack of roads, and digital connectivity. The initiative aims to provide basic facilities at their doorstep.