The Chhattisgarh Govt has rationalised the relief under its Half Electricity Bill Scheme for domestic consumers by revising the monthly relief limit. Instead of the earlier provision of 400 units per month, the scheme will now provide a 50% relief on electricity consumption up to 100 units per month.
Currently, the state has nearly 45 lakh domestic consumer households, of which 31 lakh households consume less than 100 units per month. This accounts for almost 70% of the total domestic consumers. Therefore, despite the revision, these 31 lakh needy families from general and economically weaker sections will continue to receive the benefits of the scheme as before.
Among these 31 lakh families are 15 lakh Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, which will continue to receive up to 30 units of electricity free of cost. These families will also remain eligible for all other benefits under the Half Electricity Bill Scheme without any change.
The state government is also actively implementing the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, under which consumers installing rooftop solar power plants are eligible for a maximum subsidy of up to ₹1,08,000, jointly provided by the Central and State governments.
Under this scheme, a 1 kilowatt capacity solar plant can generate approximately 120 units of electricity per month, with ₹30,000 from the Centre and ₹15,000 from the State, totaling ₹45,000 in financial support. The consumer needs to bear only around ₹15,000.
Similarly, a 2 kilowatt solar plant can produce approximately 240 units per month, and attracts a total subsidy of ₹90,000 (₹60,000 from Centre + ₹30,000 from State), requiring the consumer to contribute only ₹30,000.
A 3 kilowatt plant can generate around 360 units per month and is supported with ₹78,000 from the Centre and ₹30,000 from the State, making it a total of ₹1,08,000 in aid. In this case, the consumer contribution stands at ₹72,000, which can also be availed through bank loans.
It is noteworthy that consumers installing solar plants of 2 kW capacity or more will be able to produce over 200 units of electricity per month for 25 years, which exceeds the relief (200 units) earlier granted under the 400-unit cap of the Half Bill Scheme. These consumers will not only eliminate their monthly power expenses by using self-generated solar energy but can also feed surplus electricity into the grid and earn additional income.
The PM Surya Ghar Scheme aims to enable consumers with affordable electricity, sustainable savings, and energy self-reliance. Moreover, it is a significant step toward environmental responsibility. As a result, consumers in Chhattisgarh will naturally transition from the Half Electricity Bill Scheme to a ‘Zero Electricity Bill’ model.
The initiative will empower consumers to become self-reliant energy producers (“Urja-Datas”) by generating electricity on their own rooftops. This strategic shift will drive the state towards a future defined by clean energy, economic savings, and self reliance in energy.