Shimla: State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has announced the initiation of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start Up Yojna, Phase (II).'

 This program aims to set up Solar Power Projects (SPPs) for youth aged 21 to 45, aligning with the government's clean energy goals.

The scheme focuses on installing SPPs with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 500 kW, contributing significantly to the state's renewable energy targets.

This initiative not only offers self-employment opportunities but also promotes economic growth among the youth.

Under the scheme, participants will receive a monthly income of around Rs 20,000 for 25 years for a 100 kW project on three bighas of land.

For projects with capacities of 200 kW and 500 kW on five and ten bighas of land, beneficiaries will receive Rs 40,000 and one lakh per month, respectively.

Beneficiaries need to pay only a 10% security deposit, with the government facilitating a 70% bank loan and providing 30% equity.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the launch of 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' from January 8, 2024, statewide. This initiative involves interactions with beneficiaries of government schemes in clusters of villages.

Public Reaction:

Government's solar scheme faces legal ambiguity as ancestral lands, often jointly owned through generations, pose a significant hurdle.

The lack of clarity on whether the land must be registered in the name of the concerned youth creates a tangible obstacle.

The prevailing scenario reveals that those in possession or cultivating the land may not be the rightful owners, given the intricate web of shareholders within the family tree.

The government must urgently devise a strategy to address the problems solar initiative faces.

-(Manoj Kumar, Shimla based expert)