Chief Minister Attends Closing Ceremony of Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association’s Two-Day ‘Samvad’ Programme
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 23, 2026: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the closing ceremony of the two-day ‘Samvad’ programme organised by the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association at Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur on August 23. He said solar energy is the energy of the future and Chhattisgarh is rapidly moving towards becoming one of the country’s leading states in the sector. The state has set a target to install solar panels in 5 lakh homes by March 2027.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is rapidly expanding clean and green energy. Chhattisgarh is also harnessing its solar potential to strengthen energy self-reliance and environmental conservation. He said the ‘Samvad’ programme, which brought together solar industry players, vendors, banking institutions, women self-help groups and other stakeholders onto a common platform, would help accelerate the sector’s growth through the exchange of experiences and suggestions.
The Chief Minister said that energy is fundamental to development, and that Chhattisgarh is already a major power-producing state, generating around 30,000 MW of electricity. MoUs worth approximately Rs. 3.50 lakh crore have been signed in the energy sector, with the potential to add nearly 30,000 MW of generation capacity in the coming years.
*4,000 MW Green Energy Target to Support Carbon-Neutral India
Highlighting the importance of renewable energy, Shri Sai said greater use of solar power will reduce dependence on fossil fuels, protect the environment and conserve natural resources for future generations. In line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal of making India a net-zero carbon-emissions nation by 2070, Chhattisgarh has set a target to generate 4,000 MW of green energy in the coming years.
*Five Lakh Homes to Be Covered under Solar Energy by March 2027
The Chief Minister said the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has enabled households to become both energy producers and consumers. Nearly 95,000 homes in Chhattisgarh have already been equipped with rooftop solar systems, against the target of five lakh homes by March 2027.
He said the Central Government provides a subsidy of Rs. 30,000 and the State Government Rs. 15,000 for a 1-kW solar system. For a 3-kW system, a total subsidy of approximately Rs. 1.08 lakh is available. In District Mineral Foundation (DMF) areas, provision has also been made to meet the differential subsidy amount through DMF funds, making solar installations more accessible to families.
*Solar Energy Creating New Livelihood Opportunities for Women
Chief Minister Shri Sai said solar expansion is also generating employment and self-employment opportunities. Women from self-help groups are emerging as solar vendors and installing systems at beneficiaries’ homes. During the programme, he interacted with women vendors and appreciated their work as an example of a changing and self-reliant Chhattisgarh.
He said more than 30 lakh women are associated with 2.82 lakh self-help groups in the state, while over 13 lakh have become Lakhpati Didis. Connecting women with emerging sectors such as solar energy, he said, will further expand opportunities for entrepreneurship and income generation.
MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal emphasised expanding solar energy in homes and agriculture to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. He noted that nearly 2.5 lakh irrigation pumps in Chhattisgarh are already solar-powered and said further expansion would benefit farmers while reducing energy costs.
MLA Shri Purandar Mishra urged citizens to make the most of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and promote rooftop solar adoption.
Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association President Shri Santosh Mishra said ‘Samvad’ had brought key stakeholders onto a common platform and would help create new opportunities for investment, employment and entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.
*Chief Minister Visits Solar Industry Stalls
Chief Minister Shri Sai visited stalls set up by the solar industry and gathered information on solar panels, equipment, emerging technologies, and facilities available to beneficiaries. He also felicitated institutions, banks and individuals for outstanding contributions to the solar energy sector.
The Chief Minister released the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association directory, containing contact details of association office-bearers and vendors across the state, along with information on government energy schemes.
Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Managing Director Shri Bhim Singh Kanwar, office-bearers of the Chhattisgarh Solar Welfare Association, industrialists, solar vendors, bank officials, women self-help group members and a large number of citizens were present on the occasion.
