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News India Live, Digital Desk: Nowadays, be it city or village, there is tension about electricity bills everywhere. In such a situation, when ‘PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme’ was announced by the government, it seemed that now the dark nights and huge bills of every village will become history. But the news coming from rural areas of Prayagraj is indicating something else. The surprising thing is that the rural population is not showing the same enthusiasm towards this scheme of free electricity, which was expected by the government.
What is the matter? Why are people shying away?
Although this scheme sounds very magical—”Install panels on the roof and be free from electricity bills for the rest of your life.” But for rural brothers and sisters the matter is not so simple. If we understand the things happening at the village chaupalas, then there are many big problems behind it.
the biggest problem is ‘Startup Money’The government is giving subsidy, but the initial huge amount that has to be spent from the pocket for installing solar panels is like breaking a mountain for a common farmer or laborer, They think that with this much money they can pay the old electricity bill for many years,
lack of trust and lack of information
The villagers have a big question—”What if the panel gets damaged?” They have a deep fear in their mind regarding maintenance and repair. Solar experts are not easily available in the village and people feel that if the system breaks down tomorrow, they will neither be able to stay at home nor at the ghat.
Additionally, roofs on rural homes are not always strong enough to support the weight of heavy solar panels. There are many kutcha houses or such old houses, where security is a big issue.
The method of awareness is old!
The truth is that in cities it is easy to convince people through internet and AIDS, but in the inner villages of Prayagraj, just putting up banners does not work. It is important to have experts at the ground level to make people believe in this technology. They have to be told that this is not an ‘expenditure’ but an ‘investment’. At present, due to paperwork and difficult process, villagers have distanced themselves from this scheme.
Now what next?
Will this plan fail? Probably not. But if the dream of ‘Surya Ghar’ is really to reach every home, then the subsidy will have to be simplified a bit and service centers will have to be created in the villages. Unless people see the meter slowing down in their neighbour’s house, this hesitation in their mind will not go away.
Do you also think that the future of solar in villages is bright? Or does it still need bigger changes? Please give your opinion in comment.