PIB hosts Varta on PM Surya Ghar scheme at Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express / PIB
Thoubal, July 29 2026:
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Regional Office, Imphal, organised a one-day media workshop (Varta) on the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana at Kshetri Shanglen, Thoubal, on Tuesday, with the objective of equipping media professionals with comprehensive information on the flagship rooftop solar scheme.
The workshop was part of PIB's outreach initiative highlighting the achievements of the Government of India over the past 12 years and aimed at enhancing public awareness and encouraging wider participation in the scheme.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr Engam Pame, Additional Director General, PIB, RO Imphal; Sh Niti Devi, General Manager (RE), MSPDCL; Nongthombam Pumima Devi, Manager (Electrical), MSPDCL; Moirangthem Rustum Singh, Assistant Director, Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Field Office Chandel; and Pushpa Maibam, Media and Communication Officer, PIB, RO Imphal.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr Engam Pame stressed the crucial role of the media in connecting citizens with government welfare and development programmes.
Describing journalists as "agents of change", he urged them to support the vision of Viksit Bharatta 2047 through informed and responsible journalism.
He said the media has a vital responsibility to create awareness and empower citizens with accurate information, while emphasising that the success of Viksit Bharat@2047 depends on collective public participation.
MSPDCL General Manager (RE) Niti Devi said such workshops play an important role in enhancing public awareness of the PM Surya Ghar scheme, which she described as a transformative initiative promoting clean energy adoption and reducing dependence on conventional thermal power generation.
She added that rooftop solar installations can help households reduce electricity bills while contributing to environmental sustainability by lowering carbon emissions.
Earlier, PIB Media and Communication Officer Pushpa Maibam delivered the keynote address and highlighted the changes witnessed across various sectors over the past 12 years.
She attributed the progress to people-centric governance, greater transparency, inclusivity and improved accessibility to public services.
During the technical session, MSPDCL officials briefed the participants on the implementation status of the scheme in Manipur, including its objectives, implementation process, financial incentives and district-wise progress.
The officials informed participants that although the scheme was launched nationally in February 2024, it was launched in Manipur in July 2024 and is being implemented by MSPDCL.
So far, 3,223 applications for rooftop solar installations have been received across the State, of which 1,557 installations have been completed, recording a conversion rate of around 48 per cent.
Imphal West and Imphal East districts accounted for more than 80 per cent of the total applications received in the State.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are entitled to Central Financial Assistance of Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW system, Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW system and Rs 78,000 to Rs 85,800 for systems of 3 kW or above.
Officials also informed that applicants can avail themselves of bank loans of up to Rs 2 lakh at an interest rate of 6-7 per cent for 3 kW rooftop solar systems without any CIBIL score requirement or processing fee.
Applications can be submitted through the official PM Surya Ghar Portal.
The technical presentations were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which officials addressed queries from journalists and clarified various aspects of the scheme.
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Moirangthem Rustum Singh, Assistant Director, Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Field Office Chandel.
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