CM Inaugurates 500-kW Solar Power Project in Mamlig Under Green Panchayat Scheme; Village to Earn Rs. 14 Lakh Annually.
CM Sukhu says government is committed to providing urban-standard amenities in villages; project to promote clean energy, rural development and social welfare.
Shimla:
In a significant step towards promoting renewable energy and strengthening the rural economy, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday virtually inaugurated a 500-kilowatt ground-mounted solar power project in Gram Panchayat Mamlig of Solan district under the Green Panchayat Scheme.
Constructed at a cost of Rs. 2 crore, the solar power plant marks an important milestone in the state’s efforts to achieve sustainable development while empowering village panchayats financially. The project’s construction commenced on December 23, 2024, and it was successfully connected to the electricity grid on February 24, 2026.
Addressing the gathering from Shimla, the Chief Minister said the project is currently generating approximately 3,000 units of clean electricity every day and is expected to produce nearly eight lakh units annually. Under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) will procure the electricity at Rs. 3.50 per unit, ensuring a steady source of clean energy while generating long-term revenue for the state.
Highlighting the project’s unique feature, Sukhu said the solar power plant follows a people-centric revenue-sharing model designed to directly benefit local communities. According to the revenue distribution plan, 25 percent of the income generated from the project will be utilised for developmental works in Gram Panchayat Mamlig, while another 25 percent will be spent on the welfare of orphans and widows. The state government and HIMURJA will receive 20 percent each, whereas the remaining 10 percent will be earmarked for the operation and maintenance of the plant.
The Chief Minister said the Gram Panchayat is expected to earn nearly Rs. 14 lakh annually, providing it with a sustainable source of income for local development initiatives.
Describing the project as a model of clean energy generation, environmental conservation, rural development and social welfare, Sukhu said the solar plant, with an operational lifespan of 25 years, would contribute significantly towards achieving the state’s renewable energy goals while making village panchayats more financially self-reliant.
He said the state government is committed to strengthening the rural economy and that establishing solar power projects in panchayats is a crucial step in that direction. Referring to other welfare initiatives, the Chief Minister said the government has already introduced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown agricultural produce and is providing the highest support price for milk in the country. He reiterated that the government’s vision is to ensure that people living in villages have access to facilities and services comparable to those available in urban areas.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, who attended the inauguration ceremony at Mamlig, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for dedicating the project to the people. He said the present government has undertaken significant reforms in the education and healthcare sectors under Sukhu’s leadership.
Dr. Shandil stated that more than 80 percent of doctors’ posts in government health institutions have now been filled, while vacancies for paramedical staff and technicians have also been addressed. He added that government hospitals across Himachal Pradesh are now equipped with advanced medical facilities, including MRI services, 3-Tesla MRI scanners and robotic surgery, which were earlier available only in major metropolitan hospitals.
The minister also highlighted the state government’s intensified campaign against drug abuse and appealed to people from all sections of society to actively support the initiative to eliminate the menace of ‘chitta’ from Himachal Pradesh.
Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania was also present in Shimla during the virtual inauguration ceremony.
