200 Free Units for AAY Households in J&K Yet to Start; Bids Under Evaluation

200 units of free electricity a month for eligible Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households in Jammu and Kashmir is yet to be implemented, the Power Development Department said while answering Un-Starred Assembly Question No. 1/6/285 raised by Balwant Singh Mankotia.

The scheme will work through a Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, with solar systems put up on rooftops of eligible AAY consumers. JPDCL opened bids for Jammu Division on 29 August 2026, and KPDCL opened bids for Kashmir Division on 3 September 2026. Bids are being evaluated.

The annual cost is estimated at Rs 130.87 crore, worked out from 222,568 AAY consumers and a tariff of Rs 2.45 per unit for 200 units.

Government said the free electricity scheme and the recent power tariff change are two different matters. The tariff change comes under the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC).