JALANDHAR – In a major push toward rural infrastructure and renewable energy, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora announced the launch of the ‘Mukham Mantri Roshan Punjab’ scheme. The project, backed by a ₹550 crore investment, aims to install over 3 lakh solar lights across 13,000 villages to bolster public safety and modernise the state’s rural landscape.
Speaking to reporters in Jalandhar following a Cabinet meeting, Arora—who holds portfolios including New and Renewable Energy, IT, and Employment Generation—emphasized that the initiative is designed to provide security for women and children navigating village roads at night.
Phase 1 and Strategic Deployment
The project is scheduled to commence in June. The first phase will prioritize high-traffic and sensitive areas to ensure maximum community impact:
-
Educational Institutions: Ensuring safe passage for students.
-
Religious Sites: Providing illumination for early morning and late evening prayers.
-
Village Squares: Enhancing social hubs and public safety.
-
Arterial Roads: Lighting the main entrances and exits of every village.
Accountability Through Technology
To avoid the pitfalls of previous administrations—where many lights fell into disrepair—the Punjab government is introducing a digital monitoring system.
-
QR Code Integration: Every solar pole will feature a unique QR code linked to a central command center in Chandigarh.
-
7-Year Maintenance: The state has mandated a seven-year repair agreement with service providers.
-
The 72-Hour Rule: In a strict move toward accountability, companies will face financial penalties if reported malfunctions are not resolved within 72 hours.
Funding and Energy Expansion
The financial burden will be shared between the state and local governance, with the Punjab Government contributing 70% of the costs and Village Panchayats covering the remaining 30% through their own funds.
Arora further updated the public on the state’s broader green energy goals:
-
Agriculture: Over 6,000 solar-powered pumps have been successfully deployed.
-
Grid Capacity: The PSPCL has floated tenders to procure 500 MW of solar power to diversify the state’s energy mix.
Political Sparring and Legal Reform
The Minister took the opportunity to address recent political friction, specifically targeting State BJP President Sunil Jakhar. Arora accused Jakhar of “misleading the public” and demanded an apology for recent statements regarding elected MLAs. He contrasted the current administration’s proactive approach with previous governments, claiming they left behind over 1.4 lakh unusable or damaged lights.
New Laws on Sacrilege
On the legislative front, Arora announced that the government would bring a stringent law to the Vidhan Sabha to prevent the sacrilege of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other holy scriptures. This proposed law will fix responsibility for the printing, preservation, and maintenance of sacred forms in both religious institutions and private homes to prevent anti-social elements from provoking religious sentiments.
Leave a Reply