PM Surya Ghar: MNRE Clarifies On CFA Aid To Housing Societies

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has now tried to clarify on the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) support under PM Surya Ghar for housing societies. The ministry dded a clause to provide Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to residential consumers benefiting from the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY), especially the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Group Housing Societies (GHSs). Through this notification, the MNRE aims to offer CFA support to Apartment Owner Associations (AOAs), Cooperative Housing Societies, and similar entities responsible for the overall maintenance and upkeep of common facilities.

In its latest amendment, MNRE added Clause 5(f), which clarifies that the provision applies exclusively to common facilities and must not be utilized to supply electricity to individual residential consumers within the GHS/RWA. The amendment specifies that CFA support is available to entities created by residents for the maintenance and upkeep of common facilities. These entities may be referred to using various terminologies, such as Apartment Owner Associations (AOAs) and Cooperative Housing Societies.

Benefits Under The Scheme

The notification also stated, “Representations have been received regarding the subsidy disbursal for rooftop installations on residential projects, where common areas are being serviced directly by real estate promoters/developers in the absence of any constituted RWA/GHS. It is clarified that CFA support under the Group Housing/RWA segment can be provided to such developers/promoters directly, subject to the submission of an undertaking that the rooftop solar asset supported under PMSG: MBY will be handed over to the GHS/RWA/AOAs/Cooperative Housing Society or any other collective created by residents for overall maintenance whenever such a collective is established.”

The regulation mandates that developers/promoters submit an undertaking to pass on the benefits of the rooftop solar subsidy to the residents through reduced charges or tariffs for common facilities.