Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 22: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to launch a focused rooftop solar drive in organized industrial estates by leveraging central MSME schemes.
The body said idle rooftops in industrial areas can be converted into power-generating assets to promote sustainability and energy self-reliance in the Union Territory.
FCIK suggested using the Integrated Infrastructure Development component of the Micro and Small Enterprises–Cluster Development Programme of the Union Ministry of MSME.
It said rooftop solar systems can be treated as a “Common Facility” for industrial estates, making them eligible for up to 60 percent funding from the Government of India.
The federation added that this support can be aligned with the J&K Industrial Policy 2021–30, which provides 100 percent subsidy for alternative power solutions like generators, thereby reducing the financial burden on the Government.
The federation said solarisation of industrial rooftops would reduce the power subsidy burden on the UT Government and help curb Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses by promoting localised generation and consumption.
It added that producing electricity at the point of use would reduce dependence on power procured from outside and strengthen energy security in J&K.
FCIK also appreciated the Kashmir Small Scale Industrial Association, Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan, Srinagar, for engaging NIT Srinagar to prepare a detailed project report for a rooftop solar power system as a common facility in the industrial estate.
It said the Ministry of MSME has agreed in principle to the proposal and sought confirmation from KPDCL regarding power off-take and operational issues.
With KPDCL conveying its consent, the proposal has been taken up with the Industries and Commerce Department for preparation of the final DPR under MSE-CDP guidelines.
FCIK has recommended adopting the Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan Industrial Estate project as a test case and said the model can later be replicated in other industrial estates across J&K to promote green and sustainable industrial growth.
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