Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Aug: The government has claimed that Mukhyamantri Saur Swarozgar Yojana, launched to connect Uttarakhand’s residents with self‑employment and entrepreneurship, is emerging as a significant initiative in creating new job opportunities while promoting green energy. According to the official data, by June this year, solar plants with a combined capacity of 210 megawatts have been installed, providing employment to more than 3,500 people.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has set a target of developing 250 megawatts of solar capacity under the scheme. The government has also reminded that the local residents are establishing solar plants of 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200 kilowatt capacity, with applicants receiving all the benefits under the MSME Policy 2023. The official figures show that by June 2026, a total of 1,132 solar plants had been set up across the state, with a combined capacity of 2,10,420 kilowatts, equivalent to nearly 210 megawatts, while work on remaining projects is in progress.
Commenting on the development, CM Dhami noted that the Mukhyamantri Saur Swarozgar Yojana is a vital initiative to connect the youth and residents of Uttarakhand with self‑employment. He added that the effort is to expand entrepreneurship and job opportunities locally in sectors such as solar energy. This not only promotes green energy but also strengthens economic activity in hill regions and helps to check migration. Dhami also reminded that the scheme is contributing to both sustainable development and the livelihood generation.
Tehri district has taken the lead with 369 solar plants generating 69,050 kilowatts. In Uttarkashi, 227 plants are producing 43,660 kilowatts, while Champawat has 144 plants with 28,200 kilowatts capacity. Haridwar has 86 plants generating 16,900 kilowatts, Pauri has 88 plants with 15,440 kilowatts, Chamoli has 72 plants producing 11,725 kilowatts and Almora has 32 plants with 5,600 kilowatts capacity. Projects have also been established in Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar.
The scheme is not confined to solar energy production alone but is also seen as a medium to expand self‑employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in rural and hill areas. The projects established under the scheme have provided direct and indirect employment to about 3,500 people, accelerating the local economic activity and raising hopes of reducing migration.
