- Chief Minister Sends a Personal Letter (‘Vishnu Ki Paati’) to Farmer Onkar Sahu
- ‘Surya Ghar’ Scheme Reduces Electricity Bill to Zero; Household Now Generates Surplus Power
A heartfelt Diwali message from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has become a special moment for the family of Onkar Sahu, a farmer residing in Kawardha, Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister sent a personal letter—referred to as ‘Vishnu Ki Paati’—to Onkar Sahu, a resident of Ramnagar in Kawardha, who adopted solar energy under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ (Prime Minister’s Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme). In the letter, the Chief Minister commended Sahu for integrating solar energy into his agricultural lifestyle, describing it as a significant step toward economic self-reliance and environmental conservation.
In his letter, the Chief Minister noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘PM Surya Ghar’ scheme is extending the benefits of solar energy to households. He highlighted that the use of clean energy not only leads to financial savings but also contributes to improving the surrounding environment. The Chief Minister also extended his best wishes for the prosperity of Onkar Sahu’s family and a bright future for his children.
- Electricity Bill Reduced to Zero Through Solar Panel Installation
Onkar Sahu, a farmer from Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, installed a 3-kilowatt solar panel system at his home on April 28, 2025, under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.’ The total cost of the installation was ₹1.90 lakh, for which he received a subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh. Sahu shared that prior to installing the solar panels, his monthly electricity bill ranged from approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,500. Now, however, his household’s electricity needs are fully met by solar energy, and his electricity bill has been reduced to zero. Generating More Electricity Than Consumed: ₹9,000 Earned by Supplying to the Grid
Omkar Sahu explains that his solar panels are generating more electricity than his household requires. The surplus power—remaining after his own consumption—is being fed into the electrical grid. In exchange for this excess electricity, he has already earned approximately ₹9,000. In other words, he is no longer just a consumer of electricity; he has become a producer, generating surplus power and supplying it to the grid.
- Contributing to Environmental Conservation Alongside Financial Savings
Omkar Sahu states that the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ (Prime Minister’s Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme) has proven highly beneficial for his family. Previously, they had to pay a monthly electricity bill, but now, their electricity bill has been reduced to zero. Furthermore, they are gaining financially by supplying surplus electricity to the grid. He notes that adopting solar energy is not only economically advantageous but also essential for environmental conservation. Receiving a ‘Vishnu ka Paati’ (a personal letter/message) from Chief Minister Shri Vishnudeo Sai has been a source of great pride and joy for him.