Chief Minister sends Diwali greetings to Kawardha farmer, lauds solar energy initiative

• CM’s ‘Vishnu Ki Paati’ reaches Onkar Sahu

• Zero electricity bill under PM Surya Ghar Yojana; home now produces surplus power

Raipur, 06 November 2026 / A heartfelt Diwali message from Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has become special for the family of Onkar Sahu, a farmer from Kawardha, Chhattisgarh. Onkar Sahu, a resident of Ramnagar in Kawardha, adopted solar energy under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Chief Minister sent him greetings through ‘Vishnu Ki Paati’. In the letter, the Chief Minister praised his initiative of adopting solar energy alongside farming and called it an important step towards economic, self-reliance and environmental conservation.

The Chief Minister wrote in his letter that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s PM Surya Ghar Yojana is bringing the benefits of solar energy to families. He said clean energy not only saves money but also helps improve the surrounding environment. He also wished the Sahu family prosperity and happiness, and wished the children a bright future.

Solar panels bring electricity bill down to zero

Onkar Sahu, a farmer from Kawardha, installed a 3-kilowatt solar panel at his home on 28 April 2025 under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The installation cost a total of ₹1.90 lakh, of which he received a subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh. He said his monthly electricity bill used to be around ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 before the panels were installed. Solar power now meets all of his household’s electricity needs, and his bill has come down to zero.

Surplus power fed to the grid earns ₹9,000

Onkar Sahu said the solar panels produce more electricity than his home needs. The power left over after household use goes to the electricity grid, and so far he has earned about ₹9,000 for it. This means he is no longer just a consumer of electricity. He is now also a producer who supplies surplus power to the grid.

Savings for the family, and a contribution to the environment

Onkar Sahu says the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been very beneficial for his family. He used to pay an electricity bill every month, but now the bill is zero, and he also earns money by sending surplus power to the grid. He said adopting solar energy makes economic sense and is also necessary for protecting the environment. He said receiving ‘Vishnu Ki Paati’ from Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai is a matter of pride and joy for him.