JAMMU AND KASHMIR's PALLI BECOMES COUNTRY'S FIRST CARBON-NEUTRAL PANCHAYAT; HOUSES TO BE LIT USING SOLAR PLANT

In adopting several government initiatives, including the steps to become a carbon neutral Panchayat, the Palli Panchayat in the border district of Samba in Jammu and Kashmir has earned the distinction of becoming the nation's first such Panchayat. On April 24, 2022, National Panchayat Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi originally inaugurated a 500 KV solar power plant for the Panchayat.

Due to inadequate surface runoff from recent intermittent rains in and surrounding district Samba, agricultural areas were flooded. The 500 KW Solar Power Plant's location, which is surrounded by paddy fields, also experienced water logging as a result. The Solar Plant's operation, however, was unaffected as it is still operating normally.

The Solar Plant's water logging problem was immediately addressed by the Deputy Commissioner Samba, who took immediate notice of the water buildup there. Additionally, grass that had grown wild had been cut down.

To check on the 500 KW solar power plant installed by CEL, a public sector company, under "Gram Urja Swaraj," a Panchayat owned systems operating model, the Teams of Rural Development, Power Development Department, District administration Samba, and JAKEDA also visited Palli Panchayat.

The system is fully operational and producing the desired amount of energy, which is being fed to the Utility Grid, according to a JAKEDA team led by the Additional Secretary, Science & Technology Department.

Rajinder Singh, ADDC, served as the team leader for the District Administration. The RDD was asked to remove the unwanted grass and other objects from the site as promptly as possible.

According to the results of the solar power plant's examination, the SPV panels are kept in reasonably good structural integrity and the SPP itself is unharmed.

As the nation's first Panchayat (village body) on the road to becoming carbon neutral, the referenced Solar Plant is a first of its kind that was created as a Pilot Project at Village Palli in District Samba.

The creation of a Grid Connected Solar Project in J&K has made it easier for DISCOMs to reach the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets established by the Ministry of Power for J&K.

Palli's landowners have all received land passbooks. Property cards have been given to everyone who owns a home in the abadi-deh neighbourhood. The Panchayat is also overrun with social security programmes like Aadhar, Ayushman Sehat, and others.

Additionally, Palli holds the distinction of being the first Panchayat in J&K to implement a solid waste management system that included door-to-door waste collection and installation of six biogas plants.

Palli Panchayat participates actively in regular development and awareness events held by the district administration of Samba.