AKSHAY URJA SHOPS

The Ministry has been promoting the establishment of Aditya Solar Shops in major cities of the country with a view to make solar energy products easily available and to provide after sales repair and maintenance services. So far 297 Aditya Solar Shops/Akshaya Urja Shops have been sanctioned, which have either been established or are under establishment in 28 States/UTs. The shops have been renamed as “Akshay Urja Shops” with a view to cover wider sales and service of all renewable energy devices and systems. It has been planned to establish one shop in each district of the country.


Outside and Inside Views of an Akshya Urjha Shop

Scheme Provisions

Under the Scheme, the network of the shops is being expanded by encouraging private entrepreneurs and NGOs to set up and operate such shops in all districts of the country. Applicants are eligible to avail loans upto Rs. 10 lakhs through designated banks banks for establishment of the shops at an interest rate of 7%. In addition, recurring grant & incentive linked with turnover upto Rs. 10,000 per month (subject to certain conditions) during the first two years of operation will also be available. The scheme will be operated through State Nodal Agencies and IREDA.

Objective

To make renewable energy products easily available to people and provide them after sale repair services.

Scheme Provisions

The scheme provides for financial support to applicants for establishment of the shops in terms of soft loans through banks and monthly recurring grant and incentive for initial two years of operation through State Nodal Agencies linked with performance.

Criteria For Establishment

Minimum covered area of the shops should be 200 sq.ft (excluding storage) and it should be located in a prime and easily accessible part of the city. The shop may be owned or rented or leased. However, in the selection, priority is to be given to owned shops by State Nodal Agencies while sending recommendations to Ministry. Only one shop to be established in each district. Districts already having the shops established earlier are not entitles for more shops.

Financial Provisions

Soft loans to Owners

@7% to a maximum of 85% of the cost of establishment subject to a maximum of Rs.10 lakhs designated banks repayable over a period of five years. Interest subsidy to the bank.

Recurring grant/incentive through State Nodal Agencies (Subject to some minimum turnover)

	Rs.5000/- p.m as recurring grant towards manpower, electricity, telephone bills and other miscellaneous expenses.
	Rs. 5000/- p.m as incentive towards turnover made subject to a minimum turnover of Rs. 50,000/- p.m during the first year and Rs. 1,00,000/- p.m during the second year of operation.

Achievements (Up to 30.06.09) : 297 shops in 28 states