Chandikhole: In an initiative towards making zero bill for electricity consumption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today guaranteed a free electricity scheme for the people of Odisha.

Attending a public meeting at Chandikhole in Jajpur district during his one-day visit to Odisha, Modi announced PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aiming to light up households by providing upto 300 units of free electricity every month.

"With the installation of solar panels on rooftops of houses, people will avail free electricity upto 300 units per month. Under the rooftop solar scheme, the consumer can sell excess electricity generated from the solar panels," Modi promised.

Even the farmers can take advantage of the scheme. They can install solar panels on their farmland for power generation to use it for agriculture purposes, he said.

Addressing the rally, Modi said that his government's effort is to make Odisha to become gateway of developed India.

"The gas pipeline project started from Odisha and it is extended to other states in the eastern region of the country from here. Over Rs 2 lakh crore has been invested in petrochemical sector generating jobs for youth in Odisha. Also, the state is going to become a hub for textile industry," he said.

Hitting out at Congress, he said, "The development might have taken place in Odisha earlier during Congress regime. But the party focused on amassing wealth for itself."

"After Independence, Congress made such systems in India that poor and tribal people will have lack of trust on the government. The poor faced many challenges even for opening accounts in banks, availing loans. However, the BJP made it possible for them. When BJP came to power, we opened Jan Dhan accounts at banks. We introduced Mudra scheme under which poor people can get loan without mortgage," he said adding, "Where all hopes disappear, Modi's guarantee starts from there."

He appealed to people to vote for BJP in Odisha to reach party's 400+ target in forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Many senior BJP leaders including Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi attended the programme at Chandikhole.