Haryana

• 03 Feb 2024

Subsidy to Farmers on Solar Energy Pumps

Why in News?

Online applications for solar water pumping systems at 75% subsidy under the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme on behalf of Haryana Government can be made from 19th January to 29th January, 2024.

Key Points

• The state government, through the PM-Kusum scheme, aims to provide farmers with the opportunity for irrigation using solar energy.
• Applications are invited for solar pumps ranging from 3hp to 10hp under this scheme. The selection of beneficiaries for the current year will be based on the family's annual income and land ownership.
• As per the survey by the Haryana Water Resources Authority, in villages where the groundwater level has dropped below 100 feet, the installation of micro-irrigation systems is mandatory.
• Other farmers must install underground pipe lines or micro-irrigation systems. Farmers engaged in rice cultivation whose fields have a groundwater level below 40 meters are not eligible for this scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM)

• The PM-KUSUM is a flagship scheme initiated by the Indian government in 2019 with the primary objective of transforming the agricultural sector by promoting the adoption of solar energy solutions.
• It operates on a demand-driven approach. Capacities are allocated based on the demands received from various states and union territories (UTs).
• Through various components and financial support, PM-KUSUM envisions achieving a significant solar power capacity addition of 30.8 GW by March 31, 2026.