Nearly 2.46 lakh farmers have benefitted from PM-KUSUM Scheme: Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy – EQ Mag

The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power has informed that the main objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) include de-dieselisation of the farm sector, providing water and energy security to farmers, increasing the income of farmers and curbing environmental pollution. The scheme has the following targets:

(i) Component ‘A’: 10 GW capacity through installation of small solar power plants each of capacity up to 2 MW on the barren/fallow land of farmers;

(ii) Component ‘B’: Installation of 20 lakh standalone off-grid solar water pumps; and

(iii) Component ‘C’: Solarization of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agriculture pumps and through feeder level solarization (FLS).

The scheme guidelines allow inter-se transfer of quantities under Component ‘B’ and Component ‘C’ of PM-KUSUM.

PM-KUSUM is a demand driven scheme and therefore quantities/ capacities are allocated under the three components of the scheme based on demand received from the States/ UTs. However, funds are allocated based on type / capacity of systems and progress of installation reported by the State Implementing Agencies.

State/UT-wise details of the beneficiaries and funds released under the Scheme are as given below.

State/UT-wise details of farmers benefitted and funds released under PM-KUSUM Scheme up to 30.06.2023

The achievements under various components of the scheme are shown below.

The achievements under various components of the scheme (as on 30.06.2023)

Major steps, including new initiatives, taken by the Government to achieve PM KUSUM targets in timely manner include:

• PM-KUSUM Scheme has been extended till 31.03.2026.
• Central Financial Assistance (CFA) is available for pump capacity up to 15 HP (increased from 7.5 HP) to the individual farmers in the North-eastern States, UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and Island UTs of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, and for each farmer in the cluster/ community irrigation projects in high water table areas in all the States/ UTs.
• Meetings with Banks / financial institutions for availability of low-cost financing to farmers.
• State level tender allowed for procurement of standalone solar pumps
• Time period for implementation extended to 24 months from the date of initial sanction.
• Requirement of performance bank guarantees under Component-A and Component-C (Feeder Level Solarization) relaxed.
• Tender conditions have been revised to increase the installer base in order to expedite extending benefit under the Scheme.
• Solarization of pumps under the Scheme included under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to provide subsidized loans to farmers.
• Scheme included under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to enable ease of accessing finance. Further, a number of banks have issued lending guidelines for the Scheme.
• Specifications & testing procedure of the solar pumps have been revised time to time to promote quality of installations.
• Web-Portals at Central and at State levels have been developed for monitoring of Scheme.
• Creating publicity and awareness including through CPSUs.
• Toll free number (1800-180-3333) provided for ease of getting information on the Scheme.
• Regular monitoring of the progress and issuance of clarifications and amendments to the scheme guidelines based on lessons learnt during implementation and feedback from stakeholders
  Extension granted for projects sanctioned during January, March and June 2021 under Component B till 31.12.2023
• For sanction issued during FY 2019-20, an extension is granted till 31.01.2024 under Component-A. Similar extension is issued for sanction granted under Component A during FY 2020-21 till 30.09.2024.
• The Guidelines of the scheme have been revised on 12.07.2023 to simplify the land aggregation process in Component ‘C’.

The PM KUSUM scheme guidelines clearly state that it will be mandatory to use indigenously manufactured solar module with indigenous solar cells. Further, the balance of system is to be manufactured indigenously. In addition, the motor-pump-set, controller and balance of system is also to be manufactured indigenously.

This information has been given by the Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha today, August 1, 2023.