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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 three components targeted to achieve solar power capacity addition of 30.8 GW by 31.3.2026 with total central financial support of Rs. 34422 Cr.
Steps taken by Ministry for proper implementation of the PM-KUSUM Scheme inter-alia include:
- PM-KUSUM Scheme has been extended till 31.03.2026.
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA) 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.
- Meeting with Banks/FIs for availability of low cost financing to farmers.
- State level tender allowed for procurement of standalone solar pumps
- Time period extended for implementation 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 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.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
