To reach the target of doubling farmer’s income by 2022, the Central Government’s ambitious Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is gearing up with full swing and has invited applications from farmers across the nation. Moreover, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the expansion of the scheme in the recent union budget 2020 which decided to cover 20 lakh farmers across the nation this year. The Solar Pump Yojana which promises to fulfill the irrigation and water problems by providing a 90% subsidy to the farmer for setting up pump sets and tube wells has invited applications from farmers in Uttar Pradesh. The scheme gained good responses from farmers across the states and the government assured that it will be soon implemented in the other states as well.
Uttar Pradesh Government Has Implemented KUSUM Yojana
As per reports, the state government of Uttar Pradesh has set the target for the financial year 2019-20 and opened the application process from 4th February. Under this scheme, farmers will be provided solar pumps for irrigation in the fields which promise to fulfill the irrigation and water problems by providing a 70% subsidy to the farmer for setting up pump sets and tube wells. Moreover, it is important to note that the power shortage and dependence of farmers on electricity is hoped to be reduced through this scheme.
Apart from this, the barren land can be used for solar energy. Farmers can also earn money by selling electricity. Explain that under the KUSUM scheme, the central and state governments will give 60 percent of the total cost of the solar pump as a subsidy to the farmers. 30 percent bank will get a loan. The remaining 10 percent will have to be given to the farmer. The agriculture department is the nodal designated for the operation of the scheme.
UP Government Increases Subsidy on 2 and 3 HP Solar Pumps
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India, there is a subsidy on the installation of stand-alone solar pumps of varying capacity up to 7.5 HP. But the Uttar Pradesh government has increased the subsidy to 45 percent instead of 30 subsidies on 2 HP and 3 HP solar pumps as instructed by the guideline.
Installation of 17.50 Lakh stand-alone solar agriculture pumps
Here, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar Agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP for replacement of existing diesel Agriculture pumps/irrigation systems.
How Much Farmers Needs to pay?
Rs 28376 to farmer for 1800 Watt 2 HP-AC Surface Solar Pump
Rs. 38882 for 3000 Watt 3 HP-DC Surface Solar Pump
Rs 38007 to the farmer for 3000 Watt 3 HP-DC Surface Solar Pump
4800 Watt 5 HP - AC Submersible Solar Pump for farmers 87020 rupees
How to Apply for Solar Pump Yojana?
(Only for Uttar Pradesh farmers)
Online Mode
The state government of Uttar Pradesh has opened the links in their government website and farmers can directly apply in the official site of Uttar Pradesh government. http://www.upagripardarshi.gov.in/
Click Here to Apply Online
Offline Mode
Farmers can directly contact with nearby electricity board/department or MNRE department and can fill offline application.
KUSUM Yojana Online Application Procedure (other states)
The online procedure of KUSUM Yojana has finally released and the links have opened to apply online. You need to go to the official site of PM Kusum Yojana or Click Here. (https://mnre.gov.in/pm-kusum-scheme)
What’s the Last Date to Apply?
The farmers can apply online or offline before 31st March (only applicable for Uttar Pradesh Farmers).
On the other hand, there is no fixed date or deadline for the rest of the farmers of different states.
Setting up of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on barren land
Under this plan, renewable energy-based power plants (REPP) of capacity 500 kW to 2 MW will be set up by individual farmers/ group of farmers/ cooperatives/ panchayats/ Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO)/Water User associations (WUA) on barren/fallow land. These power plants can also be installed on cultivable land on stilts where crops can also be grown below the solar panels. The renewable energy power project will be installed within a five km radius of the sub-stations in order to avoid the high cost of sub-transmission lines and to reduce transmission losses. The power generated will be purchased by local DISCOM at a pre-fixed tariff.
