GS Paper 2
Topics Covered: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Context:
The Union Minister for Power and MNRE recently reviewed the implementation of PM-KUSUM Scheme.
- He emphasised on the importance of PM-KUSUM scheme for farmers which provides them a day-time reliable source of power for irrigation activities and also increasing their income.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan / (PM KUSUM) Scheme:
The Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- It is a scheme for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
- Approved in February 2019, the objective of the scheme is to provide financial and water security.
- The scheme aims to add solar and other renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022.
Key features:
- As per provisions of the PM-KUSUM Scheme, the grid connected agriculture pumps can be solarised with central and state subsidy of 30% each and farmer’s contribution of 40%.
- It will also include feeder level solarisation.
Scheme implementation:
State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) of MNRE will coordinate with States/UTs, Discoms and farmers for implementation of the scheme.
Scheme benefits:
- The scheme will open a stable and continuous source of income to the rural landowners for a period of 25 years by utilisation of their dry/uncultivable land.
- In case cultivated fields are chosen for setting up solar power projects, the farmers could continue to grow crops as the solar panels are to be set up above a minimum height.
- The solar pumps will save the expenditure incurred on diesel for running diesel pumps and provide the farmers a reliable source of irrigation through solar pumps apart from preventing harmful pollution from running diesel pumps.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Key features of the scheme.
- Benefits.
- Eligibility.
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of the scheme.
Sources: PIB.
