Government intends to link farmers with suppliers to facilitate the installation of solar pumps

One of the three components of PM KUSUM, a nationwide platform for solar pump installations, is reportedly in the works. This is similar to what the government did with the redesigned PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which was introduced in February.

Launched in March 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan Yojana aims to create jobs for farmers and provide resources for irrigation and de-dieselization of the agricultural sector.

The Economic Times said on May 17 that the government is considering a plan to put farmers in direct contact with suppliers via a nationwide site for the installation of solar pumps as part of the PM Kusum program. It will save installation times and assist farmers in selecting the kind of pump they want.

Launched in March 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (Kusum) Yojana aims to provide irrigation and de-dieselize the agriculture sector while also augmenting farmer income.

"It's still in the conceptual stage. We want to enhance the way in which some aspects of the PM Kusum plan are implemented. It is entangled in several delays connected to tendering," the paper said, quoting an official.

One of the three components of the plan, a national platform for solar pump installations, is reportedly in the works. This is similar to what the government did for the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which was introduced in February and is a revised version of the solar rooftop program.

According to the article, farmers could be able to submit their requirements to suppliers directly via the national platform, doing away with the necessity for states to contract for the pumps.

Component A of the scheme involves installing 10,000 MW of solar capacity through the establishment of small power plants with a capacity of up to 2 MW. Component B involves installing 20 lakh solar-powered agriculture pumps that are standalone, and Component C involves solarizing 15 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps.

According to the article, the installation and solarization of agricultural pumps are being rationalized. It also said that there is no discussion on a change in the subsidy outlay, but the government could maintain a standard for the sops.

In October of last year, Shakti Pumps said that it had secured an order for Rs 149.71 crore under the PM Kusum program.