PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme

27.05.2024

PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme

Why in the news?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

        The Ministry of Renewable Energy recently issued a warning to farmers on the PM-KUSUM website against fake websites and mobile applications that provide fake online application forms and demand registration fees for installing solar water pumps under the PM Kusum scheme.

About PM-KUSUM Scheme:

• It was launched in 2019 for de-dieselisation of the farm sector and enhancing the income of farmers.
• It is aimed at ensuring energy security for farmers in India, along with honouring India’s commitment to increase the share of installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil-fuel sources to 40% by 2030 as part of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
• It aims to add Solar capacity of about 34,800 MW by March 2026 with the total Central Financial support of Rs 34,422 crore.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It is being implemented by the designated departments of the State Government.
• Under the Scheme, a central government subsidy upto 30% or 50% of the total cost is given for the installation of standalone solar pumps and also for the solarization of existing grid-connected agricultural pumps.
• Further, farmers can also install grid-connected solar power plants up to 2 MW, under the Scheme on their barren/fallow land.
• The Scheme consists of three components:

Component A:

• 10,000 MW of solar capacity through the installation of small Solar Power Plants of individual plants of capacity up to 2 MW.
• The solar power plants will be preferably installed within a five-kilometer radius of the notified sub-stations in order to avoid high cost of transmission lines and losses.
• The power generated will be purchased by the local DISCOM at a pre-fixed tariff determined by the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC).

Component B:

• Installation of 20 lakhs of standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps.
• Individual farmers will be supported to install standalone solar Agriculture pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP for the replacement of existing diesel Agriculture pumps / irrigation systems in off-grid areas, where grid supply is not available.
• The State Government will give at-least a subsidy of 30% and the remaining will be provided by the farmer.

Component C:

• For Solarisation of 15 Lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps.
• Under this Component, individual farmers having grid connected agriculture pumps will be supported to solarise pumps.
• The farmer will be able to use the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and the excess solar power will be sold to DISCOMs at pre-fixed tariff.

The eligible categories for KUSUM Scheme are:

• An individual farmer.
• A group of farmers.
• FPO or Farmer producer organization.
• Panchayat.
• Co-operatives.
• Water User Associations.

                                   Source: PIB & Outlook India.Com

Question :- With reference to the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Scheme, consider the following statements:

1. It was introduced for de-dieselisation of the farm sector and enhancing the income of farmers.

2. Under the Scheme, the central government provides subsidies for the installation of standalone solar pumps.

3. Only individual farmers are eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.

How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer B