Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, the government is providing significant financial assistance to farmers for installing solar-powered pumps. This scheme aims to address irrigation problems in rural areas and reduce farmers’ energy costs. The central and state governments are jointly providing subsidies of up to lakhs of rupees on solar pumps ranging from 2 HP to 10 HP.
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Under the scheme, the fixed price for a 2 HP surface pump is Rs. 164,322. Farmers can receive a subsidy of up to one lakh rupees on this pump. For larger HP submersible pumps, this assistance reaches up to Rs. 254,983. The government aims to encourage more and more farmers to switch to solar energy and reduce their dependence on diesel and electricity.
68 to 90 Percent Subsidy Available Under the Scheme
The biggest feature of this scheme is that farmers are provided with a substantial subsidy of 68 to 90 percent. This significantly reduces the cost of the solar pump and considerably lowers the annual irrigation expenses. Farmers can also earn additional income by selling surplus solar energy generated to the grid. A target of installing approximately two thousand solar pumps has been set for the four districts of the division.
Online Registration and Selection Through E-Lottery
To avail the benefits of the scheme, farmers are required to register on the department’s official website, upagriculture.up.gov.in. Booking of solar pumps is also done on this portal. Applicants will be selected through an e-lottery system. A token money of five thousand rupees is mandatory at the time of booking. The process for depositing the remaining amount proceeds only after selection. If the payment is not made within the stipulated period, the application is automatically cancelled, and the token money is forfeited.
Compliance with Prescribed Boring Standards is Necessary
To receive the solar pump subsidy, it is necessary to meet the prescribed standards for boring. A four-inch borewell is mandatory for 2 HP pumps, a six-inch borewell for 3 and 5 HP pumps, and an eight-inch borewell for 7.5 and 10 HP pumps. If the borewell is found unsuitable during verification, the application will be cancelled, and the token amount paid will not be refunded. Pumps of different HP ratings are considered suitable for depths ranging from 22 feet to 300 feet, depending on the water level.
Pump Selection Based on Requirements
Farmers can select a pump from the options available on the portal, based on their farming needs and water level. A message is sent to the farmer’s registered mobile number as soon as the booking is confirmed. Eligibility is determined only after the remaining amount is deposited within the stipulated time. The government has clarified that changing the installation site after the solar pump has been installed will not be permitted, and if this is done, the entire subsidy amount will be recovered from the farmer.