Farmers adopted 67,418 solar pumps last year
The goal is to install an additional 70,000 solar pumps in 2024-25, Energy Minister
Chandigarh, March 2 (Punjab khabarnama) : Haryana Energy Minister, Sh. Ranjit Singh has called on farmers to contribute significantly to the success of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan’ (PM Kusum). He said that just like the farmers adopting 67,418 solar pumps during the 2023-24 period has made the ‘PM Kususm yojana’ a huge success, likewise they should this time also adopt the solar pumps.
The target for setting up 70,000 solar pumps designated for the year 2024-25 has been set to contribute further to the success of the ‘PM Kusum’ scheme. He urged farmers to adopt more solar pumps.
The Energy Minister said that while installing solar pumps fulfils the irrigation needs of farmers, it also increases their income by supplying excess energy to the grid. He said that a significant amount is provided by the government as subsidies for solar pumps. With the need to use natural resources like coal prudently for future generations, there is a shift towards exploring alternative sources such as renewable energy, clean energy, and solar energy. In view of this, Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has initiated ‘PM Kusum’ across the country. He said that he is delighted to see the increasing trend of Haryana farmers towards ‘PM Kusum’.
The Miniter said that recently, the sixth edition of the Elets National Energy Summit was organized in Chandigarh, where experts, industrialists, and other stakeholders deliberated on alternative sources of energy production. On this occasion, industries, government buildings, educational institutions, and solar energy production institutions in Haryana were honoured with national and state-level energy conservation awards for their outstanding performance in solar energy.
Sh. Ranjit Singh said that all necessary steps are being taken to fulfil the energy needs of farmers on a priority basis. In addition to solar pumps, demand notices are being issued in a phased manner to farmers who have applied for agriculture tubewell connections, and so far, demand notices have been issued for 27,740 out of 27,826 applications received from 2019 to 2021, after completing all formalities, connections will be issued, informed the Minister.
The Energy Minister said that a provision of Rs 7,061.51 crore has been made for the energy sector in the budget for 2024-25, for which he expresses gratitude to the Chief Minister, who has paid special attention to the energy sector in the budget.
