Punjab to install 20K agri-solar pumps; 5K reserved for SC farmers & panchayats

Chandigarh: Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora, on Friday, announced that the state government has decided to allocate 5000 solar pumps specifically for Scheduled Caste (SC) farmers and Gram Panchayats for agricultural purposes.

Disclosing the details here today, Mr. Aman Arora said that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) is ready to kick off a scheme aiming to install 20,000 solar pumps (Surface and Submersible) as part of the initial phase of the PM Kusum Scheme.

The cabinet minister shared that 2000 solar pump sets have been reserved for SC farmers in the state, with an 80% subsidy on the total installation cost. Additionally, 3000 solar pumps have been earmarked for gram panchayats. General category farmers will get 60% subsidy on the total installation cost.

Mr. Aman Arora said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Man led Punjab Government is pulling all stops to ensure optimum utilisation of the natural solar energy to decarbonise the agriculture sector. He also directed the PEDA officials that the execution of the solar agri-pump project should be ensured in a transparent and seamless manner.

Mr. Aman Arora said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Man-led Punjab Government is making every effort to maximise the use of natural solar energy to reduce carbon emissions in the agriculture sector. He also directed PEDA officials to ensure transparent and smooth execution of the solar agri-pump scheme.

The New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister, along with the department Secretary Mr. Ravi Bhagat, checked the operations of a portal created by PEDA with the assistance of the Department of Governance Reforms (DGR) for the application and allotment of agricultural solar pumps. He asked the officials concerned to ensure that farmers encounter no difficulties while applying for the solar pumps online.