(a) whether any scheme is being implemented to run street lamps and water pumps in rural areas of the country through solar energy along with any assistance is being provided for it;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of street lamps and water pumps installed in the rural areas of the country during the last five years, State/UT-wise; and
(d) the amount spent for the said purpose during the said period, State/UT-wise?
THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) & (b) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), with provisions for financial support for installation of 20 lakh standalone solar water pumps under Component-B and solarization of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agriculture pumps including through feeder level solarisation, under Component-C.
For these components, Government of India provides Central Financial Assistance of 30% of the benchmark cost or cost discovered through tender, whichever is lower. In case of North-Eastern States including Sikkim; hilly States of Himachal and Uttarakhand; UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep, higher Central Financial Assistance of 50% of benchmark cost or cost discovered through tender, whichever is lower, is being provided.
Currently, there is no operational Scheme for installation of solar street lights.
(c) & (d) State/ UT-wise details of solar street lights and solar pumps installed and funds released under Solar Off-grid Programme of MNRE, including the expenditure on solar street lights and solar pumps during 2016-17 to 2020-21 are placed at Annexure.
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