(a) whether the Government has launched or proposes to launch any scheme to provide subsidy for setting up of solar power water pumps;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up solar water pumps from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Fund on the lines of Atal Jyoti Yojna; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY, POWER and MoS for SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) & (b) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM-KUSUM Scheme), which, inter alia, provides for:
(i) installation of 20 lakh standalone off-grid solar water pumps for irrigation purpose; and
(ii) solarization of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agriculture pumps.
Under the Scheme, for installation of standalone solar pumps or solarization of existing agricultural pumps, central financial assistance of 30% of the cost of the benchmark cost or the cost discovered through tender, whichever is lower, will be provided. The State Government will also provide subsidy 30% or higher. For North Eastern states including Sikkim; states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh; and island UTs of Lakshadweep and A&N Islands higher CFA of 50% of the benchmark cost or the tendered cost, whichever is lower, will be provided. Installation of standalone solar pumps and solarization of existing agricultural pumps can be done for pump of capacity higher than 7.5 HP. However, in such cases central financial assistance will be limited to that applicable for pump capacity of 7.5 HP.
(c) & (d) There is no proposal to set up solar water pumps from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Fund.
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