Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme

What Is Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme?

The full form of the KUSUM Scheme is Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan scheme. This scheme was initiated by the Indian Government in order to increase the income of farmers and also to provide irrigational sources to them. It focuses on de-dieselising the farm sector.

The KUSUM Scheme got the approval of the administration in March 2019  and the guidelines for the same were framed in July 2019. It was launched by the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) for the installation of solar pumps and some other renewable sources of energy all over the country. 

What Are The Objectives Of the Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme?

The main objectives of the scheme are mentioned below:

• Under the Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme, farmers, groups of farmers, co-operative societies and Panchayats can apply to install a solar pump in the area.
• The cost involved in this scheme is mainly divided into three categories in which the Government of India will help the farmers.
• The Indian Government will be providing a subsidy of 60% to the farmers.
• Also, 30% of the cost will be given itself by the Government in the form of different loans. 
• Only 10% of the total cost will be paid by the farmers.
• The electricity generated with the help of solar panels can also be sold by farmers.
• The money, further gained can be used for starting a new business.

What Are The Benefits Of The Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme?

This scheme was initiated by the Indian Government for the benefit of farmers. The main benefits of the scheme are mentioned below:

• Risk-free income for farmers
• Ability to check groundwater overexploitation
• Provides uninterrupted power supply
• Reduction of carbon footprint in agriculture
• Reduces the burden of farmers on-farm power subsidy

What Are The Three Components Of the Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme?

The three main components of the scheme are mentioned below for better understanding:

Component A

Component A of the scheme is summed up in the following points-

• Under this scheme, the workers will be setting up 10,000 MW of decentralized renewable sources of energy or power plants that are grid-connected on the land.
• The grids will be set up by cooperatives, farmers, FPO (Farmer Producer Organization) and WUA (Water User Associations).
• The power plants will be set up within a distance of 5 km from the sub-station.

Component B

Component B of the scheme is summed up in the following points-

• Farmers can install stand-alone solar agriculture pumps worth Rs. 17.50 lakh
• The capacity of these solar pumps will be up to 7.5 HP for the replacement of existing pumps
• This capacity may be higher than 7.5 HP but the financial support provided by the Government will be up to 7.5 HP.

Component C

Component C of the scheme is summed up in the following points-

• The Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme was initiated for solarisation of around 10 lakh Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps
• Individual farmers will be supported too
• The extrasolar power will be sold to the DISCOMs (Distribution Companies of India)
• The irrigational needs of the farmers shall be met with the generated solar power.

What Are The Details of the Sanctions and State Implementing Agencies Under the Pradhan Mantri KUSUM Scheme?

The following table shows the representation of the details and the state implementing agencies under this scheme for the years 2021-22: