Lok Sabha Question No. 394 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-08
Subject: Standalone Solar Pumps
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 394

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2022

## STANDALONE SOLAR PUMPS

## 394. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has provided standalone solar pumps to the States under  Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM);
- (b) if so, the details of standalone solar pumps sanctioned and installed in Andhra Pradesh since inception of PM-KUSUM, district-wise;
- (c) whether efforts are being made by the Government to install more and more such pump sets in the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)  to  (d)  The  PM-KUSUM Scheme is a demand driven scheme and based on the demand received from the states, a total of 8.07 lakh standalone solar pumps have been allocated to various states under Component-B of the PM-KUSUM Scheme. In absence of demand from Andhra Pradesh for installation of standalone solar pumps, no allocation could be made to the state under Component-B of the scheme.

The pace of implementation was significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and State Implementing Agencies have sought extension in the time-line for execution of projects under the Scheme. Ministry has also conducted third party evaluation of the Scheme and based on the recommendations, the Scheme has been extended till 31.3.2026. Further, the Ministry has taken several steps to achieve the targets under the Scheme. These inter-alia include regular monitoring of the Scheme, issue of clarifications and amendments to the scheme guidelines based on lessons learnt during implementation, creating publicity and awareness, organising workshops, etc.  The details of various efforts made are placed at Annexure.

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Annexure referred in reply to part (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 394 to be answered on 08.12.2022

## Efforts  made  by  Government  towards  promotion  of  solar  pumps  under  PM-KUSUM Scheme

Following actions have been taken by the Government towards promotion of solar pumps under PM-KUSUM Scheme:

-  PM-KUSUM Scheme has been extended till 31.03.2026.
-  Central Financial Assistance (CFA) available for pump capacity up to 15 HP (increased from  7.5  HP)  to  the  individual  farmers  in  the  North-eastern  States,  UTs  of  Jammu  & Kashmir and  Ladakh,  States  of  Uttarakhand  and  Himachal  Pradesh  and  Island  UTs  of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, and for each farmer in the cluster/ community irrigation projects in high water table areas in all the States/ UTs.
-  State level tender allowed for procurement of standalone solar pumps
-  Time period extended for implementation to 24 months from the date of initial sanction.
-  Portals developed for monitoring of Scheme at Central and at State levels through remote monitoring systems.
-  Solarization of pumps under the Scheme included under Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to provide subsidized loans to farmers.
-  Scheme included under Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to enable ease of accessing finance. Further, a number of banks have issued lending guidelines for the Scheme.
-  Specifications & testing procedure of the pumps have been revised time to time to promote quality of installations.
-  National  level  awareness  activities  conducted  through  CPSUs  for  the  Scheme.  About 80,000 hoardings/ banners put up across the country to increase awareness on the Scheme.
-  Toll free number provided for ease of getting information on the Scheme.
-  Tender conditions  have  been  revised  to  increase  the  installer  base  in  order  to  expedite extending benefit under the Scheme.