Chandigarh, September 6 : Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister 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 phttp://SOLAR PUMPSurposes.

          Disclosing the details here today, 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.

Farmers will receive a 60% subsidy

          The cabinet minister announced that the state has reserved 2,000 solar pump sets for SC farmers, offering an 80% subsidy on installation costs. “Additionally, the government has allocated 3,000 solar pumps to gram panchayats, and general category farmers will receive a 60% subsidy on the total installation cost.”

          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 to ensure the transparent and seamless execution of the solar agri-pump project.

farmers encounter no difficulties while applying for the solar pumps

         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 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, in addition, farmers encounter no difficulties while applying for the solar pumps online.