80% subsidy for solar irrigation pump sets

A subsidy of 80% will be extended to farmers availing of solar irrigation pump sets under the ambitious PM KUSUM-B scheme, which aims to provide electricity for irrigation during daytime.

Inviting applications from farmers to obtain the solar irrigation pump sets, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) said the Government of Karnataka is implementing the KUSUM-B scheme to enable farmers to install pump sets at subsidised rates.

The use of solar energy for irrigation pump sets will significantly reduce dependence on conventional electricity.

“The KUSUM-B scheme has been designed to reduce reliance on traditional power sources for irrigation and enable farmers to become self-reliant by using solar energy. To make agriculture more profitable and to promote the use of solar power, an 80% subsidy is being provided. Under this scheme, priority is given to installing off-grid solar agricultural pump sets. Farmers will have to bear only 20% of the cost, while 50% is provided by the State government and 30% by the Union government,” the CESC said in a statement here on December 3.

December deadline

K.M. Munigopal Raju, CESC managing director, said the KUSUM-B scheme, which plays an important role in providing daytime irrigation facilities to farmers through solar pump sets, is set to conclude in December.

He urged farmers to make use of the facility immediately.

With the support of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), farmers in Karnataka can apply online to install solar pump sets on their borewells/open wells through the website www.souramitra.com.

“Through this portal, farmers must register, select a vendor/agency, and pay their 20% share for the installation of the solar pump set,” CESC said.

Farmers have been informed that only the notifications/information issued on www.kredl.karnataka.gov.in regarding the PM KUSUM-B scheme should be considered authentic. 

For registration and payment related to solar pump sets, farmers can visit www.souramitra.com, call KREDL’s helpline 080-22202100/8095132100, or contact the nearest CESC office or officials.

“Farmers are strictly advised not to share OTPs with anyone and to complete their own registration personally,” the CESC statement said.

For more information, farmers can contact the CESC at 9449598669.