Gandhinagar: Gujarat government today informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, it offers financial assistance to farmers for the installation of solar pumps, resulting in the installation of over 7,700 off-grid solar pumps by farmers in the state by December 2024. The government said it has disbursed subsidies exceeding ₹218 crore, covering approximately 70% of the cost.

The PM-KUSUM scheme, launched by the central government in 2019, aims to  promoting the use of solar energy. Gujarat govt says it has been sanctioned to install 12,382 standalone off-grid solar pumps by March 2026 under the scheme.

Vijayaben V. Asodariya, a beneficiary from Hadmatiya (Khakhra) village in Bhesan Taluka, Junagadh, shared her experience, stating, “Once installed, this pump operates for 8-10 hours a day without requiring electricity. It has been maintenance-free for five years. Additionally, being powered by solar energy, it is completely pollution-free.”

The government sharing the data stated – Narmada district leads with over 5100 solar pumps installed under this scheme. In terms of the number of solar pumps installed, the top ten districts following Narmada are Valsad with over 460, Banaskantha with over 450, Dang with over 320, Mahisagar with over 260, Gir Somnath with over 220, Chhota Udepur with over 180, Tapi with over 160, Kutch with over 130, and Navsari with over 100 pumps. DeshGujarat