Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar. 23: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme in March, 2019 for de-dieselisation of farm sector and enhancing the income of farmers. This scheme is being implemented by the Electricity Department of Andaman & Nicobar Administration for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The MNRE has sanctioned 34 Nos. of Stand-alone Solar Pumps under Component-B and 436 Nos. of Individual Grid-connected Solar Pump under Component-C {IPS (Individual Pump Solarisation)} for Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the FY 2024-25. The salient features of the Component B & C (IPS) are as follows:
Component B:
- Under this Component, individual farmers will be supported to install standalone Solar Agriculture pumps or replacement of existing diesel Agriculture pumps / irrigation systems in off-grid areas, where grid supply is not available.
- Priority would be given to small and marginal farmers and farmers using micro irrigation.
- Pumps of capacity higher than 7.5 HP may be allowed, but the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be limited to the CFA applicable for pump of 7.5 HP.
- Maximum Solar PV capacity in kW is allowed as per the pump capacity in HP, in accordance with the MNRE specifications. For example, 3 HP pump capacity cannot have solar capacity of more than 3 kW.
Component C (Individual Pump Solarization (IPS)):
- This component aims at solarisation of grid connected agriculture pumps.
- The objective of this component is to provide reliable day-time solar power to farmers, enhancing their income by purchasing surplus solar power and thus incentivizing them for saving water.
- Under this component, solar PV capacity up to two times of pump capacity in kW is allowed, so that the farmer will be able to use the generated solar power to meet the irrigation needs and get additional income by selling surplus solar power to the Electricity Department, A&N Administration.
The details of the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) are as mentioned below:
| Component | Benefit for | Central Subsidy | Farmer’s Share |
| Component B | Farmers in off-grid areas | 50% of benchmark cost or tender cost whichever is lower | 20% through self-financing or bank loan |
| Component C (IPS) | Farmers with electric pumps | 50% of benchmark cost or tender cost whichever is lower | 20% through self-financing or bank loan |
In addition to central subsidy, 30 % UT subsidy shall be notified subject to approval. For further information in this matter, interested individual farmers/Water User Associations/UT based Irrigation Systems can contact the Office of the Executive Engineer (NRSE), Electricity Department, Opp. Marine Hall, Mohanpura, Sri Vijaya Puram, A&N Islands – 744101, Ph No. 03192-230276 during working hours.
