Why Only 5 States are Shining in PM-KUSUM Yojana in India?

#PM_KUSUM_Yojna is a flagship scheme of the Government of India to promote the use of solar energy in the #agricultureSector. The scheme aims to provide subsidies and incentives to farmers to install solar irrigation pumps and sell the excess power to the grid.

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However, a recent report by JMK Research & Analytics revealed that only five states - Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra - account for 87% of the total benefits under the scheme.

Why is this so? What are the challenges faced by other states in implementing the scheme?

One of the major reasons for the skewed distribution of benefits is the difference in the state policies and regulations regarding solar power.

The five states that have gained the most from the scheme have favorable policies such as higher feed-in tariffs, lower wheeling charges, longer power purchase agreements, and easier land acquisition.

These policies encourage farmers to adopt solar pumps and sell surplus power to the grid, thereby increasing their income and reducing their dependence on diesel.

On the other hand, some states have restrictive policies such as lower tariffs, higher charges, shorter agreements, and complex land procedures. These policies discourage farmers from investing in solar pumps and make them less competitive in the market.

Another reason for the uneven implementation of the scheme is the lack of awareness and infrastructure in some states.

Many farmers in remote and rural areas are not aware of the scheme and its benefits. They may not know how to apply for the scheme or what are the eligibility criteria and documents required.

The government and the state implementing agencies need to conduct more awareness campaigns and outreach programs to inform the farmers about the scheme and its advantages.

Moreover, some states lack adequate infrastructure to support the installation and operation of solar pumps. There may be issues such as lack of grid connectivity, poor road connectivity, difficult terrain, frequent power cuts, etc. that may hamper the execution of the scheme. The government and the state implementing agencies need to invest more in improving the infrastructure and providing a reliable power supply to the farmers.

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A case in point is Assam, which has received only 5,000 solar pumps under the scheme out of a target of 1 lakh pumps. The state has faced several challenges such as poor quality equipment, lack of accountability, delayed payments, technical glitches, etc. that have affected the performance and sustainability of the scheme. The state government has admitted that there are gaps in the implementation of the scheme and has assured to take corrective measures to improve it.

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PM KUSUM Yojna is a laudable initiative that can transform the lives of millions of farmers in India by providing them with clean energy, water security, and income generation. However, there is a need to address the issues and challenges faced by some states in implementing the scheme effectively.

The central and state governments need to work together to create a conducive policy environment, increase awareness and infrastructure, ensure quality and accountability, and monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the scheme. Only then can PM KUSUM Yojna achieve its full potential and benefit all states equally.

Some suggestions on how PM KUSUM Yojna can be promoted to the rest of India are:

• The central and state governments can launch more awareness campaigns and outreach programs to inform the farmers about the scheme and its benefits. They can use various media platforms such as newspapers, radio, television, social media, etc. to spread the message and create a positive image of the scheme. They can also involve local influencers, celebrities, NGOs, etc. to endorse the scheme and motivate the farmers to apply for it.
• The central and state governments can simplify the application process and documentation requirements for the scheme. They can provide online portals, mobile apps, toll-free numbers, etc. to facilitate the registration and verification of the farmers. They can also provide guidance and assistance to the farmers throughout the process and resolve their queries and grievances in a timely manner.
• The central and state governments can provide more financial support and incentives to the farmers to adopt solar pumps and other renewable energy facilities. They can increase the subsidy rates, reduce the interest rates, extend the repayment period, etc. for the scheme. They can also provide additional benefits such as free maintenance, insurance, warranty, etc. for the solar pumps and other equipment.
• The central and state governments can improve the infrastructure and power supply in the rural areas to enable the installation and operation of solar pumps and other renewable energy facilities. They can invest more in building or upgrading the grid connectivity, road connectivity, power transmission lines, sub-stations, etc. in the remote and hilly areas. They can also ensure regular and reliable power supply to the farmers and avoid frequent power cuts or fluctuations.
• The central and state governments can monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the scheme on a regular basis. They can collect feedback from the farmers and other stakeholders on their satisfaction and challenges with the scheme. They can also measure the outcomes of the scheme in terms of energy savings, water conservation, income generation, environmental protection, etc. They can use this data to identify the gaps and issues in the implementation of the scheme and take corrective measures to improve it.

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