The government has extended PM-KUSUM scheme till March 2026 as its implementation was significantly affected due to the pandemic, reports PTI.
Inaugurated in 2019, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), the project aimed to increase solar capacity by 30,800 MW by 2022. It received total central financial support of Rs 34,422 crore which includes service charges to the implementing agents.
The scheme is composed of three components. Component A is to install 10,000 MW of solar power by installing small power plant of capacity up 2 MW. Component B is for 20 lakh standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps and component C is for solarization of 15 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the pace of PM-KUSUM implementation. In a written response to the Lok Sabha, R K Singh, Minister MNRE, stated that the ministry, also performed a third-party evaluation of the scheme and recommended that the scheme be extended until 31.3.2026.
The timeline for executing projects under the scheme was extended by state implementing agencies.
MNRE monitors the scheme by holding regular meetings with states on an every other week/fortnightly basis. He said that state implementation agencies submit monthly progress reports.
