Punjab To Issue 20,000 New Solar Pumps, Opens Application

Punjab To Issue 20,000 New Solar Pumps, Opens Application

The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has issued a notification inviting applications from state farmers for 20,000 new solar pump connections. To facilitate this, the state nodal agency has earmarked 37 blocks across 12 districts. PEDA clarified that in addition to these 37 blocks, farmers from other regions identified as dark zones can also apply under certain additional conditions. These solar pumps will be provided under the PM KUSUM scheme.

The state government is accepting online applications from farmers residing in 12 districts: Bathinda, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Mansa, SBS Nagar, Pathankot, Patiala, Rupnagar, and SAS Nagar. PEDA has also reserved 2,000 solar pumps for farmers from SC and ST categories and earmarked 3,000 pumps for the common land of gram panchayats.

Applications will be accepted until September 30. According to the notification, farmers using diesel pumps for irrigation from any water source are eligible for the scheme. Farmers or panchayats lifting water from village ponds or farm ponds with diesel pumps can apply, and those planning new bore wells are also eligible.

However, Punjab farmers not residing in the identified 12 districts (dark zones) must meet additional conditions. PEDA’s guidelines specify that farmers from these regions must install micro-irrigation systems (drip or sprinkler) on existing bore wells. Farmers or panchayats lifting water from village ponds, farm ponds, or canals with diesel pumps are also eligible. However, the agency emphasized that no new bore wells will be allowed in dark zone blocks.

The PEDA document further clarifies that farmers who have PSPCL electric motor connections or have installed solar pumps for irrigation in their names or in their family members’ names will not be eligible for the scheme. The scheme provides up to a 60% subsidy for general category farmers and up to 80% for SC category farmers. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers interested to use solar for their irrigation, gets the solar pumps with central subsidies.