Chandigarh: With an allocation of Rs 927.24 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) over the past four years, Haryana has maximised the benefits of this centrally sponsored scheme. Hisar leads the state with 31,610 solar-powered water pumps, contributing to a total of 137,686 solar water pumps installed across Haryana.
However, Panchkula and Faridabad lagged behind, with only 190 and 292 farmers, respectively, opting for the scheme. This initiative has also been beneficial for electricity distribution companies and the state energy department, which faced criticism from the opposition for the non-release of tubewell connections.
Similarly, in the section of rooftop solar power systems, Rewari tops the table with 980 beneficiaries, as a total of 9,453 households across the state availed of this scheme. The lowest number of beneficiaries was reported from Palwal and Nuh districts. In Palwal, only 16 households availed the benefits, while in Nuh, the number was 26.
According to HAREDA, the residents of these areas were not forthcoming and failed to fulfil the conditions. Notably, the households are beneficiaries of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, which provides for a totally subsidised system for non-feasible areas.
The information came to light during the ongoing session of Lok Sabha on a question by Congress MP from Sonipat, Satpal Brahmchari, who sought details from the Union ministry for new & renewable energy and power. Brahmchari sought details on the families under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY) with district-wise data in Haryana, especially in the Sonipat LS constituency.