Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Poddar has said that the Central government's "Kusum" scheme is a big opportunity for states like Jharkhand and the State Government should take this initiative immediately to get the benefit of the farmers of the State. Through this scheme, the farmers can be provided solar power based power, irrigation facilities and income, which will ultimately be helpful in doubling their income according to the resolution of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the basis of information provided in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Poddar said that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Power Ministry of the Government of India started a new scheme under the name of Kisan Urja Suraksha ewam Utthan Mahabhiyan (Kusum) on March 8, 2019. Under this scheme, there is a target of generation of 10,000 MW electricity through small power plants based on renewable energy capacity of two to two MW in rural areas. Simultaneously, there is a provision of establishment of 17.5 lakh standalone offgrid solar water pumps and the solarization of 10 million existing grid connected agricultural pumps.

Under the scheme, the implementing agencies are aiming to generate a total of 25,750 MW of capacity for renewable power with a total Central financial assistance of Rs 34,422 crore, including service charges up to 2022.

Poddar said that this scheme is based on demand and the State-wise allocation of funds is not prescribed. Allocation of capacity to the states will be done on the basis of available target capacity under demand and scheme received from there. Obviously, in such a situation, those states that put forward their demands first will bear the fruits of the programme. Therefore, the concerned departments of the State Government should show willingness in this matter so that the farmers of the state should not be deprived of this benefit.