Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav chaired the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday at the Secretariat. The Cabinet approved amendments to the ‘Prime Minister Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana’ concerning the installation of solar pumps for irrigation. Under the revised provisions, farmers will now have the option to receive a solar pump of one higher capacity than their currently sanctioned level. Accordingly, farmers with a 3 HP temporary electricity connection will be eligible for a 5 HP solar pump, while those with a 5 HP connection will be able to obtain a 7.5 HP solar pump.
In the first phase of the scheme, the benefits of solar pumps will be extended to farmers who either have temporary electricity connections or are currently un-electrified. Under the revised provisions, farmers with temporary electricity connections will need to contribute only 10% of the installation cost for solar pumps up to 7.5 HP, as the government will extend a 90% subsidy.
The Government of India’s KUSUM-B Scheme has been operational in Madhya Pradesh under the name ‘Prime Minister Krishak Mitra Surya Yojana’ since January 24, 2025, and is being implemented by the Madhya Pradesh Energy Development Corporation. The Cabinet observed that the revised provisions will help the state reduce its expenditure on electricity subsidies for agricultural pumps and bring down distribution losses incurred by power distribution companies.