KUSUM

Finance minister Arun Jaitley had announced the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme in 2018-19 budget. It is solar power scheme which allows setting up grid-connected solar plants in rural areas apart from off-grid solar pumps.

The scheme involves decentralized solar power production of up to 28,250 Megawatt (Mw) over five years. The scheme aims at boosting farmers’ income by allowing them to sell additional power to the grid through solar plants set up on their barren lands.

It also provides for installation of grid-connected solar power plants of 2 Mw capacity each in rural areas and installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation needs of farmers not connected to the grid.