Odisha Government launches Saura Jalnidhi scheme

Odisha Government has launched Saura Jalnidhi scheme to encourage use of solar energy in irrigation by farmers. Under this scheme, farmers will be given 90% subsidy and 5,000 solar pumps. This will provide irrigation benefits in 2,500 acres of the state. The beneficiary of this scheme will be farmers who have valid farmer identity cards and have minimum 0.5 acres of agricultural land.

Saura Jalnidhi scheme

The scheme was launched as part of state government’s endeavor to increase the use of solar photovoltaic pump sets in those areas so that irrigation facilities can be provided where power system is bad. For this scheme, state government has made a provision of Rs 27.18 crore in the financial year 2017-18.
In the first phase, this scheme will be available in those areas where electricity is not available for running the pump set. This scheme will generate 1.52 lakh human day employments annually and provided livelihood to around 5,000 families and also reduce carbon footprints.
Under this scheme, farmers will be provided with a well-equipped solar pump irrigation system in convergence mode. It will help to reduce burden of input cost on farmers and also increase agricultural income. It will promote the use of green energy and reduce pollution.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018